Observations of Electron Density in the Polar Ionosphere Using the Swept Frequency Impedance Probe

• Main Authors: Tadatoshi Takahashi, Hiroshi Oya, Hisao Yamagishi
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University/Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University/National Institute of Polar Research 1981
• Subjects: Syowa Station; Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=1139; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00001139/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=1139&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

Results of the electron number density obtained by the swept frequency impedance probe onboard the rockets launched at Syowa Station (69°00′S, 39°35′E) in the IMS period from 1977 to 1979 indicate that the ionization level of the polar ionosphere corresponds well to the precipitating particle flux. In the active aurora, a distinct stepwise structure 2∿3km in width across the magnetic field line corresponding to the edge of the auroral arc has been observed. The small-scale ionospheric structures with characteristic length of several kilometers are frequently observed as one of the characteristics of the auroral ionosphere.