NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Influence of the E region dynamo on equatorial spread FThe integrated E region Pedersen conductivity can be an important parameter in determining whether the bottomside of the equatorial F layer will be stable against the Rayleigh-Taylor gravitational instability. The F layer is observed to become unstable when it rises to great heights after sunset. One effect of this height rise is to decrease the stabilizing influence of ion-neutral collisions at F region heights. It is shown here that the same eastward electric field that raises the F layer also decreases the Pedersen conductivity of the E region, which further destabilizes convective overturning. Because the conductivity of magnetic tubes that penetrate the main F layer is large compared to the E layer contribution, these effects are important only for the bottomside of the equatorial F layer.
Document ID
19830047101
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hanson, W. B.
(Texas Univ. at Dallas Richardson, TX, United States)
Sanatani, S.
(Texas, University Richardson, TX, United States)
Patterson, T. N. L.
(Queen's University Belfast, United Kingdom)
Date Acquired
August 11, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 88
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
83A28319
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-44-004-120
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGL-44-004-130
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available