Abstract
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH,
VOL. 111,
A07311,
12 PP., 2006
doi:10.1029/2004JA010711
Baseline high-latitude ionospheric parameters and field-aligned ion motion
Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Fairbanks, Alaska, USA
Establishing baseline values for ionospheric parameters allows for the identification of special events and comparison of events that occur at different magnetic local times, seasons, or solar cycle phases. Variations in average electron densities, ion and electron temperatures, and ion velocities between 100 and 800 km altitude are determined from Svalbard and Sondrestrom radar data. Despite their similar geomagnetic latitudes, Svalbard and Sondrestrom are found to measure significantly different populations. The average ion flux and ion, electron and plasma pressures can be calculated from the measured quantities. The primary location for upward moving ions is the dayside noon region, where the cusp can be expected. The role of plasma pressure is discussed.
Received 30 July 2004; accepted 13 December 2005; published 19 July 2006.
Citation: (2006), Baseline high-latitude ionospheric parameters and field-aligned ion motion, J. Geophys. Res., 111, A07311, doi:10.1029/2004JA010711.
Cited By
