Articles | Volume 18, issue 22
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7039-2025
https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-18-7039-2025
Research article
 | 
25 Nov 2025
Research article |  | 25 Nov 2025

Apparent vertical ionospheric drift: a comparative assessment of digisonde and ionogram-based methods

Daniel Kouba, Zbyšek Mošna, and Petra Koucká Knížová

Related authors

Co-seismic infrasound in the ionosphere over Central Europe from the M8.8 Kamchatka 2025 earthquake observed by Doppler sounding at record heights
Jaroslav Chum, Zbyšek Mošna, Jiří Baše, Jan Zedník, Carsten Schmidt, Patrick Hannawald, Jan Rusz, Jaroslav Urbář, and Šimon Mackovjak
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1206,https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1206, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
Short summary

Cited articles

Abdu, M. A., Batista, I. S., Reinisch, B. W., and Carrasco, A. J.: Equatorial F-layer height, evening pre-reversal electric field, and night E-layer density in the American sector: IRI validation with observations, Adv. Space Res., 34, 1953–1965, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2004.04.011, 2004. 
Adebesin, B. O., Rabiu, A. B., Adeniyi, J. O., and Amory-Mazaudier, C.: Nighttime morphology of vertical plasma drifts at Ouagadougou during different seasons and phases of the solar cycles 20–22, J. Geophys. Res.-Space, 120, https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JA021737, 2015. 
Adeniyi, J., Adebesin, B., Adimula, I., Oladipo, O., Olawepo, A., Ikubanni, S., and Reinisch, B.: Comparison between African equatorial station ground-based inferred vertical E×B drift, Jicamarca direct measured drift, and IRI model, Adv. Space Res., 54, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2014.06.014, 2014. 
Altadill, D., Arrazola, D., and Blanch, E.: F-region vertical drift measurements at Ebro, Spain, Adv. Space Res., 39, 691–698, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2006.11.023, 2007. 
Belehaki, A., Tsagouri, I., and Mavromichalaki, H.: DIAS project: The establishment of a European digital upper atmosphere server, J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phy., 67, 1092–1100, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2005.01.009, 2005. 
Download
Short summary
Understanding how the upper atmosphere moves is important for improving radio communication and satellite navigation. We compared two techniques that use radio signals from the ground to estimate vertical motion – one based on direct Doppler shifts, the other on changes in reflection height. We found that under certain conditions, especially at night and with proper timing, the results from both methods are comparable and consistent.
Share