D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation
We examine the electron density profile expected in the lower ionosphere due to a 0.2-s whistler-induced electron precipitation (WEP) burst with experimentally determined properties. The ionization rate in the lower ionosphere due to a single such WEP event has a height variation with a rather broad...
Published in: | Journal of Geophysical Research |
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American Geophysical Union
2002
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ftnerc:oai:nora.nerc.ac.uk:17411 2023-05-15T13:45:12+02:00 D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation Rodger, Craig J. Clilverd, Mark A. Dowden, Richard L. 2002 http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17411/ http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2002/2001JA000311.shtml unknown American Geophysical Union Rodger, Craig J.; Clilverd, Mark A. orcid:0000-0002-7388-1529 Dowden, Richard L. 2002 D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107 (A7), 1145. 11, pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311 <https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311> Publication - Article PeerReviewed 2002 ftnerc https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311 2023-02-04T19:31:05Z We examine the electron density profile expected in the lower ionosphere due to a 0.2-s whistler-induced electron precipitation (WEP) burst with experimentally determined properties. The ionization rate in the lower ionosphere due to a single such WEP event has a height variation with a rather broad maximum, leading to additional electron densities of ∼5 electrons cm−3 stretching over altitudes of ∼75–92 km. For ambient nighttime conditions a single WEP burst with these parameters will lead to a significant electron density changes only for altitudes below ∼85 km. We go on to consider the cumulative response of the nighttime D region to a sustained series of WEP bursts observed through Trimpi perturbation activity on one night in the Antarctic. For altitudes >70 km, significant long-term changes in electron densities due to WEP bursts can occur. The additional WEP-produced ionization leads to increases in the high-altitude electron densities, until a new equilibrium level is reached. Peak changes in electron density are ∼16 times ambient at 85 km and ∼7 times ambient at 90 km, occurring in the ∼15-min period during which the WEP rate is at its peak (∼4.5 per min). The simulation suggests that electron density levels “settle” into an new quasi-equilibrium state during the ∼3-hour period where the ionization at 85-km altitude is 10–12 times ambient due to WEP bursts occur at ∼3 min−1. The ionization changes produced by WEP bursts lead to lower reflection heights for VLF and LF radio waves (in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide). While significant short-term changes in reflection heights are likely, realistic long-term changes in WEP occurrence rates do not appear likely to be able to explain the reported ∼2 km decrease in LF reflection heights observed during the last 35 years. Article in Journal/Newspaper Antarc* Antarctic Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive Antarctic The Antarctic Trimpi ENVELOPE(-72.782,-72.782,-75.345,-75.345) Journal of Geophysical Research 107 A7 |
institution |
Open Polar |
collection |
Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftnerc |
language |
unknown |
description |
We examine the electron density profile expected in the lower ionosphere due to a 0.2-s whistler-induced electron precipitation (WEP) burst with experimentally determined properties. The ionization rate in the lower ionosphere due to a single such WEP event has a height variation with a rather broad maximum, leading to additional electron densities of ∼5 electrons cm−3 stretching over altitudes of ∼75–92 km. For ambient nighttime conditions a single WEP burst with these parameters will lead to a significant electron density changes only for altitudes below ∼85 km. We go on to consider the cumulative response of the nighttime D region to a sustained series of WEP bursts observed through Trimpi perturbation activity on one night in the Antarctic. For altitudes >70 km, significant long-term changes in electron densities due to WEP bursts can occur. The additional WEP-produced ionization leads to increases in the high-altitude electron densities, until a new equilibrium level is reached. Peak changes in electron density are ∼16 times ambient at 85 km and ∼7 times ambient at 90 km, occurring in the ∼15-min period during which the WEP rate is at its peak (∼4.5 per min). The simulation suggests that electron density levels “settle” into an new quasi-equilibrium state during the ∼3-hour period where the ionization at 85-km altitude is 10–12 times ambient due to WEP bursts occur at ∼3 min−1. The ionization changes produced by WEP bursts lead to lower reflection heights for VLF and LF radio waves (in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide). While significant short-term changes in reflection heights are likely, realistic long-term changes in WEP occurrence rates do not appear likely to be able to explain the reported ∼2 km decrease in LF reflection heights observed during the last 35 years. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Rodger, Craig J. Clilverd, Mark A. Dowden, Richard L. |
spellingShingle |
Rodger, Craig J. Clilverd, Mark A. Dowden, Richard L. D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
author_facet |
Rodger, Craig J. Clilverd, Mark A. Dowden, Richard L. |
author_sort |
Rodger, Craig J. |
title |
D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
title_short |
D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
title_full |
D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
title_fullStr |
D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
title_full_unstemmed |
D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
title_sort |
d region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation |
publisher |
American Geophysical Union |
publishDate |
2002 |
url |
http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17411/ http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/2002/2001JA000311.shtml |
long_lat |
ENVELOPE(-72.782,-72.782,-75.345,-75.345) |
geographic |
Antarctic The Antarctic Trimpi |
geographic_facet |
Antarctic The Antarctic Trimpi |
genre |
Antarc* Antarctic |
genre_facet |
Antarc* Antarctic |
op_relation |
Rodger, Craig J.; Clilverd, Mark A. orcid:0000-0002-7388-1529 Dowden, Richard L. 2002 D region reflection height modification by whistler-induced electron precipitation. Journal of Geophysical Research, 107 (A7), 1145. 11, pp. https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311 <https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311> |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1029/2001JA000311 |
container_title |
Journal of Geophysical Research |
container_volume |
107 |
container_issue |
A7 |
_version_ |
1766216298801397760 |