Study of Atmosphere Gravity Wave Seeding of Plasma Plumes Associated with Equatorial Spread F

The nighttime equatorial ionosphere is sensitive to the development of medium-scale plasma irregularities driven by the Rayleigh-Taylor instability. However, the gravity-driven Rayleigh- Taylor instability is not sufficient to explain the rapid development of plasma irregularities from a smooth ionosphere. Atmospheric gravity wave seeding is still the foremost candidate for the excitation of plasma plumes during magnetically quiet times. We have conducted simulations of the effects of upward propagating gravity waves on plasma irregularity development using a field-line-integrated electrodynamic and plasma dynamics model. Both planar gravity waves and those generated by convective sources have been considered. Different gravity wave perturbations and seasonal conditions were considered. Preliminary results will be presented.