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Heat balance of the ionosphere - Implications for the International Reference IonosphereTheoretical considerations can be helpful tools in modeling ionospheric parameters in regions and for times where not enough experimental data are available. This study asks whether results of heat balance calculations should be introduced to supplement the data base for the International Reference Ionosphere. The present status of the theoretical understanding is discussed and the influence of the following unresolved or neglected times are examined: (1) electron heating rate, (2) electron cooling by fine structure excitation of atomic oxygen, and (3) height-dependent Coulomb Logarithm. The ambiguity introduced by these terms leads to up to 30 percent uncertainty in the electron temperature of the lower ionosphere. The electron temperature in the upper ionosphere is largely determined by heat conduction from above and depends critically on the conditions assumed at the boundary between ionosphere and plasmasphere.
Document ID
19860059486
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Bilitza, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Sigma Data Services Corp. Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1985
Publication Information
Publication: Advances in Space Research
Volume: 5
Issue: 10, 1
ISSN: 0273-1177
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
86A44224
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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