Simulations of blanketing sporadic E-layer over the Brazilian sector driven by tidal winds

Abstract

This work presents new results about simulations of blanketing sporadic E-layers, Esb, using a modified version of a theoretical model for the E region (MIRE) for a Brazilian region: Cachoeira Paulista, a low latitude station. MIRE computes the densities of the metallic ions (Fe+ and Mg+) and of the main molecular ions (NO+, O2+, N2+) by solving the continuity and momentum equations for each one of them. Additionally, this model includes the physics of Es layer development driven by tidal winds. In this study, we extend MIRE adding a novel neutral wind model derived from the all-sky meteor radar measurements, which provides more trustworthy results related to the Es layer formation in the Brazilian sector. Afterwards, this new model is validated comparing the computed electron density for the Es layer with the electron density obtained using the blanketing frequency parameter (fbEs) deduced from ionograms in the analyzed region. The results show that the values computed by the extended MIRE are in good agreement with the observational data for the Es layers formed by the wind shear mechanism. Therefore, the extended MIRE presented in this work is the only available model that allows simulating Esb layers with a much higher confidence level for the low-latitude in the Brazilian sector.