An auroral F-region study using in situ measurements by the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite

摘要: On 14 July 1974 the Atmosphere Explorer-C satellite flew through an aurora at F-region altitudes just after local midnight. The effects of particle influx are clearly evident in ion densities, 6300 8, airglow, and electron temperatures. This event provided oppor- tunity to study agreement between observed densities those calculated from photo- chemical theory using insifu measurements such atmospheric parameters as neutral differential energy spectra obtained along track. Good is for ions O,+, NO+ NI+ photochemical measured rate constants impact cross sections. Atomic nitrogen (NO+)/(Os+) ratio. In region most intense fluxes (20 erg cm-* se-c-l) -280 km, N density found be 2 7 x 10' cm-'. resulting account approx. 60% production N+ on resonant charge exchange O+(*P) with N(?S). reaction also provides a significant source O(rS) altitudes. fast influx, atomic main loss Of(*P).