Low-Earth-Orbit observations for space weather and space climate

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Zakharenkova ◽  
Iurii Cherniak ◽  
Sergey Sokolovskiy ◽  
William Schreiner ◽  
Qian Wu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Ionospheric Plasma ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Satellite Orbit ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Gps Measurements ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Plasma Density

<p>Many of the modern Low-Earth-Orbiting satellites are now equipped with dual-frequency GPS receivers for Radio Occultation (RO) and Precise Orbit Determination (POD). The space-borne GPS measurements can be successfully utilized for ionospheric climatology and space weather monitoring. The combination of GPS measurements, which include RO observations and POD measurements from the upward-looking GPS antenna, provides information about electron density distribution (profile) below the satellite orbit and an integrated Total Electron Content (TEC) above the satellite representing an important data source for electron density climatology above the F2 layer peak on a global scale. We demonstrate the advantages of using space-borne LEO GPS measurements, both RO and upward-looking, for Space Weather activity monitoring including specification of ionospheric plasma density structures at different altitudinal domains of the ionosphere in quiet and disturbed conditions. After the great success of the COSMIC-1 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate) mission operating since 2006, the six COSMIC-2 satellites were launched into a 24 deg inclination orbit in June 2019. The COSMIC-2 scientific payloads with the advanced Tri-GNSS Radio-Occultation Receiver System provide multiple observation types including multi-GNSS TEC (limb and overhead), RO electron density profiles, amplitude/phase scintillation indices, in-situ ion densities and velocities. The COSMIC-2 advanced instruments allow detection of ionospheric plasma density structures of various scales, and the monitoring of high-rate amplitude and phase scintillations both above and below a satellite orbit. The COSMIC-2 multi-instrumental observations will contribute to a better understanding of the equatorial ionosphere morphology and future forecasting of ionospheric irregularities and radio wave scintillations that harmfully affect satellite-to-Earth communication and navigation systems. We present results of post-event analyses for severe space weather events demonstrating a great potential and contribution of the COSMIC-1/2 missions in combination with the ground-based GNSS receivers and other LEO missions like C/NOFS, DMSP, MetOp, TerraSAR-X, and Swarm for monitoring the space weather effects in the Earth’s ionosphere.</p>

scholarly journals Sub-Auroral and Mid-Latitude GNSS ROTI Performance during Solar Cycle 24 Geomagnetic Disturbed Periods: Towards Storm’s Early Sensing

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (13) ◽  
pp. 4325
Author(s):  
Kacper Kotulak ◽  
Andrzej Krankowski ◽  
Adam Froń ◽  
Paweł Flisek ◽  
Ningbo Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Solar Cycle ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
Ionospheric Plasma ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Content Index ◽  
Solar Cycle 24 ◽  
Ionospheric Plasma Density ◽  
Cycle 24

Geomagnetic storms—triggered by the interaction between Earth’s magnetosphere and interplanetary magnetic field, driven by solar activity—are important for many Earth-bound aspects of life. Serious events may impact the electroenergetic infrastructure, but even weaker storms generate noticeable irregularities in the density of ionospheric plasma. Ionosphere electron density gradients interact with electromagnetic radiation in the radiofrequency domain, affecting sub- and trans-ionospheric transmissions. The main objective of the manuscript is to find key features of the storm-induced plasma density behaviour irregularities in regard to the event’s magnitude and general geomagnetic conditions. We also aim to set the foundations for the mid-latitude ionospheric plasma density now-casting irregularities. In the manuscript, we calculate the GPS+GLONASS-derived rate of TEC (total electron content) index (ROTI) for the meridional sector of 10–20∘ E, covering the latitudes between 40 and 70∘ N. Such an approach reveals equatorward spread of the auroral TEC irregularities reaching down to mid-latitudes. We have assessed the ROTI performance for 57 moderate-to-severe storms that occurred during solar cycle 24 and analyzed their behaviors in regard to the geomagnetic conditions (described by Kp, Dst, AE, Sym-H and PC indices).

