HR: 15:15h
AN: SA23A-06    [Abstracts]
TI: Observations of the ionosphere from COSMIC Tiny Ionospheric Photometers during recent multi-instrument campaigns
AU: * Coker, C
EM: clayton.coker@nrl.navy.mil
AF: Naval Research Lab, 4555 Overlook Av SW Code 7669, Washington, DC 20375, United States
AU: Dymond, K F
EM: kenneth.dymond@nrl.navy.mil
AF: Naval Research Lab, 4555 Overlook Av SW Code 7669, Washington, DC 20375, United States
AU: Budzien, S A
EM: scott.budzien@nrl.navy.mil
AF: Naval Research Lab, 4555 Overlook Av SW Code 7669, Washington, DC 20375, United States
AU: Chua, D
EM: damien.chau@nrl.navy.mil
AF: Naval Research Lab, 4555 Overlook Av SW Code 7669, Washington, DC 20375, United States
AB: The Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) uses the Tiny Ionospheric Photometer (TIP) to characterize the nighttime ionosphere. The TIP is a compact, narrow-band, ultraviolet photometer operating at the 135.6 nm wavelength. This emission is produced by recombination of O+ ions and electrons, which is the natural decay process for the ionosphere. The strength of the emission is proportional to the square of the peak electron density. We present a review of the scientific observations made with TIP during recent multi-instrument campaigns. All six satellites were deployed into a single high inclination, low-earth orbit. A single TIP pass reveals the latitudinal morphology of the ionosphere with unprecedented detail. TIP data from multiple spacecraft reveal the longitudinal variability of the nighttime ionosphere and provide regional context for observations from ground-based radars, imagers and scintillation monitors. With the migration into six longitudinally distributed orbits, TIP is also beginning to reveal the temporal variability, allowing for detailed investigation of individual structures in the broader context of the global, nighttime ionosphere. Additionally, the combination of TIP sensors with COSMIC GPS occultation receivers and radio beacons, provides the opportunity to conduct multi-sensor investigations and high resolution imaging of low and midlatitude ionospheric structures.
DE: 2415 Equatorial ionosphere
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
DE: 2439 Ionospheric irregularities
DE: 2494 Instruments and techniques
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly