Characteristics of VHF scintillations in the equatorial anomaly crest region in India

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 730-739 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. N. Pathak ◽  
R. D. Jivrajani ◽  
H. P. Joshi ◽  
K. N. Iyer
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Summer Season ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
F Region ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillations

Abstract. The characteristics of ionospheric scintillations at Rajkot in the equatorial anomaly crest region in India are described for the years 1987–1991 by monitoring the 244-MHz transmission from the satellite FLEETSAT. This period covers the ascending phase of solar cycle 22. Scintillations occur predominantly in the pre-midnight period during equinoxes and winter seasons and in the post-midnight period during summer season. During equinoxes and winter, scintillation occurrence increases with solar activity, whilst in summer it is found to decrease with solar activity. Statistically, scintillation occurrence is suppressed by magnetic activity. The characteristics observed during winter and equinoxes are similar to those seen at the equatorial station, Trivandrum. This, coupled with the nature of the post-sunset equatorial F-region drift and h'F variations, supports the view that at the anomaly crest station, scintillations are of equatorial origin during equinox and winter, whilst in summer they may be of mid-latitude type. The variations in scintillation intensity (in dB) with season and solar activity are also reported.

Solar cycle and seasonal variations in F-region vertical drifts over Kodaikanal, India

1995 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 633-640 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. B. Ramesh ◽  
J. H. Sastri
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Seasonal Variations ◽  
Normal Incidence ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Solar Flux ◽  
Seasonal Trend ◽  
F Region ◽  
Phase Path ◽  
10.7 Cm Solar Flux

Abstract. Measurements of the changes in phase path of F-region reflections at normal incidence at Kodaikanal (77° 28'E, 10° 14'N, dip 3°N) from February 1991 to February 1993 are used to determine the variation of the equatorial evening F-region vertical drifts (V z) with season, solar and magnetic activity. It is found that on average, at Kodaikanal, the post-sunset peak in Vz(Vzp) is higher in equinox and local winter months than in local summer. The day-to-day variability in V zp is highest in summer and lowest in winter. This seasonal trend persists even on magnetically quiet days (Ap \\leq14). Vzp is found to increase with 10.7 cm solar flux in all three seasons but tends to saturate for large flux values (>230 units) during local summer and winter months. Magnetic activity [represented by Ap as well as the time-weighted accumulations of a p and ap (τ)] does not seem to have any statistically significant effect on Vzp , except during equinoctial months of moderate solar activity, when Vzp decreases as magnetic activity increases.

scholarly journals Effect of solar and magnetic activity on VHF scintillations near the equatorial anomaly crest

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 2849-2860 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. P. Singh ◽  
R. P. Patel ◽  
A. K. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Recovery Phase ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Magnetic Storms ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Probability Of Occurrence

Abstract. The VHF amplitude scintillation recorded during the period January 1991 to December 1993 in the declining phase of a solar cycle and April 1998 to December 1999 in the ascending phase of the next solar cycle at Varanasi (geogr. lat.=25.3°, long.=83.0°, dip=37°N) have been analyzed to study the behavior of ionospheric irregularities during active solar periods and magnetic storms. It is shown that irregularities occur at arbitrary times and may last for <30min. A rise in solar activity increases scintillations during winter (November-February) and near equinoxes (March-April; September-October), whereas it depresses the scintillations during the summer (May-July). In general, the role of magnetic activity is to suppress scintillations in the pre-midnight period and to increase it in the post-midnight period during equinox and winter seasons, whilst during summer months the effect is reversed. The pre-midnight scintillation is sometimes observed when the main phase of Dst corresponds to the pre-midnight period. The annual variation shows suppression of scintillations on disturbed days, both during pre-midnight and post-midnight period, which becomes more effective during years of high solar activity. It is observed that for magnetic storms for which the recovery phase starts post-midnight, the probability of occurrence of irregularities is enhanced during this time. If the magnetic storm occurred during daytime, then the probability of occurrence of scintillations during the night hours is decreased. The penetration of magnetospheric electric fields to the magnetic equator affects the evolution of low-latitude irregularities. A delayed disturbance dynamo electric field also affects the development of irregularities.

scholarly journals Study of mid-latitude nighttime enhancement in F-region electron density using tomographic images over the UK

2003 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 2323-2328 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Dabas ◽  
L. Kersley
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Tomographic Images ◽  
F Region ◽  
Electron Density Gradient ◽  
Modeling And Forecasting ◽  
Ionospheric Electron Content ◽  
The Uk

