Comparison of electron density models with incoherent scatter radar observations at the equator

Abstract

This paper points out certain discrepancies when the incoherent scatter radar observations at Jic~marca and the electron density models, (the Bent and IRI) were compared. In all cases the bottomside semi-thickness of the observed profile was significantly greater than that of both Bent and IRI models. The decay constants associated with the topside ionosphere for the observed profiles were generally greater than that of the two models, the difference being more pronounced in the I~! model. The results call for a revision of the models so that they accurately represent the electron density distribution at the equator.