scholarly journals Topside Ionosphere and Plasmasphere Modelling Using GNSS Radio Occultation and POD Data

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 1559
Author(s):  
Fabricio S. Prol ◽  
M. Mainul Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Solar Activity ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Geomagnetic Latitude ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Solar Activity Level

A 3D-model approach has been developed to describe the electron density of the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere based on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) measurements onboard low Earth orbit satellites. Electron density profiles derived from ionospheric Radio Occultation (RO) data are extrapolated to the upper ionosphere and plasmasphere based on a linear Vary-Chap function and Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements. A final update is then obtained by applying tomographic algorithms to the slant TEC measurements. Since the background specification is created with RO data, the proposed approach does not require using any external ionospheric/plasmaspheric model to adapt to the most recent data distributions. We assessed the model accuracy in 2013 and 2018 using independent TEC data, in situ electron density measurements, and ionosondes. A systematic better specification was obtained in comparison to NeQuick, with improvements around 15% in terms of electron density at 800 km, 26% at the top-most region (above 10,000 km) and 26% to 55% in terms of TEC, depending on the solar activity level. Our investigation shows that the developed model follows a known variation of electron density with respect to geographic/geomagnetic latitude, altitude, solar activity level, season, and local time, revealing the approach as a practical and useful tool for describing topside ionosphere and plasmasphere using satellite-based GNSS data.

scholarly journals New GGOS JWG3 on Improved understanding of space weather events and their monitoring

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Garcia-Rigo ◽  
Benedikt Soja
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
International Association ◽  
Real Data ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Vertical Total Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Weather Events ◽  
Space Geodetic Techniques

<p>Multiple space geodetic techniques are capable of measuring effects caused by space weather events. In particular, space weather events can cause ionospheric disturbances correlated with variations in the vertical total electron content (VTEC) or the electron density (Ne) of the ionosphere.</p><p>In this regard and in the context of the new Focus Area on Geodetic Space Weather Research within IAG’s GGOS (International Association of Geodesy; Global Geodetic Observing System), the Joint Working Group 3 on Improved understanding of space weather events and their monitoring by satellite missions has been created as part of IAG Commission 4, Sub-Commission 4.3 to run for the next four years.</p><p>Within JWG3, we expect investigating different approaches to monitor space weather events using the data from different space geodetic techniques and, in particular, combinations thereof. Simulations will be beneficial to identify the contribution of different techniques and prepare for the analysis of real data. Different strategies for the combination of data will also be investigated, in particular, the weighting of estimates from different techniques in order to increase the performance and reliability of the combined estimates. Furthermore, existing algorithms for the detection and prediction of space weather events will be explored and improved to the extent possible. Furthermore, the geodetic measurement of the ionospheric electron density will be complemented by direct observations from the Sun gathered from existing spacecraft, such as SOHO, ACE, SDO, Parker Solar Probe, among others. The combination and joint evaluation of multiple datasets with the measurements of space geodetic observation techniques (e.g. geodetic VLBI) is still a great challenge. In addition, other indications for solar activity - such as the F10.7 index on solar radio flux, SOLERA as EUV proxy or rate of Global Electron Content (dGEC)-, provide additional opportunities for comparisons and validation.</p><p>Through these investigations, we will identify the key parameters useful to improve real-time/prediction of ionospheric/plasmaspheric VTEC, Ne estimates, as well as ionospheric perturbations, in case of extreme solar weather conditions. In general, we will gain a better understanding of space weather events and their effect on Earth’s atmosphere and near-Earth environment.</p>

scholarly journals Localized electron density enhancements in the high-altitude polar ionosphere and their relationships with storm-enhanced density (SED) plumes and polar tongues of ionization (TOI)

2011 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 367-375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Kitanoya ◽  
T. Abe ◽  
A. W. Yau ◽  
T. Hori ◽  
N. Nishitani
Keyword(s):  
High Altitude ◽  
Electron Density ◽  
Plasma Density ◽  
High Plasma ◽  
Density Increase ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Polar Ionosphere ◽  
Plasma Convection ◽  
Total Electron

