Vertical motion of ionization induced by the linear interaction of tides with planetary waves
Experimental findings have shown that travelling planetary waves modulate the occurrence of mid-latitude sporadic-E-layers. Using a simple quantitative model, we analyse the effects of the linear interaction between tides and planetary waves on ion motion. Besides an expected variation of th...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Copernicus Publications
2003-07-01
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| Series: | Annales Geophysicae |
| Online Access: | https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1521/2003/angeo-21-1521-2003.pdf |
| Summary: | Experimental findings
have shown that travelling planetary waves modulate the occurrence of
mid-latitude sporadic-E-layers. Using a simple quantitative model, we analyse
the effects of the linear interaction between tides and planetary waves on ion
motion. Besides an expected variation of the dumping height, it is found that
the boundaries of the oscillations induced by the descending semidiurnal tide
are significantly modified by the presence of the planetary wave. The height
variations of the ionisation cause planetary wave modulations of the metallic
ion content in the background plasma density. This could explain the long-term
variation found in the occurrence of strong <i>E<sub>s</sub></i> layers. The fact that the
dumping height variations are strongly influenced by the tidal phase velocity
and amplitude, together with the variability of the metallic ion content, could
contribute to the understanding of the sporadic nature of the E-layers.<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Ionosphere
(Ionosphere-atmosphere interactions; Mid-latitude ionosphere) |
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| ISSN: | 0992-7689 1432-0576 |