All Physics Faculty Publications
Title
On the variability of equatorial F-region vertical plasma drifts
Document Type
Article
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Volume
63
Publisher
Elsevier
Publication Date
2001
First Page
893
Abstract
We use incoherent scatter radar measurements from the Jicamarca Observatory to study the variability of equatorial F-region vertical plasma drifts. The daytime average upward drifts do not vary much with solar activity, but the evening upward and the nighttime downward drifts increase from solar minimum to solar maximum. Our data indicate that the quiet-time variability of the Jicamarca vertical drifts is local time, seasonal, and solar cycle dependent. This variability is largest in the dawn–noon sector and during March equinox solar minimum periods, when the midday average upward drift velocity from consecutive magnetically quiet days can often change by more than 10m/s. The day-to-day variability of the vertical drifts decreases in the afternoon sector and with the increase of solar activity for all seasons. There are several possible processes responsible for the quiet-time plasma drift variability.
Recommended Citation
Fejer, B. G., and L. Scherliess, On the variability of equatorial F-region vertical plasma drifts, J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., 63, 893, 2001.
