Migrating and nonmigrating tidal signatures in sporadic E layer occurrence rates

Abstract

Abstract. We analyse sporadic E (ES) layer occurrence rates (OR) obtained from ionospheric GPS radio occultation measurements by the FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC constellation. Maximum OR are seen at 95–105 km altitude. Midlatitude ES layers are mainly due to wind shear in the presence of tides, and the strongest signals are the migrating diurnal and semidiurnal components. Especially in the Southern Hemisphere, nonmigrating components such as a diurnal westward wave 2 and a semidiurnal westward wave 1 are also visible, especially at higher latitudes. Near the equator, a strong diurnal eastward wavenumber 3 component and a semidiurnal eastward wavenumber 2 component occur in summer and autumn. Terdiurnal and quarterdiurnal components are weaker than the diurnal and semidiurnal ones.