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A high‐latitude observation of sporadic sodium and sporadic E ‐layer formation
Author(s) -
Heinselman C. J.,
Thayer J. P.,
Watkins B. J.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/98gl02215
Subject(s) - sporadic e propagation , sodium , lidar , incoherent scatter , ionization , ion , latitude , radar , precipitation , geology , geophysics , atmospheric sciences , physics , ionosphere , meteorology , chemistry , geodesy , remote sensing , telecommunications , quantum mechanics , computer science , organic chemistry
High‐resolution radar and lidar measurements of sporadic sodium (Na) and sporadic E ( E ) layers were made at the Sondrestrom incoherent‐scatter radar facility on 11 December 1997. These measurements suggest a causal link between E s and Na s , supporting the proposed mechanism in which Na + ions in the E s are neutralized to form the Na s . This Na s , by contrast, does not appear to have been formed by the presence of auroral precipitation or ionization, and, in fact, the sodium density is seen to decrease during an auroral event.