Abstract. Events of localized electron density increase in the high-altitude (>3000 km) polar ionosphere are occasionally identified by the thermal plasma instruments on the Akebono satellite. In this paper, we investigate the vertical density structure in one of such events in detail using simultaneous observations by the Akebono and DMSP F15 satellites, the SuperDARN radars, and a network of ground Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers, and the statistical characteristics of a large number (>10 000) of such events using Akebono data over half of an 11-year solar cycle. At Akebono altitude, the parallel drift velocity is remarkably low and the O+ ion composition ratio remarkably high, inside the high plasma-density regions at high altitude. Detailed comparisons between Akebono, DMSP ion velocity and density, and GPS total electron content (TEC) data suggest that the localized plasma density increase observed at high altitude on Akebono was likely connected with the polar tongue of ionization (TOI) and/or storm enhanced density (SED) plume observed in the F-region ionosphere. Together with the SuperDARN plasma convection map these data suggest that the TOI/SED plume penetrated into the polar cap due to anti-sunward convection and the plume existed in the same convection channel as the dense plasma at high altitude; in other words, the two were probably connected to each other by the convecting magnetic field lines. The observed features are consistent with the observed high-density plasma being transported from the mid-latitude ionosphere or plasmasphere and unlikely a part of the polar wind population.

Seismo-ionospheric precursors of the 14 November 2019 M7.1 Indonesia Earthquake detected by FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jann-Yenq Liu ◽  
Chi-Yen Lin ◽  
Fu-Yuan Chang ◽  
Yuh-Ing Chen
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Electric Fields ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Ion Temperature ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Ion Density ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ion Velocity ◽  
Electron Density Profiles

<p>FORMOSAT-7/COSMIC-2 (F7/C2), with the mission orbit of 550 km altitude, 24-deg inclination, and a period of 97 minutes, was launched on 25 June 2019.  Tri-GNSS Radio occultation System (TGRS), Ion Velocity Meter (IVM), and RF beacon onboard F7/C2 six small satellites allow scientists to observe the plasma structure and dynamics in the mid-latitude, low-latitude, and equatorial ionosphere in detail.  F7/C2 TGRS sounds ionospheric RO (radio occultation) electron density profiles, while F7/C2 IVM probes the ion density, ion temperature, and ion velocity at the satellite altitude.  The F7/C2 electron density profiles and the ion density, ion temperature, and ion velocity, as well as the global ionospheric map (GIM) of the total electron content (TEC) derived from global ground-based GPS receivers are used to detect seismo-ionospheric precursors (SIPs) of the 14 November 2019 M7.1 Indonesia Earthquake.  The GIM TEC and F7/C2 RO NmF2 significantly increase specifically over the epicenter on 25-26 October, which indicates SIPs of the 14 November 2019 M7.1 Indonesia Earthquake being detected.  The F7/C2 RO electron density profiles upward motions suggest that the eastward electric fields have been enhanced during the SIP days of the 2019 M7.1 Indonesia earthquake.  The seismo-generated electric fields of the 2019 M7.1 Indonesia earthquake are 0.34-0.64 mV/m eastward.  The results demonstrate that F7/C2 can be employed to detect SIPs in the ionospheric plasma, which shall shed some light on earthquake prediction/forecast.</p>

scholarly journals Error analysis of Abel retrieved electron density profiles from radio occultation measurements

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Yue ◽  
W. S. Schreiner ◽  
J. Lei ◽  
S. V. Sokolovskiy ◽  
C. Rocken ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Electron Densities ◽  
Density Profiles ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
The North ◽  
Spring Equinox ◽  
Electron Density Profiles ◽  
Artificial Plasma

Abstract. This letter reports for the first time the simulated error distribution of radio occultation (RO) electron density profiles (EDPs) from the Abel inversion in a systematic way. Occultation events observed by the COSMIC satellites are simulated during the spring equinox of 2008 by calculating the integrated total electron content (TEC) along the COSMIC occultation paths with the "true" electron density from an empirical model. The retrieval errors are computed by comparing the retrieved EDPs with the "true" EDPs. The results show that the retrieved NmF2 and hmF2 are generally in good agreement with the true values, but the reliability of the retrieved electron density degrades in low latitude regions and at low altitudes. Specifically, the Abel retrieval method overestimates electron density to the north and south of the crests of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), and introduces artificial plasma caves underneath the EIA crests. At lower altitudes (E- and F1-regions), it results in three pseudo peaks in daytime electron densities along the magnetic latitude and a pseudo trough in nighttime equatorial electron densities.

