The plasma line in the incoherent scatter spectrum is known to provide information about the state of the ionosphere. However, it is weak in signal strength and therefore difficult to measure reliably and consistently. When high-energetic electrons (suprathermal electrons) are present in the ionosphere the plasma line echo power is enhanced and detectable by more radars. Recent measurements made by ...

Using a resonance lidar, atomic Na (sodium) can be observed in the 80-110 km altitude range of the atmosphere. Na belongs to the alkali metal group and is highly reactive, so one could expect that it would quickly react with other particles and leave its atomic state. Its actual behaviour however includes the formation of relatively dense layers which, from the perspective of a stationary lidar, ...

The ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere where a significant rate of photo-ionisation from solar ultraviolet radiation cause an increased plasma density. In this region a system of electrical currents flow, driven by electric fields generated by fluctuating dynamics within the Earths magnetosphere. These fluctuating dynamics are caused by interactions between the magnetosphere and the solar ...

We study the conditions within, and dynamics of fragmented mesospheric dust particles inside, the Faraday-cup type dust probe MUDD using numerical simulations with a dedicated model. The transport of singly charged fragments from impacting NLC particles on the main grid in MUDD, have been calculated on the basis of supplementary models of the neutral gas conditions and electric field structure within ...

The rapid rotation of Jupiter and Saturn, combined with internal source of plasma provided by their moons Io and Enceladus respectively, creates a magnetodisk structure of the planetary magnetic field. The magnetodisk looks like a stretched dipole magnetic field in the equatorial region, where centrifugal force is largest. The centrifugal force, originating in the rotating frame, is known to have ...

New to the ESR common programmes is the inclusion of plasma lines along with the standard ion power density spectrum. Using data from the IPY common programme, a programme that has been run all through the International Polar Year, we have gone through large amounts of analysed data trying to find periods in time that fulfils the known criteria for finding Naturally Enhanced Ion Acoustic Lines ...

New empirical Kp-based models for the equatorward and poleward boundaries of the auroral oval in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres were developed, with the purpose of reviewing the auroral ovals predicted by well-established Feldstein auroral oval model. The new models were derived from particle and energy flux measurements from six low-altitude (800-900 km) POES/MetOp satellites. The equatorward ...

The origin and heating of the solar wind is still a puzzle. We review in this study the idea that the solar wind originates in coronal funnels. We place emphasis on the fast solar wind. This study provides primarily a historic overview over the development of the idea of funnel expansion. We present examples of recent solar wind studies that investigate the funnel geometry. These studies include ...

This thesis starts with a review of the evolution of space debris, what is consists of, how it is made, how it is detected and tracked, and why it is such an important topic. Some of the worst collisions have contributed to causing 49% of the total space debris. If the launch rate continues, the "Kessler Syndrome" might become a reality destroying our future outlook for space communication and ...