An Investigation of Methods for Updating Ionospheric Scintillation Models Using Topside In-Situ Plasma Density Measurements

1991 ◽  
Author(s):  
James A. Secan
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Density ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillation ◽  
Density Measurements

scholarly journals Stratification observed by the in situ plasma density measurements from the Swarm satellites

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 517-526
Author(s):  
Xiuying Wang ◽  
Wanli Cheng ◽  
Zihan Zhou ◽  
Dehe Yang ◽  
Jing Cui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Density ◽  
Continuous Distribution ◽  
Direct Analysis ◽  
Density Measurements ◽  
Equatorial Ionization Anomaly ◽  
Swarm Satellites ◽  
Plasma Peak ◽  
First Time ◽  
New Discovery

Abstract. The stratification phenomenon is investigated using the simultaneous in situ plasma density measurements obtained by the Swarm satellites orbiting at different altitudes above the F2 peak. For the first time, the continuous distribution morphology and the exact locations are obtained for the nighttime stratification, which show that the stratification events are centered at the EIA (equatorial ionization anomaly) trough and extend towards the two EIA crests, with the most significant part being located at the EIA trough. Another new discovery is the stratification in southern mid-latitudes; stratification events in this region are located on a local plasma peak sandwiched by two lower density strips covering all the longitudes. The formation mechanism of the stratification for the two latitudinal regions is discussed, but the stratification mechanism in southern mid-latitudes remains an unsolved problem. Highlights. This paper addresses the following: first application of in situ plasma densities for the direct analysis of the stratification in F2 layer, refined features of the exact location and continuous morphology for the stratification phenomenon, a new discovery of stratification covering all longitudes in southern mid-latitudes.

PICASSO: The Golden CubeSat

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel Baker ◽  
Michel Anciaux ◽  
Philippe Demoulin ◽  
Didier Fussen ◽  
Didier Pieroux ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
Space Science ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Vertical Profiles ◽  
Proof Of Concept ◽  
Scientific Instruments ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Spacecraft Potential

<p>Led by the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, the ESA-backed mission PICASSO (PICo-Satellite for Atmospheric and Space Science Observations) successfully launched its gold-plated satellite on an Arianespace Vega rocket in September 2020. PICASSO is a 3U CubeSat mission in collaboration with VTT Technical Research Center of Finland Ltd, AAC Clyde Space Ltd. (UK), and the CSL (Centre Spatial de Liège), Belgium. The commissioning of the two onboard scientific instruments is currently ongoing; once they are operational, PICASSO will be capable of providing scientific measurements of the Earth’s atmosphere. VISION, proposed by BISA and developed by VTT, will retrieve vertical profiles of ozone and temperature by observing the Earth's atmospheric limb during orbital Sun occultation; and SLP, developed by BISA, will measure in situ plasma density and electron temperature together with the spacecraft potential.</p><p>Serving as a groundbreaking proof-of-concept, the PICASSO mission has taught valuable lessons about the advantages of CubeSat technology as well as its many complexities and challenges. These lessons learned, along with preliminary measurements from the two instruments, will be presented and discussed.</p>

scholarly journals Solar flares observed by Rosetta at comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko

2019 ◽  
Vol 630 ◽  
pp. A49 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. T. Edberg ◽  
F. L. Johansson ◽  
A. I. Eriksson ◽  
D. J. Andrews ◽  
R. Hajra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Density ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Langmuir Probe ◽  
Extreme Ultraviolet ◽  
Vantage Point ◽  
Spectral Model ◽  
Time Of Arrival ◽  
Observable Effect ◽  
Density Measurements ◽  
Comet 67P

Context. The Rosetta spacecraft made continuous measurements of the coma of comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko (67P) for more than two years. The plasma in the coma appeared very dynamic, and many factors control its variability. Aims. We wish to identify the effects of solar flares on the comet plasma and also their effect on the measurements by the Langmuir Probe Instrument (LAP). Methods. To identify the effects of flares, we proceeded from an existing flare catalog of Earth-directed solar flares, from which a new list was created that only included Rosetta-directed flares. We also used measurements of flares at Mars when at similar longitudes as Rosetta. The flare irradiance spectral model (FISM v.1) and its Mars equivalent (FISM-M) produce an extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance (10–120 nm) of the flares at 1 min resolution. LAP data and density measurements obtained with the Mutual Impedence Probe (MIP) from the time of arrival of the flares at Rosetta were examined to determine the flare effects. Results. From the vantage point of Earth, 1504 flares directed toward Rosetta occurred during the mission. In only 24 of these, that is, 1.6%, was the increase in EUV irradiance large enough to cause an observable effect in LAP data. Twenty-four Mars-directed flares were also observed in Rosetta data. The effect of the flares was to increase the photoelectron current by typically 1–5 nA. We find little evidence that the solar flares increase the plasma density, at least not above the background variability. Conclusions. Solar flares have a small effect on the photoelectron current of the LAP instrument, and they are not significant in comparison to other factors that control the plasma density in the coma. The photoelectron current can only be used for flare detection during periods of calm plasma conditions.

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