Quiet-time foF2 characteristics at an equatorial station in the African sector

Abstract

A study on the morphology of the critical frequency of the F2 layer (foF2) has been done using data obtained with Ionospheric Prediction Sounder (IPS-42) located at Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso (geo. Lat. 12.4⁰N, Long. 358.5⁰, magnetic dip latitude 5.9⁰N) an equatorial station in the West African sector. Data covering a whole solar cycle period from 1985 – 1995 were used to characterize the quiet time morphology of the F2-layer for that region. Results show that foF2 exhibit diurnal, seasonal and solar activity dependence. Diurnal morphology of foF2 is characterized by two peaks; pre-noon and post-noon peaks with the presence of noon-time “bite-out”. While the pre-noon peak is more pronounced during high solar activity periods, the post-noon peak is dominant at low solar activity. Also, while the post noon peaks are more pronounced at equinoctial months during low solar activity, the pre-noon peak is more pronounced at the solstices during high solar activity periods.