INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GEOMAGNETISM AND AERONOMY VOL. 5, GI3001, doi:10.1029/2004GI000071, 2005

Quiet time F2-layer disturbances at geomagnetic equator

A. Kh. Depueva, A. V. Mikhailov, and V. Kh. Depuev
Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere and Radio Wave Propagation, Troitsk, Moscow Region, Russia

Abstract

[1] Ionospheric F2 -layer disturbances not related to geomagnetic activity ( Q disturbances) were analyzed using all available N_mF2 observations over Huancayo (American sector) and Kodaikanal (Indian sector) stations located at the proximity of geomagnetic equator. Both positive and negative Q disturbances were revealed, their amplitude being comparable to usual F2 layer storm effects. The occurrence of Q disturbances exhibit a systematic dependence on solar activity, season, and local time. The revealed morphology of Q disturbances at Huancayo can be explained by the observed at Jicamarca E times

B vertical drifts. There are some differences between Huancayo and Kodaikanal Q disturbance morphological patterns that cannot be attributed to small differences in E times

B vertical drifts in the two longitudinal sectors.

Received 18 May 2004; revised 5 October 2004; accepted 16 December 2004; published 11 March 2005.

Keywords: Ionosphere-atmosphere interaction; ionospheric disturbances; equatorial ionosphere.

Index Terms: 2415 Ionosphere: Equatorial ionosphere; 2435 Ionosphere: Ionospheric disturbances; 2431 Ionosphere: Ionosphere/magnetosphere interactions.

Citation: Depueva, A. Kh., A. V. Mikhailov, and V. Kh. Depuev (2005), Quiet time F2-layer disturbances at geomagnetic equator, Int. J. Geomagn. Aeron., 5, GI3001, doi:10.1029/2004GI000071.