Claude G. Dozois

Spread F and the structure of equatorial ionization depletions in the southern anomaly region

Combined optical and radio sensors provide a unique characterization of the structure of equatorial emission depletion regions connected to rising bubbles over the magnetic equator. In Chile, as part of the MISETA campaign in fall 1994, a CCD-enhanced all-sky imaging photometer provided optical images of the postsunset appearance and motions of the depletion bands at a magnetic dip latitude of 11°S. Concurrently, a Digisonde collocated with the photometer monitored the appearance of spread F. In between the ionograms, the sounder operated as a Doppler interferometer identifying the locations of F layer irregularities associated with the spread F. They were found to lie inside the emission depletion regions. The HF sounder, requiring orthogonality with the field-aligned F layer irregularities to generate the spread structure, tracked these irregularities inside the emission depletion bands as they drifted eastward. Ray tracing simulations show that the radio waves become trapped within the depletion regions when the depletions are within 300 km of the sounder site. Model calculations indicate that the sounder rays encounter orthogonality with the Earths magnetic field within the depletion bubble southward from the site, consistent with the local dip angle. The combination of optical images with HF radio sounding demonstrated that radio imaging in the equatorial ionosphere can be done with a digital ionosonde that operates as a Doppler interferometer. The Digisonde measurements and ray tracing show for the first time that the spread F signatures on ionograms are the result of coherent scatter from irregularities primarily within the walls of the depletion.

Exploring Digisonde Ionogram Data with SAO-X and DIDBase

A comprehensive suite of software tools for ionogram data analysis and archiving has been developed at UMLCAR to support the exploration of raw and processed data from the worldwide network of digisondes in a low-latency, user-friendly environment. Paired with the remotely accessible Digital Ionogram Data Base (DIDBase), the SAO Explorer software serves as an example of how an academic institution conscientiously manages its resident data archive while local experts continue to work on design of new and improved data products, all in the name of free public access to the full roster of acquired ionospheric sounding data.

Polar cap convection for Bz northward

The Digisonde at Qanaq, Greenland (87°Λ) measures the ionospheric convection velocity in the central polar cap. The average local time variation of the velocity for Bz northward under various By conditions is presented. The nightside drifts for Bz northward tend to be antisunward, and resemble those which occur for southward IMF, as pointed out by Heppner and Maynard (1987). However, it is difficult to reconcile the observed diurnal drift variation with the Heppner-Maynard distorted two-cell model. Modified forms of the Potemra et al. (1984) four cell model offer a more plausible framework in which to understand the Qanaq data. The polar cap cells are relatively small, and are displaced towards the dayside.