Equatorial Plasma Bubbles: Zonal Thermosphere Wind Influence

Abstract

There are a number of the theoretical studies pointing to the key role of the zonal thermosphere winds in the equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) generation and evolution. However, there are insufficient observational data to confirm the relationship between these phenomena. To study this relationship, the detailed comparative and correlation analysis of the LT-variations of the EPB occurrence probability and the zonal thermosphere wind velocity was carried out. The data from the EPB observations recorded aboard the ISS-b satellite (~972–1220 km) during the solstice and equinox periods were used. The data from the zonal thermosphere wind velocity observations obtained aboard the CHAMP satellite (~380–450 km) were also used. It was found that these characteristics are similar, when they are compared, and have very strong correlation (R 0.9) in summer, strong correlation (R 0.8) in winter and (R 0.79) at equinox. It was found that in all seasons the delay in the development of the EPB occurrence probability maxima with respect to the maxima of the west wind velocity is 1–3 h. It is in good agreement with the estimation of the time of the seeding perturbation development and the EPB rise to the topside ionosphere altitudes. The results can be considered a new confirmation of the theoretical conclusion (Kudeki model) about the key influence of the zonal west thermosphere winds on the equatorial plasma bubble generation.