Articles | Volume 18, issue 7
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-000-0730-6
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00585-000-0730-6
31 Jul 2000
31 Jul 2000

The equatorial F-layer: progress and puzzles

H. Rishbeth

Abstract. This work reviews some aspects of the ionospheric F-layer in the vicinity of the geomagnetic equator. Starting with a historical introduction, brief summaries are given of the physics that makes the equatorial ionosphere so interesting, concentrating on the large-scale structure rather than the smaller-scale instability phenomena. Several individual topics are then discussed, including eclipse effects, the asymmetries of the `equatorial trough', variations with longitude, the semiannual variation, the effects of the global thermospheric circulation, and finally the equatorial neutral thermosphere, including `superrotation' and possible topographic influences.

Keyword: Ionosphere (equatorial ionosphere)

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