Ground-Based GNSS and Satellite Observations of Auroral Ionospheric Irregularities during Geomagnetic Disturbances in August 2018

The 25–26 August 2018 space weather event occurred during the solar minimum period and surprisingly became the third largest geomagnetic storm of the entire 24th solar cycle. We analyzed the ionospheric response at high latitudes of both hemispheres using multi-site ground-based GNSS observations and measurements onboard Swarm and DMSP satellites. With the storm development, the zones of intense ionospheric irregularities of auroral origin largely expanded in size and moved equatorward towards midlatitudes as far as ~55–60° magnetic latitude (MLAT) in the American, European, and Australian longitudinal sectors. The main ionospheric trough, associated with the equatorward side of the auroral oval, shifted as far equatorward as 45–50° MLAT at both hemispheres. The interhemispheric comparison revealed a high degree of similarity in a large expansion of the auroral irregularities oval towards midlatitudes, in addition to asymmetrical differences in terms of larger intensity of plasma density gradients and structures over the Southern auroral and polar cap regions. Evolution of the intense ionospheric irregularities and equatorward expansion of the auroral irregularities oval were well correlated with increases of geomagnetic activity and peaks of the auroral electrojet index.

Peculiarities of 630.0 and 557.7 nm emissions in the main ionospheric trough: March 17, 2015

Peculiarities of 557.7 and 630.0 nm emissions observed in the second step of the magnetic storm main phase at the mid-latitude observatory Tory (52° N, 103° E) on March 17, 2015 are compared with the changes in ionospheric parameters above this station, detected from ionospheric sounding data and total electron content maps. We have found that the intensity of the 557.7 and 630.0 nm emissions noticeably increased after the observatory entered into the longitudinal sector of the developed main ionospheric trough (MIT). The most powerful synchronous increases in intensities of the two emissions are associated with amplification of the westward electrojet during strengthening of the magnetospheric convection. We study the dependence of the ratios between the intensities of 630.0 nm emission recorded in the north, zenith, and south directions on the position of emitting regions relative to the MIT bottom. The SAR arc is shown to appear initially near the bottom of the MIT polar wall and approach the zenith of the station during registration of F3s reflections by an ionosonde, which indicate the presence of a polarization jet near the observation point.

Peculiarities of 630.0 and 557.7 nm emissions in the main ionospheric trough: March 17, 2015

Peculiarities of 557.7 and 630.0 nm emissions observed in the second step of the magnetic storm main phase at the mid-latitude observatory Tory (52° N, 103° E) on March 17, 2015 are compared with the changes in ionospheric parameters above this station, detected from ionospheric sounding data and total electron content maps. We have found that the intensity of the 557.7 and 630.0 nm emissions noticeably increased after the observatory entered into the longitudinal sector of the developed main ionospheric trough (MIT). The most powerful synchronous increases in intensities of the two emissions are associated with amplification of the westward electrojet during strengthening of the magnetospheric convection. We study the dependence of the ratios between the intensities of 630.0 nm emission recorded in the north, zenith, and south directions on the position of emitting regions relative to the MIT bottom. The SAR arc is shown to appear initially near the bottom of the MIT polar wall and approach the zenith of the station during registration of F3s reflections by an ionosonde, which indicate the presence of a polarization jet near the observation point.

Discovery of a low-latitude ionospheric trough associated with the inner radiation belt

The dynamics of ionospheric troughs that developed during a great geomagnetic storm on 11–13 April 2001 are studied using measurements of electron density obtained by the CHAMP satellite at an altitude of 410–465 km. Subauroral, mid-latitude and low-latitude troughs were observed at nighttime, sometimes simultaneously. The subauroral trough is usually defined as the main ionospheric trough, whereas the mid-latitude trough is associated with the magnetospheric ring current. It appeared at the beginning of the storm recovery phase around latitudes of 40°–45° GMLat (L = 1.7–2.0) and existed for a long period of time throughout the late recovery phase of the residual ring current at latitudes of 50°–55° GMLat (L ~ 2.4–3.0). For the first time, a low-latitude trough was revealed. It developed at latitudes of 34°–45° GMLat (L = 1.45–2.00) in association with the precipitation of energetic particles from the inner radiation belt.

