Interpretation of electron concentration measurements using a semiempirical model
Analysis of the results of electron concentration (<i>N</i>) measurements using the semiempirical model describing the correlations of <i>N </i>with thermospheric characteristics and also with the integral energy flux of the ionizing radiation <i>E </i>is presented. This analysis allows a relative content of atomic oxygen to be estimated if we may assume that the <i>E </i>value is well described by means of the actual model of spectral distribution of the ionizing radiation energy. Alternatively, <i>E </i>which is necessary for making agreement between the observable and computed <i>N </i>can be estimated. Such estimates for measurements of <i>N </i>with a digital ionosonde were made at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics in 2003 and 2004. The estimates were made for medium conditions of the thermosphere-ionosphere system and for summer seasons.