A study on the evolution of plasma bubbles using the single station‐multisatellite and multistation‐single satellite techniques

Abstract

AbstractThe characteristics of plasma bubble‐induced ionospheric irregularities were analyzed by estimating the drift velocity of plasma bubbles, their percentage of occurrence, seasonal/LT distributions, and east‐west spatial width using multifrequency Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receiver systems at Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Hanle. Two techniques, namely, single station‐multisatellite and multistation‐single satellite observations, were used in the analysis by tracking two geostationary Indian satellites GSAT‐8 (PRN 127) and GSAT‐10 (PRN 128) for the year 2014. In addition, GNSS receiver data from a recently commissioned near‐equatorial station at Changanacherry, Kerala, were used to evaluate 15 plasma bubble events during the period of 29 October 2015 to 31 October 2016. Using, single station‐multisatellite technique, the distribution of drift velocity measurements from plasma bubble scintillations lies in the range of 120–140 m/s for Trivandrum, Changanacherry, and Hyderabad. For Bangalore, and Delhi, the most probable ranges of drift velocity were 120–160 m/s and 80–100 m/s, respectively. The highest probable value of east‐west width of plasma bubble evolution for Trivandrum and Changanacherry was within the range of 100–150 km. However, the same at Bangalore and Hyderabad was in the range of 150–200 km and 100–200 km for Delhi. The maximum probable LT of occurrence of plasma bubble is premidnight sector over the equator. The comparison of the characteristics of plasma bubble evolution over equatorial/low‐latitude Indian sector considering six stations by employing two unique techniques and an objective correlation method is the first time attempt.