Energy sources of the high latitude upper atmosphereElectrodynamic (Joule) dissipation and plasma wave heating are reviewed as sources of energy for the upper atmosphere at high latitudes. Electrodynamic heating in the thermosphere is described by a generalized energy balance equation taking into account a variety of inelastic processes and energy losses, and the use of height-integrated values of the Joule heating rate to estimate the importance of electrodynamic heating at high latitudes is discussed. Observations of electrons between 95 and 115 km altitude that are up to 1000 K hotter than the neutral atmosphere is presented as evidence for atmospheric heating due to unstable plasma waves arising from the Farley-Buneman modified two-stream instability.
Document ID
19820040724
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Banks, P. M. (Utah State University of Agriculture and Applied Science, Logan, UT, United States)
Date Acquired
August 10, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1981
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: Exploration of the polar upper atmosphere