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F‐region dynamics
Author(s) -
Mayr H. G.,
Harris I.
Publication year - 1979
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/rg017i004p00492
Subject(s) - thermosphere , atmosphere (unit) , ionosphere , dynamo , magnetosphere , atmospheric sciences , physics , plasma , mesopause , electric field , population , environmental science , geophysics , mesosphere , meteorology , magnetic field , demography , quantum mechanics , sociology , stratosphere
Problems of upper atmosphere dynamics represent a challenge that in itself attracts and deserves considerable attention. In a broader picture, dynamic processes are manifestations of energization processes that we seek to understand. An attempt is made here to report primarily on the U.S. research effort over the last 4 years that directly or indirectly relates to an understanding of upper atmosphere and F‐region dynamics. The upper atmosphere or thermosphere is referred to as the region above the mesopause (80—90 km) where the neutral gas temperature begins increasing with height to values as high as 2000°K. It harbors a relatively dense plasma population—the ionosphere—which, controlled by electric and magnetic fields, affects the energetics and dynamics of the neutral atmosphere. Through current loads, the ionospheric plasma distribution can also affect the electric fields across the magnetosphere which in turn penetrate into the lower atmosphere. The distribution of this plasma, is in turn influenced by atmospheric mass and energy transport. In the lower thermosphere, winds are a source for dynamo electric fields.