Abstract. Nighttime enhancements in ionospheric electron content (IEC)/peak electron density (NmF2) have been studied by various workers in the equatorial anomaly and mid-latitude regions. Such studies give an idea about their enhancement over that location only. In the present study tomographic images over the UK, which give a latitudinal versus height distributions of ionospheric electron density in a much wider area, have been used to study the anomalous increases in nighttime F-region electron density at mid-latitudes. From the analysis of four seasonal representative months (November 1997, March, June and October 1998) data it was noted that the majority of the cases of nighttime enhancements were observed after local midnight, with a maximum between 03:00–04:00 LT in the month of November 1997. Enhancements were observed mostly between 45–50° N latitudes, and their positions are not affected by magnetic activity (Kp ) variations, whereas the separation between the mid-latitude trough and enhancement decreases with increases in magnetic activity. This finding shows that only the trough moves equatorward with the increase in magnetic activity. It is also noted that the electron density gradient from the trough to the enhancement increases with an increase in Kp. Results are discussed in terms of downward plasma transport from the protonosphere to the ionosphere and the nighttime neutral winds.Key words. Ionosphere (mid-latitude ionosphere; modeling and forecasting; instruments and techniques)

scholarly journals Climatology and modeling of ionospheric scintillations and irregularity zonal drifts at the equatorial anomaly crest region

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1201-1218 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio T. A. H. Muella ◽  
Marcelo H. Duarte-Silva ◽  
Alison O. Moraes ◽  
Eurico R. de Paula ◽  
Luiz F. C. de Rezende ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Single Frequency ◽  
Plasma Bubble ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Seasonal Behavior ◽  
Statistical Characterization ◽  
Longitudinal Sector ◽  
December Solstice ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillations

Abstract. In this study the climatology of ionospheric scintillations and the zonal drift velocities of scintillation-producing irregularities are depicted for a station located under the southern crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly. Then, the α − μ ionospheric fading model is used for the first- and second-order statistical characterization of amplitude scintillations. In the statistical analyzes, data are used from single-frequency GPS receivers acquired during ∼ 17 years (September 1997–November 2014) at Cachoeira Paulista (22.4° S; 45.0° W), Brazil. The results reveal that the nocturnal occurrence of scintillations follows the seasonal distribution of plasma bubble irregularities observed in the longitudinal sector of eastern South America. In addition to the solar cycle dependence, the results suggest that the occurrence climatology of scintillations is also modulated by the secular variation in the dip latitude of Cachoeira Paulista, since the maximum occurrence of scintillations during the peak of solar cycle 24 was ∼ 20 % lower than that observed during the maximum of solar cycle 23. The dynamics of the irregularities throughout a solar cycle, as investigated from the estimates of the mean zonal drift velocities, presented a good correlation with the EUV and F10.7 cm solar fluxes. Meanwhile, the seasonal behavior showed that the magnitude of the zonal drift velocities is larger during the December solstice months than during the equinoxes. In terms of modeling, the results for the α − μ distribution fit quite well with the experimental data and with the temporal characteristics of fading events independently of the solar activity level.

scholarly journals The role of post-sunset vertical drifts at the equator in predicting the onset of VHF scintillations during high and low sunspot activity years

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 1609-1616 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Tulasi Ram ◽  
P. V. S. Rama Rao ◽  
K. Niranjan ◽  
D. S. V. V. D. Prasad ◽  
R. Sridharan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drift Velocity ◽  
Activity Index ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Sunspot Activity ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
Vertical Drift ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillations

Abstract. The day-to-day variability in the occurrence of ionospheric scintillations, which are of serious concern in the trans-ionospheric communications, makes their prediction still a challenging problem. This paper reports on a systematic study in quantitatively identifying the precursors responsible, such as pre-reversal E×B drift velocity, geo-magnetic activity index (Kp) and the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) gradient, for the onset of VHF scintillations over a low-latitude station, Waltair (20° N dip), during high (2001) and low (2004) sunspot activity years. The percentage of occurrences of VHF scintillations over Waltair show a good correlation with the monthly mean post-sunset vertical drift velocities at the equator, during both the high and low sunspot activity years. During the days on which intense (>10 dB) scintillations occur, the ionization anomaly gradient (dN/dL), measured from ionosonde data of an equatorial (Trivandrum, 0.9° N dip) and an off-equatorial station (Waltair, 20° N dip) shows an enhancement in the gradient prior to the onset of the scintillations. However, this enhancement is not seen on days when the scintillations are weak (<10 dB) or absent. The day-to-day post sunset enhancement in the E×B drift is found to decrease with increasing Kp-index and this decrease is more prominent in the equinoxes, less in winter and insignificant in the summer months. On a day-to-day basis, it is found that the value of the upward drift velocity at the equator should be ≥30 m/s for the onset of strong scintillations over Waltair for magnetically quiet days with average Kp≤2 (6 h prior to the local sunset) during the high sunspot year, 2001. This threshold value of the upward drift reduces to 20 m/s with the decrease in the sunspot activity during 2004. Further, these conditions for the onset of intense scintillations is well defined in equinoxes, less in winter and least in the summer solstices.

scholarly journals Comparison of equatorial GPS-TEC observations over an African station and an American station during the minimum and ascending phases of solar cycle 24

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 2085-2096 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. O. Akala ◽  
G. K. Seemala ◽  
P. H. Doherty ◽  
C. E. Valladares ◽  
C. S. Carrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
Magnetic Latitude ◽  
Gps Tec ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Solar Cycle 24 ◽  
Cycle 24 ◽  
Gps Station

