Spatial, Seasonal and Solar Cycle characteristics of the Loss Coefficient in Ionospheric F-region

Abstract

Evaluations of loss coefficient at several fixed heights of ionospheric F-region by a comparatively simple method have been shown to yeild reasonable values. Seasonal characterstics of the loss coefficient have been obtained and discussed in relation to concentration of atomic and molecular gases. From analysis at average heights of maximum electron densities, seasonal and solar cycle variations in the loss coefficient at temperate and sub-tropical latitudes have also been obtained. It has been found that the technique is not applicable to stations in low latitudes because of the large magnitudes of vertical drifts of ionization which have not been taken into account in the present method