The interpretation of ionospheric drift measurements

Abstract

An investigation of the variability of drift velocities as measured by the method of radio fading on spaced receivers showed that drift velocities for the F-region are a rapidly varying function of time with significant velocity changes taking place in a few minutes. The fluctuations of velocity can be explained by the movement of the point of reflection over an ionospheric surface which is being tilted by the passage of travelling ionospheric disturbances.