Monitoring Perturbations in the Lower-Ionosphere Using GNSS Radio Occultation Observed from Spire's Cubesat Constellation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Savastano ◽  
Karl Nordström ◽  
Matthew Angling ◽  
Vu Nguyen ◽  
Timothy Duly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Ionospheric Plasma ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Neutral Atmosphere ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Research Attention ◽  
Radio Communications ◽  
E Region

<p>The lower altitude region of the ionosphere (60-150 km) is characterized by a strong coupling between the neutral atmosphere and ionospheric plasma. Due to the high ion-neutral collision rate the plasma at these altitudes is less constrained to follow the magnetic field lines compared to plasma at higher altitudes in the ionosphere. This both permits the development of the windshear mechanism responsible for the formation of sporadic E (Es) layers and affects the coupling between atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and the ionospheric plasma. </p><p>AGWs transport energy from the lower atmosphere upward to higher altitudes. The wave amplitudes increase with altitude and eventually couple to the ionospheric plasma generating electron density perturbations or travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). </p><p>Es layers are high-density, narrow-altitude layers of enhanced electron density in the ionosphere’s E region. Contrary to what the name would suggest, Es occurs relatively frequently and its climatology has been characterised through ionosonde studies. Furthermore, the vertical structure of Es has been studied using sounding rockets. However, such measurements are very sparse and cannot be used to routine monitoring or for detecting the Es occurrence at a particular time and location. </p><p>Monitoring AGW and Es layers is of great interest to many terrestrial applications, such as natural hazard warning systems, radio communications, and global navigation satellite system (GNSS) users. Recently, the coupling between Es layers and AGWs has also seen increased research attention. </p><p>Spire operates a large constellation of 3U cubesats which carry a radio occultation (RO) GNSS receiver. For ionospheric studies, the satellites measure Total Electron Content (TEC) data in both zenith-looking and RO geometries using dual frequency observations. Furthermore, the high rate (50Hz) phase measurements that are generally used for neutral atmosphere RO can also be used to produce relative TEC profiles of the lower ionosphere with high vertical resolution (approximately 100m at E region altitudes). In this talk, we review recent results describing the coverage and quality of E region ionospheric measurements collected by Spire. Furthermore, we describe Spire's Es and AGW automated detection algorithm that is based on a Hilbert–Huang transform (HHT) of the relative TEC profiles and we compare our results with time coincident and co-located ionosonde data. We also look toward the future and describe how low cost cubesat constellations can be used for global monitoring of AGWs and Es layers. These first results also open the way to near real-time monitoring and classification of more general ionospheric anomalies</p>

scholarly journals Plasmasphere and Topside Ionosphere Reconstruction using METOP Satellite Data during Geomagnetic Storms

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabricio dos Santos Prol ◽  
Mainul Hoque ◽  
Arthur Amaral Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Geomagnetic Storms ◽  
Tomographic Reconstruction ◽  
Satellite System ◽  
Low Earth Orbit ◽  
Topside Ionosphere ◽  
Reconstruction Technique ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron

