TEC variations analysis concerning Haiti (January 12, 2010) and Samoa (September 29, 2009) earthquakes

Two datasets of total electron content (TEC) time series have been analyzed in this study to locate relevant anomalous variations in recent major Haiti and Samoa Islands earthquakes prior to the events. The duration of two datasets is 45 and 65 days for Haiti and Samoa Islands earthquakes, respectively, each at a time resolution of 2 h.     

Variations in the ionospheric scale height parameter at the F2 peak over Grahamstown,South Africa

The Grahamstown, South Africa (33.3°S, 26.5°E) ionospheric field station operates a Lowell digital pulse ionospheric sounder (Digisonde) whose output includes scaled parameters derived from the measured ionogram. One of these output parameters is the ionospheric scale height parameter (H), and this paper presents an analysis of the seasonal, diurnal, and solar activity variations of this parameter over the Grahamstown station. Ionosonde data from three years 2002, 2003, and 2004 were used in this study. The data was subjected to a general trend analysis to remove any outliers and then the monthly median data were used to explore the different variations. The results of this analysis were found to be similar to what has already been presented in the literature for low latitude stations, and are presented as well as the correlation at this mid-latitude station between the H parameter, the IRI shape parameter (B0), and the peak electron density (NmF2).     

The topside sounder database – Data screening and systematic biases

The ionospheric topside sounder measurement database developed at the US National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) is a valuable source of information when investigating the composition and complex dynamics of the upper ionosphere. The database is increasingly used by many scientists around the world for both research and development of empirical models. However, there is always a danger of indiscriminately using the data without properly assessing the data quality and applicability for a given purpose. This paper is concerned with the issue of data screening and pre-processing of the Alouette/ISIS topside sounder database. An overview of the original database availability and formatting is given and the use of solar and geomagnetic indices is discussed. Data screening procedures, concerning detection and handling of erroneous profiles, are also presented. Special attention is drawn to the systematic biases observed in the database and the possibilities for their removal.     

利用F区电离层特性参量获取等效中性风的方法及讨论

讨论利用电离层特性参量获取F层峰值高度附近中性风信息的三类方法.这些方法主要有:传统的和改进的伺服理论方法、借助电离层模式和数据同化思想的方法和刘立波等提出的方法.并以美国Millstone Hill非相干散射雷达浓度剖面和离子速度数据,以及澳大利亚Beveridge(37°S,144°E)FPI风场和测高仪数据为个例,初步考察利用电离层特性数据导出的等效中性风与观测值的一致性.     

模式化分析F区电离层赤道异常槽

利用二维低纬电离层理论时变模式模拟低纬电离层演化，考察影响赤道异常槽位置的物理因素．计算结果显示赤道槽有明显的季节、地方时和经度变化．以１１０°Ｅ为例，北半球夏季期间赤道槽一般在磁倾赤道北侧，最北达３°-３．５°Ｎ，而在北半球冬季期间一般位于磁倾赤道南侧，最南可达４°－５°Ｓ．进一步分析发现，赤道槽季节变化中光化电离率季节改变的影响很小，主要由水平中性风季节变化贡献．计算以８３天为例，白天赤道槽在地理经度１００°Ｅ附近最南，２８５°Ｅ附近最北，与观测特征基本一致．主要是背景大气水平风场的经度差异导致赤道槽位置的经度变化，而非前人认为直接由磁偏角控制的．     

Responses of the African equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) to some selected intense geomagnetic storms during the maximum phase of solar cycle 24

This study investigates the morphology of the GPS TEC responses in the African Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) region to intense geomagnetic storms during the ascending and maximum phases of solar cycle 24 (2012–2014). Specifically, eight intense geomagnetic storms with Dst ≤ ?100 nT were considered in this investigation using TEC data obtained from 13 GNSS receivers in the East African region within 36–42°E geographic longitude; 29°N–10°S geographic latitude; ± 20°N magnetic latitude. The storm-time behavior of TEC shows clear positive and negative phases relative to the non-storm (median) behavior, with amplitudes being dependent on the time of sudden commencement of the storm and location. When a storm starts in the morning period, total electron content increases for all stations while a decrease in total electron content is manifested for a storm that had its sudden commencement in the afternoon period. The TEC and the EIA crest during the main phase of the storm is significantly impacted by the geomagnetic storm, which experiences an increase in the intensity of TEC while the location and spread of the crest usually manifest a poleward expansion.     

