scholarly journals Numerical simulation of mid-latitude ionospheric <i>E</i>-region based on SEEK and SEEK-2 observations

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2377-2384 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Yokoyama ◽  
M. Yamamoto ◽  
S. Fukao ◽  
T. Takahashi ◽  
M. Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulation ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Sounding Rockets ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
Polarization Electric Field ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E

Abstract. Observational campaigns of the mid-latitude ionospheric E-region with sounding rockets and ground-based instruments were conducted in 1996 (SEEK) and 2002 (SEEK-2). Both of them were successfully conducted to bring important findings about the mid-latitude E-region and quasi-periodic (QP) VHF radar echoes. The observational results in the SEEK and the SEEK-2 are compared with numerical simulations and discussed in this paper. While sporadic-E (Es)-layers are actually formed by the observed neutral wind, it is difficult for the constant wind shear to produce the sharp Es-layer gradient. However, once they are formed in the lower E-region, they cannot easily be dissipated by the simple diffusive motion. The polarization electric field, calculated under the condition at the rocket launch time, shows similar amplitude and structure to the measurement around the Es-layer altitude. The structure of the plasma density and the electric field above the Es-layer observed in the SEEK-2 showed a wave-like pattern up to an altitude of 150 km. Considering a mapping of the polarization electric field generated within the Es-layers, gravity waves are the possible source of the wave-like structure of the measured electric fields and sub-peaks of the electron density above the main Es-layers. Fluctuation of the measured magnetic field is reproduced by Hall or field-aligned current driven by the polarization electric field. The current theoretical models for QP echoes and the polarization electric field are basically verified by the discussion in this paper. Keywords. Ionospheric irregularities – Mid-latitude ionosphere – Numerical simulation studies

scholarly journals SEEK-2 (Sporadic-<i>E</i> Experiment over Kyushu 2) − Project Outline, and Significance

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2295-2305 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Yamamoto ◽  
S. Fukao ◽  
R. T. Tsunoda ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
H. Hayakawa
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Spatial Structure ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Sounding Rockets ◽  
Optical Instruments ◽  
Observation Network ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

Abstract. SEEK-2 (Sporadic-E Experiment over Kyushu 2) is an observation campaign to study the spatial structure of the field-aligned irregularity (FAI) and sporadic-E(Es)-layer by means of two sounding rockets and a ground-based observation network with radars and optical instruments. The experiment was successfully conducted on 3 August 2002, with successive launches of two sounding rockets from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC) of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The timing of the experiment was carefully selected, while intense quasi-periodic (QP) echoes were observed with two radars in Tanegashima. The main Es-layer, with its double-layered structure, was observed at altitudes of 103–105 km, the presence of which was well accounted for by the ion accumulation due to neutral-wind shear. Several minor peaks were detected in the electron density profiles at altitudes of up to 130 km. The intensity of the electric field was 5–10 mV/m and showed intense fluctuations below 110 km. Wave-like variation of the electric field was seen above 110 km. From radar experiments, we found that QP echoes appeared around 105 km, which agreed well with the main Es-layer height. The QP echoes propagated to the west-northwest, with frontal structures elongated from north-northeast to south-southwest. Radar observations conduced throughout the SEEK-2 period, on the other hand, showed that frontal structures of the QP echoes were most frequently propagated to the southeast. This result was consistent with the direction of gravity-wave propagation observed with the OH imager during the same period. The rocket beacon experiment with the Es-layers revealed the spatial structure of the plasma densities. On the basis of these results and those from SEEK-1 in 1996, we examined the structures of the nighttime mid-latitude E-region. We concluded that the QP echoes reflect the horizontal structures of the main Es-layers. The source of the structures was not clearly determined from the experiments, but the candidates are gravity waves and the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. The azimuth-dependent Es-instability may have contributed to enhance structures of the QP echoes, although this instability may not be a major source of the QP structure in SEEK-2. Polarization electric fields were induced from the Es-layer with QP echoes, mapped upward along the geomagnetic field, and played an important role in determining the structures of the whole ionospheric E-region. Keywords. Mid-latitude ionosphere – Ionospheric irregularities – Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions

scholarly journals Electric field measurements of DC and long wavelength structures associated with sporadic-<i>E</i> layers and QP radar echoes

