Annales Geophysicae
Annales Geophysicae
ANGEO
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-995-0608-8
© European Geosciences Union 1995
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-995-0608-8
© European Geosciences Union 1995
Articles | Volume 13, issue 6
30 Jun 1995
30 Jun 1995

A theoretical interpretation of ion composition measured on board the 'Active' satellite in the European sector during April 10−12, 1990 geomagnetic storm

M. Förster, V. Mikhailov, A. Mikhailov, and J. Smilauer

Abstract. Ion composition measurements on board the ACTIVE satellite during the recovery phase of a strong geomagnetic storm of 10-12 April 1990 revealed extremely high concentrations (up to 103 cm-3) of the NO+, O+2, N+2 molecular ions in the topside F2-region of the European high-latitude zone. Concentrations of O+, N+, He+, H+ light ions were slightly decreased relative to prestorm quite conditions. Theoretical calculations were used to analyze the observed variations in ion concentration. Increased neutral temperature and [O2], [N2] are shown to be the main reasons for the observed ion concentration variations.

How to cite. Förster, M., Mikhailov, V., Mikhailov, A., and Smilauer, J.: A theoretical interpretation of ion composition measured on board the 'Active' satellite in the European sector during April 10−12, 1990 geomagnetic storm, Ann. Geophys., 13, 608–616, https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-995-0608-8, 1995.