Statistical analysis of low-latitude spread F observed over Puer, China, during 2015–2016

Abstract

Statistical analysis of spread F (SF), recorded at Puer (PUR, 22.7° N, 101.05° E, Dip Latitude 12.9° N) during 2015–2016, was carried out to reveal its characteristics at the northern equatorial ionization anomaly. In our study, SF was categorized into four types, frequency spread F (FSF), range spread F (RSF), mix spread F (MSF) and strong range spread F (SSF). The statistical results presented that FSF and MSF were dominant over Puer. Most types of SF appeared mostly in summer months, except the maximum occurrence of SSF in equinox months. Moreover, observations of SF events also showed that the solar activity and magnetic activity dependence of SF varied with seasons. Compared with observations at other region, the present results suggest that medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) may play a key role in generation of SF in low-latitude region.[Figure not available: see fulltext.].