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Article
Radar measurements of neutral winds and temperatures in the equatorial E region
Journal of Geophysical Research (1976)
  • B. B. Balsley
  • Bela G. Fejer, Utah State University
  • D. T. Farley
  • R. F. Woodman
Abstract
The phase velocity of type 1 irregularities in the equatorial electrojet, which can be easily measured by radar, depends upon both the ion acoustic velocity (and hence the temperature) in the medium and the neutral wind velocity. By measuring the phase velocity at several zenith angles both of these quantities in principle can be determined. This note describes the technique and its limitations and presents a few preliminary results obtained at 50 MHz at the Jicamarca Radar Observatory in Peru. These results show E region east-west wind velocities as large as 100 m/s, temperature variations of greater than 100°K, and substantial longitudinal variations, at times, in both wind velocity and temperature.
Keywords
  • radar,
  • neutral,
  • winds,
  • temperature,
  • equator,
  • E region
Disciplines
Publication Date
January 1, 1976
Publisher Statement
Published by Wiley Online Library DOI: 10.1029/JA081i007p01457
Citation Information
Balsley, B. B., B. G. Fejer, D. T. Farley, and R. F. Woodman, Radar measurements of neutral winds and temperatures in the equatorial E region, J. Geophys. Res., 81, 1457, 1976.