Plasma drift estimates from the dynasonde: comparison with EISCAT measurements, Ann

• Main Authors: K. J. F. Sedgemore, J. W. Wright, P. J. S. Williams, G. O. L. Jones, M. T. Rietveld, Prifysgol Cymru Aberystwyth, Sy Bz
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1998
• Subjects: EISCAT
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.371.7717; http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/docs/00/31/64/41/PDF/angeo-16-1138-1998.pdf

Abstract. Modern ionosondes make almost simultaneous measurements of the time rate of change of phase path in di€erent directions and at di€erent heights. By combining these `Doppler ' measurements and angles of arrival of many such radar echoes it is possible to derive reliable estimates of plasma drift velocity for a de®ned scattering volume. Results from both multifrequency and kinesonde-mode soundings at 3-min resolution show that the Dynasonde-derived F-region drift velocity is in good agreement with EISCAT, despite data loss during intervals of `blanketing ' by intense E-region ionisation. It is clear that the Tromsù Dynasonde, employing standard operating modes, gives a reliable indication of overall convection patterns during quiet to moderately active conditions. Key words. Auroral ionosphere á Plasma convection á Instruments and techniques 1