The response of sporadic E-layer to the total solar eclipse of July 22, 2009 over the equatorial ionization anomaly region of the Indian zone

The digital ionosonde located in Bhopal (23.2°N, 77.2°E), India has been used to investigate the responses of the Es layer in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest to the total solar eclipse (TSE) of July 22, 2009. Results show the presence of intense Es layer during and after the eclipse period. The gravity waves induced by the solar eclipse propagated upward in the Es layer and produced the periodic disturbance. The results of the wavelet analysis display the presence of dominant oscillation of about 24–32, 16–20 and 8 min. The appearance of intense sporadic-E concomitantly with the signatures of gravity wave suggests that the wind shear introduced by the solar eclipse induced gravity wave might be the plausible mechanism behind the intensification of Es-layer ionization.     

An evaluation of the IRI-2007 storm time model at low latitude stations

This paper discusses the ability of the International Reference Ionosphere IRI-2007 storm time model to predict foF2 ionospheric parameter during geomagnetic storm periods. Experimental data (based on availability) from two low latitude stations: Vanimo (geographic coordinates, 2.7 °S, 141.3 °E, magnetic coordinates, 12.3 °S, 212.50 °E) and Darwin (geographic coordinates, 12.45 °S, 130.95 °E, magnetic coordinates, 22.9 °S, 202.7 °E) during nine storms that occurred in 2000 (Rz₁₂ = 119), 2001(Rz₁₂ = 111) and 2003 (Rz₁₂ = 64) are compared with those obtained by the IRI-2007 storm model. The results obtained show that the percentage deviation between the experimental and IRI predicted foF2 values during these storm periods is as high as 100% during the main and recovery phases. Based on the values of “relative deviation module mean” (RDMM) obtained (i.e. between 0.08 and 0.60), it is observed that there is a reasonable to poor agreement between measured foF2 values and the IRI-storm model prediction values during main and recovery phases of the storms under investigation. As a result, in addition to other studies that have been carried out from different sectors, more studies are required to be carried out. This will enable IRI community to improve on the present performance of the model. In general the IRI-storm model predictions follow normal trend of the foF2 measured values but does not reproduce well the measured values.     

Statistical properties of variability of the quiet ionosphere F2-layer maximum parameters over Irkutsk under low solar activity

The statistical analysis of the quiet ionosphere F2-layer maximum parameters variability (deviations of NmF2 and hmF2 from the quiet medians, δn and Δh) under solar minimum at day (10–16 LT) and night (22–04 LT) hours based on data of Irkutsk station for 2007–2010 is presented. It is found that the experimental distribution (histogram) of δn can be approximated by a mixture of two normal distributions. The first and second components of the mixture characterize, mainly, relatively weak and strong fluctuations of δn which are presumably associated with the ionospheric effects of the atmospheric gravity waves and of the planetary waves and tides correspondingly. Deviation of the δn histogram from a single normal distribution is most considerable at night hours in winter and equinoxes. For these conditions the weak fluctuations of δn are mainly negative and the strong ones are mainly positive. The Δh histogram is a normal distribution except day hours in winter and equinoxes when a weak deviation of the histogram from the normal distribution occurs.     

Variability of foE in the equatorial ionosphere with solar activity

This research examined the variability of f_oE in the equatorial ionosphere with solar activity within the equatorial ionospheric anomaly region. Ionosonde data recorded at Ouagadougou (lat. 12.4°N, long. 1.5°W and magnetic dip 1.43°N) were engaged to study the transient variations of the critical frequency of the E-layer (f_oE) and its dependence on solar activity. The study revealed that f_oE increases with the increase in solar intensity of the sun. The variability of the f_oE decreases with increases in the solar activity. The maximum value of the f_oE is at local noon when the ionosphere is stable; the variability at this local time is minimal. The minimum value of the f_oE is at sunrise and sunset, at this period on local time the equatorial ionosphere recorded its maxima variability. Irrespective of the degree of solar activity, f_oE is observed to be maximum in June solstice, followed by the equinoxes and minimum in December solstice. Equinoctial asymmetry occurred in the variation of the relative standard deviation of f_oE with maximum in September/March equinox for low/high solar activity.     

