Comparison of scintillation, spread F and electrostatic probe observations of electron density irregularities

Abstract

A comparison is made of Alouette II topside sounding and electrostatic probe measurements of electron density irregularities with near simultaneous BE-B scintillation observations and ground-based ionosonde data. The topside sounding technique was found to be the most sensitive means of detecting irregularities followed by scintillation, bottomside sounding and electrostatic probe. Hence combining the results of different experiments can present difficulties in interpretation. The results indicate the need for further direct measurements of irregularity characteristics particularly near the F2 layer peak.