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Solar flare perturbations in stratospheric current systems
Author(s) -
Holzworth R. H.,
Norville K. W.,
Williamson P. R.
Publication year - 1987
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/gl014i008p00852
Subject(s) - solar flare , stratosphere , atmospheric sciences , physics , flare , northern hemisphere , latitude , payload (computing) , meteorology , environmental science , astrophysics , astronomy , computer network , network packet , computer science
Electric field, conductivity, and ionization rate data were collected on two balloon payloads at 26 km in the southern hemisphere stratosphere during the solar flare of 16 February 1984. Both polarities of the conductivity were enhanced by a factor of two at a payload with an invariant latitude (Λ) of −56.3° (Rigidity = 1.4GV). At the same time no transient effects were seen in any of these parameters by a more equatorially located payload at Λ = −48.8° (Rigidity = 2.8 GV). The two payloads were separated by 5 hours of local time. The vertical current density ( J z ) at the poleward most payload was enhanced by over a factor of two, while no J z variations were seen by the equatorward payload. Interpretation of these observations suggests that a simple RC time constant analysis of the global circuit may be incorrect.