Results of ionospheric drift measurements in the f region

Abstract

Results of ionospheric drift measurements at Banaras (geographic latitude 25.31° N, geographic longitude 83° E) during night hours for the years 1957-59 are reported. The seasonal and diurnal variations in the apparent velocity and the apparent direction obtained by similar-fade analysis are shown with the help of histograms and polar diagrams. The effect of ionospheric disturbances on the drift measurement is discussed. Assuming that the isometric irregularities are deformed into a characteristic ellipse, the axial ratio and the orientation of the characteristic ellipse are calculated. Using these parameters, the true velocity and the true direction of the drift is determined. Results are shown with the help of histograms and polar diagrams. The field alignment of the irregularities is discussed.