Generation Of Equatorial Spread F Research Articles

Vertical Propagation Speeds of Gravity Waves in the Daytime as a Precursor to the Onset of the Equatorial Spread‐F

AbstractThe equatorial spread‐F (ESF) refers to the spread observed in return echoes of ionograms. Such spread in reflected echoes is found both in range and frequency, which can last for a few hours. These are due to large‐scale plasma irregularities occurring in the ionospheric heights on some nights. Under seemingly identical background conditions, ESF might occur on one night but remain absent on the other. These plasma irregularities adversely affect the trans‐ionospheric radio wave propagation but their occurrence on a given night continues to be one of the missing elements in our understanding of the equatorial ionospheric phenomena. In this work, the vertical propagation of gravity waves in daytime thermosphere has been shown to be a crucial parameter for the generation of ESF during post‐sunset hours. Using electron density profiles obtained from digisonde at Trivandrum, a dip‐equatorial location in India, we found that vertical propagation activity of gravity waves exists on 85% of the ESF days, whereas it is only 50% for the days without the occurrence of ESF during post‐sunset hours. Further, vertical propagation speeds of these gravity waves are higher on the ESF days than on the non‐ESF days. Also, ESF has been found to occur on 100% of the occasions, whenever the vertical speeds of these gravity waves are greater than 80 ms−1. This threshold value of vertical propagation speeds of gravity waves can be used to predict the ESF occurrence around 12–14 LT on that day, which is much in advance of the occurrence of ESF.

Active (Evolving) Phase of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Observed Over Tirunelveli

AbstractUsual post‐sunset generation of equatorial spread F (ESF) irregularities on quiet days (Q‐days) and midnight or post‐midnight generation of ESF on magnetically disturbed days (D‐days) is widely known. However, the duration of evolving or active phase of these freshly generated ESF (FESF) irregularities is not clearly understood. Here, the active phase duration refers to the time period during which the perturbation electric field associated with equatorial plasma bubbles drifting over Tirunelveli is alive. Recently, Gurram et al. (2018) quantified the active phase duration of FESF for both Q‐days and D‐days. It was the first exercise to obtain the average active phase duration of FESF from observations. In view of this, we carried out detailed analysis to examine their dependence on solar flux and geomagnetic activity using long‐term amplitude scintillation observations on 251‐MHz signal. It is found that percentage of days with longer active phase (td≥ 50 min) is higher on D‐days, and it is consistent for all levels of solar flux. Average duration of the active phase of FESF, ⟨td⟩, is 57.9 ± 52.3 min on D‐days and 33.8 ± 23.4 min on Q‐days. The active phase of FESF has tendency to sustain for longer time during low solar flux, which is attributed to presence of weaker ambient ionospheric electric field during that period. It is noted that FESF generated on days with stronger geomagnetic activity tend to have longer active phase. Also, days with FESF cause more moderate–strong scintillations as compared to days with drifted‐in ESF.

Traveling planetary wave ionospheric disturbances and their role in the generation of equatorial spread-F and GPS phase fluctuations during the last extreme low solar activity and comparison with high solar activity

This investigation studies traveling planetary wave ionospheric disturbance (TPWID) type oscillations on the modulation of the F region virtual height rise during the E×B electric field pre-reversal enhancement (PRE), near sunset hours. We also studied their role in the generation of equatorial spread F (ESF) and GPS phase fluctuations during periods of the last extreme low solar activity (LSA) of January 2009 to April 2010 (F10.7¯=73). A comparison is made with periods of high solar activity (HSA) in 2003 and 2004 near equatorial region. The ionospheric irregularities investigated are medium (bottom-side) and large (plasma bubble) scales. Ionospheric F region oscillations with period of days are due to the TPWIDs, which play an important role in producing favorable or unfavorable conditions for equatorial ionospheric irregularities, changing the electron vertical profile and F region height. In this paper, we present simultaneous ionospheric sounding (ionosonde) and GPS vertical total electron content (vTEC) observations carried out near equatorial region (Palmas 10.2°S, 48.2°W) and low latitude region (São José dos Campos 23.2°S, 45.9°W; located under the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly), Brazil. Observations show that the occurrence of fresh ESF during LSA and HSA and fresh GPS phase fluctuations at equatorial region follow the trend of day-to-day variations in the F region virtual height, which are due to electric field PRE modulated by TPWID wave like oscillations. During LSA, the altitude of 250km acts as a threshold height for the generation of fresh ionospheric irregularities, whereas during HSA, the threshold height is 300km. The observations also found a strong increase in the generation of fresh ionospheric irregularities from October 2009 to March 2010 during LSA and from September 2003 to March 2004 during the HSA. Furthermore, in LSA, the period of fresh ionospheric irregularities was less than during HSA, though both periods followed a similar seasonal pattern. In the low-latitude, we observed more ESFs than phase fluctuations because ionosonde is more sensitive than GPS. We also observed periods with and without day-to-day oscillations in the F region virtual height. The observations made by GPS stations and ionosondes in the equatorial region, for much of the period analyzed, presented similar results with regard to the generation of equatorial ionospheric irregularities. In the low latitude, some nights of January, February, October, and December 2009 also showed a similarity.

