The morphology of widespread electron precipitation at high latitudes
Abstract
A study of the morphology of widespread energetic electron precipitation processes at high latitudes, using an extensive set of satellite Bremsstrahlung X-ray measurements, is presented. Attention is given to long term averages of the X-ray intensities and energy spectra observed at 750 km altitude over a broad field of view, noting that these data provide for the first time long term averages of Bremsstrahlung X-rays produced by electrons precipitating into the atmosphere over wide local time and latitude intervals. Further, a study of the spatial-temporal variations in electron precipitation events made on the basis of closely co-ordinated measurements between electron spectrometers on two different polar orbiting satellites is considered. Finally, the time profiles of widespread electron precipitation events are also investigated using the Bremsstrahlung data.
- Publication:
-
Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics
- Pub Date:
- May 1980
- DOI:
- 10.1016/0021-9169(80)90004-5
- Bibcode:
- 1980JATP...42..443I
- Keywords:
-
- Bremsstrahlung;
- Electron Precipitation;
- Morphology;
- Polar Regions;
- X Rays;
- Atmospheric Chemistry;
- Atmospheric Ionization;
- Periodic Variations;
- Satellite Orbits;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments