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AGU: Journal of Geophysical Research, Space Physics

 

Keywords

  • ionosphere
  • irregularities
  • E region

Index Terms

  • Ionosphere: Ionospheric irregularities
  • Ionosphere: Auroral ionosphere
  • Ionosphere: Plasma waves and instabilities
  • Ionosphere: Plasma convection
  • Ionosphere: Electric fields
Abstract
Cited By (0)
 

Abstract

HF radar observations of high-velocity E region echoes from the eastward auroral electrojet

Roman A. Makarevich

Department of Physics, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia

We present a statistical analysis of short-range E region echoes observed by the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) HF radars in the evening sector (16–22 MLT) over 3 years. Significant populations of the high-velocity (350–450 m/s) E region echoes similar to the classical Type 1 echoes are observed by 4 zonally-looking SuperDARN radars at small magnetic L-shell angles. The spatial occurrence pattern of Type 1 echoes is investigated. It is shown that the latitudinal (slant range) extent of the region where Type 1 echoes occur increases as the L-shell angle decreases, which is interpreted as widening of the aspect angle instability cone with the flow angle decrease. The echoes with unusually high velocities (500–600 m/s) observed by the Syowa East HF radar are also investigated. These echoes are seen at all L-shell angles (15°–75°) and their Doppler velocity increases with range and exhibits little variation with L-shell angle. The echoes occur at ranges 360–495 km when the strong low-velocity echoes (P > 30 dB, V < 200 m/s) are observed at ranges 225–360 km. We analyze the echo occurrence and velocity dependencies on the simultaneously observed F region echo velocity (plasma drift velocity) and E region echo power. It is suggested that the auroral E region echoes with unusually high velocities observed at large flow angles are similar to the vertically propagating Type 1 echoes reported previously in observations at the magnetic equator and are likely to be secondary waves generated through nonlinear mode coupling processes.

Received 26 March 2008; accepted 22 July 2008; published 30 September 2008.

Citation: Makarevich, R. A. (2008), HF radar observations of high-velocity E region echoes from the eastward auroral electrojet, J. Geophys. Res., 113, A09321, doi:10.1029/2008JA013204.

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