AbstractDuring magnetic storms, satellite-borne mass spectrometers regularly observe significant perturbations of the neutral gas composition at middle latitudes. As at higher latitudes, these perturbations consist of an increase of the heavier gases (N2,O2, Ar) and a concurrent decrease of the lighter gases (O, He). The N2/O density ratio is an excellent parameter to study the morphology of these perturbations. It is used to document systematic variations with season, local time and with the level of magnetic activity. In contrast to precipitated ring current oxygen ions, convective transport is likely to play an important role in explaining the origin of composition perturbations at middle latitudes. The impact of these composition changes on the ionosphere is briefly summarized.
Satellite mass spectrometer measurements of composition changes
Advances in Space Research ; 12 , 10 ; 241-251
1992-01-01
11 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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