Observations of gravity waves of meteorological origin in the F-region ionosphere

Motion of large meteorological phenomenon causes wave like structures that propagate from the troposphere to thermospheric heights. Acoustic gravity w aves (AGW) caused by this phenomenon affect the neutral atmosphere and cons equently the ionosphere. The changes of electron density profiles caused by AGW propagation are detected on the basis of ionospheric vertical sounding at the Pruhonice observatory (central Europe). The observed wave-like stru ctures have the propagation characteristics, which correspond to the theory of acoustic gravity waves that propagate into the ionosphere from below. ( C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.