New aspects in the annual variation of the ionosphere observed by the MU Radar

Annual variations of the daytime ionosphere studied with the MU radar during a full solar cycle show equinoctial asymmetry in density, temperature, and plasma velocity. The electron density (Ne) in the bottomside ionosphere is slightly greater in September equinox compared to March equinox, which arises from the asymmetry in thermospheric composition. At higher altitudes, the asymmetry in Ne reverses and becomes strong; the values of Ne in March equinox exceed those in September equinox by up to 150%. The electron temperature (Te) shows an asymmetry, which is opposite to the asymmetry in Ne; the values of Te in the topside in March equinox are less than those in September equinox by up to 300K. The asymmetry in ion temperature (Ti) is weak (about 100K) and in phase with the asymmetry in Ne. The northward perpendicular plasma velocity (V⟂) is slightly greater in March equinox compared to September equinox. The meridional component of the thermospheric neutral wind velocity (Uθ), derived from the field‐parallel plasma velocity V∥, is up to 50% lower in March equinox compared to September equinox. The asymmetry in neutral winds accounts for the asymmetry in ionospheric density and temperature in the topside, with minor contribution from the asymmetry in plasma drifts.