Horizontal drift measurements in the ionosphere near the equator

Abstract

MEASUREMENTS of horizontal drift in the ionospheric E- and F-layers have been made regularly at Ibadan (magnetic latitude 2½° S.) since June 1957. These measurements are of importance in view of the theory of the origin of such drifts put forward by Martyn1. According to this theory, a phase reversal of the east-west component of drifts in the F-region should occur at latitudes 35° N. and 35° S. Confirmation of this phase reversal has been obtained by Purslow2 and Rao and Rao3 at Singapore and Waltair (India) respectively. Martyn's theory further predicts that at the magnetic equator the westward drift in the F-layer during the daytime should be of the order 200 m./sec., about twice that obtained in temperate latitudes.