Abstract
IN a recent communication, Gregory1 suggested that the presence of free electrons at heights in the atmosphere between 80 and 90 km. may be due to the photo-ionization of dust which accumulates at the mesopause. Rocket measurements2 have shown that the electron density at this height is about 1,000 el./c.c. on a normal day. This is also the order of magnitude of electron density required to account for the absorption of radio waves in the D region. It is of interest to see whether photo-ionization of the dust is able to give this observed electron density.
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References
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WHTTEHEAD, J. The Mesopause Region of the Ionosphere. Nature 186, 461 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1038/186461a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/186461a0
