Latitude dependence of Thermospheric Neutral Winds and Plasma Drifts: Observations and modelling

Physics

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2415 Equatorial Ionosphere, 2435 Ionospheric Disturbances, 2437 Ionospheric Dynamics, 2439 Ionospheric Irregularities

Scientific paper

We report on the coupling between thermospheric winds and ionospheric electrodynamics using the first coordinated set of low latitude groundbased diagnostics in the same longitude sector. All-sky imagers in Arequipa, Perú (16.5° S, 71.5° W, dip latitude = -2.7° ), and in Tucumán, Argentina (26.5° S, 65° W, dip latitude = -14.5° ), are used to track the plasma drift patterns of 630 nm airglow depletions associated with equatorial spread-F (ESF) events. A Fabry-Perot interferometer co-located in Arequipa, and a campaign-mode FPI in Carmen Alto, Chile (23.1° S, 69.4° W, dip latitude = -10.2° ), are used to obtain zonal neutral winds. Results for the solar minimum equinox periods of 1995-1997 suggest that low-latitude zonal neutral winds are slowed down by the presence of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests. Yet, plasma drifts obtained from airglow depletions measurements at Arequipa are smaller than results at Tucumán in the post-sunset period. During the post-midnight hours, the opposite pattern occurs. A comparison of the results with predictions by current neutral winds and plasma drifts models is also caried out The results from the observations establish that the neutral-ion dynamical coupling in the F-region involves a mix of influences from flux-tube integrated E and F-region conductivities, neutral wind shears in altitude, and ion drag effects due to the EIA.

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