Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>

Forces governing the three-dimensional structure of equatorial spread-<I>F</I> (ESF) plumes are examined using the NRL SAMI3/ESF three-dimensional simulation code. As is the case with the equatorial ionization anomaly (IA), density crests within the plume occur where gravitational an...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: J. Krall, J. D. Huba, G. Joyce, T. Yokoyama
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2010-02-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/28/327/2010/angeo-28-327-2010.pdf
_version_ 1818994390747578368
author J. Krall
J. D. Huba
G. Joyce
T. Yokoyama
author_facet J. Krall
J. D. Huba
G. Joyce
T. Yokoyama
author_sort J. Krall
collection DOAJ
description Forces governing the three-dimensional structure of equatorial spread-<I>F</I> (ESF) plumes are examined using the NRL SAMI3/ESF three-dimensional simulation code. As is the case with the equatorial ionization anomaly (IA), density crests within the plume occur where gravitational and diffusive forces are in balance. Large <I><B>E</B></I>&times;<I><B>B</B></I> drifts within the ESF plume place these crests on field lines with apex heights higher than those of the background IA crests. Large poleward field-aligned ion velocities within the plume result in large ion-neutral diffusive forces that support these ionization crests at altitudes higher than background IA crest altitudes. We show examples in which density enhancements associated with ESF, also called "plasma blobs," can occur within an ESF plume on density-crest field lines, at or above the density crests. Simulated ESF density enhancements reproduce all key features of those that have been observed in situ.
first_indexed 2024-12-20T20:57:12Z
format Article
id doaj.art-ddb199e6caac4797a41d5a78e4bf3e41
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 0992-7689
1432-0576
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-20T20:57:12Z
publishDate 2010-02-01
publisher Copernicus Publications
record_format Article
series Annales Geophysicae
spelling doaj.art-ddb199e6caac4797a41d5a78e4bf3e412022-12-21T19:26:48ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762010-02-012832733710.5194/angeo-28-327-2010Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>J. Krall0J. D. Huba1G. Joyce2T. Yokoyama3Plasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6790, 4555 Overlook Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., 20375-5000, USAPlasma Physics Division, Naval Research Laboratory, Code 6790, 4555 Overlook Ave., SW, Washington, D.C., 20375-5000, USAIcarus Research, Inc., P.O. Box 30780, Bethesda, MD 20824-0780, USADepartment of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14850, USAForces governing the three-dimensional structure of equatorial spread-<I>F</I> (ESF) plumes are examined using the NRL SAMI3/ESF three-dimensional simulation code. As is the case with the equatorial ionization anomaly (IA), density crests within the plume occur where gravitational and diffusive forces are in balance. Large <I><B>E</B></I>&times;<I><B>B</B></I> drifts within the ESF plume place these crests on field lines with apex heights higher than those of the background IA crests. Large poleward field-aligned ion velocities within the plume result in large ion-neutral diffusive forces that support these ionization crests at altitudes higher than background IA crest altitudes. We show examples in which density enhancements associated with ESF, also called "plasma blobs," can occur within an ESF plume on density-crest field lines, at or above the density crests. Simulated ESF density enhancements reproduce all key features of those that have been observed in situ.https://www.ann-geophys.net/28/327/2010/angeo-28-327-2010.pdf
spellingShingle J. Krall
J. D. Huba
G. Joyce
T. Yokoyama
Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
Annales Geophysicae
title Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
title_full Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
title_fullStr Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
title_full_unstemmed Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
title_short Density enhancements associated with equatorial spread <I>F</I>
title_sort density enhancements associated with equatorial spread i f i
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/28/327/2010/angeo-28-327-2010.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT jkrall densityenhancementsassociatedwithequatorialspreadifi
AT jdhuba densityenhancementsassociatedwithequatorialspreadifi
AT gjoyce densityenhancementsassociatedwithequatorialspreadifi
AT tyokoyama densityenhancementsassociatedwithequatorialspreadifi