EQUION, An Equatorial Ionospheric Irregularity Experiment.
Abstract
This paper describes a coordinated rocket and ground based study to investigate Equatorial Spread-F irregularities. Measurements by the Jicamarca backscatter radar, ionosondes, airglow instrumentation and of radio scintillations were correlated with high spatial resolution measurements of electron densities, particle fluxes and VLF-ELF fields from a rocket probe. Experimentally the authors find: (1) Very high positive and negative electron density gradients are responsible for the enhanced radar echoes; (2) Energetic particles are not part of the Spread-F phenomena; (3) wave measurements are strongly correlated with the Doppler character of the radar signals; and (4) That there is a one to one correspondence of the large scale irregularities responsible for scintillations of satellite radio transmissions, and ionosonde spread echoes with the small scale irregularities responsible for the backscatter of VHF radar signals. Implications of the data are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 30, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA028839
Entities
People
- B. C. Edgar
- C. J. Rice
- F. A. Morse
- Harry C. Koons
- W. J. Heikkila
Organizations
- The Aerospace Corporation