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Experimental evidence in support of Joule heating associated with geomagnetic activityHigh resolution accelerometer measurements in the altitude region 140 to 300 km from a satellite in a near-polar orbit during a period of extremely high geomagnetic activity indicate that Joule heating is the primary source of energy for atmospheric heating associated with geomagnetic activity. This conclusion is supported by the following observational evidence: (1) There is an atmospheric response in the auroral zone which is nearly simulataneous with the onset of geomagnetic activity, with no significant response in the equatorial region until several hours later; (2) The maximum heating occurs at geographic locations near the maximum current of the auroral electrojet; and (3) There is evidence of atmospheric waves originating near the auroral zone at altitudes where Joule heating would be expected to occur. An analysis of atmospheric response time to this heat shows time delays are apparently independent of altitude but are strongly dependent upon geomagnetic latitude.
Document ID
19720002711
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Other - NASA Technical Note (TN)
Authors
Devries, L. L.
(NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, AL, United States)
Date Acquired
September 2, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1971
Subject Category
Geophysics
Report/Patent Number
NASA-TN-D-6518
M-175
Accession Number
72N10360
Funding Number(s)
PROJECT: RTOP 976-30-00
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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