Studies of the Tropical F Region

研究人员建议继续研究低纬度电离层和热层在磁场平静和扰动时期。他们将使用NCAR的TGCM，我们的电离层模型和卫星数据来努力理解控制这些区域行为的基本过程。为了研究风、潮汐和电场对低纬度电离层的影响，将把模型预测与现有数据进行比较。他们将研究高纬度能量源在赤道附近的影响，如在磁扰动期间发生的影响，以及低纬度能量源的存在，如中性粒子降水。电离层和热层的动力学是令人感兴趣的，因为无线电波正是在这个区域（海拔150公里以上）进行地对地通信和地对星通信的长距离传播。风、潮汐和电场对电离层结构有重要影响，因此对这种通信的质量和可靠性也有重要影响。

The researchers propose to continue studying the low- latitude ionosphere and thermosphere during magnetically quiet and disturbed periods. They will use the NCAR TGCM, our ionosphere model and satellite data in their effort to understand the basic processes that govern the behavior of these regions. The model predictions will be compared to available data in order to study the effects of winds, tides, and electric fields on the low latitude ionosphere. They will investigate the effects near the equator of the high latitude energy source, as occurs during a magnetic disturbance, as well as the presence of low latitude energy sources, such as neutral particle precipitation. The dynamics of the ionosphere and thermosphere are of interest since it is in this region (above 150 km altitude) that radio waves propagate for long distances for ground to ground communication, and for ground to satellite communication. The winds, tides and electric fields, have important effects on ionospheric structure and hence on the quality and reliability of such communication.