F2-Ionization through a Solar Cycle (1958–1969)—I

Abstract

This paper gives the results of a study of noon-time critical frequency of the F2-Iayer of the ionosphere at magnetically dip-conjugate places situated nearly along same longitude through a solar cycle. The noon foF2 at zero sunspot number, a, and the regression co efficient indicating the sensitivity of F2-ionization to solar activity, b, are evaluated for sixteen conjugate stations in the magnetic dip zone 0–60°. Seasonal anomalies in foF2 for high and low solar activity periods are also shown.

Tables of monthly values of a and b are given for ready reference and would prove useful in the prediction and planning of short-wave communication services.

Indexing Terms:

• Ionosphere
• Solar Cycle
• F2-Layer
• Shortwave Communication

Additional information

Notes on contributors

K. M. Kotadia

KOTADIA, K M (Dr): Presently Professor of Physics at Gujarat University. Investigator-in-Charge of CSIR and UGC research projects since 1965. Special interest in electronics, communications, radio wave propagation, ionosphere, space science etc.

Prof. Kotadia is a member of National Study Group 10 for CCIR; Vice-Chairman, Absorption Section of Ionospheric Network Advisory Group (URSI). He was a member of National Delegation to COSPAR Conf. in USA (June-July 1971). During April-June 1978, he was a Visiting Scientist at Academy of Sciences, Berlin (GDR). He has guided five PhD scholars on problems of F-region dynamics, radio wave absorption in lower ionosphere and related topics. He is a member of Board of Studies and Syllabus Reforms Committee on Physics in Several Universities.

Prof. Kotadia has 80 research papers to his credit. He has written books in Gujarati for higher secondary, BSc and MSc level and some encyclopaedic articles.

N. R. Almaula

ALMAULA, N R (Dr): (b. 1947 July 30; Rajpipla). Obtained BSc (1967), MSc (1969) and PhD in 1976 from Gujarat University. She was a CSIR Junior Research Fellow 1969–1972 and a Senior Research self-employed with her husband in their chemical industry in Surat. Her research work was related to; Radio Physics and Ionosphere.