Terrestrial Atmosphere ITM (Ionosphere, Thermosphere, Mesosphere) Processes

Visualization illustrating the Fountain Effect of ions in the near-Earth electric and magnetic fields. This is a visualization of the Equatorial Fountain process in the ionosphere, whereby ions are driven away from the equator forming ion density enhancements to the north and south of the equator. This visualization is depicted near 50 degrees west longitude, where the magnetic equator crosses the geographic equator. Magnetic field lines near Earth are represented by the gold lines. Particles appear in a blue-white flash, representing the point where atoms are ionized, becoming positively charged and releasing an electron. Now these charged particles can W.B. Hanson. Effect of Ionization Transport on the Equatorial F-Region. Nature 206, pp705-706 (1965)

Oxygen ion enhancements at 350km altitude, ionospheric winds at altitudes of 100 km (white) and 350 km (violet) and the low-latitude geomagnetic field. This visualization presents several W.B. Hanson. Effect of Ionization Transport on the Equatorial F-Region. Nature 206, pp705-706 (1965) Oxygen ion enhancements at 350km altitude and the low-latitude geomagnetic field. Oxygen ion enhancements at 350km altitude, ionospheric winds at altitudes of 100 km (white) and 350 km (violet). Oxygen ion enhancements at 350km altitude. Color bar for oxygen ion density.

This visualization presents data on the concentration of the singly-ionized oxygen atom (rainbow color table, red is highest concentration), the low-latitude geomagnetic field (gold field lines) and the ionospheric winds at two altitude levels, 100km (white) and 350 km (violet). This visualization presents several W.B. Hanson. Effect of Ionization Transport on the Equatorial F-Region. Nature 206, pp705-706 (1965) This visualization presents data on the concentration of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at 350km altitude (rainbow color table, red is highest concentration) and the ionospheric winds at two altitude levels, 100km (white) and 350 km (violet). This visualization presents data on the concentration of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at 350km altitude (rainbow color table, red is highest concentration) and the low-latitude geomagnetic field (gold field lines). This visualization presents data on the concentration of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at 350km altitude (rainbow color table, red is highest concentration). Color bar of singly-ionized atomic oxygen density. Dynamic Planet format (4Kx2K). O+ion density at 350 km altitude. Versions with and without Dayside/Nightside mask. Data covers the time frame from January 19 @ 01 UT to January 25 @ 13 UT. Each frame is a time difference of 200 seconds, or 3 minutes 20 seconds.

A view of the singly-ionizing oxygen atom on the dayside of Earth. This represents the variation of the enhancments due to variation in the geomagnetic field. This version interpolates the IRI model to a higher time cadence for a smoother animation. The colors over Earth represent model data from the IRI (International Reference Ionosphere) model of the density of the singly-ionized oxygen atom at an altitude of 350 kilometers. Red represents high density. The ion density is enhanced above and below the geomagnetic equator (not perfectly aligned with the geographic equator) on the dayside due to the ionizing effects of solar ultraviolet radiation combined with the effects of high-altitude winds and the geomagnetic field. This ion density decreases at night as the ions recombine with free electrons. Color bar of singly-ionized atomic oxygen density. A view of the singly-ionizing oxygen atom on the dayside of Earth. This represents the variation of the enhancments due to variation in the geomagnetic field. In this version, the oxygen ion ionosphere model is sampled at 15 minute cadence which creates some in the ionosphere enhancements.