Numerical simulation of Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the equatorial ionospheric plasma
Abstract
Ionospheric irregularities near the magnetic equator are studied. A numerical simulation is done for the generation and evolution of the ionospheric bubble based on the theory of the collisional Rayleigh-Taylor instability for two fluids, for the magnetic equatorial region. The regions of depletion in density were assumed to be aligned with the Earth's magnetic field, extending from higher altitudes at the equatorial region down to the arbitrary height of 150 km. Assuming the electron density profile perturbed by the bubble, the 6300 A intensity was calculated for various latitudes arbitrarily taken within the photometer scanning range. The calculated airglow results show that, as the bubble moves upward, the disturbance in the airglow intensity propagate from north to south, in agreement with observed results.
- Publication:
-
Presented at the 33rd Reuniao Anual da SBPC
- Pub Date:
- July 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981sbpc.meet.....N
- Keywords:
-
- Equatorial Atmosphere;
- Ionospheric Disturbances;
- Magnetic Equator;
- Brazil;
- Bubbles;
- Mathematical Models;
- Geophysics