VHF and HF radar measurements of E and R region plasma drifts at the magnetic equator

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 UTC 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/91JA02187· OSTI ID:5556760

Viswanathan, K S ^[1]; Namboothiri, S P; Rao, P B ^[2]

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1. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum (India)
2. Univ. of Kerala, Trivandrum (India)

Simultaneous observations of E region horizontal irregularity drifts by VHF backscatter radar and of F region vertical plasma drift by HF Doppler radar conducted during daytime on a few magnetically quiet days at Trivandrum (dip 0.2{degree} N) are presented. A comparative study of the two measurements indicates broadly (1) a resemblance in the daytime changes of the E-W component between the electric field and (2) evidence of quasi-periodic electric field variations with periods ranging mostly from 1 to 2 hours. The electric fields derived from HF Doppler radar observations are somewhat lower than those deduced by HVHF radar observations. The correlation coefficient for the variations of the electric fields measured by the two experimental techniques is found to be in the range of about 0.5 to 0.9. The observed difference in the E and F region electric fields at the magnetic equator is discussed in terms of the measurement uncertainties and the limitations involved in deriving E-W electric fields. The observations are suggestive of a latitudinal variation in the E-W component of the electric field in the equatorial ionosphere.

• OSTI ID: 5556760
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 97:A3; ISSN 0148-0227; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
E REGION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
EVALUATION
F REGION
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR
IONOSPHERE
LATITUDE EFFECT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA DENSITY
PLASMA DRIFT
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
VARIATIONS