First simulations of day-to-day variability of mid-latitude sporadic E layer structures

Abstract

AbstractWe present the first simulations that successfully reproduce the day-to-day variability of the mid-latitude sporadic E ($$E_s$$Es) layers.$$E_s$$Eslayers appearing in the lower ionosphere have been extensively investigated to monitor and forecast their effects on long-distance communication by radio waves. Although it is widely accepted that the atmospheric tides are important in generating the$$E_s$$Eslayers, no simulations to date have reproduced the$$E_s$$Eslayers observed on a certain day. This is due to the lack of the combination of realistic information on the atmospheric tides in the lower ionosphere and a three-dimensional numerical ionospheric model that can simulate the precise transport of metallic ions. We developed a numerical ionospheric model coupled with the neutral winds from the GAIA (Ground-to-topside model of Atmosphere and Ionosphere for Aeronomy). The fundamental structures and the day-to-day variations of the$$E_s$$Eslayers observed by a$$\hbox {Ca}^+$$Ca+lidar are well-reproduced in the simulations.