Visualizing sporadic E using aeronautical navigation signals at VHF frequencies

Abstract

To understand the dynamical properties of sporadic E layer (Es), we have developed a method to visualize the two-dimensional spatial structure of Es by monitoring the occurrence of anomalous propagation of VHF waves used for aeronautical navigation systems in combination with the electron density disturbance index ROTI, that is the Rate of total electron content (TEC) Index obtained from ground-based GPS receivers. We introduce a case of strong Es layer which occurred for ~4 h during daytime of July 4, 2019. In this interval, we succeeded in imaging the structure of Es elongating more in the east–west direction and moving northward gradually. This result indicates that the combination of network observations of aeronautical navigation signals and ROTI is capable of imaging the 2D structure of Es in a wide area including the sea surface, which enables us to discuss the dynamical characteristics and generation mechanism of Es.