scholarly journals Obtaining Ionospheric Conditions according to Data of Navigation Satellites

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Maltseva ◽  
Natalia Mozhaeva

Defining ionospheric conditions, the deviation of the observational value of the total electron content TEC(obs), measured by means of navigation satellites, from a median is a bench mark. According to more than 40 ionospheric stations during April 2014 it is shown that synchronism of change of deviations of TEC and critical frequency foF2 of the ionosphere is kept under quiet and moderate disturbed conditions. This fact allows to use a median of the equivalent slab thicknessτ(med) as a reliable calibration factor to calculate foF2 from TEC(obs). The efficiency coefficient of joint use ofτ(med) and TEC(obs) changes from 1.5 to 4 with average value 2.2 across the globe. The highest coefficient corresponds to middle latitudes, however the estimations obtained for high- and low-latitude areas indicate possibility to useτ(med) and TEC(obs) in these areas.

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Maltseva ◽  
Natalia Mozhaeva

Measurements of delays of the signals radiated by transmitters of navigational satellites allow us to obtain the total electron content (TEC). In addition, measurements of TEC allow solving problems such as development of local, regional, and global models of TEC and correction of ionospheric delay for increasing accuracy of positioning. Now, it is possible to set the task of calculation of critical frequency foF2 with the use of experimental values of TEC in a global scale. For this purpose it is necessary to know an equivalent slab thickness of the ionosphere τ which is a coefficient of proportionality between TEC and a maximum density of the ionosphere. The present paper is devoted to the analysis of investigation and utilization of this parameter. It is shown that (1) existing models of τ are not empirical and not always can provide an adequate accuracy of foF2 calculation, (2) experimental median τ(med) provides much larger accuracy of foF2 calculation than the empirical model and variations from day to day and allows filling gaps in the ionosonde data, and (3) it is possible to use a hyperbolic approximation and coefficient K(τ) for development of a global model of τ.


2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 179-184 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Le ◽  
L. Liu ◽  
X. Yue ◽  
W. Wan

Abstract. We investigate the ionospheric behavior in conjugate hemispheres during the 3 October 2005 solar eclipse, on the basis of observations of electron temperature (Te) from the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) spacecraft, F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) and F2 layer peak height (hmF2) at the Grahamstown ionosonde station, and total electron content (TEC) from the Global Positioning System (GPS) station SUTH. The observations show that when the eclipse occurred in the Northern Hemisphere, there was a decrease in Te, an increase in foF2 and TEC, and an uprising in hmF2 in its conjugate region compared with their reference values. We also simulated the ionosphere behavior during this eclipse using a mid- and low-latitude ionospheric model. The simulations agree well with the observations. Because of the eclipse effect, there are far fewer photoelectrons travelling along the magnetic field lines from the eclipse region to the conjugate region, resulting in reduced photoelectron heating in the conjugate hemisphere which causes a drop in electron temperature and subsequent disturbances in the region.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 575-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Jakowski ◽  
A. Jungstand ◽  
K. Schlegel ◽  
H. Kohl ◽  
K. Rinnert

The generation and propagation of ionospheric storms are studied by analyzing EISCAT radar, and vertical-sounding and total-electron-content data obtained under different geophysical conditions. Both, case studies as well as the average storm pattern of percentage deviations of different ionospheric parameters from their corresponding reference values such as total electron content, F2-layer critical frequency foF2, F2-layer height hmF2, and slab thickness τ indicate the action of a perturbation electric field during the first few hours during the onset phase of geomagnetic storms. Considering the onset phase of the storm on July 28–29, 1987 evidence has been found that high-latitude electric fields may penetrate to lower latitudes before the ring current has developed. In most cases this process is accompanied by a positive phase in the upper ionosphere and F2-layer ionization. Different mechanisms are assumed to be responsible for the daytime and nighttime behaviour, respectively. The negative phase propagates equatorward with velocities in the order of 70–350 m s−1 following a strong heating of the thermosphere and ionosphere due to the auroral electrojet.


2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (9) ◽  
pp. 1635-1645 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. Venkatesh ◽  
P. V. S. Rama Rao ◽  
D. S. V. V. D. Prasad ◽  
K. Niranjan ◽  
P. L. Saranya

Abstract. The ionospheric equivalent slab-thickness is an important parameter which measures the skewness of the electron density profile of the ionosphere. In this paper, the diurnal, seasonal, day-to-day and latitudinal variations of ionospheric parameters namely total electron content (TEC), the peak ionization density of F-layer (NmF2), equivalent slab-thickness (τ) and neutral temperature (Tn) are presented. The simultaneous data of GPS-TEC and NmF2 from Trivandrum (8.47° N, 76.91° E), Waltair (17.7° N, 83.3° E) and Delhi (28.58° N, 77.21° E) are used to compute the slab-thickness (τ = TEC/NmF2) of the low sunspot period, 2004–2005. The day-time TEC values at Waltair are found to be greater than those at Trivandrum, while at Delhi the day-time TEC values are much lower compared to those at Trivandrum and Waltair. The trends of variation in the monthly mean diurnal variation of TEC and NmF2 are similar at Delhi, while they are different at Trivandrum and Waltair during the day-time. The slab-thickness (τ) has shown a pre-sunrise peak around 05:00 LT at all the three stations, except during the summer months over Delhi. A consistent secondary peak in slab-thickness around noon hours has also been observed at Trivandrum and Waltair. During equinox and winter months a large night-time enhancement in the slab-thickness (comparable to the early morning peak in slab-thickness) is observed at Delhi. The latitudinal variation of slab-thickness has shown a decrease from the equatorial station, Trivandrum to the low-mid latitude station, Delhi. The neutral temperatures (Tn) computed from the slab-thickness (τ) has shown a sharp increase around 05:00 LT over Trivandrum and Waltair. Whereas at Delhi, a double peaking around 05:00 and 23:00 LT is observed during winter and equinoctial months. The neutral temperatures computed are compare well with those of the MSIS-90 model derived temperatures.


2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 809-816 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Q. Hao ◽  
H. Shi ◽  
Z. Xiao ◽  
D. H. Zhang

Abstract. Following prolonged and extremely quiet solar activity from 2008 to 2009, the 24th solar cycle started slowly. It has been almost 5 years since then. The measurement of ionospheric critical frequency (foF2) shows the fact that solar activity has been significantly lower in the first half of cycle 24, compared to the average levels of cycles 19 to 23; the data of global average total electron content (TEC) confirm that the global ionosphere around the cycle 24 peak is much more weakly ionized, in contrast to cycle 23. The weak ionization has been more notable since the year 2012, when both the ionosphere and solar activity were expected to be approaching their maximum level. The undersupply of solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance somewhat continues after the 2008–2009 minimum, and is considered to be the main cause of the weak ionization. It further implies that the thermosphere and ionosphere in the first solar cycle of this millennium would probably differ from what we have learned from the previous cycles of the space age.


Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 342
Author(s):  
Olga Maltseva ◽  
Artem Kharakhashyan ◽  
Tatyana Nikitenko

For a long time, the equivalent ionospheric slab thickness τ has remained in the shadow of ionospheric main parameters: the maximum density, NmF2 (or the critical frequency, foF2), and the total electron content. Empirical global models have been developed for these two parameters. Recently, several global models of τ have appeared concurrently. This paper compares τ of the Neustrelitz equivalent slab thickness model (NSTM), with τ(IRI-Plas) of the IRI-Plas model, and τ(Appr) of the approximation model, constructed along the 30° E meridian using data from several ionosondes. The choice of the model of the best conformity with observational data was made, which was used to study the effects of space weather during several magnetic storms in March 2012. The effects included: (1) a transition from negative disturbances at high latitudes to positive ones at low latitudes, (2) the super-fountain effect, which had been revealed and explained in previous papers, (3) a deepening of the main ionospheric trough. The efficiency of using τ(Appr) and τ(IRI-Plas) models for studying the effects of space weather has been confirmed. The advantage of the τ(Appr) model is its closeness to real data. The advantage of the τ(IRI-Plas) model is the ability to determine foF2 without ionosondes. The efficiency of the NSTM model is insufficient for a role of a global τ model due to the accuracy decreasing with the increasing latitude.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 64-78
Author(s):  
Temitope Pascal Owolabi ◽  
Emmanuel Ariyibi ◽  
Olatunbosun Lilian ◽  
Ayomide O Olabode

