Rate of Electron Production in the Ionosphere

Methods are developed for determination of the rate of electron production in the ionosphere throughout the 24 hours. Application of the theory to experimental data shows that the rate of electron production varies more or less systematically from zero before sunrise to values around 800 electrons ${\mathrm{cm}}^{-3\mathrm{}}$ ${\sec .\mathrm{}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$ near noon at the equator for an equinoctial interval at sunspot minimum. The results are in general agreement with values determined over restricted time intervals during eclipse of the sun.