Ionospheric total electron content and slab-thickness at low latitudes in Indian zone

Abstract

Observations of Faraday rotation of beacon signals from low orbiting satellite BE-B recorded at one station near the dip equator (Kodaikanal, dip 3.4°N) and at another station near the peak of the equatorial anomaly (Ahmedabad, dip 34°N) give a complete coverage of the equatorial anomaly belt in Indian zone. Contours of total elctron content (TEC) are obtained on a grid of latitude versus local time for the different seasons of low (1964-66) and high (1967-69) solar activity epochs in the latitude belt 10° S to 26°N dip latitude. The development of the equatorial anomaly and its dependence on season and solar activity are discussed. Using similar contours of F₂ layer critical frequency, ƒ₀F₂ contours of equivalent slab-thickness, τ are also constructed. The dependence of τ on season and solar activity and its implications on temperature are discussed.