Hi Thomas, > I suppose what Ted is saying is that a strong solar flux compresses the > earth's magnetic field, which in turn compresses the trace atmosphere > at orbital altitudes. Actually, high solar activity doesn't "compress" the upper atmosphere -- it causes it to expand (to higher altitudes). So the average atmospheric density increases at all LEO altitudes, increasing drag. For satellites that have been in orbit for many decades, I'm sure you would be able to see an 11-year cycle in the differential altitude, with peaks at solar max, and lulls lining up with solar min. --Rob ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe/Unsubscribe info, Frequently Asked Questions, SeeSat-L archive: http://www.satobs.org/seesat/seesatindex.html
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