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2319-2334 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Pfaff ◽  
H. Freudenreich ◽  
T. Yokoyama ◽  
M. Yamamoto ◽  
S. Fukao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
Sounding Rocket ◽  
Neutral Wind ◽  
Short Scale ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E Layer ◽  
Sporadic E

Abstract. Electric field and plasma density data gathered on a sounding rocket launched from Uchinoura Space Center, Japan, reveal a complex electrodynamics associated with sporadic-E layers and simultaneous observations of quasi-periodic radar echoes. The electrodynamics are characterized by spatial and temporal variations that differed considerably between the rocket's upleg and downleg traversals of the lower ionosphere. Within the main sporadic-E layer (95–110 km) on the upleg, the electric fields were variable, with amplitudes of 2–4 mV/m that changed considerably within altitude intervals of 1–3 km. The identification of polarization electric fields coinciding with plasma density enhancements and/or depletions is not readily apparent. Within this region on the downleg, however, the direction of the electric field revealed a marked change that coincided precisely with the peak of a single, narrow sporadic-E plasma density layer near 102.5 km. This shear was presumably associated with the neutral wind shear responsible for the layer formation. The electric field data above the sporadic-E layer on the upleg, from 110 km to the rocket apogee of 152 km, revealed a continuous train of distinct, large scale, quasi-periodic structures with wavelengths of 10–15 km and wavevectors oriented between the NE-SW quadrants. The electric field structures had typical amplitudes of 3–5 mV/m with one excursion to 9 mV/m, and in a very general sense, were associated with perturbations in the plasma density. The electric field waveforms showed evidence for steepening and/or convergence effects and presumably had mapped upwards along the magnetic field from the sporadic-E region below. Candidate mechanisms to explain the origin of these structures include the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and the Es-layer instability. In both cases, the same shear that formed the sporadic-E layer would provide the energy to generate the km-scale structures. Other possibilities include gravity waves or a combination of these processes. The data suggest that these structures were associated with the lower altitude density striations that were the seat of the QP radar echoes observed simultaneously. They also appear to have been associated with the mechanism responsible for a well-defined pattern of "whorls" in the neutral wind data that were revealed in a chemical trail released by a second sounding rocket launched 15min later. Short scale (<100 m) electric field irregularities were also observed and were strongest in the sporadic-E region below 110km. The irregularities were organized into 2–3 layers on the upleg, where the plasma density also displayed multiple layers, yet were confined to a single layer on the downleg where the plasma density showed a single, well-defined sporadic-E peak. The linear gradient drift instability involving the DC electric field and the vertical plasma gradient is shown to be incapable of driving the observed waves on the upleg, but may have contributed to the growth of short scale waves on the topside of the narrow unstable density gradient observed on the downleg. The data suggest that other sources of free energy may have been important factors for the growth of the short scale irregularities. Keywords. Ionosphere (Mid-latitude ionosphere; Electric fields and currents; Ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals Energetics and structure of the lower E region associated with sporadic E layer

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2929-2936 ◽  
Author(s):  
K.-I. Oyama ◽  
K. Hibino ◽  
T. Abe ◽  
R. Pfaff ◽  
T. Yokoyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Field Data ◽  
Magnetic Line ◽  
Height Range ◽  
Sounding Rockets ◽  
Main Structure ◽  
Irregular Structures ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E Layer ◽  
Sporadic E

