Longitude

About: Longitude is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2260 publications have been published within this topic receiving 54988 citations. The topic is also known as: angle of longitude.

Observations and parameterization of the stratospheric electrical conductivity

Abstract: Simultaneous in situ measurements of the stratospheric electrical conductivity, made from multiple balloon platforms during the 1992–1993 Extended Life Balloon-Borne Observatories (ELBBO) experiment, have yielded the most comprehensive data set on the stratospheric electrical conductivity. The ELBBO project involved launches of five superpressure balloons into the stratosphere from Dunedin, New Zealand, beginning November 10, 1992, and lasting through March 18, 1993. Most of the balloons floated at a constant altitude of 26 km for over 3 months, covered a wide range of latitudes from the South Pole to 28°S, and circled around the southern hemisphere several times. On average, the positive polar conductivity (conductivity of positive ions alone) was about 15% higher than that of the negative conductivity, suggesting that differences may exist between the mobilities of positive and negative ions. Data from each polarity of polar conductivity also indicate persistent, apparently organized, short-term and localized variations, with amplitude within 30% of the mean value. In corrected geomagnetic (CGM) coordinates the conductivity variations were found to be a function of latitude but not of longitude. The total conductivity can increase 150% from low latitude to high latitude, and does remain nearly constant at latitudes above 55° (namely, the cosmic ray knee latitude). Calculations based on ionization theory demonstrate that the latitudinal variations in the conductivity measurements were mainly due to the latitudinal variations in incident galactic cosmic ray intensity, with only little effect from the air temperature variations. The calculations shown here also suggest that small ions (as opposed to large ions) provide the main contribution to the stratospheric conductivity. The comparisons between conductivity measurements and models show that commonly used models can underestimate the latitudinal variation by a factor of 2. In this paper the stratospheric conductivity is parameterized based on the measurements, and a simple empirical model is presented in geographic coordinates.

Low latitude ionospheric effects near longitude 120°E during the great geomagnetic storm of july 2000

Abstract: A great geomagnetic storm occurred on July 15/16, 2000 with a minimum value of about −300 nT in Dst index Collecting digisonde data from ionospheric stations at Chungli, Wuhan, Kokubunji and Anyang, the ionospheric responses at the low latitudes near longitude 120°E during this storm are analyzed in this paper There was a strong negative phase storm at low latitudes on July 16 The G-condition in the ionograms was clearly seen on the early first day after the commencement of geomagnetic storm Those were considered to be caused by the storm-induced increase in the concentration ratios of neutral molecular O2 or N2 to atom O On July 17 and some days thereafter, a positive phase storm appeared In addition, anomalous equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) inhibitions and developments were observed on July 16 and 17 There were also prominent nighttime enhancements in f0F2 during these days, and the diurnal variation of f0F2 was less clear than before

An SLS5 Longitude System Based on the Rotational Modulation of Saturn Radio Emissions

Abstract: Despite the axisymmetry of Saturn’s internal field, Saturn radio emissions like Saturn kilometric radiation (SKR) are modulated due to planetary rotation. With the completion of Cassini mission in September 2017, we now have around 14 years of observation of Saturn radio emissions, roughly from southern solstice to northern solstice. In this study, we extend the SLS4 longitude system to the end of the Cassini mission using a phase tracing method. The new Saturn longitude system (SLS5) organizes the observed SKR maxima around 0° subsolar longitude in both northern and southern hemispheres and can be used to organize other phenomena observed in Saturn’s magnetosphere, for example, hot plasma injection events. SKR is modulated like a clock when the main source on the morning side is visible. To convert the observed phase to the clock phase, the phase of the morning side source, we also define a second longitude system SLS5*, which takes the spacecraft position into account based on a simple visibility model. Plain Language Summary A new Saturn longitude system is defined based on the modulation phase of Saturn radio emissions, which can be used to organize other magnetospheric phenomena observed by Cassini at Saturn.

Longitudinal structures in Mars' upper atmosphere as observed by MAVEN/NGIMS

Abstract: Here we report the first comprehensive study of longitudinal structures in Mars' neutral upper atmosphere associated with atmospheric tides in composition, density and temperature using the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission/Neutral Gas Ion Mass Spectrometer observations during 2015. These are in situ measurements of number densities of atmospheric species (including CO2, Ar, N2, and CO) in the altitude range from 120 to 200 km above the areoid (corresponding to a total density range from ~108–1011 cm−3), providing a data set that is larger than all previous measurements of these waves combined. These observations span from ±70° latitude and cover a wide range of local times and solar longitudes (Ls), allowing for the study of longitudinal structures under various conditions. Furthermore, the data in May and November 2015 are at similar latitudes and local times but different Ls (~340° in May, close to northern spring equinox, and 70° in November, close to northern summer solstice and aphelion), ideal for studying the seasonal effects of tides. Our analysis shows that in each month the Ar density varies with longitude having a large wave structure. It is dominated by wave 2 and 3, accounting for 8–16% of the change of the mean density. Comparison shows that the longitudinal structures at a constant CO2 density level have different amplitudes at different seasons, although their patterns are similar. The temperature structure has a phase difference from the density variation, indicating the dissipation of tides in this altitude region. The longitudinal structure is seen in all species, including major and minor species, consistent with the tidal signatures.