Ionogram signatures of large‐scale wave structure and their relation to equatorial spread F

Observations of signatures of the large‐scale wave structure (LSWS) and subsequent development of equatorial spread F (ESF) by using data from a newly installed digital ionosonde at Trivandrum (8.5°N; 77°E; 0.5°N magnetic dip latitude) are presented. The LSWS signatures are observed using the ionograms with echo directions. The ‘satellite’ traces are shown as echoes from oblique directions, when an upwelling (associated with LSWS) is not directly over the ionosonde location. When an upwelling is centered overhead, and the radius of curvature of the isodensity contours matches the height of reflection, signals from various directions can add in phase to enhance the ionospheric reflection coefficient, and produce another ionogram signature, referred to as multireflected echoes (MREs). It is also shown that the generation of ESF is related to the presence of LSWS. The skymaps also show the presence of small‐scale wave structures in the bottomsideFregion. The investigation also indicates that the range spread F (RSF) occurs because of the reflections from the embedded smaller‐scale structures within the large‐scale upwelling.

Hemispheric asymmetries in the ionospheric response observed in the American sector during an intense geomagnetic storm

The main purpose of this investigation is to study the ionospheric F region response induced by the intense geomagnetic storm that occurred on 7–8 September 2002. The geomagnetic index Dst reached a minimum of −181 nT at 0100 UT on 8 September. In this study, we used observations from a chain of 12 GPS stations and another chain of 6 digital ionosonde stations. It should be mentioned that, soon after the sudden commencement (SC) at 1637 UT on 7 September, the TEC variations at midlatitude stations in both hemispheres showed an F region positive storm phase. However, during the recovery phase, a strong hemispheric asymmetry was observed in the ionospheric response. While a TID type soliton was observed to propagate in the Southern American sector, no TID activity was seen in the Northern American sector. Also, in the Southern Hemisphere, the TEC variations were less affected by the geomagnetic storm. The Northern Hemisphere observations showed a strong and long‐lasting negative F region storm phase starting at about 1000 UT on 8 September (lasting for about 24 h). A perusal of TEC phase fluctuations and equatorial spread‐F (ESF) ionospheric sounding data indicates that, on the disturbed night of 7–8 September, some stations showed the occurrence of ESF starting at about 0000 UT (2000 LT) on 8 September, whereas other stations showed that the ESF occurrence started much later, at about 0800 UT (0500 LT). This hemispheric asymmetric response of the ionospheric F region possibly indicates the presence of different mechanisms for the generation of ESF along the various latitudinal regions during the disturbed period.

Role of gravity wavelike seed perturbations on the triggering of ESF – a case study from unique dayglow observations

Abstract. First observational evidence, from the Indian longitudes, for the presence of gravity wavelike perturbations with periods of 20–30 min, acting as probable seeds for Equatorial Spread F (ESF) irregularities is described. The study is based on the daytime optical measurements of the mesopause temperature and the intensity of the thermospheric O(1D) 630.0 nm dayglow emissions using the unique MultiWavelength Dayglow PhotoMeter from Trivandrum (8.5° N; 77° E; dip lat ~0.5° N), a dip equatorial station. Measurements during the equinoctial months of a solar maximum (2001) and a solar minimum year (2006) have been used in this study. It is shown that under identical background ionospheric conditions within a solar epoch, the power of the gravity waves have a deterministic role in the generation of ESF. The mesopause temperature simultaneously observed, indicate that possible source regions for these perturbations lie in the lower atmosphere.

The combined effects of electrojet strength and the geomagnetic activity (<I>K<sub>p</sub></I>-index) on the post sunset height rise of the F-layer and its role in the generation of ESF during high and low solar activity periods

Abstract. Several investigations have been carried out to identify the factors that are responsible for the day-to-day variability in the occurrence of equatorial spread-F (ESF). But the precise forecasting of ESF on a day-to-day basis is still far from reality. The nonlinear development and the sustenance of ESF/plasma bubbles is decided by the background ionospheric conditions, such as the base height of the F-layer (h'F), the electron density gradient (dN/dz), maximum ionization density (Nmax), geomagnetic activity and the neutral dynamics. There is increasing evidence in the literature during the recent past that shows a well developed Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) during the afternoon hours contributes significantly to the initiation of ESF during the post-sunset hours. Also, there exists a good correlation between the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) and the Integrated Equatorial ElectroJet (IEEJ) strength, as the driving force for both is the same, namely, the zonal electric field at the equator. In this paper, we present a linear relationship that exists between the daytime integrated equatorial electrojet (IEEJ) strength and the maximum elevated height of the F-layer during post-sunset hours (denoted as peak h'F). An inverse relationship that exists between the 6-h average Kp-index prior to the local sunset and the peak h'F of the F-layer is also presented. A systematic study on the combined effects of the IEEJ and the average Kp-index on the post-sunset, peak height of the F-layer (peak h'F), which controls the development of ESF/plasma bubbles, is carried out using the ionosonde data from an equatorial station, Trivandrum (8.47° N, 76.91° E, dip.lat. 0.5° N), an off-equatorial station, SHAR (13.6° N, 79.8° E, dip.lat. 10.8° N) and VHF scintillations (244 MHz) observed over a nearby low-latitude station, Waltair (17.7° N, 83.3° E, dip.lat. 20° N). From this study, it has been found that the threshold base height of the F-layer at the equator for the development of plasma bubbles is reduced from 405 km to 317 km as the solar activity decreases from March 2001 (mean Rz=113.5) to March 2005 (mean Rz=24.5). This decrease in threshold height with the decreasing solar activity is explained on the basis of changes in the local linear growth rate of the collisional Rayleigh-Taylor instability, due to the variability of various terms such as inverse density gradient scale length (L−1), ion-neutral collision frequency (νin) and recombination rate (R) with the changes in the solar activity.

