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Indian Journal of Radio & Space Physics (IJRSP) >
IJRSP Vol.40 [2011] >
IJRSP Vol.40(3) [June 2011] >
| Title: | Heating of ambient electrons in thermosphere under varying solar activity conditions |
| Authors: | Krishna, M V Sunil
Kaur, Sandeep
Singh, Vir |
| Keywords: | Superathermal electron flux
Ambient electron heating rate
Solar EUV photon
Solar activity |
| Issue Date: | Jun-2011 |
| Publisher: | NISCAIR-CSIR, India |
| PACS No.: | 96.60.Tf; 92.60.hw |
| Abstract: | The suprathermal electron flux plays a very
important role in the production of various airglow emissions. The solar
extreme ultra violet (EUV) photons and X-rays are mainly responsible for the
production of suprathermal electrons in the atmosphere. These suprathermal
electrons further cause heating of ambient electrons in the thermosphere. In
the present study, the heating rate of ambient electrons in the thermosphere
under the effect of varying solar activity has been studied. The suprathermal
electron flux has been calculated as a function of suprathermal electron
energy. The fluxes have been calculated at various levels of solar activity and
various geographic locations during a period of five years (2001-2005). This
flux has been further used to calculate the ambient electron heating rate in
the thermosphere. It has been found that the maximum electron heating rate is
near 30°N latitude. It has been found that the maximum electron heating rate
does not vary linearly with F10.7 solar index. The altitude of the peak heating
rate does not show any appreciable variation with the solar activity at a fixed
latitude. The altitude of peak electron heating rate moves upwards as the
latitude increases from equator towards pole at the fixed value of F10.7 solar
index. |
| Page(s): | 130-136 |
| CC License: |  CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India |
| ISSN: | 0975-105X (Online); 0367-8393 (Print) |
| Source: | IJRSP Vol.40(3) [June 2011]
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