Abstract. GPS-TEC data were observed at the same local time at two equatorial stations on both longitudes: Lagos (6.52° N, 3.4° E, 3.04° S magnetic latitude), Nigeria; and Pucallpa (8.38° S, 74.57° W, 4.25° N magnetic latitude), Peru during the minimum (2009, 2010) and ascending (2011) phases of solar cycle 24. These data were grouped into daily, seasonal and solar activity sets. The day-to-day variations in vertical TEC (VTEC) recorded the maximum during 14:00–16:00 LT and minimum during 04:00–06:00 LT at both longitudes. Seasonally, during solar minimum, maximum VTEC values were observed during March equinox and minimum during solstices. However, during the ascending phase of the solar activity, the maximum values were recorded during the December solstice and minimum during the June solstice. VTEC also increased with solar activity at both longitudes. On longitude by longitude comparison, the African GPS station generally recorded higher VTEC values than the American GPS station. Furthermore, harmonic analysis technique was used to extract the annual and semi-annual components of the amplitudes of the TEC series at both stations. The semi-annual variations dominated the TEC series over the African equatorial station, while the annual variations dominated those over the American equatorial station. The GPS-TEC-derived averages for non-storm days were compared with the corresponding values derived by the IRI-2007 with the NeQuick topside option. The NeQuick option of IRI-2007 showed better performance at the American sector than the African sector, but generally underestimating TEC during the early morning hours at both longitudes.

Observation of Hysteresis between Solar Activity Indicators and p-mode Frequency Shifts for Solar Cycle 22

2000 ◽  
Vol 179 ◽  
pp. 357-360
Author(s):  
S. C. Tripathy ◽  
Brajesh Kumar ◽  
Kiran Jain ◽  
A. Bhatnagar
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Mode Frequency ◽  
Hysteresis Phenomenon ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Frequency Data ◽  
Frequency Shifts ◽  
Intermediate Degree

AbstractUsing intermediate degreep-mode frequency data sets for solar cycle 22, we find that the frequency shifts and magnetic activity indicators show a “hysteresis” phenomenon. It is observed that the magnetic indices follow different paths for the ascending and descending phases of the solar cycle while for radiative indices, the separation between the paths are well within the error limits.

scholarly journals Solar cycles: the past evolution influence

2009 ◽  
Vol 5 (S264) ◽  
pp. 155-157
Author(s):  
Alexis Klutsch ◽  
Rubens Freire Ferrero
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Magnetic Activity ◽  
Measured Data ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Periodic Pattern ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Future Evolution ◽  
The Past ◽  
Physical Phenomena

AbstractThe so-calledsolar cycleis generally characterized by the quasi-periodic oscillatory evolution of the photospheric spots number. This quasi-periodic pattern has always been an intriguing question. Several physical models were proposed to explain this evolution and many mathematical data analysis were employed to determine the principal frequencies noticeable in the measured data. Both approaches try to predict the future evolution of the solar activity and to understand the physical phenomena producing these cycles. Here we present the analysis of the sunspots number evolution using the time-delay approach. Our results show than the solar cycle can also be characterized by this behavior implying the influence of the past evolution over the present one, suggesting an histeresis mechanism, linked probably with magnetic activity.

scholarly journals Multi-station investigation of spread F over Europe during low to high solar activity

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. A27 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krishnendu Sekhar Paul ◽  
Haris Haralambous ◽  
Christina Oikonomou ◽  
Ashik Paul ◽  
Anna Belehaki ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Solar Cycle Variation ◽  
F Region ◽  
Perkins Instability ◽  
Spread F ◽  
Triggering Mechanisms

Spread F is an ionospheric phenomenon which has been reported and analyzed extensively over equatorial regions on the basis of the Rayleigh-Taylor (R-T) instability. It has also been investigated over midlatitude regions, mostly over the Southern Hemisphere with its generation attributed to the Perkins instability mechanism. Over midlatitudes it has also been correlated with geomagnetic storms through the excitation of travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) and subsequent F region uplifts. The present study deals with the occurrence rate of nighttime spread F events and their diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variation observed over three stations in the European longitude sector namely Nicosia (geographic Lat: 35.29 °N, Long: 33.38 °E geographic: geomagnetic Lat: 29.38 °N), Athens (geographic Lat: 37.98 °N, Long: 23.73 °E geographic: geomagnetic Lat: 34.61 °N) and Pruhonice (geographic Lat: 50.05 °N, Long: 14.41 °E geographic: geomagnetic Lat: 47.7 °N) during 2009, 2015 and 2016 encompassing periods of low, medium and high solar activity, respectively. The latitudinal and longitudinal variation of spread F occurrence was examined by considering different instability triggering mechanisms and precursors which past literature identified as critical to the generation of spread F events. The main findings of this investigation is an inverse solar cycle and annual temporal dependence of the spread F occurrence rate and a different dominant spread F type between low and high European midlatitudes.

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