The Topside Ionosphere and its Coupling With the Upper Thermosphere and Exosphere Wednesday 19 June 2002 Silverthorne 01:00-03:00

Convenor:

Robert B. Kerr, Scientific Solutions

Current speakers include:		Robert Kerr	Sixto Gonzalez
		Phil Erickson	Susan Nossal

The workshop focuses on ISR and optical observations of ions and neutrals in the upper thermosphere, exosphere, and topside ionosphere, especially as they pertain to:

1. The dynamics and photochemistry that create them and account for their altitude distribution
2. The processes that excite the O, H, and He emissions
3. The processes that account for spatial and temporal variability in distributions of the light neutrals and their ions
4. The charge exchange chemistry that couples the topside ionosphere with the neutral exosphere

Recent ion measurements in the topside ionosphere at Arecibo, PR, Millstone Hill, MA, and Jicamarca Peru are discussed, as are recent measurements of neutral O, H, and He at Arecibo, and at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) in Chile. Updates and progress on measurements of H in Arizona and in Madison WI will be presented, and a review of the CEDAR POLITE (Plasmaspheric Observations of Light Ions in the Topside and Exosphere) initiative will be presented. Plans for future nested optical experimentation at Arecibo, Sondrestromfjord, and Clemson are discussed within the context of instrumental constraints and needs. Plans for chain experiments including integration of new capabilities at new optical sites along the chain (including Clemson University and CTIO shall be established. The session discusses recent of H 656.3 nm, He 1083.0 nm, and OI 844.6 nm airglow measurements, recent advances in topside ionospheric modeling and data taking at Arecibo, and recent topside modeling. Speakers are scheduled to present data, modeling results, and a brief review of capabilities. All others wishing to make short presentations pertaining to neutral excitation in the upper thermosphere and exosphere, ionospheric composition and transport, or facility capabilities are welcome.