Relationship Between Presunset Wave Structures and Interbubble Spacing: The Seeding Perspective of Equatorial Plasma Bubble

Abstract

AbstractIn this paper, we study on the precursor seed structures well before the prospective occurrence of equatorial plasma bubble (EPB). We use the scanning mode observations made by the 30‐MHz Gadanki Ionospheric Radar Interferometer for estimating interbubble spacing and high time resolution observations made by a collocated digisonde for inferring horizontal wavelength of wave‐like variations prior to the onset of EPB. Horizontal wavelength of wave‐like variations has been inferred from plasma density variations and height variations of isodensity contours; both show consistent results. Remarkable agreement has been found between the estimated horizontal wavelength and interbubble spacing, which demonstrates the potential of digisonde in providing relevant seed structure for a prospective EPB formation. Further analysis based on observational results and numerical simulation of collisional interchange instability shows that while the eventual formation of EPB has a strong bearing on the height of the F layer and density gradient scale length, the growth perspective of the EPB depends on the seed wavelength. These results are presented and discussed keeping the future prospective of EPB forecasting/nowcasting.