Nighttime VHF scintillations at 23 deg N magnetic latitude and their association with equatorial F region irregularities
Based on ETS-II geostationary satellite (130 deg E) 136-MHz radio beacon amplitudes, a study of postsunset VHF scintillations observed during the January-February 1980 solar maximum period confirms that they are essentially controlled by the generation of equatorial F region irregularities. This latitude is substantially beyond the 84.4 deg E geographic meridian equatorial anomaly daytime crest. Good agreement between the observed scintillation occurrence pattern and characteristics, and previous results reported up to 21 deg N (Somayajulu et al., 1984), is found, and the occurrence of 23 deg N scintillations is found to be conditional to their prior occurrence at lower latitudes. It is also shown that, at least during high solar activity, the equator irregularities extend to altitudes in excess of 1300 km in the Indian sector, and consequently, cause scintillations in a much wider latitudinal belt. 36 references.
- Research Organization:
- National Physical Lab. of India, New Delhi
- OSTI ID:
- 5321847
- Journal Information:
- Radio Sci.; (United States), Vol. 21
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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