Ion convection and the formation of the mid-latitude F region ionization trough

Total ion concentration and ion drift velocity data from Atmospheric Explorer C are used to examine the convective flow of plasma in the vicinity of the midlatitude F region ionization trough. It is found that the low-latitude portion of the premidnight trough is a region of slow eastward plasma drift while the poleward portion is characterized by generally westward flow. The reversal from eastward to westward flow is described. It is proposed that the plasma flux tubes within the premidnight trough have corotated eastward into the evening local time sector from dusk before stagnating and flowing westward at higher latitudes in the nighttime sector. The role of F region recombination in trough formation is considered.