As part of the space weather monitoring, the response of the ionosphere and plasmasphere to geomagnetic storms is typically under continuous supervision by operational services. Fortunately, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers on board low Earth orbit satellites provides a unique opportunity for developing image representations that can capture the global distribution of the electron density in the plasmasphere and topside ionosphere. Among the difficulties of plasmaspheric imaging based on GNSS measurements, the development of procedures to invert the Total Electron Content (TEC) into electron density distributions remains as a challenging task. In this study, a new tomographic reconstruction technique is presented to estimate the electron density from TEC data along the METOP (Meteorological Operational) satellites. The proposed method is evaluated during four geomagnetic storms to check the capabilities of the tomography for space weather monitoring. The investigation shows that the developed method can successfully capture and reconstruct well-known enhancement and decrease of electron density variabilities during storms. The comparison with in-situ electron densities has shown an improvement around 11% and a better description of plasma variabilities due to the storms compared to the background. Our study also reveals that the plasmasphere TEC contribution to ground-based TEC may vary 10 to 60% during geomagnetic storms, and the contribution tends to reduce during the storm-recovery phase

scholarly journals A new electron density model of the plasmasphere for operational applications and services

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. A16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norbert Jakowski ◽  
Mohammed Mainul Hoque
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Space Weather ◽  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Wind Pressure ◽  
External Parameter ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Lower Altitude ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Dependent Part ◽  
Winter Anomaly

The Earth's plasmasphere contributes essentially to total electron content (TEC) measurements from ground or satellite platforms. Furthermore, as an integral part of space weather, associated plasmaspheric phenomena must be addressed in conjunction with ionosphere weather monitoring by operational space weather services. For supporting space weather services and mitigation of propagation errors in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) applications we have developed the empirical Neustrelitz plasmasphere model (NPSM). The model consists of an upper L shell dependent part and a lower altitude dependent part, both described by specific exponential decays. Here the McIllwain parameter L defines the geomagnetic field lines in a centered dipole model for the geomagnetic field. The coefficients of the developed approaches are successfully fitted to numerous electron density data derived from dual frequency GPS measurements on-board the CHAMP satellite mission from 2000 to 2005. The data are utilized for fitting up to the L shell L = 3 because a previous validation has shown a good agreement with IMAGE/RPI measurements up to this value. Using the solar radio flux index F10.7 as the only external parameter, the operation of the model is robust, with 40 coefficients fast and sufficiently accurate to be used as a background model for estimating TEC or electron density profiles in near real time GNSS applications and services. In addition to this, the model approach is sensitive to ionospheric coupling resulting in anomalies such as the Nighttime Winter Anomaly and the related Mid-Summer Nighttime Anomaly and even shows a slight plasmasphere compression of the dayside plasmasphere due to solar wind pressure. Modelled electron density and TEC values agree with estimates reported in the literature in similar cases.

scholarly journals High-order ionospheric effects on electron density estimation from Fengyun-3C GPS radio occultation

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 403-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junhai Li ◽  
Shuanggen Jin
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Density Estimation ◽  
Radio Occultation ◽  
Second Order ◽  
High Order ◽  
Electron Content ◽  
Total Electron ◽  
Ionospheric Effects ◽  
Gps Radio Occultation ◽  
Ionosphere Model

Abstract. GPS radio occultation can estimate ionospheric electron density and total electron content (TEC) with high spatial resolution, e.g., China's recent Fengyun-3C GPS radio occultation. However, high-order ionospheric delays are normally ignored. In this paper, the high-order ionospheric effects on electron density estimation from the Fengyun-3C GPS radio occultation data are estimated and investigated using the NeQuick2 ionosphere model and the IGRF12 (International Geomagnetic Reference Field, 12th generation) geomagnetic model. Results show that the high-order ionospheric delays have large effects on electron density estimation with up to 800 el cm−3, which should be corrected in high-precision ionospheric density estimation and applications. The second-order ionospheric effects are more significant, particularly at 250–300 km, while third-order ionospheric effects are much smaller. Furthermore, the high-order ionospheric effects are related to the location, the local time, the radio occultation azimuth and the solar activity. The large high-order ionospheric effects are found in the low-latitude area and in the daytime as well as during strong solar activities. The second-order ionospheric effects have a maximum positive value when the radio occultation azimuth is around 0–20°, and a maximum negative value when the radio occultation azimuth is around −180 to −160°. Moreover, the geomagnetic storm also affects the high-order ionospheric delay, which should be carefully corrected.

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