On the Width and Complexities of the Equatorial Nighttime Radio Wave Scintillation Belt in the Indian Region

Width of nighttime equatorial scintillation belt is estimated, employing three years of simultaneous recordings of VHF signals at two equatorial and one temporate latitude stations in the Indian region. The latitudinal extent of the belt is found to be larger during D- and E- when compared with that in J-months. There appears to be a positive association between the width of the belt and solar activity but beyond a threshold, increase in sunspot number has not resulted in further widening of the belt. There is a suggestion that the solar control of scintillation activity is more pronounced at a station situated at a temporate latitude than that of equatorial station. These and other morphological features are discussed.