The determination of ionospheric electron content and distribution from satellite observations: 2. Results of the analysis

Abstract

The results of observations of the radio transmissions from Sputnik III (1958δ2) in an 8-month period are presented. The measurements of integrated electron density are made in two ways, described in part 1. The measurements reveal the diurnal variation of the total ionospheric electron content; also, the ratio of the total content to the content of the lower ionosphere below the height of maximum density in the F layer is obtained. An estimate of the average electron-density profile above the F-layer peak is made possible by the slow variation in the height of the satellite due to rotation of the perigee position. The gross effects of large magnetic storms on the electron content and distribution are found.