Title:
The simulated response of the bottomside ionosphere to Ap index variations in mid-latitudes
Authors:
Zhang, Shun-Rong; Huang, Xin-Yu
Affiliation:
Wuhan Institute of Physics, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, P. O. Box 71010, Wuhan 430071, P. R. China
Journal:
Advances in Space Research, Volume 22, Issue 6, p. 841-846. (AdSpR Homepage)
Publication Date:
00/1998
Origin:
ELSEVIER
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Bibliographic Code:
1998AdSpR..22..841Z

Abstract

Using a semi-theoretical ionospheric model for mid-latitudes, we fellow the response of the bottomside electron density structure to changes in the Ap index for October 1980 and 1992. Ap values between 10 and 150 cause variations in neutral composition, temperature and winds, according to MSIS86 and HWM90 models. It is found that (1) the appearance of the F_1-ledge during low solar activity becomes more pronounced with increasing Ap independent of latitude and longitude; (2) the model value foF_2 tends to decrease with increasing Ap. This effect is less evident at lower latitudes. Furthermore, foF_2 is characteristically modified by Ap in the eastern hemisphere especially for the 120-180 degE sector; (3) hmF2 moves up in response to Ap index enhancement. Such motions are more evident during the day and in the western hemisphere.