Incoherent scatter observations of the nighttime E region valley above Arecibo often show 'intermediate layers' within this valley.A detailed study of one particular such layer indicates that average production rates within the layer must be of the order of 1-5 cm -s s -• (i.e., much higher than estimated levels of scattered Lyman a and/•) in order to satisfy the ion continuity equation, unless the percentage of metallic ions within the layer is very high, which is probably not the case. By studying the shape of the layer and its evolution in time it is possible to infer vertical ion drift velocities, which cannot yet be measured directly at night in the E region by using incoherent scatter because of the low signal levels. Using these drift velocities, one can roughly estimate either the north-south or the east-west component of the neutral wind, depending upon the altitude.
High resolution incoherent scatter electron density data using Barker-coded pulses are presented for two separate 24-hr periods of very different magnetic conditions. The first period in April 1972 was magnetically quiet while the second period spanned parts of two of the five most magnetically disturbed days in July 19q2. Solar activity was low with 2800-MHz indices of 129 and 128 for the April days and indices of 109 and 117 for the July days. Contour plots and selected profiles are presented which show larger sporadic-E layers and stronger gravity wave effects during the disturbed night than during the quiet night.
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