Characteristics of mid-latitude field-aligned irregularities observed with VHF coherent scatter ionospheric radar over Korea

  • Published : 2012.10.17

Abstract

The 40.8-MHz VHF coherent scatter ionospheric radar, located in South Korea (Gyeryong, $36.18^{\circ}N$, $127.14^{\circ}E$), has been operating since December 2009 to investigate ionosphere E- and F-region field-aligned irregularities (FAIs) of mid-latitude. During the observation, we found E- and F-region FAIs appeared frequently: continuous echoes during the post-sunrise period and Quasi-Periodic (QP) echoes at nighttime for E region ; strong post-sunset and pre-sunrise FAIs for F region. The characteristics of E- and F-region FAIs are presented in terms of seasonal and local time variations of occurrence during December 2009 to August 2012. In addition, to investigate the correlation with geomagnetic activity to FAIs occurrence, we compared K-index variations to local time occurrence. It is worth to note our occurrence result since long term observation over several years in the mid-latitude has not yet been carried out.

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