NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Plasma structuring by the gradient drift instability at high latitudes and comparison with velocity shear driven processesUsing results of the in situ measurements made by the DE 2 satellite, the nature of plasma structuring at high latitudes, caused by the gradient drift instability process, is described. Using noon-midnight and dawn-dusk orbits of the DE 2 satellite, it was possible to examine the simultaneous density and electric field spectra of convecting large-scale plasma density enhancements in the polar cap known as 'patches', in directions parallel and perpendicular to their antisunward convection. The results provide evidence for the existence of at least two generic classes of instabilities operating in the high-latitude ionosphere: one driven by large-scale density gradients in a homogeneous convection field with respect to the neutrals, and the other driven by the structured convection field itself in an ambient ionosphere where density fluctuations are ubiquitous.
Document ID
19900049907
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Basu, Sunanda
(Boston Coll. Newton, MA, United States)
Mackenzie, E.
(Boston College Newton, MA, United States)
Basu, S.
(USAF, Geophysics Laboratory, Hanscom AFB MA, United States)
Coley, W. R.
(Texas, University Richardson, United States)
Sharber, J. R.
(Southwest Research Institute San Antonio, TX, United States)
Hoegy, W. R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 14, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1990
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 95
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
AD-A227847
Accession Number
90A36962
Funding Number(s)
OTHER: NSF ATM-87-15445
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-306
OTHER: F49620-85-C-0029
OTHER: F19628-84-N-0006
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-305
OTHER: F19628-86-K-0038
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

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