Seasonal and solar activity variations of F3 layer and quadruple stratification (StF-4) near the equatorial region

Abstract

The study of multiple stratification of the F layer has the initial records in the midtwentieth century. Since then, many studies were focused on F3 layer. The diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity variations of the F3 layer characteristics have been investigated by several researchers. Recently, investigations on multiple stratifications of F layer received an important boost after the quadruple stratification (StF-4) was observed at Palmas (10.3°S, 48.3°W; dip latitude 6.6°S—near-equatorial region), Brazil. The present study reports the latest findings related with the seasonal and solar activity characteristics of the F3 layer and StF-4 near the equatorial region during the period from 2002 to 2006. A significant connection between StF-4 and F3 layer has been noticed, since the StF-4 is always preceded and followed by a F3 layer appearance. However, the F3 layer and the StF-4 present different seasonal and solar cycle variations. At a near-equatorial station Palmas, the F3 layer shows the maximum and minimum occurrences during summer and winter seasons, respectively. On the contrary, the StF-4 presents the maximum and minimum occurrences during winter and summer seasons, respectively. While the F3 layer occurrence is not affected by solar cycle, the StF-4 appearance is instead more frequent during high solar activity.