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Ion composition and drift observations in the nighttime equatorial ionosphereThe first in situ measurements of ion composition in the nighttime equatorial E and F region ionospheres (90-300 km) are presented and discussed. These profiles were obtained by two rocket-borne ion mass spectrometers launched from Thumba, India on March 9-10, 1970 at solar zenith angles of 112 deg and 165 deg. Ionosonde data established that the composition was measured at times bounding a period of F region downward drift. During this period the ions O(+) and N(+) were enhanced by one to three orders of magnitude between 220 and 300 km. Below the drift region (200 km), O(+) ceased to be the major ionic constituent, but the concentrations of O(+) and N(+) remained larger than predicted from known radiation sources and loss processes. Here also, both the O2(+) and NO(+) profiles retained nearly the same shape and magnitude throughout the night in agreement with theories assuming scattered UV radiation to be the maintaining source. Light metallic ions including Mg(+), Na(+) and possibly Si(+) were observed to altitude approaching 300 km, while the heavier ions Ca(+) and K(+) were seen in reduced quantity to 200 km. All metal ion profiles exhibited changes which can be ascribed to vertical drifting.
Document ID
19740009003
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Technical Memorandum (TM)
Authors
Goldberg, R. A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Aikin, A. C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Murthy, B. V. K.
(Space Sci. and Technol. Center)
Date Acquired
September 3, 2013
Publication Date
February 1, 1974
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
X-625-74-50
NASA-TM-X-70593
Accession Number
74N17116
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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