Bibliography

Morphologies of ionospheric-equivalent slab-thickness and scale height over equatorial latitude in Africa

Accurate representation of ionospheric equivalent slab thickness (τ) and scale height (Hm) plays a crucial role in characterizing the complex dynamics of topside and bottomside ionospheric constituents. In the present work, we examined the corresponding morphologies of ionospheric profile parameters with collocated global positioning system (GPS) and Digisonde Portable Sounder (DPS) setups at an equatorial location in west Africa Ilorin (8.50°N, 4.68°E), during a low solar activity year 2010. The extracted τ from GPS and DPS in selected quiet periods confirm it to be a first-order measure of Hm over Africa. The seasonal analysis of τ shows substantial enhancement in the magnitude during the post-sunset and solstice seasons, of which December solstice manifests relatively higher values than June solstice. This result could be associated with the elevation of the meridional wind and drift in the parameters, which are more substantial during the post-noon and solstices. Therefore, at solstices, the post-night increase could indicate solar cycle dynamics during HSA (high solar activity) and LSA (low solar activity). However, the extracted Hm from its relationship with τ did not show visible effects of dynamics in E × B plasma drift and the meridional wind. In our study, a decline in morphologies of Hm and τ from December solstice to June solstice through the equinox is not consistent with the existing observations at mid-latitude. The results would complement the relationships between bottomside and topside profile peak parameters and dynamics of ionospheric constituents for a realistic representation and modeling of the ionosphere over African equatorial and low latitude regions. Thus, it also contributes to the global effort of improving ionospheric prediction and forecasting models.

Odeyemi, Olumide; Adeniyi, Jacob; Oyeyemi, Elijah; Panda, Sampad; Jamjareegulgarn, Punyawi; Olugbon, Busola; Oluwadare, Esholomo; Akala, Andrew; Olawepo, Adeniji; Adewale, Adekola;

Published by: Advances in Space Research      Published on: jan

YEAR: 2022     DOI: 10.1016/j.asr.2021.10.030

Global positioning system; Digital portable sounder; Equatorial latitude; Equivalent slab thickness; scale height

Latitudinal Dependence of Ionospheric Responses to Some Geomagnetic Storms during Low Solar Activity

The Latitudinal dependence in the response of the Ionospheric F2-layer electron density (NmF2) and peak height (hmF2) to three geomagnetic storms of May and August 2010 has been examined. The data-sets used for the study were obtained from Ilorin, Nigeria (1.87° S/76.67° E), San Vito, Italy (34.68° N/90.38° E), Hermanus, South Africa (42.34° S/82.15° E), and Pruhonice, Czech Republic (45.66° N/90.38° E) geomagnetic coordinates. The quiet time result shows that the rise in NmF2 began earlier at San Vito, followed by Pruhonice. The rate of ionization was observed to be highest in Ilorin, while, the rate of decay in NmF2 is faster at Hermanus. For disturbed NmF2 condition, remarkable similarities in the NmF2 responses during geomagnetic storms were recorded from Hermanus in the mid-latitude and Ilorin, an equatorial station. NmF2 enhancements (\textgreater6 hours) that is consistent with the increase in hmF2 were observed at all the mid-latitude stations during the main phase of the 02 May, 2010 storm, without any noticeable change over ILN. Similarly, 12 hours of positive phase was observed at ILN and HMN, with 30 hours of NmF2 depletions at PRN and SVT during the recovery phase. ILN is in the equatorial Trough, so most of the NmF2 produced at this region is lifted to the higher latitudes by the fountain effect during the main phase. The suppression of the zonal electric field at ILN is responsible for the NmF2 enhancement during the recovery phase, while the mid-latitude responses have been attributed to the effect of the thermospheric winds and neutral composition changes.

Joshua, B.; Adeniyi, J.; Olawepo, A.; Rabiu, Babatunde; Daniel, Okoh; Adebiyi, S.; Adebesin, B.; Ikubanni, S.; Abdurahim, B.;

Published by: Geomagnetism and Aeronomy      Published on: may

YEAR: 2021     DOI: 10.1134/S0016793221030063

Electric field; Electron density; Geomagnetic storms; magnetosphere; peak height