The synthesis of travelling ionospheric disturbance (TID) signatures in HF radar observations using ray tracing

A. J. Stocker, N. F. Arnold, T. B. Jones

Research output: Journal PublicationArticlepeer-review

18 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Characteristic signatures are often observed in HF radar range-time-intensity plots when travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are present. These signatures, in particular the variation of the F-region skip distance, have been synthesised using a ray tracing model. The magnitude of the skip variation is found to be a function of the peak electron density perturbation associated with the TID and radar frequency. Examination of experimental observations leads to an estimate of the peak electron density perturbation amplitude of around 25% for those TIDs observed by the CUTLASS radar system. The advantage of using the skip variation over the radar return amplitude as an indicator of density perturbation is also discussed. An example of a dual radar frequency experiment has been given. The investigation of the effect of radar frequency on the observations will aid the optimisation of future experiments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)56-64
Number of pages9
JournalAnnales Geophysicae
Volume18
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; ionosphere -atmosphere interactions; ionospheric disturbances)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics
  • Geology
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous)
  • Space and Planetary Science

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