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Results of an Experimental Investigation of Correlations Between D ‐Region Neutral Gas Winds, Density Changes, and Short‐Wave Absorption
Author(s) -
Rose G.,
Widdel H. U.,
Azcárraga A.,
Sanchez L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/rs007i001p00181
Subject(s) - noon , chaff , atmospheric sciences , absorption (acoustics) , meteorology , positive correlation , environmental science , wind speed , physics , geography , optics , medicine , archaeology
Between December 1969 and March 1970, a total of 26 Skua 2 rockets were successfully launched close to local noon at Arenosillo, Spain. Using an ultralight chaff, the winds and chaff fall rates were determined at heights between 75 and 95 km. At the same time, A 3 absorption measurements were carried out on 2.83 MHz between Aranjuez (Madrid) and Arenosillo. From the wind and fall‐rate measurements, a quantity has been derived for each kilometer height range, being roughly proportional to the air mass flow, that is wind vector over fall rate at the corresponding height levels. These flow vectors, which were obtained on different days at the different height levels, have been correlated with the noon absorption values L ∼ ∫ N ·v· dh taken from the short‐wave propagation path between Arenosillo and Aranjuez. A significant, but not very high, correlation was found between the mass flow at 90 to 93 km and the absorption L , which increased with increasing flow from the NNE. At 85 km, L increased with increasing flow from the SSW. For the other heights between 75 and 95 km, a significant correlation could not be found, although there is some indication of a relationship at 77 km.