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Ann. Geophys., 20, 1959-1966, 2002
www.ann-geophys.net/20/1959/2002/
© European Geosciences Union 2002
Theoretical simulation of O+ and H+ densities in the Indian low latitude F-region and comparison with observations
P. K. Bhuyan1, P. K. Kakoty1,2, and S. B. Singh1
1Department of Physics, Dibrugarh University, Dibrugarh 786004, India
2Department of Physics, North Lakhimpur College 787031, India
Correspondence to: P. K. Bhuyan (bhuyan@dibru.ernet.in)
Abstract. The O+ and H+
ion density distributions in the Indian low latitude F-region, within ± 15°
magnetic latitudes, are simulated using a time dependent model developed on the
basis of solution of the plasma continuity equation. The simulated ion
densities for solar minimum June and December solstices are then compared with
ionosonde observations from the period 1959–1979 and measurements made by the
Indian SROSS C2 satellite during 1995–1996 at an altitude of ~ 500 km. The
simulated O+ density has a minimum around pre-sunrise hours and a
maximum during noontime. H+ density is higher at nighttime and lower
during the day. The simulations reproduced the well-known equatorial ionization
anomaly (EIA) observed in electron density at the peak of the F2-region in the
Indian low latitude sector during solar minimum. In situ measurement of O+
density by the SROSS C2, however, showed a single peak of ionization around the
equator.
Key words. Ionosphere (equatorial
ionosphere; modeling and forecasting)
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