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CHARACTERISTICS OF SPREAD F AT HIGH GEOMAGNETIC LATITUDE

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.)
A detailed analysis of the fading observed during spread F at Ithaca, New York (74 l dip), shows that steady components are present at all ranges within the echo proper. Accordingly, it seems unlikely that theories relying on random scattering processes can properly explain the pronounced spread in range observed. To investigate the mechanism responsible for spread F, a lobe- swept interferometer was designed to estimate the width of the angular spectrum of radio waves reflected from the ionosphere under spread-F conditions. This instrument was operated at spacings from 5 1/2 to 12 1/2 wavelengths. Data obtained with it indicate that the type of spread F observed at high geomagnetic latitudes has a narrow angular spectrum. These observations are in substantial agreement with recent theories that attribute long delay times to the guiding action of field-aligned irregularities within the F layer. The correlation of spread F with strong scintillation of the radio source Cygnus A at upper culmination is found to exceed 0.8. The height of the irregularities responsible for radio-star scintillation is not known accurately; there are indications, however, that the irregularities lie above the F-layer maximum, and it is tempting to imagine them extending right through the F region on nights of spread- F activity. (auth)
Research Organization:
National Bureau of Standards, Boulder, Colo.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
NSA Number:
NSA-17-024122
OSTI ID:
4720005
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research (U.S.) Vol. Vol: 68; ISSN JGREA
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English

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