Neutral Winds and Energy Dissipation Rates in the Auroral E Region
Location
Yosemite National Park
Start Date
2-7-1974 9:45 AM
End Date
2-7-1974 10:00 AM
Description
The Chatanika, Alaska incoherent scatter radar facility has provided simultaneous measurements of the ion drift velocities and densities in the E and F regions. From these data are calculated the magnetospheric electric field, E region mean effective neutral wind (up to about 160 km), the electrical currents flowing transverse to the geomagnetic field and the subsequent Joule dissipation rate. Height-integrated Joule dissipation rates of 1 erg/cm2/sec and larger are commonly measured near the auroral oval, and a peak rate of 94 ergs/cm2/sec was observed once. Because of the nature of the measurements one is able to distinguish the work done by (or on) the sources of the electric field and by the neutral wind. Evidence is found for dynamo action by the neutral wind, but the convection electric field is the major energy source for the Joule dissipation.
Neutral Winds and Energy Dissipation Rates in the Auroral E Region
Yosemite National Park
The Chatanika, Alaska incoherent scatter radar facility has provided simultaneous measurements of the ion drift velocities and densities in the E and F regions. From these data are calculated the magnetospheric electric field, E region mean effective neutral wind (up to about 160 km), the electrical currents flowing transverse to the geomagnetic field and the subsequent Joule dissipation rate. Height-integrated Joule dissipation rates of 1 erg/cm2/sec and larger are commonly measured near the auroral oval, and a peak rate of 94 ergs/cm2/sec was observed once. Because of the nature of the measurements one is able to distinguish the work done by (or on) the sources of the electric field and by the neutral wind. Evidence is found for dynamo action by the neutral wind, but the convection electric field is the major energy source for the Joule dissipation.