scholarly journals On the Electron Temperature in the Topside Ionosphere as Seen by Swarm Satellites, Incoherent Scatter Radars, and the International Reference Ionosphere Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 4077
Author(s):  
Alessio Pignalberi ◽  
Fabio Giannattasio ◽  
Vladimir Truhlik ◽  
Igino Coco ◽  
Michael Pezzopane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Time Window ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
International Reference Ionosphere ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
International Reference ◽  
Incoherent Scatter ◽  
Swarm Satellites ◽  
Incoherent Scatter Radars

The global statistical median behavior of the electron temperature (Te) in the topside ionosphere was investigated through in-situ data collected by Langmuir Probes on-board the European Space Agency Swarm satellites constellation from the beginning of 2014 to the end of 2020. This is the first time that such an analysis, based on such a large time window, has been carried out globally, encompassing more than half a solar cycle, from the activity peak of 2014 to the minimum of 2020. The results show that Swarm data can help in understanding the main features of Te in the topside ionosphere in a way never achieved before. Te data measured by Swarm satellites were also compared to data modeled by the empirical climatological International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model and data measured by Jicamarca (12.0°S, 76.8°W), Arecibo (18.2°N, 66.4°W), and Millstone Hill (42.6°N, 71.5°W) Incoherent Scatter Radars (ISRs). Moreover, the correction of Swarm Te data recently proposed by Lomidze was applied and evaluated. These analyses were performed for two main reasons: (1) to understand how the IRI model deviates from the measurements; and (2) to test the reliability of the Swarm dataset as a new possible dataset to be included in the underlying empirical dataset layer of the IRI model. The results show that the application of the Lomidze correction improved the agreement with ISR data above all at mid latitudes and during daytime, and it was effective in reducing the mismatch between Swarm and IRI Te values. This suggests that future developments of the IRI Te model should include the Swarm dataset with the Lomidze correction. However, the existence of a quasi-linear relation between measured and modeled Te values was well verified only below about 2200 K, while for higher values it was completely lost. This is an important result that IRI Te model developers should properly consider when using the Swarm dataset.

scholarly journals A New Ionospheric Index to Investigate Electron Temperature Small-Scale Variations in the Topside Ionosphere

Universe ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. 290
Author(s):  
Alessio Pignalberi ◽  
Igino Coco ◽  
Fabio Giannattasio ◽  
Michael Pezzopane ◽  
Paola De Michelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Time Derivative ◽  
European Space Agency ◽  
Rate Of Change ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Langmuir Probes ◽  
Swarm Satellites ◽  
Statistical Trends

The electron temperature (Te) behavior at small scales (both spatial and temporal) in the topside ionosphere is investigated through in situ observations collected by Langmuir Probes on-board the European Space Agency Swarm satellites from the beginning of 2014 to the end of 2020. Te observations are employed to calculate the Rate Of change of electron TEmperature Index (ROTEI), which represents the standard deviation of the Te time derivative calculated over a window of fixed width. As a consequence, ROTEI provides a description of the small-scale variations of Te along the Swarm satellites orbit. The extension of the dataset and the orbital configuration of the Swarm satellites allowed us to perform a statistical analysis of ROTEI to unveil its mean spatial, diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity variations. The main ROTEI statistical trends are presented and discussed in the light of the current knowledge of the phenomena affecting the distribution and dynamics of the ionospheric plasma, which play a key role in triggering Te small-scale variations. The appearance of unexpected high values of ROTEI at mid and low latitudes for specific magnetic local time sectors is revealed and discussed in association with the presence of Te spikes recorded by Swarm satellites under very specific conditions.

scholarly journals A Global Empirical Model of the Ion Temperature in the Ionosphere for the International Reference Ionosphere

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 1081
Author(s):  
Vladimír Truhlík ◽  
Dieter Bilitza ◽  
Dmytro Kotov ◽  
Maryna Shulha ◽  
Ludmila Třísková
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Temperature ◽  
Empirical Model ◽  
Correction Term ◽  
Space Physics ◽  
International Reference Ionosphere ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
Global Pattern ◽  
International Reference

This study presents a suggestion for improvement of the ion temperature (Ti) model in the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI). We have re-examined ion temperature data (primarily available from NASA’s Space Physics Data Facility (SPDF)from older satellites and combined them with newly available data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), the Communication Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS), and from the recently launched Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON). We have compiled these data into a unified database comprising in total Ti data from 18 satellites. By comparisons with long term records of ion temperature from the three incoherent scatter radars (ISRs) (Jicamarca, Arecibo, and Millstone Hill), it was found that an intercalibration is needed to achieve consistency with the ISR data and among individual satellite data sets. This database with thus corrected data has been used for the development of a new global empirical model of Ti with inclusion of solar activity variation. This solar activity dependence is represented by an additive correction term to the Ti global pattern. Due to the limited data coverage at altitudes above 1000 km, the altitude range described by the model ranges from 350 km to 850 km covering only the region where generally Ti is higher than the neutral temperature (Tn) and lower than the electron temperature (Te). This approach is consistent with the current description of Ti in the IRI model. However, instead of one anchor point at 430 km altitude as in the current IRI, our approach includes anchor points at 350, 430, 600, and 850 km. At altitudes above 850 km Ti is merged using a gradient derived from the model at 600 and 850 km, with the electron temperature described by the IRI-2016/TBT-2012 option. Comparisons with the ISR data (Jicamarca, Arecibo, Millstone Hill, and Kharkiv) for high and low solar activity and equinox show that the proposed Ti model captures local time variation of Ti at different altitudes and latitudes better than the current IRI-2016 Ti model.

scholarly journals Variation of the foF2 parameter during fluctuating activity: Prediction with IRI-2012 compared to measured data from Ouagadougou inosonde station during solar cycles 21 and 22

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-68
Author(s):  
Abidina Diabaté ◽  
Jean Louis Zerbo ◽  
Frédéric Ouattara
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Geomagnetic Activity ◽  
Equatorial Electrojet ◽  
International Reference Ionosphere ◽  
Theoretical Physics ◽  
Solar Cycles ◽  
Quiet Time ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
Equatorial Station ◽  
International Reference

In this paper, we review on diurnal variations of the foF2 ionospheric parameter predicted by the IRI-2012 model, and data from Ouagadougou ionosonde station located in the crest of the Equatorial Anomaly (Lat: 12.5°N; Long: 358.5°E, dip: 1.43°) during fluctuating geomagnetic activity conditions for the solar cycles 21 and 22. Our investigations are focused on the electrodynamic aspects, the influence of the ionospheric electric currents as well as the variations of the hourly values given by model and experimental measurements. A comparative study pointed out that the IRI-2012 model, through its URSI and CCIR subroutines, gives a good prediction of the critical frequency of the F2 layer between 0700 TL and 0000 TL. In addition, IRI -2012 tries to reproduce, as best as possible, the vertical drift E × B during minimum, decreasing phase, winter, and autumn. However, there is no effect of drift during the other seasons and solar cycle phases. A last, the model does not take into account the PRE phenomenon observed in autumn and the influence of the equatorial electrojet in this ionospheric zone.ReferencesAcharya R., Roy B., Sivaraman M.R., 2010. Dasgupta A. An empirical relation of daytime equatorial total electron content with equatorial electrojet in the Indian zone. J Atmos Terr Phys, 72(10), 774–780.Acharya R., Roy B., Sivaraman M.R.; Dasgupta A., 2011. On conformity of the EEJ based Ionospheric model to the Fountain effect and resulting improvements. J Atmos Terr Phys, 73, 779-784.Adeniyi J.O., Oladipo O.A., Radicella S.M., 2005. Variability of fof2 and comparison with iri model for an equatorial station. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, IC/2005/085, http://www.ictp.it/~pub_off.Adeniyi1 J.O., Oladjipo O.A., Radicella S.M., 2005. Variability of foF2 and comparison with IRI model for an equatorial station. The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, IC/2005/085.Bilitza D., et al., 2014. The International Reference Ionosphere 2012-a model of international collaborationI.  J. Space Weather Space Clim, 4, A07.Bilitza D., Reinisch B.W., 2008. International Reference Ionosphere 2007: Improvements and new parameters. Adv. Space Res, 42, 599–609.Farley D.T., Bonell E., Fejer B.G., Larsen M.F., 1986. The Prereversal Enhancement of the Zonal Electric Field in the Equatorial Ionosphere. J Geophys Res, 91(A12), 13,723–13,728.Faynot J.M., Villa P., 1979. F region at the magnetic equator. Ann Geophys, 35, 1–9.Fejer B.G., 1981. The equatorial ionospheric electric fields: A review. J Atmos Terr Phys, 43, 377.Fejer B.G., Farley D.T., Woodman R.F., Calderon C., 1979. Dependence of equatorial F region vertical drifts on season and solar cycle. J Geophys Res, 84, 5792.Legrand J.P., Simon P.A., 1989. Solar cycle and geomagnetic activity: A review for geophysicists. Part I. The contributions to geomagnetic activity of shock waves and of the solar wind. Ann. Geophys, 7, 565–578.Obrou K.O., 2008. Contribution à l’amélioration du modèle "International Reference Ionosphere" (IRI) pour l’ionosphère équatoriale. Thèse de doctorat Université de Cocody,  Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire.Ouattara F., 2009. Contribution à l’étude des relations entre les deux composantes du champ magnétique solaire et l’Ionosphère Equatoriale. Thèse de Doctorat d’Etat ès Sciences, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, Dakar, Sénégal.Ouattara F., 2013. IRI-2007 foF2 Predictions at Ouagadougou Station during Quiet Time Periods from 1985 to 1995. Archives of Physics Research, 4, 12–18.Ouattara F., Amory-Mazaudier C., 2009. Solar–geomagnetic activity and Aa indices toward a Standard.  J. Atmos. Terr. Phys, 71, 1736–1748.Ouattra F., Nanéma, 2014. Quiet Time foF2 Variation at Ouagadougou Station and Comparison with TIEGCM and IRI-2012 Predictions for 1985 and 1990. Physical Science International Journal, 4(6), 892–902.Oyekola  O.S., Fagundes P.R., 2012. Equatorial F2-layer variations: Comparison between F2 peak parameters at Ouagadougou with the IRI-2007 model.  Earth, Planets Space, 64, 553–566.Rishbeth H., 1971. The F-layer dynamo. Planet, Space Sci, 19, 263.Vassal J.A., 1982. The variation of the magnetic field and its relationship with the equatorial electrojet in Senegal Oriental. Annals of Geophysics, Tome French, 38.Zerbo J.L., Amory-Mazaudier C. Ouattara F., Richardson J., 2012. Solar Wind and Geomagnetism, toward a Standard Classification 1868-2009.  Ann Geophys, 30, 421–426. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/angeo-30-421-2012.Zerbo J.L., Amory-Mazaudier C., Ouattara F., 2013. Geomagnetism during solar cycle 23: Characteristics. J. Adv. Res, 4(3), 265–274. Doi:10.1016/j.jare.2013.08.010.Zerbo J.L., Ouattara F., Zoundi C., Gyébré A., 2011. Solar cycle 23 and geomagnetic activity since 1868. Revue CAMES serie A, 12(2), 255–262.

scholarly journals The International Reference Ionosphere: Rawer's IRI and its status today

2014 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 231-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Bilitza
Keyword(s):  
Working Group ◽  
Space Research ◽  
International Reference Ionosphere ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Special Session ◽  
100Th Birthday ◽  
Iri Model ◽  
International Reference ◽  
Modeling Techniques ◽  
Standardization Organization

Abstract. When the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) initiated the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) project in 1968 it wisely selected K. Rawer as its first Chairperson. With a solid footing and good contacts in both the ground-based and space-based ionospheric communities he was ideally suited to pull together colleagues and data from both communities to help build the first version of the IRI. He assembled a team of 20+ international ionospheric experts in the IRI Working Group and chaired and directed the group from 1968 to 1984. The working group has now grown to 63 members and the IRI model has undergone many revisions as new data became available and new modeling techniques were applied. This paper was presented during a special session of the Kleinheubach Tagung 2013 in honor of K. Rawer's 100th birthday. It will review the current status of the IRI model and project and the international recognition it has achieved. It is quite fitting that this year we not only celebrate K. Rawer's 100th birthday but also the exciting news that his favorite science endeavor, IRI, has been internationally recognized as an ISO (International Standardization Organization) standard. The IRI homepage is at http://irimodel.org.

Swarm Mission: instruments performance, data availability, quality and future evolutions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enkelejda Qamili ◽  
Filomena Catapano ◽  
Lars Tøffner-Clausen ◽  
Stephan Buchert ◽  
Christian Siemes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
European Space Agency ◽  
Data Availability ◽  
Magnetic Disturbance ◽  
Langmuir Probes ◽  
Incoherent Scatter ◽  
The Earth ◽  
Space Agency ◽  
Incoherent Scatter Radars ◽  
Scalar Magnetometer ◽  
Swarm Mission

<p>The European Space Agency (ESA) Swarm mission, launched on November 2013, continue to provide very accurate measurements of the strength, direction and variation of the Earth’s magnetic field. These data together with precise navigation, accelerometer, electric field, plasma density and temperature measurements, are crucial for a better understanding of the Earth’s interior and its environment. This paper will provide a status update of the Swarm Instrument performance after seven years of operations. Moreover, we will provide full details on the new Swarm Level 1b product baseline of Magnet and Plasma data which will be generated and distributed soon to the whole Swarm Community.  Please note that the main evolutions to be introduced in the Swarm L1B Algorithm are: i) computation of the Sun induced magnetic disturbance (dB_Sun) on the Absolute Scalar Magnetometer (ASM) and Vector Field Magnetometer (VFM) data; ii) computation of systematic offset between Langmuir Probes (LP) measurements ad ground observations derived from Incoherent Scatter Radars (IRS) located at middle, low, and equatorial latitudes. These and further improvements are planned to be included in the upcoming versions of the Swarm Level 1b products, aiming at achieving the best data quality for scientific applications.</p>

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