Author:
Parker James A. D.,Pryse S. Eleri,Jackson-Booth Natasha,Buckland Rachel A.
Abstract
Abstract. The main ionospheric trough is a large-scale spatial depletion in the
electron density distribution at the interface between the high- and
mid-latitude ionosphere. In western Europe it appears in early evening,
progresses equatorward during the night, and retreats rapidly poleward at
dawn. It exhibits substantial day-to-day variability and under conditions of
increased geomagnetic activity it moves progressively to lower latitudes.
Steep gradients on the trough-walls on either side of the trough minimum,
and their variability, can cause problems for radio applications. Numerous
studies have sought to characterize and quantify the trough behaviour. The Electron Density Assimilative Model (EDAM) models the ionosphere on a
global scale. It assimilates observations into a background ionosphere, the
International Reference Ionosphere 2007 (IRI2007), to provide a full 3-D
representation of the ionospheric plasma distribution at specified times and
days. This current investigation studied the capability of EDAM to model the
ionosphere in the region of the main trough. Total electron content (TEC)
measurements from 46 GPS stations in western Europe from September to
December 2002 were assimilated into EDAM to provide a model of the ionosphere
in the trough region. Vertical electron content profiles through the model
revealed the trough and the detail of its structure. Statistical results are
presented of the latitude of the trough minimum, TEC at the minimum and of
other defined parameters that characterize the trough structure. The results
are compared with previous observations made with the Navy Ionospheric
Monitoring System (NIMS), and reveal the potential of EDAM to model the
large-scale structure of the ionosphere. Keywords. Ionosphere (midlatitude ionosphere; modelling and forecasting) – radio science (ionospheric physics)
Subject
Space and Planetary Science,Earth and Planetary Sciences (miscellaneous),Atmospheric Science,Geology,Astronomy and Astrophysics
Cited by
5 articles.
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