Abstract The major sources for ionospheric temperature data are the incoherent scatter radars and the insitu instruments (Langmuir probe, retarding potential analyzer) flown on several long-lasting satellite missions. The radar data are best suited for investigations of the short and long-term variations at the radar location, whereas the satellite data provide the means to understand the global characteristics of electron and ion temperatures. Both techniques have been considerably improved over the last decade and comparisons between simultaneous measurements show excellent agreement. This paper provides an overview over the different data sets and discusses their volume, their temporal and spatial resolution, their accuracy, and their availability. The state of the art of empirical modelling of ionospheric plasma temperatures is examined and present shortcomings and future data needs are pointed out. Special emphasis will be given to the representation of auroral features, of temperature anisotropies and of solar cycle variations. Finally, we consider the possibility of using theoretical results to fill data gaps for empirical modelling.
Electron and ion temperature data for ionospheric modelling
Advances in Space Research ; 11 , 10 ; 139-148
1991-01-01
10 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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