Wind Preparation of the Generation of Equatorial Plasma “Bubbles”

Abstract

According to theoretical conclusions, zonal western thermospheric winds are the key influence on the generation of equatorial plasma “bubbles.” To verify this assumption, a comparative analysis of the longitudinal distribution of equatorial plasma bubbles and the longitudinal profile of deviations of the zonal western thermospheric wind velocity has been carried out. The data on plasma bubbles (from the ISS-b satellite, ~1100 km) averaged over two hemispheres during the spring equinox were analyzed. The wind characteristics used in the study (the CHAMP satellite, ~400 km) were taken as the median values over the equinox period in the interval (15–21 LT) covering the preparation time and the generation period of equatorial plasma bubbles. It was found that these characteristics are very similar with a high degree of correlation (R ≅ 0.76). It has been newly confirmed that the theoretical statement (Kudeki model) on the key influence of zonal western thermospheric winds on the generation of equatorial plasma bubbles.