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Comparison of multifrequency equatorial scintillation: American and Pacific sectors
Author(s) -
Livingston Robert C.
Publication year - 1980
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/rs015i004p00801
Subject(s) - scintillation , longitude , environmental science , amplitude , maxima , equator , physics , interplanetary scintillation , geology , latitude , optics , astronomy , nuclear physics , art , plasma , coronal mass ejection , detector , performance art , solar wind , art history
In this paper we examine the severity of radio wave amplitude scintillation measured at two stations near the equator but far separated in longitude: Kwajalein, Marshall Islands (167°E), and Ancon, Peru (−77°E). The data used are long‐term observations of the Defense Nuclear Agency (DNA) Wideband satellite signal intensity at VHF, UHF, and L band frequencies. The seasonal behavior of the scintillation at the two stations is similar; each shows a broad 8‐ to 9‐month disturbed season centered about local summer. There is short‐term variability in the scintillation occurrence statistics but no clear equinoctial maxima. Little difference is observed in the occurrence or severity of L band scintillation at the two stations, although a systematic difference in the frequency dependence of the scintillation produces significantly stronger VHF and UHF scintillation at Ancon. The VHF and UHF latitudinal distributions of scintillation are asymmetric about the geomagnetic equator at both stations.