Abstract
The Atmosphere Explorer satellites (AE‐C, ‐D, and ‐E) were initially placed into highly elliptical orbits with perigees around 140 km and apogees of 4000 km. As a result of such an orbital geometry, measurements of neutral constituents at high altitudes represent mainly vertical changes in densities. The influence of horizontal density gradients on measurements above 400 km is small. Under geomagnetically quiet conditions, the density profiles can be used to derive scale height temperatures of the exosphere. The Open Source Neutral Mass Spectrometer (OSS) flown on all three AE‐satellites measured neutral constituents such as N2, O and N well above 400 km. The temperatures derived from scale heights show a good agreement among the constituents and the expected close correlation with the F10.7 cm solar flux. Satellites with highly elliptical orbits provide the opportunity to measure simultaneously both densities and temperatures.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
