Manifestation of planetary wave-type oscillations in variations in the critical frequencies of the ionospheric F2 layer in the Asian region

Results of studies of the wave structure of the critical frequencies of the ionospheric F2 layer with periods of planetary waves for two Asian stations—Irkutsk and Wuhan (China)—are presented. Estimates of the appearance frequency, amplitudes, and the lifetime of oscillations with periods typical of planetary waves (2–25 days) are obtained. It is shown that these characteristics depend on the season and place of observation. The appearance of joint periodicities in the critical frequencies at both stations, as well as in the planetary index of geomagnetic activity Ap, is noted.