Using Simultaneous Particle and Field Observations on a Low Altitude Satellite to Estimate Joule Heat Energy Flow into the High Latitude Ionosphere

摘要

This report describes the background, the algorithm for calculating, and the early results of a survey of the Joule heat deposited in the high latitude ionosphere. The algorithm is based upon data obtained with the polar orbiting DMSP/F7 spacecraft. A significant portion of the energy input to the high latitude ionosphere and thermosphere is transmitted from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere via precipitation of electrons and ions and via Joule heat. Several earlier spacecraft of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) have carried sensors to measure the particle contribution to the energy low. The contribution from the precipitating particles has been extensively surveyed and reported. The DMSP/F7 is the first spacecraft of this series to carry sensors that allow the measurement of parameters which can be used to calculate the Joule heat input. This report is the beginning of a survey of the Joule heat.