A Study Of The Lunar Tides In F0 F2 At Four African Stations

Abstract

This thesis contains the results of work carried out determine the lunar tide in foF2 e..t i, st at ions in Africa: Djibouti, Nairobi, Lwiro and tamansaasset . A description of the method of analysis is also given. The thesis is organised as follows : In Chapter 1, a brief introduction to the ionosphere with particular reference to the F-region and its parameters is given, an d the idea of Luna.r tides in the ionosphere is introduced with an explanation of the terms used to describe these tides. In Chapter 2, previous work pertaining to lunar tides in the F-region at low latitudes is revieved, and the ma.i.n features of the tide in f of 2 at these Latitudes are outlined.In Chapter 3, a description of the two main computer programs used in the analysis is given. Chapter 4 contains the results of the analysis. It is divided into sections each of which describes the var i at.i on of the tides with variation of a particular parameter. Chapter 4.1 states "That data were used. Chapter 4.2 is a brief account of the latitudinal variation of the tides. Chapter 4.3 describes the variation of the tide in f0F2 with solar hour at the 4 stations. Chapter 4.4 ,gives the results of the analysis us i ng , only magnetically quiet days. Chapter 4.5 describes the tide in the different seasons of, the year and 4.6 describes the variation of the tides with solar epoch while retaining the division into seasons. In Chapter 5, an attempt is made to relate the results described in Chapter 4 to the theories of the equatorial anomaly and of the lunar tide in foF2 explains the latitudinal variation of this tide is given, An outline of a theory which Appendices are given which contain the complete computer programs and tables of the results.