Lidar observations of sporadic Fe and Na layers in the mesopause region over equator

Characteristics of sodium and iron layers in the mesopause region over the equator observed with the resonance scattering lidars installed at Kototabang, Indonesia (0.2 degrees S, 100.3 degrees E) are reported. These lidars were operated during the night. The sporadic sodium layer (Nas) and the sporadic iron layer (Fes) were detected in almost every observing opportunity other latitude regions. Nas and Fes layers appeared almost at the same time and the heights above 90 km. However, Fes layers appeared below 90 km as well. The occurrence of the Nas layer correlated well with that of sporadic E layer which was observed simultaneously by the ionosonde at Kototabang. On the other hand, the occurrences of the Nas and Fes layers does not correlate with that of the wind shear which has been observed simultaneously by the meteor radar at Kototabang. This result is not in agreement with the result of simultaneous observations by the Na lidar and the. MU radar at Hachioji (35.6 degrees N) and Shigaraki (34.9 degrees N) in mid-latitude.