Measurement of neutral wind velocity full vector using the combined Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter Radar and ionosonde data

The present study was performed on the basis of the analysis of 3-D characteristics of IGW propagation in the upper atmosphere of the Earth. Representative statistics of these characteristics was obtained using electron density profiles measured with the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter Radar and DPS-4 ionosonde. The main result of this study is the development of the new method for determining the neutral wind velocity vector, based on IGW group velocity measurements. Testing the new method showed that it is in quantitative agreement with the Fabry-Pérot interferometer. Of particular interest are the results of measuring the vertical wind velocities. We have demonstrated that two independent methods give the presence of vertical wind velocities up to 20 m/s. The estimation of the vertical wind contribution to the plasma drift velocity has shown the importance of vertical wind measurements and the need to take them into account in physical and empirical models of the ionosphere and thermosphere.