LSWS linked with the low‐latitude Es and its implications for the growth of the R‐T instability

Abstract

AbstractA comprehensive investigation of spread F irregularities over the Indian sector has been carried out using VHF radar and ionosonde observations. Two different categories of spread F observations, one where the onset of the range spread F (RSF) was concurrent with the peak h′F (category 1) and another where the RSF onset happened ~90 min after the peak h′F time (category 2), are presented. RSF in category 2 was preceded by the presence of oblique echoes in ionograms, indicating the irregularity genesis westward of Sriharikota. The average peak h′F in category 1 was ~30 km higher than that in category 2 indicating the presence of standing large‐scale wave structure (LSWS). Occurrence of the blanketing Es during 19:30 to 20:30 Indian Standard Time in category 1 (category 2) was 0% (>50%). Model computation is also carried out to further substantiate the observational results. Model computation indicates that zonal variation of low‐latitude Es can generate zonal modulation in the F layer height rise. It is found that the modulation of the F layer height, linked with the low‐latitude Es, assists the equatorial spread F onset by modifying both the growth rate of the collisional Rayleigh‐Taylor (R‐T) instability and also its efficiency. A predominant presence of low‐latitude Es has been observed, but the increase in the F layer height and the R‐T instability growth in the evening hours will maximize with complete absence of low‐latitude Es. A new mechanism for the generation of LSWS and its implications on R‐T instability is discussed.