The Occurrence Climatology of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles: A Review

Electron density irregularities in the equatorial ionosphere at night are understood terms of plasma bubbles, which produced by transport low-density from bottomside F region to topside. Equatorial bubbles (EPBs) have been detected various techniques on ground and space. One distinguishing characteristics EPBs identified long-term observations is systematic seasonal longitudinal variation EPB activity. Several hypotheses developed explain behavior, now we good knowledge about key factors that determine behavior. However, gaps our understanding climatology still remain primarily because do not yet capability observe seed perturbations their growth simultaneously globally. This paper reviews occurrence current its driving mechanisms.