Direct measurements bearing on the question of the nighttime heating mechanism in the ionosphere

摘要: Abstract Langmuir probe measurements of electron temperature and density were made in the upper F-region on two different occasions near local midnight. The experiments carried out at Fort Churchill, Canada, Wallops Island, Virginia. These measurements, which resulted “vertical” profiles up to high altitudes (700 km 1700 respectively), provide an opportunity study question nighttime ionospheric heat source. Numerical solutions steady state conduction equation are fitted experimental results evaluation relative importance heating. We find that measured temperatures consistent either with conducted down from higher altitudes, or a source proportional ambient density. Local heating neutral number is not satisfactory.