scholarly journals Global Longitudinal Dependence Observation of the Neutral Wind and Ionospheric Density Distribution

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Endawoke Yizengaw
Keyword(s):  
Density Distribution ◽  
Lower Atmosphere ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Wind Component ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Wind Structure ◽  
E Region ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere ◽  
Longitudinal Variability

The statistical global view of the low-latitude ionospheric density stimulates further interest in studying the strong longitudinal variability of the ionospheric density structures in low-to-equatorial latitudes. However, we are not completely certain how the electrodynamics and ion-neutral coupling proceeds at low latitudes; in particular, the longitudinal difference in the dynamics of plasma structures in the low-to-mid latitude ionosphere is not yet fully understood. Numerical studies of latent heat release in the troposphere have indicated that the lower atmosphere can indeed introduce a longitudinal dependence and variability of the low-latitude ionosphere during quiet conditions. For the first time, we present simultaneous observations of the tidally modulated global wind structure, using TIDI observations, in the E-region and the ionospheric density distribution using ground (global GPS receivers) and space-based (C/NOFS in situ density and GPS TEC on CHAMP) instruments. Our results show that the longitudinally structured zonal wind component could be responsible for the formation of wave number four pattern of the equatorial anomaly.

scholarly journals Modification of the low-latitude ionosphere before the 26 December 2004 Indonesian earthquake

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-823 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. E. Zakharenkova ◽  
A. Krankowski ◽  
I. I. Shagimuratov
Keyword(s):  
Electron Content ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Effects ◽  
Earthquake Preparation ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere ◽  
Positive Effect ◽  
Possible Cause ◽  
Gps Observations

Abstract. This paper investigates the features of pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies in the total electron content (TEC) data obtained on the basis of regular GPS observations from the IGS network. For the analysis of the ionospheric effects of the 26 December 2004 Indonesian earthquake, global TEC maps were used. The possible influence of the earthquake preparation processes on the main low-latitude ionosphere peculiarity – the equatorial anomaly – is discussed. Analysis of the TEC maps has shown that modification of the equatorial anomaly occurred a few days before the earthquake. For 2 days prior to the event, a positive effect was observed in the daytime amplification of the equatorial anomaly. Maximal enhancement in the crests reached 20 TECU (50–60%) relative to the non-disturbed state. In previous days, during the evening and night hours (local time), a specific transformation of the TEC distribution had taken place. This modification took the shape of a double-crest structure with a trough near the epicenter, though usually in this time the restored normal latitudinal distribution with a maximum near the magnetic equator is observed. It is assumed that anomalous electric field generated in the earthquake preparation zone could cause a near-natural "fountain-effect" phenomenon and might be a possible cause of the observed ionospheric anomaly.

scholarly journals Observations in equatorial anomaly region of total electron content enhancements and depletions

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (7) ◽  
pp. 2449-2456 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Dashora ◽  
R. Pandey
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Scintillation Index ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
First Results ◽  
Spread F ◽  
New Feature ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere

Abstract. A GSV 4004A GPS receiver has been operational near the crest of the equatorial anomaly at Udaipur, India for some time now. The receiver provides the line-of-sight total electron content (TEC), the phase and amplitude scintillation index, σφ and S4, respectively. This paper presents the first results on the nighttime TEC depletions associated with the equatorial spread F in the Indian zone. The TEC depletions are found to be very well correlated with the increased S4 index. A new feature of low-latitude TEC is also reported, concerning the observation of isolated and localized TEC enhancements in the nighttime low-latitude ionosphere. The TEC enhancements are not correlated with the S4 index. The TEC enhancements have also been observed along with the TEC depletions. The TEC enhancements have been interpreted as the manifestation of the plasma density enhancements reported by Le et al. (2003). Keywords. Ionosphere (Equatorial ionosphere; Ionospheric irregularities)

scholarly journals The ionospheric responses to the 11 August 1999 solar eclipse: observations and modeling

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Le ◽  
L. Liu ◽  
X. Yue ◽  
W. Wan
Keyword(s):  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Solar Eclipse ◽  
Ionospheric Disturbance ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Ionospheric Response ◽  
Latitude Range ◽  
Eclipse Observations ◽  
E Region ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere

Abstract. A total eclipse occurred on 11 August 1999 with its path of totality passing over central Europe in the latitude range 40°–50° N. The ionospheric responses to this eclipse were measured by a wide ionosonde network. On the basis of the measurements of foE, foF1, and foF2 at sixteen ionosonde stations in Europe, we statistically analyze the variations of these parameters with a function of eclipse magnitude. To model the eclipse effects more accurately, a revised eclipse factor, FR, is constructed to describe the variations of solar radiation during the solar eclipse. Then we simulate the effect of this eclipse on the ionosphere with a mid- and low-latitude ionosphere theoretical model by using the revised eclipse factor during this eclipse. Simulations are highly consistent with the observations for the response in the E-region and F1-region. Both of them show that the maximum response of the mid-latitude ionosphere to the eclipse is found in the F1-region. Except the obvious ionospheric response at low altitudes below 500 km, calculations show that there is also a small response at high altitudes up to about 2000 km. In addition, calculations show that when the eclipse takes place in the Northern Hemisphere, a small ionospheric disturbance also appeared in the conjugate hemisphere.

scholarly journals Effects of strong IMF <I>B<sub>z</sub></I> southward events on the equatorial and mid-latitude ionosphere

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 1175-1187 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Astafyeva
Keyword(s):  
Electric Fields ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
The Other ◽  
Negative Events ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Sudden Drop ◽  
Ionospheric Response ◽  
Peak Structure ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere

Abstract. Dayside ionospheric response to five intense geomagnetic storms (Dst<−120 nT) that occurred in 2001–2005 was investigated by use of simultaneous TEC measurements by the CHAMP, SAC-C, TOPEX/Jason-1 satellites. Since the satellites passed over different longitudinal sectors and measured TEC in different range of altitudes, it was possible to obtain information about altitudinal and longitudinal ionosphere redistribution during these storms. Severe enhancements (up to ~350%) of the equatorial and mid-latitude TEC above ~430 km with concurrent traveling of the equatorial anomaly crests for a distance of 10–15° of latitude were observed during two of the five events analyzed here (6 November 2001 and 8 November 2004). This phenomenon, known as the dayside ionosphere uplift, or the "daytime super-fountain effect", occurred after sudden drop in IMF Bz and consequent penetration of the electric fields to the low-latitude ionosphere. However, the same order Bz negative events caused comparatively weak changes in the dayside TEC (up to ~80 TECU) during the other three events of 18 June 2003, 11 February 2004 and 24 August 2005. At the main phase of these storms there were mostly observed formation of the "typical" dual peak structure of the equatorial anomaly rather than the reinforcement of the fountain effect and the anomaly itself. Possible reasons and factors responsible for the development of the extreme ionosphere effects are discussed in the paper.

scholarly journals Maps of <I>fo</I>F2, <I>hm</I>F2, and plasma frequency above F2-layer peak in the night-time low-latitude ionosphere derived from Intercosmos-19 satellite topside sounding data

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (8) ◽  
pp. 1827-1835 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. F. Deminova
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Frequency ◽  
Solar Maximum ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
Equatorial Anomaly ◽  
Night Time ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Longitudinal Variations ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere

Abstract. Maps of foF2, hmF2, and plasma frequency, fp, in the topside ionosphere at low latitudes, derived from Intercosmos-19 satellite topside sounding data, obtained from March 1979 to January 1981 and covering all longitudes, are presented for quiet geomagnetic conditions in June and December solstices at solar maximum for several local time intervals during the night. Based on these maps, features of the equatorial anomaly (EA) at different longitudes and their change during the night are considered. The maps show that averaged foF2, hmF2, and fp longitudinal variations are rather complicated, their structure looks wave-like with quasi-periods in longitude of about 75–100°, similar to that on individual days revealed previously at low latitudes using Intercosmos-19 data. Positions of the structure extrema in certain longitude intervals are stable enough so that they are clearly seen in the maps after averaging over a large number of measurements made on different days and even in different years. Such structure seems to need at least five harmonics for its description. The maps derived from Intercosmos-19 data were compared with the maps given by the IRI model. Along with general resemblance, essential distinctions between them were found. Intercosmos-19 maps show more complicated and pronounced longitudinal structure than IRI maps. They also show that at solar maximum, in general, at night, EA is stronger and persists for a longer time (on average, until 04:00 LT) than that presented in IRI model. Besides, much stronger asymmetry between the characteristics of the EA northern and southern crests in certain longitude intervals was revealed, most evident in hmF2 maps.

scholarly journals Wavenumber-4 structures observed in the low-latitude ionosphere during low and high solar activity periods using FORMOSAT/COSMIC observations

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 459-471 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amelia Naomi Onohara ◽  
Inez Staciarini Batista ◽  
Paulo Prado Batista
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Peak Height ◽  
Diurnal Tide ◽  
High Solar Activity ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Peak Structure ◽  
F Region ◽  
E Region ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere ◽  
Layer Peak

Abstract. The main purpose of this study is to investigate the four-peak structure observed in the low-latitude equatorial ionosphere by the FORMOSAT/COSMIC satellites. Longitudinal distributions of NmF2 (the density of the F layer peak) and hmF2 (ionospheric F2-layer peak height) averages, obtained around September equinox periods from 2007 to 2015, were submitted to a bi-spectral Fourier analysis in order to obtain the amplitudes and phases of the main waves. The four-peak structure in the equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere was present in both low and high solar activity periods. This kind of structure possibly has tropospheric origins related to the tidal waves propagating from below that modulate the E-region dynamo, mainly the eastward non-migrating diurnal tide with wavenumber 3 (DE3, E for eastward). This wave when combined with the migrating diurnal tide (DW1, W for westward) presents a wavenumber-4 (wave-4) structure under a synoptic view. Electron densities observed during 2008 and 2013 September equinoxes revealed that the wave-4 structures became more prominent around or above the F-region altitude peak (∼  300–350 km). The four-peak structure remains up to higher ionosphere altitudes (∼  800 km). Spectral analysis showed DE3 and SPW4 (stationary planetary wave with wavenumber 4) signatures at these altitudes. We found that a combination of DE3 and SPW4 with migrating tides is able to reproduce the wave-4 pattern in most of the ionospheric parameters. For the first time a study using wave variations in ionospheric observations for different altitude intervals and solar cycle was done. The conclusion is that the wave-4 structure observed at high altitudes in ionosphere is related to effects of the E-region dynamo combined with transport effects in the F region.

VLF/LF (Very Low Frequency/Low Frequency) Reflection Properties of the Low Latitude Ionosphere

1988 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wayne I. Klemetti ◽  
Paul A. Kossey ◽  
John E. Rasmussen ◽  
Maria Sueli Da Silveira Macedo Moura
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Low Latitude Ionosphere

scholarly journals Investigation of Low Latitude Spread-F Triggered by Nighttime Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 945
Author(s):  
Zhongxin Deng ◽  
Rui Wang ◽  
Yi Liu ◽  
Tong Xu ◽  
Zhuangkai Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ionospheric Disturbance ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Morphological Processing ◽  
Wave Number ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Low Latitude ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Medium Scale ◽  
Spread F

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.

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