TRANS-POLAR EXOSPHERIC PLASMA .3. A UNIFIED PICTURE

The results of recent work on the spatial distribution of the trans-polar exospheric electron density using data from the Alouette I satellite together with recent low energy electron flux measurements in the polar regions provide a unified picture of the polar plasma. The three main features of the unified model are discussed. The first is the identification and location of a plasma ring surrounding each pole, stationary with respect to the Sun and under which the Earth rotates. The second relates to geomagnetic control of the ionization with the recognition of paramount effects occurring at certain universal times associated with the geometry of the geomagnetic axis-Earth-Sun line system. The third relates to the termination of the terrestrial plasmasphere. © 1969.