HR: 11:05h
AN: SA42A-04    [Abstracts]
TI: Retrieval of dynamical ionospheric parameters through high-latitude and geosynchronous FUV imaging.
AU: * Immel, T J
EM: immel@ssl.berkeley.edu
AF: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, United States
AU: England, S L
EM: england@ssl.berkeley.edu
AF: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California Berkeley, United States
AU: Eastes, R
EM: reastes@mail.ucf.edu
AF: Florida Space Institute, University of Central Florida, United States
AU: McClintock, W
EM: bill.mcclintock@lasp.colorado.edu
AF: Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, United States
AU: Daniell, R
EM: daniell@ionosphericphysics.com
AB: Emissions of atomic oxygen are a major feature of Earth's Far-Ultraviolet signature. Recombination of ionospheric O⁺ is the dominant source of FUV light on the nightside away from the aurora, revealing details pertaining to ionospheric morphology and dynamics. The light originating from the bands of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly can reveal the rapid changes that occur just after sunset, such as the steep reductions of plasma density occuring with the development of ionospheric spread-F. Initial studies have used the subsequent drift of these plasma bubble signatures observed by NASA-IMAGE as a method for retrieving the zonal velocity of the ambient ionospheric plasma. The results of these studies are revisited using a newly developed technique for retrieving bubble drift velocities, that automatically identifies and tracks bubbles in the nighttime ionosphere. The technique retrieves velocities as a function of latitude, local time and longitude, allowing for multi-parameter studies of low-latitude ionospheric plasma drift. The threshold of brightness required for bubble identification and tracking using these techniques is studied in support of future NASA missions carrying an FUV imager to geostationary orbit.
DE: 0310 Airglow and aurora
DE: 2415 Equatorial ionosphere
DE: 2437 Ionospheric dynamics
DE: 2439 Ionospheric irregularities
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly