scholarly journals Small-Scale Ionospheric Irregularities of Auroral Origin at Mid-latitudes during the 22 June 2015 Magnetic Storm and Their Effect on GPS Positioning

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 1579 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yury Yasyukevich ◽  
Roman Vasilyev ◽  
Konstantin Ratovsky ◽  
Artem Setov ◽  
Maria Globa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Signal Amplitude ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Ionospheric Irregularities ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Cygnus A ◽  
Spread F

Small-scale ionospheric irregularities affect navigation and radio telecommunications. We studied small-scale irregularities observed during the 22 June 2015 geomagnetic storm and used experimental facilities at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ISTP SB RAS) located near Irkutsk, Russia (~52°N, 104°E). The facilities used were the DPS-4 ionosonde (spread-F width), receivers of the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter Radar (Cygnus A signal amplitude scintillations), and GPS/GLONASS receivers (amplitude and phase scintillations), while 150 MHz Cygnus A signal recording provides a unique data set on ionosphere small-scale structure. We observed increased spread-F, Cygnus A signal amplitude scintillations, and GPS phase scintillations near 20 UT on 22 June 2015 at mid-latitudes. GPS/GLONASS amplitude scintillations were at a quiet time level. By using global total electron content (TEC) maps, we conclude that small-scale irregularities are most likely caused by the auroral oval expansion. In the small-scale irregularity region, we recorded an increase in the precise point positioning (PPP) error. Even at mid-latitudes, the mean PPP error is at least five times that of the quiet level and reaches 0.5 m.

scholarly journals Climatology of GPS phase scintillation and HF radar backscatter for the high-latitude ionosphere under solar minimum conditions

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 377-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. Prikryl ◽  
P. T. Jayachandran ◽  
S. C. Mushini ◽  
R. Chadwick
Keyword(s):  
High Latitude ◽  
Solar Minimum ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Hf Radar ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Radar Backscatter ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Network Chain ◽  
Field Aligned Irregularities

Abstract. Maps of GPS phase scintillation at high latitudes have been constructed after the first two years of operation of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN) during the 2008–2009 solar minimum. CHAIN consists of ten dual-frequency receivers, configured to measure amplitude and phase scintillation from L1 GPS signals and ionospheric total electron content (TEC) from L1 and L2 GPS signals. Those ionospheric data have been mapped as a function of magnetic local time and geomagnetic latitude assuming ionospheric pierce points (IPPs) at 350 km. The mean TEC depletions are identified with the statistical high-latitude and mid-latitude troughs. Phase scintillation occurs predominantly in the nightside auroral oval and the ionospheric footprint of the cusp. The strongest phase scintillation is associated with auroral arc brightening and substorms or with perturbed cusp ionosphere. Auroral phase scintillation tends to be intermittent, localized and of short duration, while the dayside scintillation observed for individual satellites can stay continuously above a given threshold for several minutes and such scintillation patches persist over a large area of the cusp/cleft region sampled by different satellites for several hours. The seasonal variation of the phase scintillation occurrence also differs between the nightside auroral oval and the cusp. The auroral phase scintillation shows an expected semiannual oscillation with equinoctial maxima known to be associated with aurorae, while the cusp scintillation is dominated by an annual cycle maximizing in autumn-winter. These differences point to different irregularity production mechanisms: energetic electron precipitation into dynamic auroral arcs versus cusp ionospheric convection dynamics. Observations suggest anisotropy of scintillation-causing irregularities with stronger L-shell alignment of irregularities in the cusp while a significant component of field-aligned irregularities is found in the nightside auroral oval. Scintillation-causing irregularities can coexist with small-scale field-aligned irregularities resulting in HF radar backscatter. The statistical cusp and auroral oval are characterized by the occurrence of HF radar ionospheric backscatter and mean ground magnetic perturbations due to ionospheric currents.

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.

scholarly journals Characterization of multi-scale ionospheric irregularities using ground-based and space-based GNSS observations

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
YuXiang Peng ◽  
Wayne A Scales ◽  
Michael D Hartinger ◽  
Zhonghua Xu ◽  
Shane Coyle
Keyword(s):  
Formation Flying ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Ionospheric Irregularities ◽  
Mission Design ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Global Navigation Satellite ◽  
Gnss Observations

AbstractIonospheric irregularities can adversely affect the performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). However, this opens the possibility of using GNSS as an effective ionospheric remote sensing tool. Despite ionospheric monitoring has been undertaken for decades, these irregularities in multiple spatial and temporal scales are still not fully understood. This paper reviews Virginia Tech’s recent studies on multi-scale ionospheric irregularities using ground-based and space-based GNSS observations. First, the relevant background of ionospheric irregularities and their impact on GNSS signals is reviewed. Next, three topics of ground-based observations of ionospheric irregularities for which GNSS and other ground-based techniques are used simultaneously are reviewed. Both passive and active measurements in high-latitude regions are covered. Modelling and observations in mid-latitude regions are considered as well. Emphasis is placed on the increased capability of assessing the multi-scale nature of ionospheric irregularities using other traditional techniques (e.g., radar, magnetometer, high frequency receivers) as well as GNSS observations (e.g., Total-Electron-Content or TEC, scintillation). Besides ground-based observations, recent advances in GNSS space-based ionospheric measurements are briefly reviewed. Finally, a new space-based ionospheric observation technique using GNSS-based spacecraft formation flying and a differential TEC method is demonstrated using the newly developed Virginia Tech Formation Flying Testbed (VTFFTB). Based on multi-constellation multi-band GNSS, the VTFFTB has been developed into a hardware-in-the-loop simulation testbed with external high-fidelity global ionospheric model(s) for 3-satellite formation flying, which can potentially be used for new multi-scale ionospheric measurement mission design.

scholarly journals Multi-Scale Ionospheric Anomalies Monitoring and Spatio-Temporal Analysis during Intense Storm

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 215
Author(s):  
Na Cheng ◽  
Shuli Song ◽  
Wei Li
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Storm ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Ionospheric Disturbance ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillation ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Multi Scale ◽  
Intense Storm

The ionosphere is a significant component of the geospace environment. Storm-induced ionospheric anomalies severely affect the performance of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and human space activities, e.g., the Earth observation, deep space exploration, and space weather monitoring and prediction. In this study, we present and discuss the multi-scale ionospheric anomalies monitoring over China using the GNSS observations from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC) during the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day storm. Total Electron Content (TEC), Ionospheric Electron Density (IED), and the ionospheric disturbance index are used to monitor the storm-induced ionospheric anomalies. This study finally reveals the occurrence of the large-scale ionospheric storms and small-scale ionospheric scintillation during the storm. The results show that this magnetic storm was accompanied by a positive phase and a negative phase ionospheric storm. At the beginning of the main phase of the magnetic storm, both TEC and IED were significantly enhanced. There was long-duration depletion in the topside ionospheric TEC during the recovery phase of the storm. This study also reveals the response and variations in regional ionosphere scintillation. The Rate of the TEC Index (ROTI) was exploited to investigate the ionospheric scintillation and compared with the temporal dynamics of vertical TEC. The analysis of the ROTI proved these storm-induced TEC depletions, which suppressed the occurrence of the ionospheric scintillation. To improve the spatial resolution for ionospheric anomalies monitoring, the regional Three-Dimensional (3D) ionospheric model is reconstructed by the Computerized Ionospheric Tomography (CIT) technique. The spatial-temporal dynamics of ionospheric anomalies during the severe geomagnetic storm was reflected in detail. The IED varied with latitude and altitude dramatically; the maximum IED decreased, and the area where IEDs were maximum moved southward.

scholarly journals Seasonal dependence of the "forecast parameter" based on the EIA characteristics for the prediction of Equatorial Spread F (ESF)

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1751-1757 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. V. Thampi ◽  
S. Ravindran ◽  
T. K. Pant ◽  
C. V. Devasia ◽  
R. Sridharan
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variability ◽  
Seasonal Pattern ◽  
Onset Time ◽  
Critical Value ◽  
Latitudinal Gradients ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Equatorial Spread F ◽  
Spread F ◽  
Definite Role

Abstract. In an earlier study, Thampi et al. (2006) have shown that the strength and asymmetry of Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA), obtained well ahead of the onset time of Equatorial Spread F (ESF) have a definite role on the subsequent ESF activity, and a new "forecast parameter" has been identified for the prediction of ESF. This paper presents the observations of EIA strength and asymmetry from the Indian longitudes during the period from August 2005–March 2007. These observations are made using the line of sight Total Electron Content (TEC) measured by a ground-based beacon receiver located at Trivandrum (8.5° N, 77° E, 0.5° N dip lat) in India. It is seen that the seasonal variability of EIA strength and asymmetry are manifested in the latitudinal gradients obtained using the relative TEC measurements. As a consequence, the "forecast parameter" also displays a definite seasonal pattern. The seasonal variability of the EIA strength and asymmetry, and the "forecast parameter" are discussed in the present paper and a critical value for has been identified for each month/season. The likely "skill factor" of the new parameter is assessed using the data for a total of 122 days, and it is seen that when the estimated value of the "forecast parameter" exceeds the critical value, the ESF is seen to occur on more than 95% of cases.

