Data‐driven numerical simulations of equatorial spread F in the Peruvian sector: 2. Autumnal equinox

Abstract

An ongoing effort to simulate plasma instability in the equatorial ionosphere leading to equatorial spread F (ESF) in the American sector is described. Ionospheric state parameters including plasma number density and vector drift velocity profiles were measured at the Jicamarca Radio Observatory in the period between 20 September and 3 October 2013. Coherent radar backscatter from plasma irregularities was recorded simultaneously, and images of the irregularities were calculated using aperture synthesis methods. Neutral winds were measured by the red line Fabry‐Perot interferometers at Jicamarca and Arequipa, Peru. A fully 3‐D numerical simulation of ionospheric irregularities, initialized and forced using parameterizations derived from measurements and empirical models, was used to reproduce the ESF activity observed. Simulations were able to recover many of the features of the irregularities, although some important anomalies can be noted. ESF events in which the first appearance of radar plumes occurred either very early or very late were not reproduced in simulation and may be indicative of nonlocal influence.