Extremely high F-region electron temperatures during the maximum of 21st solar cycle
Abstract
It is shown that the large value of the red oxygen line at a wavelength of 6300 A during the evening hours at the end of 1979 and the beginning of 1980 was linked with the condition of the upper atmosphere during the high maximum of the solar activity. The photodissociative excitation and the dissociative recombination are not sufficient to explain these large intensities. It is suggested that the existence of a high electron temperature also contributed to producing these large intensities. The proposed electron temperatures are calculated using the excitation and deactivation processes at a wavelength of 6300 A. It is found that immediately after sunset the electron temperature in the ionosphere should be about 2500-2600 K, falling exponentially with time at an approximate rate of 150-200 k/hour.
- Publication:
-
Bulgarsko Geofizichno Spisanie
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983BlGSp...9...30G
- Keywords:
-
- Electron Energy;
- F Region;
- Ionospheric Electron Density;
- Oxygen Spectra;
- Solar Cycles;
- Solar Terrestrial Interactions;
- Evening;
- Infrared Spectra;
- Line Spectra;
- Solar Activity Effects