Middle-atmosphere positive ion measurements during solar eclipses

TLDR: In this paper, solar effects on middle-atmosphere electrical parameters, as demonstrated by eclipse-associated responses of conductivity, ion mobility, and charge density, are considered for the total solar eclipses at Red Lake, Ontario, Canada on February 26, 1979 and at San Marco range, Kenya, on February 16, 1980.

Abstract: Solar effects on middle-atmosphere electrical parameters, as demonstrated by eclipse-associated responses of conductivity, ion mobility, and charge density, are considered for the total solar eclipses at Red Lake, Ontario, Canada on February 26, 1979 and at San Marco range, Kenya, on February 16, 1980. Negative-conductivity measurements for the Canadian eclipse and probe-current measurements for the Kenyan eclipse demonstrate a rapid loss of free electrons below 80 km at totality. During the Kenyan eclipse, positive-ion responses were different for each of two distinct ion mobility groups. Between 45 and 60 km, eclipse-related positive-ion responses are associated with the low-mobility ions. It is shown that these ions are lost at totality and that an excess buildup occurs following totality. Above 70 km, positive-ion loss at totality is associated with the more mobile ions and only low-mobility positive ions are measured in this region. The buildup in total ion density following totality is thought to result from a reduction in ion loss associated with weak-electron recovery in the region.