Using the A2 method to determine the electron temperature near the maximum of the F-layer of the ionosphere from radio-wave absorption measurements

Conclusions

In the midlatitudes the electron temperature near the F-layer maximum may be determined from radio-wave absorption measurements by the A2 radioastronomy method during years of high solar activity only. Here it is necessary that the distribution N(h) of electron concentration with altitude be known. Judging from observations carried out during 1967 at Gor'kii at 13 and 9 MHz, the average values of T_e for winter and equinox at noon ranged from 1750 to 2110°. For March, 1967, the diurnal variation in T_e for daytime hours is characterized by an increase in T_e from ∼1500° during morning hours to ∼2200–2400° at noon, and a rapid drop toward the evening hours.

To conclude, the authors wish to thank L. M. Elkhina for aid in processing the data, É. E. Mityakova for information on the reduced altitude of the F-layer based on the observations of the Explorer 22 satellite, and M. A. Itkina for writing the program for the BÉSM calculations.