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Seasonal variations in the subauroral electron temperature enhancementA statistical study of the seasonal variations of the subauroral electron temperature enhancement was undertaken using data from the Langmuir probe experiment on the DE 2 satellite throughout most of the mission (1981-1982). In the winter hemisphere the nighttime background electron temperature is the highest and the magnitude of the peak Te responds most weakly to the geomagnetic activity. This behavior can be explained by seasonal trends in the nighttime downward heat flux due to conjugate photoelectrons. Moreover, model results indicate that a factor of about three increase in heat inflow during equinox relative to solstice is required to raise the electron temperature to a given level. This is a consequence of the higher electron densities at the Te peak near equinox. The Te peak occurs on field lines which thread the outer plasmasphere in the vicinity if the plasmapause and thus can be used as a tracer of the plasmapause position.
Document ID
19910055782
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Fok, M.-C.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Kozyra, J. U.
(Michigan Univ. Ann Arbor, MI, United States)
Warren, M. F.
(Michigan, University Ann Arbor, United States)
Brace, L. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A40405
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG5-472
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-1619
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-88-10510
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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