Validation of the Neustrelitz Global Model according to the low latitude ionosphere

Empirical modeling including empirical model for the total electron content (TEC) is important for the study of the ionosphere and practical applications. In this paper goodness of new Neustrelitz Global Model (then NGM) at low latitudes is studied. The NGM model includes such parameters as the maximal electron density (NmF2) and altitude of the maximum (hmF2). As of today, besides NGM there are several empirical models for NmF2 and hmF2. Therefore, a comparison of these parameters of the NGM model, not only with the experimental data, but also with two versions of the International Reference Ionosphere (the IRI model): IRI2001 and IRI-Plas would be instructive. Because the NGM model incorporates special factor describing the equatorial anomaly, the comparison in lower latitude areas is particularly interesting. As one can see from the presented example of the data from low latitude stations located in the northern and southern hemispheres near the Greenwich meridian, the NGM model may have certain advantages over the IRI model versions. In particular, NGM TEC is preferable regardless of solar activity level while NGM NmF2 is only preferable under high solar activity conditions. Next, NGM equivalent slab thickness of the ionosphere: τ(NGM) = TEC(NGM)/NmF2(NGM) has been calculated and tested to answer the question whether τ(NGM) can be used as a proxy of the slab thickness of the ionosphere for an empirical modeling. The answer is positive for the near equatorial stations and periods of high solar activity, and under such conditions predicted τ(NGM) can be used for deriving NmF2 from the experimental values of TEC(CODE) in real time.     

Preliminary results of TEC measurements in Guwahati,India

A dual frequency GPS receiver was installed in Guwahati, India (latitude 26.2°N, longitude 91.75°E, dip +35°) in January 2006 in the framework of an Indian–Russian project of seismo-ionospheric effects searching and investigation. It is quite clear that manifestations of such effects should be strongly dependent (among others) on regional features of ionosphere. In our case formation of the equatorial anomaly will affect the results. So, the data of half a year of observations were analyzed to establish the behavior of Total Electron Content (TEC) in a region of Northern crest of the equatorial anomaly in quiet helio-geophysical conditions as a background for detecting the impact of effects from below.     

A new global F2 peak electron density model for the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)

A new neural network (NN) based global empirical model for the F2 peak electron density (NmF2) has been developed using extended temporal and spatial geophysical relevant inputs. Measured ground based ionosonde data, from 84 global stations, spanning the period 1995 to 2005 and, for a few stations from 1976 to 1986, obtained from various resources of the World Data Centre (WDC) archives (Space Physics Interactive Data Resource SPIDR, the Digital Ionogram Database, DIDBase, and IPS Radio and Space Services) have been used for training a NN. The training data set includes all periods of quiet and disturbed magnetic activity. A comprehensive comparison for all conditions (e.g., magnetic storms, levels of solar activity, season, different regions of latitudes, etc.) between foF2 value predictions using the NN based model and International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model (including both the International Union of Radio Science (URSI) and International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) coefficients) with observed values was investigated. The root-mean-square (RMS) error differences for a few selected stations are presented in this paper. The results of the foF2 NN model presented in this work successfully demonstrate that this new model can be used as a replacement option for the URSI and CCIR maps within the IRI model for the purpose of F2 peak electron density predictions.     

An investigation of ionospheric F region response in the Brazilian sector to the super geomagnetic storm of May 2005

In this paper, we have investigated the responses of the ionospheric F region at equatorial and low latitude regions in the Brazilian sector during the super geomagnetic storm on 15–16 May 2005. The geomagnetic storm reached a minimum Dst of −263 nT at 0900 UT on 15 May. In this paper, we present vertical total electron content (vTEC) and phase fluctuations (in TECU/min) from Global Positioning System (GPS) observations obtained at Belém, Brasília, Presidente Prudente, and Porto Alegre, Brazil, during the period 14–17 May 2005. Also, we present ionospheric parameters h’F, hpF2, and foF2, using the Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI) obtained at Palmas and São José dos Campos, Brazil, for the same period. The super geomagnetic storm has fast decrease in the Dst index soon after SSC at 0239 UT on 15 May. It is a good possibility of prompt penetration of electric field of magnetospheric origin resulting in uplifting of the F region. The vTEC observations show a trough at BELE and a crest above UEPP, soon after SSC, indicating strengthening of nighttime equatorial anomaly. During the daytime on 15 and 16 May, in the recovery phase, the variations in foF2 at SJC and the vTEC observations, particularly at BRAZ, UEPP, and POAL, show large positive ionospheric storm. There is ESF on the all nights at PAL, in the post-midnight (UT) sector, and phase fluctuations only on the night of 14–15 May at BRAZ, after the SSC. No phase fluctuations are observed at the equatorial station BELE and low latitude stations (BRAZ, UEPP, and POAL) at all other times. This indicates that the plasma bubbles are generated and confined on this magnetically disturbed night only up to the low magnetic latitude and drifted possibly to west.     

NOx羽烟引起的局部电离层电子密度扰动

通过空间飞行器抛出羽烟的球状近似,研究白天ＮＯ和ＮＯ２羽烟在Ｅ层的扩散,光化学过程及它们对电子密度的影响。由于光致电离和郭解复合反应,抛出的ＮＯ羽烟在Ｅ层造成电子密度最大７．５倍的瞬时增加,而ＮＯ２羽烟可以使Ｅ层下部电子密度瞬时升高达２４倍。     

利用GPS技术实时监测上海区域电离层变化

基于GPS技术实时监测电离层变化原理, 利用载波平滑伪距观测值建立区域电离层模型的方法, 计算了电离层延迟量和硬件延迟, 根据硬件延迟值相对稳定的特点, 采取一定时段求解出硬件延迟量, 对实时硬件延迟量进行预报, 进而实时分离GPS信号传播路径上的垂直总电子含量VTEC. 利用上海区域内的GPS网的观测数据, 建立实时上海区域电离层延迟模型, 监测上海区域的电离层变化. 数据分析结果表明, 这种方法的内符合精度优于3 TECU.     

太阳活动低年广州地区地磁扰动与电离层闪烁的统计特征分析

基于肇庆地磁台的地磁监测数据和广州气象卫星地面站建立的华南地区GPS电离层闪烁监测网的监测数据, 统计分析了2008年7月至2010年7月太阳活动低年期间广州地区地磁扰动与电离层闪烁的关系. 用肇庆台地磁水平分量H的变化量换算出肇庆地磁指数K, 以此来代表广州地区地磁扰动情况.分析结果表明, 磁暴/强地磁扰动对广州地区电离层闪烁的发生总体表现为抑制作用, 电离层闪烁主要发生在低K值期间, 而在K ≥ 4时电离层闪烁的发生呈下降趋势. 电离层闪烁发生率随季节和地磁活动的变化规律表现在, 春季的弱闪烁发生率、夜间中等以上闪烁发生率和夏季中等以上闪烁的发生率明显与地磁活动指数K相关, 即随$K$指数的增大而减小; 在秋季和冬季闪烁发生率与K指数变化无明显关系. 同时还综合分析了地磁与太阳活动的变化对电离层活动的影响, 广州地区闪烁主要发生在太阳活动较低的磁静日期间.     

平面磁流体波穿透圆柱面分层赤道电离层和大气层的理论

给出了平面磁流体快波穿透圆柱面分层模型的赤道电离层和大气层的理论.平面磁流体快波被分解成柱面波,柱面波在圆柱分层介质中的传播被化为一个两点边值问题,给出了所需统治方程和边界条件.