The Formation of High-Latitude Plasma Irregularities by Wind-Shear Action in the Upper Atmosphere

Abstract

In the ionospheric E region where the wind effect on plasma is significant, the formation of the wind-caused irregularities at high latitudes is studied by determining the horizontal plasma density gradient generated by the wind velocity. It is found that a horizontal wind-shear action is capable of causing weak irregularities. Our theory may make up for some of the inadequacies of the commonly used wind-shear theory in the region of high latitudes, where the horizontal neutral wind system cannot effectively constrain the ionization to move along the nearly vertical magnetic field lines.