Effect of equatorial ionization anomaly on the occurrence of spread-F

Abstract. The unique geometry of the geomagnetic field lines over the equatorial ionosphere coupled with the E-W electric field causes the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial spread-F (ESF). Ionosonde data obtained at a chain of four stations covering equator to anomaly crest region (0.3 to 33 °N dip) in the Indian sector are used to study the role of EIA and the associated processes on the occurrence of ESF. The study period pertains to the equinoctial months (March, April, September and October) of 1991. The ratios of critical frequency of F-layer (ƒ0F2) and electron densities at an altitude of 270 km between Ahmedabad (33 °N dip) and Waltair (20 °N dip) are found to shoot up in the afternoon hours on spread-F days showing strengthening of the EIA in the afternoon hours. The study confirms the earlier conclusions made by Raghava Rao et al. and Alex et al. that a well-developed EIA is one of the conditions conducive for the generation of ESF. This study also shows that the location of the crest is also important in addition to the strength of the anomaly.

Effect of equatorial ionization anomaly on the occurrence of spread-F

The unique geometry of the geomagnetic field lines over the equatorial ionosphere coupled with the E-W electric field causes the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial spread-F (ESF). Ionosonde data obtained at a chain of four stations covering equator to anomaly crest region (0.3 to 33 °N dip) in the Indian sector are used to study the role of EIA and the associated processes on the occurrence of ESF. The study period pertains to the equinoctial months (March, April, September and October) of 1991. The ratios of critical frequency of F-layer (ƒ0F2) and electron densities at an altitude of 270 km between Ahmedabad (33 °N dip) and Waltair (20 °N dip) are found to shoot up in the afternoon hours on spread-F days showing strengthening of the EIA in the afternoon hours. The study confirms the earlier conclusions made by Raghava Rao et al. and Alex et al. that a well-developed EIA is one of the conditions conducive for the generation of ESF. This study also shows that the location of the crest is also important in addition to the strength of the anomaly.

Scintillations, plasma drifts, and neutral winds in the equatorial ionosphere after sunset

An equatorial campaign was conducted during September 25 to October 7, 1994, to investigate the neutral and plasma dynamics in the equatorial ionosphere after sunset in relation to the day‐to‐day variability of the occurrence of equatorial spread F (ESF). The campaign was organized under the auspices of National Science Foundation's Multi‐Instrumented Studies of the Equatorial Thermosphere Aeronomy program (MISETA), which included the Jicamarca radar, spaced‐antenna satellite scintillation, digisonde, all‐sky imager, and Fabry‐Perot interferometer (FPI) measurements near the magnetic equator in Peru. During a part of the period September 27 to October 3, the Geophysics Directorate of Phillips Laboratory performed measurements away from the magnetic equator at Aguaverde, Chile (magnetic latitude: 11°S) located 800 km to the east of the Jicamarca meridian using geostationary and GPS satellite scintillation, digisonde and all‐sky imager systems. The incoherent scatter radar results indicate that the postsunset enhancement of upward plasma drift, even though of the order of only 20 m s−1 during the solar minimum period, is a necessary condition for the generation of ESF. In view of the extreme difficulty of determining the neutral wind speed during the early evening hours by the FPI due to low airglow intensity, it was not possible to unequivocally associate the observed postsunset enhancements with strong eastward neutral winds. However, considering a few observations contiguous to the campaign period, it appears that such a causal relationship may exist. The scintillation drift measurements in Peru and Chile indicated that the zonal irregularity drift was smaller away from the magnetic equator, implying a variation of neutral wind with latitude. This is reproduced in the altitude variation of zonal drift observed by the Jicamarca radar. During a magnetic storm, scintillation measurements indicated that eastward drifts near the magnetic equator are accompanied by westward drifts near the anomaly peak, which is consistent with the effects of a disturbance dynamo. The campaign results indicate that in order to resolve the variability of ESF, a careful probing of neutral dynamics as a function of latitude needs to be undertaken during the postsunset period.