The F-Region Equatorial Ionospheric Electrodynamics Drifts

Abstract

The ionospheric plasma drift is one of the most essential parameters for understanding the dynamics of ionospheric F-region. F-region electromagnetic drifts are calculated for three seasonal conditions from ionosonde observations acquired during quiet period of a typical year of high and low solar activity at Ibadan (7.4^oN, 3.9^oE, dip 6^oS), Nigeria. The vertical plasma drifts derived from h' (f) ionosonde data are compared with vertical drifts obtained by incoherent scatter radar and AE-E satellite measurements during nighttime periods under similar solar and geomagnetic conditions. We find comparable variability among the ionosonde drifts at Ibadan, Jicamarca VHF radar drifts, and AE-E satellite drifts during high solar flux and geomagnetic quiet conditions at equinox and solstices periods. The equinoctial average evening upward drifts enhancements by the three methods are roughly similar and occur at the same local time (19 LT) for all the seasons. Additionally, the evening reversal time from upward daytime to downward nighttime does not vary much except during the winter months; and occurs earliest in summer and equinox, but least during winter period. Also the data indicate asymmetry of evening reversal times about the dip-equator between the Peruvian, Indian, and the African equatorial regions. Our observations are in conformity with some results obtained at other equatorial ionospheric stations

Journal of the Nigerian Association of Mathematical Physics Vol. 10 2006: pp. 27-34