Abstract. The electron temperature (Te), electron density (Ne), and two components of the electric field were measured from the height of 90 km to 150 km by one of the sounding rockets launched during the SEEK-2 campaign. The rocket went through sporadic E layer (Es) at the height of 102 km–109 km during ascent and 99 km–108 km during decent, respectively. The energy density of thermal electrons calculated from Ne and Te shows the broad maximum in the height range of 100–110 km, and it decreases towards the lower and higher altitudes, which implies that a heat source exists in the height region of 100 km–110 km. A 3-D picture of Es, that was drawn by using Te, Ne, and the electric field data, corresponded to the computer simulation; the main structure of Es is projected to a higher altitude along the magnetic line of force, thus producing irregular structures of Te, Ne and electric field in higher altitude.

scholarly journals Morphological study of the field-aligned E-layer irregularities observed by the Gadanki VHF radar

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 3799-3804 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Pan ◽  
P. B. Rao
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Latitude ◽  
Spectral Width ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Total Observation

Abstract. We report on the field-aligned irregularities observed in the low-latitude sporadic E-layer (Es) with the Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E; geomagnetic latitude 6.3° N) VHF radar. The radar was operated intermittently for 15 days during the summer months in 1998 and 1999, for both daytime and nighttime observation. The total observation periods are 161h for the nighttime and 68h for the daytime. The observations were used to study the percentage of occurrence of the E-region echoes for both daytime and nighttime. The statistical characteristics of the mean radial velocity and spectral width are presented for three cases based on the echo occurrence characteristics and the altitude of observations (from 90 to 140km ranges), namely, the lower E-region daytime (90-110km), the lower E-region nighttime (90-105km) and the upper E-region nighttime (105-140km) echoes. The results are compared with that of Piura, a low-latitude station located at about the same geomagnetic latitude, but to the south of the equator. By comparing the behaviors of the lower E-region radar echoes of the summer months between Gadanki and Piura, we find that the lower altitude echoes below about 100km are rarely reported in Piura but commonly seen in Gadanki. Features of the nighttime echoes observed by these two radars are quite similar but daytime FAI echoes are again seldom detected by Piura.

scholarly journals E-region echo characteristics governed by auroral arc electrodynamics

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 1567-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. E. Milan ◽  
N. Sato ◽  
M. Lester ◽  
Y. Murata ◽  
Y. Shinkai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Doppler Shift ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Radar Echoes ◽  
Ion Acoustic ◽  
E Region ◽  
Electric Fields And Currents ◽  
Auroral Arcs ◽  
Acoustic Speed

Abstract. Observations of a pair of auroral arc features by two imagers, one ground- and one space-based, allows the associated field-aligned current (FAC) and electric field structure to be inferred. Simultaneous observations of HF radar echoes provide an insight into the irregularity-generating mechanisms. This is especially interesting for the E-region echoes observed, which form the focus of our analysis, and from which several conclusions can be drawn, summarized as follows. Latitudinal variations in echo characteristics are governed by the FAC and electric field background. Particularly sharp boundaries are found at the edges of auroral arcs. Within regions of auroral luminosity, echoes have Doppler shifts below the ion-acoustic speed and are proportional to the electric field, suggesting scatter from gradient drift waves. Regions of downward FAC are associated with mixed high and low Doppler shift echoes. The high Doppler shift component is greatly in excess of the ion-acoustic speed, but seems to be commensurate with the driving electric field. The low Doppler shift component appears to be much depressed below expectations.Key words. Ionosphere (ionospheric irregularities; electric fields and currents)

scholarly journals Relationship between propagation direction of gravity waves in OH and OI airglow images and VHF radar echo occurrence during the SEEK-2 campaign

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2385-2390 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Onoma ◽  
Y. Otsuka ◽  
K. Shiokawa ◽  
T. Ogawa ◽  
M. Yamamoto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Atmospheric Composition ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Composition And Structure ◽  
Radar Echo ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Atmospheric Gravity ◽  
Region Plasma

