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Ion layer separation and equilibrium zonal winds in midlatitude sporadic E
Author(s) -
Earle G. D.,
Kane T. J.,
Pfaff R. F.,
Bounds S. R.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/1999gl900572
Subject(s) - middle latitudes , sporadic e propagation , altitude (triangle) , atmospheric sciences , amplitude , ionosphere , wavelength , f region , geology , ion , geophysics , physics , optics , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
In‐situ observations of a moderately strong midlatitude sporadic‐E layer show a separation in altitude between distinct sublayers composed of Fe + , Mg + , and NO + . From these observations it is possible to estimate the zonal wind field consistent with diffusive equilibrium near the altitude of the layer. The amplitude of the zonal wind necessary to sustain the layer against diffusive effects is less than 10 m/s, and the vertical wavelength is less than 10 km.