IONOSPHERIC WIND SYSTEMS AND ELECTRON CONCENTRATIONS OF THE F LAYER

Abstract

In a study of wind systems in the ionosphere, viscous stresses achieve considerable importance. A study of layer thicknesses, resulting from a specified ratio of densities at the top and bottom of the layer, indicates that the mean free path is as large as the layer thickness at 400 km. This suggests that viscous stresses reach a maximum at a lower level. Consideration of the effective portion of a layer of gas suggests a maximum of viscous action at 200 km. On the basis of observed temperature lapse rates and the proposed vertical distribution of viscous action, a simple meridional circulation is developed for ionospheric regions. This circulation is used to explain longitudinal differences observed in electron concentrations for the F2 layer. The association between the ionospheric data and the proposed circulation is considered sufficiently close to merit additional study and investigation.