Effect of Temperature Changes on the Electron Density Distribution in the F2-Region of the Ionosphere II

摘要

In this report the problem of changes in the F2 -region electron density distribution caused by changes in the neutral gas temperature is investigated using an analytical representation of the equilibrium quiet-day electron density distribution under the influence of production, loss and diffusion. Using the currently accepted temperature dependences of these quantities it is concluded that the change caused in N sub m F2 is small and that under certain conditions N sub m F2 may increase or decrease. The main effect of temperature, under these conditions, is to increase the thickness of the F2 -region; in agreement with observation. It is also shown that to explain the large reduction in N sub m F2 in midlatitudes during storms, the loss rate has to be quite sensitive to temperature. (Author)