High-latitude ground-based observations of the thermospheric ion-drag time constant

Kosch, M. J. and Cierpka, K. and Rietveld, M. T. and Hagfors, T. and Schlegel, K. (2001) High-latitude ground-based observations of the thermospheric ion-drag time constant. Geophysical Research Letters, 28 (7). pp. 1395-1398. ISSN 0094-8276

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Abstract

From previous studies, it has been conclusively demonstrated that F-region thermospheric winds follow, but generally lag behind, the ion drift pattern of magnetospheric convection. Analysis of the ion-neutral momentum exchange equation shows that ion-drag and thermal pressure are the major contributors to neutral momentum forcing at F-region heights with relatively minor effects from coriolis, advection and viscous forces. An ion-neutral coupling time constant (e-folding time) has been defined which describes the time taken for the neutral gas velocity to approach the ion velocity after a step change in convection. In this study, F-region ion drift and neutral winds have been observed by the EISCAT tristatic incoherent scatter facility and a ground-based Fabry-Perot interferometer, respectively, from northern Scandinavia. The e-folding time varies in the range 0.5 - 6.5 hours, with an average of 1.8 and 3.3 hours for a geomagnetically active and quiet period, respectively, which compares well with previous satellite measurements of 0.5 - 3.5 hours.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Geophysical Research Letters
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/1900/1908
Subjects:
?? fpi dcs-publications-idart-208dcs-publications-creditsfpiiono-fadcs-publications-personnel-id756geophysicsgeneral earth and planetary sciencesearth and planetary sciences(all)t technology (general) ??
ID Code:
6596
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
21 Apr 2008 10:32
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Jul 2024 08:44