The equivalent slab-thickness  is very important in the study of the complex dynamics of the ionosphere as a result of its ability to determine the skewness of the ionospheric electron density profile. This study involves the day to day and monthly variations of . Ionosonde  (FoF2) and Total electron content (TEC) data at the low latitude station of Sao Luis (Glat 2.60° S, Glong 315.80° E and Mlat 6.05° N and Mlong 28.40° E), Brazil and mid latitude station of Chilton (Glat 51.50° N, Glong 359.40° E and Mlat 53.35° N and Mlong 84.34° E), United Kingdom from January 2013 to December 2015 were used in the study of  . For Sao Luis station, the diurnal pattern for the different days are characterized by day time (08:00 – 16:00 UT) high values and nighttime (20:00 – 04:00 UT) low values; however, Chilton shows signatures, such as day time low values and nighttime high values. Also, the daytime values (~600 km) of  for the low latitude station (Sao Luis) is more than double the mid latitude station (Chilton) maximum value (~235 km) over the years considered. The monthly variation of  also indicate a seasonal variation with highest daytime values (400 km) during winter months and lowest (below 300 km) during summer months for the low latitude station (Sao Luis). However, the nighttime values are of the same order (about 200 km) for the low latitude station (Sao Luis). Also, highest daytime values (above 250 km) are observed during summer months and the nighttime values are below 200 km over the years for the mid latitude station (Chilton).


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Zhongxin Deng ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Tong Xu ◽  
Zhuangkai Wang ◽  
...  

In the current study, we investigated the mechanism of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (MSTID) triggering spread-F in the low latitude ionosphere using ionosonde observation and Global Navigation Satellite System-Total Electron Content (GNSS-TEC) measurement. We use a series of morphological processing techniques applied to ionograms to retrieve the O-wave traces automatically. The maximum entropy method (MEM) was also utilized to obtain the propagation parameters of MSTID. Although it is widely acknowledged that MSTID is normally accompanied by polarization electric fields which can trigger Rayleigh–Taylor (RT) instability and consequently excite spread-F, our statistical analysis of 13 months of MSTID and spread-F occurrence showed that there is an inverse seasonal occurrence rate between MSTID and spread-F. Thus, we assert that only MSTID with certain properties can trigger spread-F occurrence. We also note that the MSTID at night has a high possibility to trigger spread-F. We assume that this tendency is consistent with the fact that the polarization electric field caused by MSTID is generally the main source of post-midnight F-layer instability. Moreover, after thorough investigation over the azimuth, phase speed, main frequency, and wave number over the South America region, we found that the spread-F has a tendency to be triggered by nighttime MSTID, which is generally characterized by larger ΔTEC amplitudes.


2021 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pin-Hsuan Cheng ◽  
Charles Lin ◽  
Yuichi Otsuka ◽  
Hanli Liu ◽  
Panthalingal Krishanunni Rajesh ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study investigates the medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) statistically at the low-latitude equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) region in the northern hemisphere. We apply the automatic detection algorithm including the three-dimensional fast Fourier transform (3-D FFT) and support vector machine (SVM) on total electron content (TEC) observations, derived from a network of ground-based global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers in Taiwan (14.5° N geomagnetic latitude; 32.5° inclination), to identify MSTID from other waves or irregularity features. The obtained results are analyzed statistically to examine the behavior of low-latitude MSTIDs. Statistical results indicate the following characteristics. First, the southward (equatorward) MSTIDs are observed almost every day during 0800–2100 LT in Spring and Winter. At midnight, southward MSTIDs are more discernible in Summer and majority of them are propagating from Japan to Taiwan. Second, northward (poleward) MSTIDs are more frequently detected during 1200–2100 LT in Spring and Summer with the secondary peak of occurrence between day of year (DOY) 100–140 during 0000–0300 LT. The characteristics of the MSTIDs are interpreted with additional observations from radio occultation (RO) soundings of FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC as well as modeled atmospheric waves from the high-resolution Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM) suggesting that the nighttime MSTIDs in Summer is likely connected to the atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs).


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuqing Huang ◽  
Jiuhou Lei ◽  
Chao Xiong

<p>Equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) are typically ionospheric irregularities that frequently occur at the low latitudes and equatorial regions, which can significantly affect the propagation of radio waves. In this study, we reported a unique strong EPB that happened at middle latitudes over the Asian sector during the quiescent period. The multiple observations including total electron content (TEC) from Beidou geostationary satellites and GPS, ionosondes, in-situ electron density from SWARM and meteor radar are used to explore the characteristic and mechanism of the observed EPB. The unique strong EPB was associated with great nighttime TEC/electron density enhancement at the middle latitudes, which moves toward eastward. The potential physical processes of the observed EPB are also discussed.</p>


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