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F2 peak electron density at Millstone Hill and Hobart: Comparsion of theory and measurement at solar maximumThis paper compares the observed behavior of the (F2) layer of the ionosphere at Millstone Hill and Hobart with calculations from the field line interhemispheric plasma (FLIP) model for solar maximum, solstice conditions in 1990. During the study period the daily F(sub 10.7) index varied by more than a factor of 2 (123 to 280), but the 81-day mean F(sub 10.7) (F(sub 10.7 A)) was almost constant near 190. Calculations were performed with and without the effects of vibrationally excited N2 (N(sup *)(sub 2) which affects the loss rate of atomic oxygen ions. In the case without N(sup *)(sub 2) there is generally good agreement between the model and measurement for the daytime, peak density of the F region (NmF2). Both the model and the measurement show a strong seasonal anomaly with the winter noon densities a factor of 3 to 4 greater than the summer noon densities at Millstone Hill and a factor of 2 greater at Hobart. The seasonal anomaly in the model is caused by changes in the neutral composition as given by the mass spectrometer and incoherent scatter (MSIS) 86 neutral density model. There is generally little or no increase in the observed noon NmF2 as a function of daily F(sub 10.7) except at Millstone Hill in winter. In contrast to the generally good agreement between model and data at noon, the model badly underestimates the density at night at Millstone Hill at all seasons. At Hobart the model reproduces the nighttime density variations well in both winter and summer. The international reference ionosphere (IRI) model generally provides a good representation of the average behavior of noon NmF2 and hmF2 but because the data show a lot of day-to-day variability, there are often large differences. The FLIP model is able to reproduce this variability when hmF2 is specified. The IRI model peak densities are better than the FLIP densities at night, but the IRI model does not represent the Millstone Hill summer data very well at night in 1990.
Document ID
19950053342
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
External Source(s)
Authors
Richards, P. G.
(University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL United States)
Torr, D. G.
(University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL United States)
Reinisch, B. W.
(University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA United States)
Gamache, R. R.
(University of Massachusetts, Lowell, MA United States)
Wilkinson, P. J.
(IPS Radio and Space Services West Chatswood, Australia)
Date Acquired
August 16, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1994
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 99
Issue: A8
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
95A84941
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-996
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-91-02237
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-90-18165
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-90-17201
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-92-02887
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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