Mesospheric gravity waves and ionospheric plasma bubbles observed during the COPEX campaign

Author(s)

Paulino, I. ; Takahashi, H. ; Medeiros, A. F. ; Wrasse, C. M. ; Buriti, R. A. ; Sobral, J. H. A. ; Gobbi, D.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS; v. 73, n. 11-12, p. 6-pg., 2011-07-01.

Abstract

During the Conjugate Point Experiment (COPEX) campaign performed at Boa Vista (2.80'N; 60.70'W, dip angle 21.7'N) from October to December 2002, 15 medium-scale gravity waves in the OHNIR airglow images were observed. Using a Keogram image analysis, we estimate their parameters. Most of the waves propagate to Northwest, indicating that their main sources are Southeast of Boa Vista. Quasi-simultaneous plasma bubble activities in the 01 630 nm images were observed in seven cases. The distances between the bubble depletions have a linear relationship with the wavelengths of the gravity waves observed in the mesosphere, which suggests a direct contribution of the mesospheric medium-scale gravity waves in seeding the equatorial plasma bubbles. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/01769-8 - Study on coupling of the mesosphere and ionosphere in the equatorial region by means of airglow imaging and ionospheric sounding
• Grantee: Igo Paulino da Silva
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate