An improved empirical model for electron temperature in the F-2 region

Abstract

A review is presented of the principal numerical methods used to estimate electron temperature (T sub e) in the F2 ionosphere. A new model of the F2 ionosphere is proposed, based on measurements of T sub e and electron density carried out at Arecibo, in the period August 1966-May 1967. The period covered the end of the 20th solar cycle and the beginning of the 21st. The model estimates are assumed to be valid for any level of solar activity with an 81-day averaged solar radio flux of 70-180 units at a wavelength of 10.7 cm. Model estimates of T sub e were compared to measurements obtained using incoherent scatter radars and rocket and satellite probes. The theoretical results showed good agreement with the observations for various levels in the period August 1966-May 1967. However, the observations profiles for T sub e varying with height were significantly different from International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) parameters. Some possible physical mechanisms for the deviation are discussed.