Freiburg 2008 – scientific programme
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EP: Fachverband Extraterrestrische Physik
EP 1: Near Earth Space / CAWSES / EISCAT symposium
EP 1.9: Talk
Monday, March 3, 2008, 16:45–17:00, KGI-Aula
Validation of CHAMP electron density and electron temperature data with corresponding data from the Arecibo incoherent scatter facility — •Kristian Schlegel1, Martin Rother2, Hermann Lühr2, and Hien Vo3 — 1MPI für Sonnensystemforschung, 37191 Katlenburg-Lindau — 2Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam — 3Arecibo Observatory, Puerto Rico
So far the electron temperature (Te) measured onboard CHAMP with the planar Langmuir probe have not been verified in comparison with other instruments. Since CHAMP passes the area of the Arecibo incoherent scatter facility at least twice a day, Te and in addition the electron density, Ne, obtained with this ground-based instrument are ideally suited for such a comparison. We used the Arecibo data collected during the so-called World Days where both quantities are measured routinely between 145 and 670 km altitude. From these profiles, Ne and Te values were calculated for the corresponding CHAMP cruising altitude by cubic spline fits. We took into account all cases when CHAMP passed the corresponding radar scattering volume at distances below 1500 km, with a weight inversely proportional to the closest approach. The comparison confirms that the CHAMP and the Arecibo Ne data agree quite well, but large differences - up to a factor of two - are observed in the Te data. The cause of these differences is discussed with respect to local time, season and geomagnetic activity.