On the Spatial Relationship of 1-Meter Equatorial Irregularities and Depletions in Total Electron Contents

摘要

A radar experiment was conducted at Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands to investigate the spatial relationship of 1-m equatorial spread-F irregularities to total electron content (TEC) depletion. A high-power radar was operated (1) in a backscatter scan mode to spatially map the distribution of 1-m irregularities, and (2) in a dual-frequency, satellite-track mode to obtain the longitudinal TEC variations. Using the radar data, we show that radar backscatter 'plumes' found in the disturbed, nighttime equatorial ionosphere are longitudinally coincident with TEC depletions. We suggest that the TEC depletions are probably due to the presence of plasma bubbles in the equatorial F layer. (Author)