Ionosphere Over Trivandrum—Part I

Abstract

This paper deals with the study of some of the characteristics of the F2 region of the ionosphere over Trivandrum, where an ionospheric station was established towards the end of 1956. The data obtained during 1957 have been utilized for studying the total electron content of the F2 region and the calculation of the recombination coefficient and the temperature of the F2 region. The total electron content in a vertical column of unit cross-section below the level of maximum ionization has been studied for different times of the day and for summer, equinox and winter seasons of the year. Analysis of the data indicates that the diurnal variation of the total electron content is smoother than that of the electron density. The ‘bite-out’ effect observed in the variation of electron density is completely removed when the variation of electron content is considered. The recombination coefficient has been calculated for different seasons from a consideration of the rate of variation of the total electron content at times equally spaced but on either side of the local noon. The values obtained are comparable with those found elsewhere. The temperature of the F2 region has been arrived at from a consideration of the scale height. Atomic oxygen has been assumed to be the main constituent in the F2 region. The temperature varies from about 800°K to 1800°K at different times of the day. The existence of such high temperature at the F2 region has been confirmed from recent rocket and satellite explorations.