Traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are wave-like disturbances in ionospheric plasma density. They are often observed during both quiet (medium-scale TID) and geomagnetically disturbed (large-scale TID) conditions. Their amplitudes can reach double-digit percentages of the background plasma density, and their existence presents a challenge for accurate ionosphere specification. In this study, we examine TID properties using observations obtained during two geomagnetically disturbed periods using multiple ground and space-borne instruments, such as magnetometers, Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers, and the SWARM satellite. Reference quiet time observations are also provided for both storms. We use a thermosphere–ionosphere–electrodynamics general circulation model (TIEGCM) results to properly interpret TID features and their drivers. This combination of observations and modeling allows the investigation of variations of TID generation mechanisms and subsequent wave propagation, particularly as a function of different plasma background densities during various geophysical conditions. The trans-equatorial coupling of TIDs in the northern and southern hemispheres is also investigated with respect to attenuation and propagation characteristics. We show that TID properties during trans-equatorial events may be substantially affected by storm time background neutral wind perturbation.

The main objective of this study is to investigate the ionospheric irregularities observed by Global Positioning System‐total electron content (GPS‐TEC) receivers during the high solar activity years of 2013 and 2014 at different stations in the equatorial and low‐latitude regions in the South American sector. The ionospheric parameters used in this investigation are the TEC, the rate of change of the TEC index (ROTI), and the amplitude scintillation index (S4). In the South American sector, the ROTI and S4 indices showed that the ionospheric irregularities have an annual variation with maximum occurrence from September to April, between 20:00 LT and 02:00 LT, and no occurrence from May to August. Also, strong phase fluctuations (ROTI >1) are observed over South America at 19 LT in October and November. Morlet wavelet analysis of ROTI and S4 showed that planetary wave‐scale periods ranging from 2 to 8 days are predominant during September–March at 20–02 LT in South America. In addition, using a keogram it was possible to evaluate the distance between adjacent ionospheric plasma depletions, and this result is presented and discussed. The longitudinal distances between adjacent bubbles vary around ~600–1000 km, which is larger than values reported in most previous studies.

The behavior of the Brazilian equatorial ionosphere during the solar minimum periods, 1996 and 2009, which cover the solar cycles 22/23 and 23/24, respectively, is investigated. For this, the F₂ layer critical frequency (foF₂) and peak height (hmF₂) registered by a Digisonde operated at São Luis (2.33° S; 44° W) are carefully analyzed. The results show that the seasonal mean values of the foF₂ and the hmF₂ in the equinoxes and winter during 2009 were lower than in 1996. In the summer, an anomalous response to solar variability was observed. In this case, the hmF₂ in 2009 is higher than in 1996 during a specific daytime interval. Besides that, it was verified that the prereversal enhancement of the zonal electric field (PRE) during the equinoxes in 2009 occurred a few minutes earlier than in 1996. Additionally, a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analysis was used to investigate the impacts of solar atmospheric tides (amplitude, diurnal, semidiurnal, and terdiurnal modes) on foF₂ and hmF₂ parameters with respect to its seasonality. Significant differences were observed between their values during the two minima, mainly in the amplitude of hmF₂, which was higher in 1996 than in 2009 for all days analyzed. Moreover, the seasonality in the diurnal and semidiurnal modes for both periods presented an annual variability, while the terdiurnal mode exhibited annual and semiannual components. The results are compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model, and the main differences between the observation and the model results are discussed in this work.