Observations of whistlers at low geomagnetic latitudes in Saudi Arabia

الملخص EN

E-field observations of 1- and 2-hop whistlers with 1-hop dispersions of 11-35 s1/2, infrequently with echoes, are reported from several sites in Saudi Arabia at north geomagnetic latitudes of 8.6°-21.6°.

Representative spectrograms are provided.

Whistlers were detected in 34 of 48 observing sessions over a 20-month period with highest peak rates, up to 28/minute, occurring in winter.

Dispersion distribution frequencies peaked at 21, 29, and 42 s1'2 at northern sites and at 19 and 38s1/2 farther south.

A regional center of lightning activity near the Indian Ocean conjugate area is suggested as a seasonal source region for 1-hop events.

No correlation was found between Arabian whistler rates and magnetic disturbances recorded in India, but the only two occasions of significant whistler persistence into early daylight coincided with high K-index periods.

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