电离层不规则结构的多普勒谱特性

利用武汉电离层观象台连续5年的高频多普勒记录,研究电离层中不规则结构反射回波的各种频谱特性及其变化。通常,扩展F回波总是引起扩散的多普勒诺;而Es回波的多普勒图白天一般呈平直光滑谱,晚上变得扩散,其多普勒展宽常比未扩散时大2-3倍,达1Hz以上。多普勒图上有时会出现斜描迹多普勒谱,这种谱结构反映了Es或扩展F中电子云团的漂移运动。      

Sporadic structures in equatorial ionosphere as revealed from GPS occultation data

A method for monitoring of sporadic formations in the lower ionosphere by use of the amplitude and phase variations of decimeter radio waves in the occultation trans-ionospheric link GPS satellite — LEO CHAMP satellite is described. Typical variations of the amplitude and phase of the occultation signal, caused by layered formations in the lower ionosphere, are considered. Parameters of sporadic structures measured during period of especially strong solar flashes from October 25 till November 9, 2003, are described. Results of statistical analysis of the occurrence frequency of sporadic layers, their altitude distribution, and thickness are presented. The electron density distribution in the lower ionosphere in the equatorial zone is estimated.     

Longitudinal distribution of thermospheric densities and ionization rates in the upper atmosphere of Mars at mid-latitude using MGS ACC data

The Accelerometer Experiment (ACC) onboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS) measured 1600 density profiles in the upper atmosphere of Mars during aerobraking. These measurements reveal large-scale and small-scale structure in the thermosphere of Mars. Here, the measurements of mass density for 115 orbits (#P0670–P0789) from November 1 to 30, 1998, under spring equinox and medium solar activity conditions (average F_10.7 ∼ 137) during phase 2 of the aerobraking in the thermosphere of Mars at different altitudes and longitudes are presented for northern mid-latitude (17–42°N) in the dayside atmosphere using ACC onboard MGS. From these mass densities, the neutral densities of different gases are derived from their mixing ratios. Using these neutral densities, the longitudinal distribution of photoionization rates and photoelectron impact ionization rates are calculated at wavelength range 1–102.57 nm due to EUV and soft X-ray radiation under photochemical controlled region using Analytical Yield Spectrum approach (AYS). These conditions are appropriate for MGS Phase 2 aerobraking period from which the accelerometer data is used. Under the photochemical equilibrium condition, the electron density near the peak varies as the square root of the total peak ionization rate. Using this fact, an attempt is being made to estimate the mean primary and secondary peak electron density by averaging the longitudinal variations of total peak ionization rates in the northern mid-latitude (17–42°N) ionosphere of Mars, as there is no radio science measurement at this latitude region by MGS.     

The effect of total solar eclipse of October 3, 2005, on the total electron content over Europe

GPS observations from EUREF permanent GPS network were used to observe the response of TEC (Total Electron Content) to the total solar eclipse on October 3, 2005, under quiet geomagnetic conditions of the daytime ionosphere. The effect of the eclipse was detected in diurnal variations and more distinctly in the variations of TEC along individual satellite passes. The trough-like variations with a gradual decrease and followed by an increase of TEC at the time of the eclipse were observed over a large region. The depression of TEC amounted to 3–4 TECU. The maximum depression was observed over all stations located at the maximum path of the solar eclipse. The delay of a minimum level of TEC with respect to the maximum phase of the eclipse was about 20–30 min.