K. Venkatesh

Positive and negative GPS-TEC ionospheric storm effects during the extreme space weather event of March 2015 over the Brazilian sector

We studied the response of the ionosphere (F region) in the Brazilian sector during extreme space weather event of 17 March 2015 using a large network of 102 GPS- total electron content (TEC) stations. It is observed that the vertical total electron content (VTEC) was severely disturbed during the storm main and recovery phases. A wavelike oscillation with three peaks was observed in the TEC diurnal variation from equator to low latitudes during the storm main phase on 17–18 March 2015. The latitudinal extent of the wavelike oscillation peaks decreased from the beginning of the main phase toward the recovery phase. The first peak extended from beyond 0°S to 30°S, the second occurred from 6°S to 25°S, whereas the third diurnal peaks was confined from 13°S to 25°S. In addition, a strong negative phase in VTEC variations was observed during the recovery phase on 18–19 March 2015. This ionospheric negative phase was stronger at low latitudes than in the equatorial region. Also, two latitudinal chains of GPS-TEC stations from equatorial region to low latitudes in the east and west Brazilian sectors are used to investigate the storm time behavior of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the east and west Brazilian sectors. We observed an anomalous behavior in EIA caused by the wavelike oscillations during the storm main phase on 17 March, and suppression of the EIA, resulting from the negative phase in VTEC, in the storm recovery phase.

Ionospheric response to the 2009 sudden stratospheric warming over the equatorial, low, and middle latitudes in the South American sector

The present study investigates the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and F-layer response in the Southern Hemisphere equatorial, low, and middle latitudes due to major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) event, which took place during January–February 2009 in the Northern Hemisphere. In this study, using 17 ground-based dual frequency GPS stations and two ionosonde stations spanning latitudes from 2.8°N to 53.8°S, longitudes from 36.7°W to 67.8°W over the South American sector, it is observed that the ionosphere was significantly disturbed by the SSW event from the equator to the midlatitudes. During day of year 26 and 27 at 14:00 UT, the TEC was two times larger than that observed during average quiet days. The vertical TEC at all 17 GPS and two ionosonde stations shows significant deviations lasting for several days after the SSW temperature peak. Using one GPS station located at Rio Grande (53.8°S, 67.8°W, midlatitude South America sector), it is reported for the first time that the midlatitude in the Southern Hemisphere was disturbed by the SSW event in the Northern Hemisphere.

Day-to-day variability of Equatorial Electrojet and its role on the day-to-day characteristics of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly over the Indian and Brazilian sectors†

The equatorial electrojet (EEJ) is a narrow band of current flowing eastward at the ionospheric E region altitudes along the dayside dip equator. Mutually perpendicular electric and magnetic fields over the equator results in the formation of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), which in turn generates large electron density variabilities. Simultaneous study on the characteristics of EEJ and EIA is necessary to understand the role of EEJ on the EIA variabilities. This is helpful for the improved estimation of total electron content (TEC) and range delays required for satellite-based communication and navigation applications. Present study reports simultaneous variations of EEJ and GPS-TEC over Indian and Brazilian sectors to understand the role of EEJ on the day-to-day characteristics of the EIA. Magnetometer measurements during the low solar activity year 2004 are used to derive the EEJ values over the two different sectors. The characteristics of EIA are studied using two different chains of GPS receivers along the common meridian of 77°E (India) and 45°W (Brazil). The diurnal, seasonal, and day-to-day variations of EEJ and TEC are described simultaneously. Variations of EIA during different seasons are presented along with the variations of the EEJ in the two hemispheres. The role of EEJ variations on the characteristic features of the EIA such as the strength and temporal extent of the EIA crest has also been reported. Further, the time delay between the occurrences of the day maximum EEJ and the well-developed EIA is studied and corresponding results are presented in this paper.

On the performance of the IRI‐2012 and NeQuick2 models during the increasing phase of the unusual 24th solar cycle in the Brazilian equatorial and low‐latitude sectors

It is known that the equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere is characterized with typical dynamical phenomena namely, the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). Accurate modeling of the characteristic variations of the EIA is more important to arrive at the correct estimation of range delays required for the communication and navigation applications. The total electron content (TEC) data from a chain of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers at seven identified locations from equator to the anomaly crest and beyond along 315°E geographic longitude in the Brazilian sector are considered. The performances of the latest available IRI-2012 and NeQuick2 models have been investigated during 2010–2013 in the increasing phase of the 24th solar cycle. A comparative study on the morphological variations of the GPS measured and modeled TEC revealed that the performances of the models are improved during low solar activity periods compared to that during the increased solar activity years. The strength and the locations of the EIA crest are nearly well represented by both the models during the low solar activity while the models underestimate the peak TEC at the EIA during the increased solar activity conditions. The deviations between the GPS-measured and model-derived TEC are more during equinoctial and summer months at and around the anomaly crest locations. Significant differences have also been observed in between the TEC values derived from both the models. The causes for the discrepancies in the modeled TEC values are discussed based on the model-derived and ionosonde-measured vertical electron density profiles variations.