Comparative study of high-latitude,mid-latitude and low-latitude ionosphere on basis of local empirical models

The analysis of the regular features of the high-, mid- and low-latitude ionosphere characteristics has been carried out using local empirical models. The local empirical models were derived from the manual scaled ionogram data recorded by DPS-4 Digisondes located at Norilsk (69 N, 88E), Irkutsk (52 N, 104E) and Hainan (19 N, 109E) for a 6-year period from December, 2002 to December, 2008. The technique used to build the local empirical model is described. Primary focuses are diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variations of the peak electron density and the peak height under low solar activity and their changes with increasing solar activity. The main objective of the paper is to reveal both common and specific features of high-, mid- and low-latitude ionosphere. Based on earlier comparisons with the International Reference Ionosphere model, we analyze how the common and specific features are reproduced by this model.     

火星车在松软地面上的蠕动步态研究

蠕动步态是解决火星车在火星松软表面行走或爬坡困难时提高牵引力的有效方法,合理设置蠕动步态对充分发挥火星车在松软地表上的移动性能至关重要。文章将Bekker等人的轮地力学理论用于整车蠕动步态的受力分析,通过建立火星车的运动学模型,分析关节的运动关系,得到蠕动步态的协调运动方案,并通过原理样机试验对该方案的作用效果进行验证,为主动悬架蠕动步态的轮速配合给出了合理的建议。     

武昌低电离层LF观测的季节变化

通过分析武昌低电离层LF观测数据,得到了中低纬度低电离层电子密度剖面的季节变化特征及其与太阳天顶角周年变化的关系,给出LF相位周年振荡幅度的年际变化曲线．     

针对星载SAR法拉第旋转估计的NeQuick-2模型精度分析

P波段星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)凭借其较强的穿透能力,在对森林、沙地等观测方面具有较强的优势,但易受法拉第旋转等电离层干扰的影响,其图像质量严重下降。本文针对现有电离层模型的精度开展分析,以基于GPS的CODE GIM全球电离层实测数据为参考,对比评估NeQuick-2模型的电离层总电子量表征能力。在分析CODE GIM实测数据特点的基础上,讨论其在星载SAR领域的局限性;在解析NeQuick-2模型和方法的基础上,研究其表征精度的影响因素;通过对比该模型生成的电离层数据与CODE GIM数据,验证NeQuick-2模型的估计精度。结果表明:NeQuick-2模型可满足P波段星载SAR的法拉第旋转角估计和校正的需求。     

星载SAR电离层探测及误差补偿

工作于低频波段的星载合成孔径雷达(SAR)信号会受到电离层的显著影响,因此在系统设计时必须考虑相应的补偿方法。基于此,首先开展了适用于低频大宽带SAR模式的电离层影响评估研究,建立了基于勒让德展开的五阶误差分析模型,可有效解决传统模型各阶次耦合问题。其次,针对背景电离层色散问题,开展了基于双频自聚焦算法的补偿研究,利用ALOS PALSAR数据进行了半物理仿真验证,电离层反演精度优于0.4TECU,可有效提升图像聚焦质量;针对法拉第旋转角误差,利用ALOS PALSAR回波散射矩阵信息开展了补偿研究,结果显示,相比官网提供的补偿参数,误差可进一步降低27%。上述基于回波数据本身的补偿研究,可避免第三方数据精度差、分辨率低、需地面接收机、传播路径不一致等问题,同时降低了载荷成本。最后,结合SAR高分辨率特性,基于回波的电离层反演可有效提高现有电离层探测能力,开展了PALSAR-垂测仪联合反演电子密度研究,其结果比仅垂测仪数据精度普遍提高了30%以上。研究成果可为未来低频星载SAR的系统设计提供技术支撑。