Radar auroral observations and ionospheric electric fields

The ground-based systems STARE and SABRE utilize radar auroral phenomena to estimate ionospheric electric fields. Some of the assumptions underlying these systems have been tested and general agreement with expectations have been found. However, as the results have been analysed in detail, it has become clear that the error in the irregularity drift velocity can at times amount to 100 ms^?1. Direct comparisons with other E-field measurements, as well as assessments of the results of applications of the Stare data clearly demonstrate that the electric field, calculated on the basis of the irregularity drift velocity, is a useful estimate of the actual horizontal electric field in the ionosphere and is sufficiently accurate for a great variety of geophysical studies.     

Signatures of troposphere-stratosphere momentum coupling: Implications for global atmospheric angular momentum and earth rotation budgets

During January–August 1978, the global atmospheric angular momentum (M) exhibits distinct patterns of short term momentum interchange across latitudes. In the northern hemisphere winter-spring season, 30–50 day modulations of M are present in which momentum $\text{enhancements}$ at mid-latitudes (20–30°) are closely matched by momentum $\text{depressions}$ at high latitudes (50–60°). During the same interval there are no corresponding variations in M evident in the southern hemisphere. Conversely, during southern hemisphere fall-winter, similar anticorrelations in monthly scale momentum excursions are evident between mid and high latitudes. In the northern hemisphere, the winter-spring momentum signatures are detected throughout the atmosphere, from the lower troposphere to the stratosphere. During the southern hemisphere fall-winter, the modulation patterns are not evident at the higher altitudes. Structural details of the momentum signatures indicate that the coupling is sometimes effective on very short time scales, e.g. 1–2 days, or less. The evidence of distinct anti-correlation between large regions has interesting implications for studies of global atmospheric circulation, and also for studies of the excitation of variations in earth rotation in response to short term modulations of M.     

Properties of the neutral density and composition in the thermosphere

Measurements of the density and composition of the thermosphere between 150 and 500 km, which were obtained by the S3-1 satellite, have been compared with the Jacchia and MSIS models. The measurements of the densities of O, N₂, N and Ar show some differences from the current models which should be considered during the preparation of the next CIRA model. The Ar measurements are particularly useful in examining the response of the neutral atmosphere to geomagnetic heating. These results are useful in establishing the appropriate lower boundary conditions for modeling of the thermosphere.     

Equatorial F-region ionization differences between March and September, 1979

Ionospheric total electron content and the F-region maximum electron density at a number of stations in the equatorial region, during the recent solar activity maximum period 1979 to 1980, show significant differences between the two equinoctial periods. Ionization during the month of March is higher than in September, irrespective of the station location both in northern and southern hemispheres, and in different longitude sectors. The observed pattern is compared with those predicted by different models, in particular with one of the authors which includes processes such as ionization production, loss, electrodynamic drifts, winds and global composition changes involved in the equatorial ionosphere. It is found that a change in the neutral composition is primarily responsible for the observed F-region density differences between March and September.     

Cometary habitats for primitive life.

Comet Halley studies indicate most of the nucleus is covered by an insulating crust, presumed of pyrolysed organic material. The subcrust is warmed and percolated by gases within 2AU, so provides one habitat for primitive replicating organisms. Cracks and crevices within contaminated ice in the craters provides a habitat for photosynthesising organisms. Subsurface lakes on the Europa model, though insulated by some metres of ice, would require a trigger (perhaps meteorite impact and energy source (chemical or metabolic energy) to initiate and maintain a suitable-habitat on short period comets. Constraints on transfer between comets and other planetary bodies implies that radiation-resistant species with lengthy hibernation potential would be expected.     

The low energy gamma-ray experiments on GRO in perspective

The NASA Gamma-Ray Observatory, GRO, will carry two instruments for low energy gamma-ray astronomy. The ‘Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment - OSSE’ represents the latest step in the evolution of collimated detectors. A large detection area, simultaneous source and background observation and rigorous control over systematic errors yield significant improvements in sensitivity over earlier instruments. The ‘Imaging Compton Telescope - COMPTEL’ brings the proven concept of the Compton telescope to the state of the art level. Position sensitive scintillation detectors make it possible to generate sky images with a resolution of about 2° over a f.o.v. of about 1 sr. The complementary nature of these two experiments promises a first in-depth exploration of the sky in a wavelength range which covers the transition from the X-ray sky to the apparently unrelated high energy gamma-ray sky. Possible directions of further evolution of these experiments will be discussed.     

Quasi-Complementary Sequences

A method of constructing digital phase reversal codes which have few nonzero sidelobes and which are available in frequent lengths is given. This is particularly important in the area of longer codes. The codes are a form of combined sequence and, hence, have the desirable property of bandwidth reduction for the outer code. However, only two member codes are required. A major usage of these codes may be in addressing.     

Measurements of the earth radiation budget from satellites during the first garp global experiment

Two special measurements of the energy exchange between earth and space were made in connection with the FGGE. A global monitoring program using wide-field-of-view and scanner detectors from NASA's NIMBUS-7 satellite successfully returned measurements during the entire FGGE. This experiment system also used a black cavity detector to measure the total energy output of the sun to very high precision. A second set of high frequency time and space estimates of the radiation budget were determined from selected geostationary satellite data. Preliminary results from both radiation budget data sets and the solar “constant” measurements will be presented.