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Equatorial ionospheric electron density below the F 2 peak
Author(s) -
Radicella S. M.,
Adeniyi J. O.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/1999rs900071
Subject(s) - daytime , ionosphere , atmospheric sciences , electron density , altitude (triangle) , variation (astronomy) , f region , physics , diurnal temperature variation , solar cycle , electron , solar maximum , plasma , environmental science , astrophysics , astronomy , solar wind , mathematics , geometry , quantum mechanics
True height profile analysis below the F 2 peak was employed in this study. Diurnal, seasonal, and solar cycle variations in electron density were examined from 100 km up the F 2 peak. Some results obtained for the equatorial region in the Indian and American sectors were confirmed in this study. The departure of the daytime electron density from that of a simple Chapman variation begins from an altitude of about 190 km at low solar activity and from 210 km at high solar activity. The midday minimum is observable from about 100 km below the F 2 peak at low solar activity. It is noticeable from about 40 to 90 km below the F 2 peak at high solar activity, except in April, when a postnoon peak is not developed. Most of the features observed find their explanation in the vertical E × B plasma drift variation.