In this study, multiple data sets from Beidou geostationary orbit satellites total electron contents (TECs), ionosonde, meteor radar, magnetometer, and model simulations have been used to investigate the ionospheric responses in the Asian‐Australian sector during the September 2017 geomagnetic storm. It was found that long‐duration daytime TEC enhancements that lasted from 7 to 12 September 2017 were observed by the Beidou geostationary orbit satellite constellation. This is a unique event as the prominent TEC enhancements persisted during the storm recovery phase when geomagnetic activity became quiet. The Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Electrodynamics Global Circulation Model predicted that the TEC enhancements on 7–9 September were associated with the geomagnetic activity, but it showed significant electron density depletions on 10 and 11 September in contrast to the observed TEC enhancements. Our results suggested that the observed long‐duration TEC enhancements from 7 to 12 September are mainly associated with the interplay of ionospheric dynamics and electrodynamics. Nevertheless, the root causes for the observed TEC enhancements seen in the storm recovery phase are unknown and require further observations and model studies.
11 November 2024 in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
This study investigates midlatitude ionospheric variations during the super geomagnetic storm on 10–11 May 2024, utilizing multi‐instrument data from ground‐based sources (Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers and a Fabry–Perot Interferometer) and space‐based measurements (Swarm and DMSP). We observed several distinct density gradient structures in the midlatitude ionosphere, with the main findings summarized as follows: (a) Significant zonal plasma density enhancements developed continuously in local dusk across the American‐Pacific‐Asian longitude sectors around geomagnetic latitude. These midlatitude peaks exhibited a wide longitudinal extension exceeding 150 and a prolonged duration of 12–15 hr during the late main phase and early recovery phase of the storm. (b) Strong storm‐enhanced density (SED) was observed in both hemispheres yet with different longitudinal and universal time preferences. In the Northern Hemisphere, significant SED occurred over the American longitude sector during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10. In the Southern Hemisphere, pronounced SED was observed not only in the American longitudes during 20:30–22:30 UT on May 10 but also in the Australian longitude sector during 02:00–04:00 UT on May 11.
12 August 2016 in Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
Statistical analyses were conducted to investigate the nighttime medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) for the first time by using airglow images and Global Positioning System (GPS) data over central China during 2013–2015. Our results show that the phase fronts of perturbations are aligned from northwest to southeast direction and propagate toward the southwest direction. The characteristics of the nighttime MSTIDs observed by OI 630.0 nm images are consistent with those of the nighttime MSTIDs obtained from the GPS data. The phase velocity, period, wavelength, and amplitude of nighttime MSTIDs are 50–150 m/s, 0.5–1.5 h, 150–400 km, and 2%–15%, respectively, as measured from 630.0 nm images and GPS data. In addition, we utilized the simultaneous observations from OI 630.0 nm and OI 557.7 nm images to explore the relationship between nighttime MSTIDs and gravity waves (<100 km) in the mesopause. It is found that the nighttime MSTIDs frequently occurred in the summer solstice, which was not consistent with the occurrence of gravity wave observed in the mesopause. Our results indicate that the nighttime MSTIDs may be generated by the coupling of electrodynamic processes rather than be trigged by gravity waves from the lower atmosphere.
The strongest geomagnetic storm in the preceding two decades occurred in May 2024. Over these years, ground‐based observational capabilities have been significantly enhanced to monitor the ionospheric weather. Notably, the newly established Sanya incoherent scatter radar (SYISR) (Yue, Wan, Ning, & Jin, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41550‐022‐01684‐1), one of the critical infrastructures of the Chinese “Meridian Project,” provides multiple parameter measurements in the upper atmosphere at low latitudes over Asian longitudies. Unique ionospheric changes on superstorm day 11 May were first recorded by the SYISR experiments and the geostationary satellite (GEO) total electron content (TEC) network over the Asian sector. The electron density or TEC displayed wavelike structures rather than a regular diurnal pattern. Surprisingly, two humps, a common feature in the daytime equatorial ionization anomaly structure, disappeared. The SYISR observations revealed that multiple wind surges accompanied the downward phase propagation caused by atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) originating from auroral zones. Meanwhile, strong upward and large downward drifts were respectively observed in the daytime and around sunset. The Thermosphere‐Ionosphere Electrodynamics Global Circulation Model (TIEGCM) simulations demonstrated that abnormal ionospheric changes were attributed to meridional wind disturbances associated with AGWs and recurrent penetration electric fields corresponding to larger Bz southward excursions and disturbance dynamo. The complicated interplay between AGWs and disturbance electric fields contributed to this unique ionospheric variation.
This paper studies the ionosphere's response to the annular solar eclipse on 26 December 2019, utilizing the following ground‐based and space‐borne measurements: Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) total electron content (TEC) data, spectral radiance data from the Sentinel‐5P satellite, in situ electron density and/or temperature measurements from DMSP and Swarm satellites, and local magnetometer data. Analysis concentrated on ionospheric effects over low‐latitude regions with respect to obscuration, local time, latitude, and altitude. The main results are as follows: (1) a local TEC reduction of ∼4–6 TECU (30–50%) was identified along the annular eclipse path, with larger depletion and longer recovery periods in the morning eclipse compared to midday. (2) The equatorial electrojet current was significantly weakened when the eclipse trajectory crossed the magnetic equator in the morning (India) sector, which contributed to large and prolonged TEC depletion therein. (3) At midday, equatorial ionization anomaly exhibited enhancements of 20–40% as well as poleward shifting of 3–4°, likely triggered by modified neutral wind and electrodynamics patterns. (4) The behavior of equatorial ionospheric electron density showed considerable altitudinal differences in the topside, exhibiting ∼30% reduction around 500 km and ∼30% enhancement with 300–500 K Te reduction around 850 km, before the arrival of maximum eclipse. This may have been caused by the enhanced eastward electric field and equatorward neutral wind, and other possible factors are also discussed.