Abstract. We report simultaneous observations of atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) in OI (557.7nm) and OH airglow images and VHF radar backscatter from field-aligned irregularities (FAI) in the E-region during the SEEK-2 (Sporadic-E Experiment over Kyushu 2) campaign period from 29 July to 9 August 2002. An all-sky imager was operated at Nishino-Omote (30.5 N, 130.1 E), Japan. On 14 nights, 17 AGW events were detected in OI and OH airglow images. AGW propagated mostly toward the northeast or southeast. From comparison with the E-region FAI occurrence, which is detected by a nearby VHF radar (31.57MHz), we found that AGW tended to propagate southeastward during FAI events. This result suggests that the interaction between AGW and E-region plasma plays an important role in generating FAI. Furthermore, polarization electric fields generated directly by AGW may contribute to the FAI generation. Keywords. Atmospheric composition and structure (Airglow and aurora), Ionosphere (Ionospheric irregularities, Mid-latitude ionosphere)

scholarly journals Midday reversal of equatorial ionospheric electric field

1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 1309-1315 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Rastogi
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Solar Wind ◽  
Electric Field ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Ring Current ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E ◽  
Ionospheric Electric Field

Abstract. A comparative study of the geomagnetic and ionospheric data at equatorial and low-latitude stations in India over the 20 year period 1956–1975 is described. The reversal of the electric field in the ionosphere over the magnetic equator during the midday hours indicated by the disappearance of the equatorial sporadic E region echoes on the ionograms is a rare phenomenon occurring on about 1% of time. Most of these events are associated with geomagnetically active periods. By comparing the simultaneous geomagnetic H field at Kodaikanal and at Alibag during the geomagnetic storms it is shown that ring current decreases are observed at both stations. However, an additional westward electric field is superimposed in the ionosphere during the main phase of the storm which can be strong enough to temporarily reverse the normally eastward electric field in the dayside ionosphere. It is suggested that these electric fields associated with the V×Bz electric fields originate at the magnetopause due to the interaction of the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field.

scholarly journals Equatorial E Region Electric Fields and Sporadic E Layer Responses to the Recovery Phase of the November 2004 Geomagnetic Storm

2017 ◽  
Vol 122 (12) ◽  
pp. 12,517-12,533 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Moro ◽  
L. C. A. Resende ◽  
C. M. Denardini ◽  
J. Xu ◽  
I. S. Batista ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Storm ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
E Region ◽  
Sporadic E Layer ◽  
Sporadic E

scholarly journals A numerical model of the ionosphere, including the E-region above EISCAT

1996 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 191-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
P.-Y. Diloy ◽  
A. Robineau ◽  
J. Lilensten ◽  
P.-L. Blelly ◽  
J. Fontanari
Keyword(s):  
Electric Field ◽  
Fluid Model ◽  
Molecular Ions ◽  
Ion Concentration ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Ion Chemistry ◽  
Vhf Radar ◽  
Theoretical Predictions ◽  
Consistent Manner ◽  
E Region

Abstract. It has been previously demonstrated that a two-ion (O+ and H+) 8-moment time-dependent fluid model was able to reproduce correctly the ionospheric structure in the altitude range probed by the EISCAT-VHF radar. In the present study, the model is extended down to the E-region where molecular ion chemistry (NO+ and O+2, essentially) prevails over transport; EISCAT-UHF observations confirmed previous theoretical predictions that during events of intense E×B induced convection drifts, molecular ions (mainly NO+) predominate over O+ ions up to altitudes of 300 km. In addition to this extension of the model down to the E-region, the ionization and heating resulting from both solar insolation and particle precipitation is now taken into account in a consistent manner through a complete kinetic transport code. The effects of E×B induced convection drifts on the E- and F-region are presented: the balance between O+ and NO+ ions is drastically affected; the electric field acts to deplete the O+ ion concentration. The [NO+]/[O+] transition altitude varies from 190 km to 320 km as the perpendicular electric field increases from 0 to 100 mV m-1. An interesting additional by-product of the model is that it also predicts the presence of a noticeable fraction of N+ ions in the topside ionosphere in good agreement with Retarding Ion Mass Spectrometer measurements onboard Dynamic Explorer.

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