Two-dimensional imaging of the development phase of plasma instabilities in the Earth's ionosphere

• Published in: IEEE transactions on plasma science Vol. 33; no. 2; pp. 502 - 503
• Main Authors: Makela, J.J., Kelley, M.C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York IEEE 01.04.2005; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Artificial satellites; CIS; Computational Intelligence Society; Earth; F layer; Ionosphere; Nonlinear optics; optical emission; Optical imaging; Plasma; plasma instability; Plasmas; Satellite navigation systems; Scientific imaging; storm; Storms; Systems stability; Two dimensional displays; Haleakala Crater; USA, Hawaii
• ISSN: 0093-3813; 1939-9375
• DOI: 10.1109/TPS.2005.845119

The convective ionospheric storm (CIS) is a naturally occurring process in the earth's ionosphere over the magnetic equator that can have deleterious consequences on satellite navigation and communication systems. By making low-elevation optical observations from Haleakala, Hawaii, the two-dimensional structure (2-D) (altitude versus longitude) can be made. We present observations from April 30, 2003 that clearly show the development phase of the CIS and compare them to a nonlinear simulation of the instability process. Through long-term observations of this type, we will collect a database that will be used to help unravel some of the outstanding questions associated with this fascinating phenomenon.