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The behavior of the plasmapause at mid-latitudes - Isis 1 Langmuir probe measurementsObservations of the electron concentration and the temperature from the electrostatic probes on the Isis 1 satellite were used to examine the location and behavior of the plasmapause at about 3000-km altitude in the vicinity of L = 4. At these altitudes the electron concentration measurements are equivalent to measurements of H(+), since the satellite is well into the protonosphere. The plasmapause is evident as a sharp drop in electron concentration by a factor of 100 as the satellite passes into the polar cap, and a corresponding increase is observed as it enters the plasmasphere on the opposite side of the earth. An enhancement of temperature is also observed at the plasmapause, an effect that is most visible at night, when the temperatures at latitudes above and below the plasmapause are usually very low. The position of the plasmapause decreases with magnetic activity but is found to be somewhat less sensitive to Kp than is the equatorial plasmapause.
Document ID
19740047911
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Brace, L. H.
Theis, R. F.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, Md., United States)
Date Acquired
August 7, 2013
Publication Date
May 1, 1974
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 79
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
74A30661
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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