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In situ measurements of neon in the thermosphere
Author(s) -
Potter W. E.,
Kayser D. C.
Publication year - 1976
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/gl003i011p00665
Subject(s) - thermosphere , neon , atmospheric sciences , atmosphere (unit) , altitude (triangle) , physics , earth's magnetic field , satellite , latitude , volume (thermodynamics) , ionosphere , atomic physics , environmental science , geophysics , meteorology , astronomy , magnetic field , argon , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
The open source neutral mass spectrometer (OSS) on the Atmosphere Explorer‐C satellite has measured neon in the thermosphere. The absolute density of Ne is close to that predicted by using the ground level fraction by volume of Ne along with the assumption of diffusive equilibrium above 100 km. Data is presented for both geomagnetically quiet and disturbed circular orbits. At 290 km, a typical low latitude value of [Ne] is 3.0 × 10 4 cm ‐3 . At this altitude Ne appears to be predominantly controlled by temperature except during magnetic disturbances, when offsetting forces due to wind systems may be present.