scholarly journals Total Electron Content (TEC) estimation over Pakistan from local GPS network using spherical harmonics

2021 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Mehmood ◽  
Sajid Saleem ◽  
Renato Filjar ◽  
Najam Naqvi ◽  
Arslan Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
Spherical Harmonics ◽  
Orbit Determination ◽  
Region Of Interest ◽  
Local Model ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Gps Network ◽  
Spherical Harmonics Expansion ◽  
The Impact

Many organizations allow GNSS users to access Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMS). However, the TEC estimates derived from GIMs are of insufficient quality to describe small-scale TEC variations over Pakistan. In this paper, the first local TEC map over Pakistan for the year 2019, derived from a regional GPS network, is presented. Spherical harmonics expansion is employed to estimate TEC with the spatial resolution of latitude 0.2° x longitude 0.2° and temporal resolution of 5 minutes. The impact of changing the degree/order of harmonics is assessed and it is determined that harmonic expansion up to 6 degrees is sufficient for estimating accurate TEC map for the region of interest. We have demonstrated that the TEC maps of Pakistan generated by local model conform better to the GIM by Center of Orbit Determination (CODE) (RMS = 5.83) as compared to International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2016) (RMS = 7.18). We found that the TEC estimated by the local model shows a better correlation to measured TEC; CODE-GIM overestimated TEC, while IRI-2016 underestimates it. Moreover, it was observed that TEC peaks during noon (1100-0100 LT) and Equinox (April). The residuals of local TEC estimates with respect to TEC obtained from CODE- GIM indicate the inaccuracy of CODE-GIM over the region of Pakistan: highest deviation of TEC from local model with respect to CODE –GIM was observed in April (RMS = 8.73) and minimum in October (RMS = 2.78). We have also analyzed the performance of our maps in geomagnetically disturbed days. The research presented in this paper will contribute towards the ionosphere study over Pakistan, where limited research is available currently.

Comparison of polar ionospheric behavior at Arctic and Antarctic regions for improved satellite-based positioning

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arun Kumar Singh ◽  
Sampad Kumar Panda
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Field ◽  
Interplanetary Magnetic Field ◽  
Arctic Region ◽  
Auroral Oval ◽  
Ionospheric Scintillation ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Polar Latitude ◽  
Tec Variability

Abstract In this paper, we investigate the hemispheric symmetric and asymmetric characteristics of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and its dependency on the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the northern and southern polar ionosphere. The changes in amplitude and phase scintillation are also probed through Global Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC monitoring (GISTM) systems recordings at North pole [Himadri station; Geographic 78°55′ N, 11°56′ E] and South pole [Maitri station; Geographic 70°46′ S 11°44′ E]. Observations show the range of %TEC variability being relatively more over Antarctic region (−40 % to 60 %) than Arctic region (−25 % to 25 %), corroborating the role of the dominant solar photoionization production process. Our analysis confirms that TEC variation at polar latitudes is a function of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, depending on interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation and magnitude in the X ( B x Bx ), Y ( B y By ), and Z ( B z Bz ) plane. Visible enhancement in TEC is noticed in the northern polar latitude when B x < 0 Bx<0 , B y < − 6 nT By<-6\hspace{0.1667em}\text{nT} or B y > 6 nT By>6\hspace{0.1667em}\text{nT} and B z > 0 Bz>0 whereas the southern polar latitude perceives TEC enhancements with B x > 0 Bx>0 , − 6 nT < B y < 6 nT -6\hspace{0.1667em}\text{nT}<By<6\hspace{0.1667em}\text{nT} and B z < 0 Bz<0 . Further investigation reveals the intensity of phase scintillation being more pronounced than the amplitude scintillation during the disturbed geomagnetic conditions with excellent correlation with the temporal variation of TEC at both the stations. Corresponding variations in the parameters are studied in terms of particle precipitation, auroral oval expansion, Joule’s heating phenomena, and other ionospheric parameters. The studies are in line with efforts for improving ionospheric delay error and scintillation modeling and satellite-based positioning accuracies in polar latitudes.

scholarly journals Ionospheric response to magnetar flare: signature of SGR J1550–5418 on coherent ionospheric Doppler radar

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayman Mahrous
Keyword(s):  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Ionospheric Disturbance ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Perturbations ◽  
Onset Phase

Abstract. This paper presents observational evidence of frequent ionospheric perturbations caused by the magnetar flare of the source SGR J1550–5418, which took place on 22 January 2009. These ionospheric perturbations are observed in the relative change of the total electron content (ΔTEC/Δt) measurements from the coherent ionospheric Doppler radar (CIDR). The CIDR system makes high-precision measurements of the total electron content (TEC) change along ray-paths from ground receivers to low Earth-orbiting (LEO) beacon spacecraft. These measurements can be integrated along the orbital track of the beacon satellite to construct the relative spatial, not temporal, TEC profiles that are useful for determining the large-scale plasma distribution. The observed spatial TEC changes reveal many interesting features of the magnetar signatures in the ionosphere. The onset phase of the magnetar flare was during the CIDR's nighttime satellite passage. The nighttime small-scale perturbations detected by CIDR, with ΔTEC/Δt  ≥  0.05 TECU s−1, over the eastern Mediterranean on 22 January 2009 were synchronized with the onset phase of the magnetar flare and consistent with the emission of hundreds of bursts detected from the source. The maximum daytime large-scale perturbation measured by CIDR over northern Africa and the eastern Mediterranean was detected after ∼ 6 h from the main phase of the magnetar flare, with ΔTEC/Δt  ≤  0.10 TECU s−1. These ionospheric perturbations resembled an unusual poleward traveling ionospheric disturbance (TID) caused by the extraterrestrial source. The TID's estimated virtual velocity is 385.8 m s−1, with ΔTEC/Δt  ≤  0.10 TECU s−1.

scholarly journals Total electron content responses to HILDCAAs and geomagnetic storms over South America

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 1309-1326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia Mara de Siqueira Negreti ◽  
Eurico Rodrigues de Paula ◽  
Claudia Maria Nicoli Candido
Keyword(s):  
Solar Wind ◽  
South America ◽  
Total Electron Content ◽  
Geomagnetic Storm ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Time Variability ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
Total Electron

Abstract. Total electron content (TEC) is extensively used to monitor the ionospheric behavior under geomagnetically quiet and disturbed conditions. This subject is of greatest importance for space weather applications. Under disturbed conditions the two main sources of electric fields, which are responsible for changes in the plasma drifts and for current perturbations, are the short-lived prompt penetration electric fields (PPEFs) and the longer-lasting ionospheric disturbance dynamo (DD) electric fields. Both mechanisms modulate the TEC around the globe and the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) at low latitudes. In this work we computed vertical absolute TEC over the low latitude of South America. The analysis was performed considering HILDCAA (high-intensity, long-duration, continuous auroral electrojet (AE) activity) events and geomagnetic storms. The characteristics of storm-time TEC and HILDCAA-associated TEC will be presented and discussed. For both case studies presented in this work (March and August 2013) the HILDCAA event follows a geomagnetic storm, and then a global scenario of geomagnetic disturbances will be discussed. Solar wind parameters, geomagnetic indices, O ∕ N2 ratios retrieved by GUVI instrument onboard the TIMED satellite and TEC observations will be analyzed and discussed. Data from the RBMC/IBGE (Brazil) and IGS GNSS networks were used to calculate TEC over South America. We show that a HILDCAA event may generate larger TEC differences compared to the TEC observed during the main phase of the precedent geomagnetic storm; thus, a HILDCAA event may be more effective for ionospheric response in comparison to moderate geomagnetic storms, considering the seasonal conditions. During the August HILDCAA event, TEC enhancements from  ∼  25 to 80 % (compared to quiet time) were observed. These enhancements are much higher than the quiet-time variability observed in the ionosphere. We show that ionosphere is quite sensitive to solar wind forcing and considering the events studied here, this was the most important source of ionospheric responses. Furthermore, the most important source of TEC changes were the long-lasting PPEFs observed on August 2013, during the HILDCAA event. The importance of this study relies on the peculiarity of the region analyzed characterized by high declination angle and ionospheric gradients which are responsible for creating a complex response during disturbed periods.

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