Abstract
Abstract. The SpreadFEx campaign was conducted with the goal of investigating potential neutral atmospheric dynamics influences in seeding plasma instabilities and bubbles extending to higher altitudes from September to November 2005, with primary measurements in Brazil. In this paper, we present the results of space-based UV and ground-based optical observations in support of this campaign. Specifically, we present multi-dimensional electron density images obtained tomographically from the 135.6 nm emissions measured by the GUVI instrument aboard the TIMED satellite that result from radiative recombination of O+ and compare those with the corresponding 630.0 nm OI images recorded in the Brazilian sector. The GUVI results provide altitude vs. longitude information on depleted regions in the ionospheric plasma density that are complementary to the single-height latitude-longitude images obtained with the airglow imager.
Highlights
IntroductionIrregularities resulting from plasma turbulence in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere are of considerable importance because scintillations caused by density irregularities (commonly referred to as “Equatorial Spread F ”, or ESF) can result in outages of the communication and navigation systems that depend on trans-ionospheric radio links
Irregularities resulting from plasma turbulence in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere are of considerable importance because scintillations caused by density irregularities can result in outages of the communication and navigation systems that depend on trans-ionospheric radio links
Developed ESF events termed Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) refer to regions of depleted plasma density that typically originate in the bottomside post-sunset ionosphere and, while longitudinally thin, extend latitudinally along magnetic field lines
Summary
Irregularities resulting from plasma turbulence in the nighttime equatorial ionosphere are of considerable importance because scintillations caused by density irregularities (commonly referred to as “Equatorial Spread F ”, or ESF) can result in outages of the communication and navigation systems that depend on trans-ionospheric radio links. Developed ESF events termed Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) refer to regions of depleted plasma density that typically originate in the bottomside post-sunset ionosphere and, while longitudinally thin, extend latitudinally along magnetic field lines. EPBs can extend vertically to altitudes above 1000 km (Kelley, 1989) This phenomenon is believed to be generated due to a variety of plasma instability processes, with the Rayleigh-Taylor instability being the primary mechanism at work. Equatorial plasma bubbles have been observed with ground-based instruments including airglow cameras and space-borne remote sensing and in-situ observations (e.g., Kelley, 1989, and references therein). Tomographic imaging systems have been developed and 2.1 Space-based UV observations: GUVI instrument utilized over the past decade in order to enhance observational methods for studying ionospheric processes with multi-dimensional imaging capabilities.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