Sub-Auroral, Mid-Latitude, and Low-Latitude Troughs during Severe Geomagnetic Storms

The dynamics of ionospheric troughs during intense geomagnetic storms is considered in this paper. The study is based on electron density measurements at CHAMP satellite altitudes of 405–465 km in the period from 2000 to 2002. A detailed analysis of four storms with Kp from 5+ to 9− is presented. Three troughs were identified: sub-auroral, mid-latitude, and low-latitude. The sub-auroral trough is usually defined as the main ionospheric trough (MIT). The mid-latitude trough is observed equatorward of the MIT and is associated with the magnetospheric ring current; therefore, it is named the ring ionospheric trough (RIT). The RIT appears at the beginning of the storm recovery phase at geomagnetic latitudes of 40–45° GMLat (L = 1.75–2.0) and exists, for a long time, at the late stage of the recovery phase at latitudes of the residual ring current 50–55° GMLat (L ~ 2.5–3.0). The low-latitude trough (LLT) is discovered for the first time. It forms only during great storms at the latitudes of the internal radiation belt (IRB), 34–45° GMLat (L = 1.45–2.0). The LLT’s lowest latitude of 34° GMLat was recorded in the night sector (2–3 LT). The occurrence probability and position of the RIT and LLT depend on the hemisphere and longitude.

Discovering the Low-Latitude Ionospheric Trough Associated With the Inner Radiation Belt

The dynamics of ionospheric troughs during great geomagnetic storm on April 11–13, 2001 is considered. An analysis is based on measurements of electron density at altitudes of the CHAMP satellite 410–465 km. The subauroral, mid-latitude and low-latitude troughs were observed at nighttime, sometimes simultaneously. The subauroral trough is usually defined as the main ionospheric trough. The mid-latitude trough is associated with the magnetospheric ring current. It appears at the beginning of the storm recovery phase at latitudes of 40–45° GMLat (L=1.7–2.0) and exists for a long time at the late recovery phase at latitudes of the residual ring current 50–55° GMLat (L~2.4–3.0). The low-latitude trough was revealed for the first time. It is developed at the latitudes of the inner radiation belt 34–45° GMLat (L=1.45–2.00). This trough is associated with the precipitation of energetic particles from the inner radiation belt.

The detection of ionospheric trough with GNSS measurements.

<p>The main ionospheric trough represents a large scale depletion of plasma density elongated in longitude, which is typically observed at the boundary between high- and mid-latitude ionosphere. The trough is characterized  by a steep density gradient in a poleward direction and gradual on the equatorward site. According to the recent studies it begins in the late afternoon, moves equatorward during the night hours and rapidly retreats to higher latitudes at a dawn. Due to the dynamic of auroral oval, this ionospheric feature exhibits a high temporal variability and shifts equatorward during the geomagnetic activity. In this work we demonstrate the initial assessment of the ionospheric trough detection performed with GNSS-based relative STEC values. The basis of this indicator are time series of  geometry-free combination with removed background variations. The separation of these low-term effects is realized with a polynomial fitting applied to the particular arcs of data. Such processed data have an accuracy of phase measurements and provide an epoch-wise information on enhancement/depletion of plasma density. In order to evaluate the applicability of the proposed approach for the trough detection, we have analyzed the state of the ionosphere during different geomagnetic conditions. In our investigations we have used the data from several tens of stations located in the northern hemisphere, what makes possible to provide the comprehensive view of this ionospheric phenomenon. The results have confirmed that the network-derived relative STEC values can be successfully used for the monitoring ionospheric trough. Its signature is more pronounced for expanded auroral oval during increased geomagnetic activity and reach in such case a few TEC units.     </p>

Influence of seasonal changes on the mid-latitude trough properties

<pre>The sub-auroral region of the main ionospheric trough is a very unique area strongly affected by different type of instabilities coming from both the bottom (Earth's atmosphere) and the top (Earth's magnetosphere) neighbouring regions. The main ionospheric trough’s general characteristics as well as the detailed features change accordingly to the time of day, season, solar cycle and many others. The location of MIT in the latitude-longitude coordinate system throughout the year reflects seasonal changes. Annual variations are observed also in the shape and intensity of the structure. Despite the representation of the structure in the geomagnetic coordinate system, northern and southern trough are not symmetric in the same local season. However some similarities have also been observed. In particular for both hemispheres the structure appears the deepest and well developed during local winter, whereas during local summer the structure becomes hardly visible. Observations show that the MIT tends to shift equatorward for some longitudes in both hemispheres. MIT properties for this study have been derived from DEMETER and COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 observations.</pre> <p> </p>