On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region
The decay of underdense meteor trails in the polar mesopause region is thought to be predominantly due to ambipolar diffusion, a process governed by the ambient temperature and pressure. Hence, observations of meteor decay times have been used to indirectly measure the temperature of the mesopause r...
Published in: | Annales Geophysicae |
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Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/26/3439/2008/ |
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ftcopernicus:oai:publications.copernicus.org:angeo36584 2023-05-15T17:44:33+02:00 On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region Ballinger, A. P. Chilson, P. B. Palmer, R. D. Mitchell, N. J. 2018-09-27 application/pdf https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/26/3439/2008/ eng eng doi:10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/26/3439/2008/ eISSN: 1432-0576 Text 2018 ftcopernicus https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 2020-07-20T16:26:47Z The decay of underdense meteor trails in the polar mesopause region is thought to be predominantly due to ambipolar diffusion, a process governed by the ambient temperature and pressure. Hence, observations of meteor decay times have been used to indirectly measure the temperature of the mesopause region. Using meteor observations from a SKiYMET radar in northern Sweden during 2005, this study found that weaker meteor trails have shorter decay times (on average) than relatively stronger trails. This suggests that processes other than ambipolar diffusion can play a significant role in trail diffusion. One particular mechanism, namely electron-ion recombination, is explored. This process is dependent on the initial electron density within the meteor trail, and can lead to a disproportionate reduction in decay time, depending on the strength of the meteor. Text Northern Sweden Copernicus Publications: E-Journals Annales Geophysicae 26 11 3439 3443 |
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Open Polar |
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Copernicus Publications: E-Journals |
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ftcopernicus |
language |
English |
description |
The decay of underdense meteor trails in the polar mesopause region is thought to be predominantly due to ambipolar diffusion, a process governed by the ambient temperature and pressure. Hence, observations of meteor decay times have been used to indirectly measure the temperature of the mesopause region. Using meteor observations from a SKiYMET radar in northern Sweden during 2005, this study found that weaker meteor trails have shorter decay times (on average) than relatively stronger trails. This suggests that processes other than ambipolar diffusion can play a significant role in trail diffusion. One particular mechanism, namely electron-ion recombination, is explored. This process is dependent on the initial electron density within the meteor trail, and can lead to a disproportionate reduction in decay time, depending on the strength of the meteor. |
format |
Text |
author |
Ballinger, A. P. Chilson, P. B. Palmer, R. D. Mitchell, N. J. |
spellingShingle |
Ballinger, A. P. Chilson, P. B. Palmer, R. D. Mitchell, N. J. On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
author_facet |
Ballinger, A. P. Chilson, P. B. Palmer, R. D. Mitchell, N. J. |
author_sort |
Ballinger, A. P. |
title |
On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
title_short |
On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
title_full |
On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
title_fullStr |
On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
title_full_unstemmed |
On the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
title_sort |
on the validity of the ambipolar diffusion assumption in the polar mesopause region |
publishDate |
2018 |
url |
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/26/3439/2008/ |
genre |
Northern Sweden |
genre_facet |
Northern Sweden |
op_source |
eISSN: 1432-0576 |
op_relation |
doi:10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 https://angeo.copernicus.org/articles/26/3439/2008/ |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-26-3439-2008 |
container_title |
Annales Geophysicae |
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26 |
container_issue |
11 |
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3439 |
op_container_end_page |
3443 |
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1766146784210452480 |