STUDY OF IONOSPHERIC E-REGION AND F-REGION DRIFTS OVER PATIALA

Results of the daytime E-region and nighttime F-region drifts obtained by similar fade method over Patiala are presented for the period 1987 -90. The E-region drift speed is highest (77 ms-1) during spring and l owest (59 ms-1) in summer, while the F-region drift speed is highest ( 82 ms-1) during summer and minimum (61 ms-1) in winter. Drift speed is slightly lower during 1989-90 in comparison to the year 1987-88 for a ll seasons. Significant diurnal variations of the E- and F-region drif ts speed and direction are also observed. Drift speed and direction ob served over Patiala are comparable to the observations at low and midl atitude stations, but not consistent with the observations at stations situated within the equatorial electrojet region and at high latitude s.