Total electron content disturbances during minor sudden stratospheric warming, over the Brazilian region: A case study during January 2012

The effects of sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) on ionosphere have been investigated by several scientists, using different observational techniques and model simulations. However, the minor SSW event during January 2012 is one of those that are less studied. Influences of several types of possible drivers—minor SSW event, changing solar flux, moderate geomagnetic storm on 22–25 January, and one of the largest solar proton events on 23–30 January—make it a challenging period to interpret. In the present study, the GPS-total electron content (TEC) measurements from a network of 72 receivers over the Brazilian region are considered. This network of 72 GPS-TEC locations lies between 5°N and 30°S (35°) latitudes and 35°W and 65°W (30°) longitudes. Further, two chains of GPS receivers are used to study the response of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the Brazilian eastern and western sectors, as well as its day-to-day variability before and during the SSW-2012. It was noted that the TEC is depleted to the order of 30% all over the Brazilian region, from equator to beyond the EIA regions and from east to west sectors. It is also noticed that the EIA strengths at the east and west sectors were weakened during the SSW-2012. However, the Brazilian eastern sector was found to be more disturbed compared to the western sector during this SSW-2012 event.

Electrodynamic disturbances in the Brazilian equatorial and low‐latitude ionosphere on St. Patrick's Day storm of 17 March 2015

The St. Patricks Day storm of 17th March, 2015 has a long lasting main phase with the Dst reaching a minimum of -223 nT. During the main phase, two strong prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) phases took place; first with the southward turning of IMF Bz around ~1200 UT and the second with the onset of a substorm around ~1725 UT leading to strong equatorial zonal electric field enhancements. The consequent spatio-temporal disturbances in the ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) and the resultant modifications in the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) over the Brazilian longitudinal sector are investigated in detail. The simultaneous measurements from a large network of GPS receivers, Ionosonde and magnetometers over the Brazilian longitudinal sector are used for this study. In the presence of enhanced zonal electric field, the equatorial F2-layer peak (hmF2) experienced a rapid uplift without any significant change in the base height (h′F); while the F2 layer is redistributed into F2 and F3 layers. The enhanced zonal electric filed due to PPEF led to the strong super fountain effect under which, the anomaly crest departed poleward to ~40o S latitude. In the presence of westward and equatorward wind surge over Brazil with the co-existing disturbance dynamo fields, strong hemispheric asymmetry is seen in the storm time response of EIA during both the PPEF phases.

Latitudinal variation in the occurrence of GPS L-band scintillations associated with the day-to-day changes in TEC, h′F and the E×B drift velocity and their impact on GPS satellite signals

The present study describes the day-to-day variations in the occurrence of GPS L-band scintillations from equator to the anomaly crest location associated with the changes in TEC, h′

Seasonal and solar activity variations of F3 layer and quadruple stratification (StF-4) near the equatorial region

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Study of the F3 and StF4 Layers at Tucumán Near the Southern Crest of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly in Western South America

F and E ×B drift velocities. The GPS–TEC and S4 index data from an equatorial station, Trivandrum (8.47∘N, 76.91∘E), a low latitude station, Waltair (17.7∘N, 83.3∘E) and an anomaly crest location Kolkata (22.6∘N, 88.4∘E) during the low solar activity years of 2004 and 2005 are used. It is observed that the day-time ambient TEC is higher during scintillation days compared to that during the days on which there are no scintillations at the three different locations mentioned above. Further, the diurnal variation of TEC shows a rapid decay during 1700–2000 hr LT over the three different locations during scintillation days which is observed to be comparatively much less during no scintillation days. The average height of the F-layer in the post-sunset hours over Trivandrum is found to be higher, around 350 km during scintillation days while it is around 260 km during the days on which there is no scintillation activity. The average pre-reversal E ×B drift velocity observed around 19:00 hr LT is higher (20 m/s) during scintillation days, whereas during no scintillation days, it is found to be much less (7 m/s). Further, it is observed that the GPS receivers lose their locks whenever the S4 index exceeds 0.5 (>10 dB power level) and these loss of lock events are observed to be more around the anomaly crest location (Kolkata). It may be inferred from the present observations that the level of ambient ionization around noon-time, and a fast decay (collapse) of the ionization during afternoon hours followed by rapid increase in the height of the F-layer contributes significantly to the occurrence of scintillations. The present study further indicates that the S4 index at L-band frequencies increases with an increase in latitude maximizing around the crest of the equatorial ionization anomaly during the post-sunset hours resulting in more loss of lock events in the GPS receiver signals around the EIA crest region.

On the variability of EIA characteristics using GPS TEC, IRI-2012 and NeQuick2 models and possible effects on GNSS applications over the Brazilian equatorial and low latitude sectors

The study of multiple stratification of the F layer has the initial records in the midtwentieth century. Since then, many studies were focused on F3 layer. The diurnal, seasonal, and solar activity variations of the F3 layer characteristics have been investigated by several researchers. Recently, investigations on multiple stratifications of F layer received an important boost after the quadruple stratification (StF-4) was observed at Palmas (10.3°S, 48.3°W; dip latitude 6.6°S—near-equatorial region), Brazil. The present study reports the latest findings related with the seasonal and solar activity characteristics of the F3 layer and StF-4 near the equatorial region during the period from 2002 to 2006. A significant connection between StF-4 and F3 layer has been noticed, since the StF-4 is always preceded and followed by a F3 layer appearance. However, the F3 layer and the StF-4 present different seasonal and solar cycle variations. At a near-equatorial station Palmas, the F3 layer shows the maximum and minimum occurrences during summer and winter seasons, respectively. On the contrary, the StF-4 presents the maximum and minimum occurrences during winter and summer seasons, respectively. While the F3 layer occurrence is not affected by solar cycle, the StF-4 appearance is instead more frequent during high solar activity.