Sporadic E Layer with a Structure of Double Cusp in the Vertical Sounding Ionogram

In this study, we analyzed a large number of vertical sounding ionograms, obtained by the mid-latitude Cyclone ionosonde (55.85° N; 48.8° E) of Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University, which operates in a rapid-run mode of ionograms (1 ionogram per minute). Ionograms with a sporadic E layer type c, which have an unusual double cusp on the trace from the sporadic layer, were found among them. We attempted to simulate this unusual double cusp trace shape. Model calculations were performed to clarify the reasons for the appearance of the double cusp and to determine the shape of the lower part of the E and Es layers. The simulation was performed by fitting the profile of the electron densities of the E and Es layers, calculating the virtual reflection heights based on the refractive index using the Appleton-Hartree formula, and comparing them with the virtual heights of the layers on the ionogram. An estimate of the half-thickness of the lower part of the Es-layer was obtained. The possible reasons for the appearance of a trace with a double cusp of the Es layer are discussed. We assumed that the possible reasons for this phenomenon were the stratification of the E layer, and the interaction between the E and F layers in the form of descending or intermediate layers and atmospheric wave propagation. As an illustration of these phenomena, examples of an intermediate (descending) sporadic E layer and stratification of the E region and the Es layer are given according to observations of the lower ionosphere. These examples were obtained through the resonant scattering of probe radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities (API technique) of the ionospheric plasma, performed on the SURA mid-latitude heating facility (56.1° N; 46.1° E). The scattering of probe radio waves on the APIs generated by the heating facility made it possible to study various phenomena in the Earth’s ionosphere

Study of a Gas Disturbance Mode Content Based on the Measurement of Atmospheric Parameters at the Heights of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

The main result of this work is the estimation of the entropy mode accompanying a wave disturbance, observed at the atmosphere heights range of 90–120 km. The study is the direct continuation and development of recent results on diagnosis of the acoustic wave with the separation on direction of propagation. The estimation of the entropy mode contribution relies upon the measurements of the three dynamic variables (the temperature, density, and vertical velocity perturbations) of the neutral atmosphere measured by the method of the resonant scattering of radio waves on the artificial periodic irregularities of the ionospheric plasma. The measurement of the atmosphere dynamic parameters was carried out on the SURA heating facility. The mathematical foundation of the mode separation algorithm is based on the dynamic projection operators technique. The operators are constructed via the eigenvectors of the coordinate evolution operator of the transformed system of balance equations of the hydro-thermodynamics

Investigations of Atmospheric Waves in the Earth Lower Ionosphere by Means of the Method of the Creation of the Artificial Periodic Irregularities of the Ionospheric Plasma

We present results of the studies of internal gravity waves based on altitude-time dependences of the temperature and the density of the neutral component and the velocity of the vertical plasma motion at altitudes of the lower ionosphere (60–130 km). The vertical plasma velocity, which in the specified altitude range is equal to the velocity of the neutral component, the temperature, and the density of the neutral atmosphere are determined by the method of the resonant scattering of radio waves by artificial periodic irregularities (APIs) of the ionosphere plasma. We have developed an API technique and now we are evolving it for studying the ionosphere and the neutral atmosphere using the Sura heating facility (56.1 N; 46.1 E), Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. An advantage of the API technique is the opportunity to determine the parameters of the undisturbed natural environment under a disturbance of the ionosphere by a field of powerful high frequency radio waves. Analysis of altitude-time variations of the neutral temperature, the density, and the vertical plasma velocity allows one to estimate periods of atmospheric waves propagation. Wavelike variations with a period from 5 min to 3 h and more are clearly determined