Electromagnetic field generation by explosion in the ionosphere Original Research Article

Interpolation model of the shock wave excited by explosion in the ionosphere is obtained. Basic criteria of the model are the correspondence to exact solutions for strong shock waves, the extrapolating to small Mach numbers and the agreement with experimental data. It allows obtaining the spatial–temporal distribution of thermodynamic functions and gas velocity behind the shock wave front. The model can be used for determination of the shock related electric current and the perturbation of ionosphere conductivity tensor. Calculations of electromagnetic field distribution in front of the shock wave related to explosion have shown the oscillatory structure of the field perturbation in the vicinity of the magnetic force line corresponding to the center of explosion. In the plane perpendicular to external magnetic field the perturbation has a form of pulse dispersed according to diffusion law. The oscillation frequency and the phase velocity of electromagnetic field perturbation decrease with increase of the propagation angle relatively to geomagnetic field direction.