A new aspect of magnetic declination control of equatorial spread F and F region dynamo

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JA00826· OSTI ID:6891276

Abdu, M A; Batista, I S; Sobral, J H.A. ^[1]

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1. INPE, Sao Jose dos Campos (Brazil)

Low-latitude range spread F (RSF) data were collected over 12 yr to study seasonal variation of the RSF data. The analysis emphasizes the appearance of two secondary minima that correspond with the appearance of a pair of nodes at the magnetically conjugate E-layer sunset local times. A model for the minima is developed describing asymmetric conjugate E-layer decay conditions and simple development of the F-region dynamo. Magnetic declination angle is shown to play a significant role in spread F plasma-bubble development caused by seasonal qualities of the evening F-region dynamo electric field. The seasonal variations in vertical drift and RFS, however, are not identical as predicted by theory. The observations and derived correlations suggest that the conditions of spread F onset include F-region vertical drift and height gradient. 39 refs.

• OSTI ID: 6891276
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Vol. 97; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
E REGION
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
F REGION
GEOMAGNETIC EQUATOR
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
PLASMA
SOLAR CYCLE
SPREAD F
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETIC FIELDS
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
VARIATIONS
661320* - Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena- (1992-)