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Vertical structure of the vhf backscattering region in the equatorial electrojet and the gradient drift instability

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:7187362

Radar measurements made with high spatial resolution and large dynamic range at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory near the time of reversal of the electrojet current provide further proof that the gradient drift instability is in fact responsible for the type-2 irregularities. Echoes are received over a much wider range of altitudes at night than during the day, partly because of the change in character of the background electron density profile and partly because of recombination effects, which can be important during the day. One must be cautious, particularly at night, in associating the mean Doppler shift of oblique radar echoes with the maximum east--west electron drift velocity. (GRA)

Research Organization:
Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA). School of Electrical Engineering
OSTI ID:
7187362
Report Number(s):
COM-75-10969
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English