First results from ground-based daytime optical investigation of the development of the equatorial ionization anomaly

Abstract

A meridional scanning OI 630.0-nm dayglow photometer was operated from Ahmedabad (17.2°N dip lat.) scanning a region towards the south in the upper atmosphere extending over ~5° in latitude from 10.2°N to 15.2°N dip latitude. From the spatial and temporal variabilities of the dayglow intensity in the scanning region we show for the first time, evidence for the passage of the crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the daytime by means of a ground-based optical technique. The relationship between the daytime eastward electric field over the dip equator in the same longitude zone as inferred from the equatorial electrojet strength and the evolutionary pattern of EIA is clearly demonstrated. The latter as inferred from the dayglow measurements is shown to be consistent with our present understanding of the electrodynamical processes in the equatorial region. The present results reveal the potential of this ground-based optical technique for the investigation of ionospheric/thermospheric phenomena with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution.