A comparison of EISCAT and Dynasonde measurements of the auroral ionosphere

K. J. F. Sedgemore (1) , P. J. S. Williams (1) , G. O. L. Jones (2) , J. W. Wright (1)

1 Adran Ffiseg
2 BAS - British Antarctic Survey

Incoherent-scatter radar and ionospheric sounding are powerful and complementary techniques in the study of the Earth's ionosphere. The work presented here involves the use of the Tromsø Dynasonde as a correlative diagnostic with the EISCAT incoherent-scatter radar. A comparison of electron-density profiles shows how a Dynasonde can be used to calibrate an incoherent-scatter radar and to monitor changes in the system. Skymaps of the direction of Dynasonde echoes are compared with EISCAT-derived density profiles to illustrate how a Dynasonde can be used to measure the drift velocity of auroral features. Vector velocities fitted to Dynasonde echoes are compared with EISCAT-derived plasma velocities. The results show good agreement when the data are taken during quiet to moderately active conditions and averaged over time scales of 30 min or more.

Domaines: Océan, Atmosphère; Sciences de la Terre

K. J. F. Sedgemore, P. J. S. Williams, G. O. L. Jones, J. W. Wright. A comparison of EISCAT and Dynasonde measurements of the auroral ionosphere. Annales Geophysicae, 1996, 14 (12), pp.1403-1412. ⟨hal-00316264⟩