Abstract

This work presents an analysis of the ionospheric responses to the solar eclipse that occurred on December 14, 2020, over the Brazilian sector. This event partially covers the south of Brazil, providing an excellent opportunity to study the modifications in the peculiarities that occur in this sector, as the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA). Therefore, we used the Digisonde data available in this period for two sites, Campo Grande (CG, 20.47° S, 54.60° W, dip ∼23° S) and Cachoeira Paulista (CXP, 22.70° S, 45.01° W, dip ∼35° S), assessing the E, and F regions, and Es layer behaviors. Additionally, a numerical model (MIRE, Portuguese acronym for E Region Ionospheric Model) is used to analyze the E layer dynamics modification around these times. The results show the F1 region disappearance and an apparent electronic density reduction in the E region during the solar eclipse. We also analyzed the total electron content (TEC) maps from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that indicate a weakness in the EIA. On the other hand, we observe the rise of the Es layer electron density, which is related to the gravity waves strengthened during solar eclipse events. Finally, our results lead to a better understanding of the restructuring mechanisms in the ionosphere at low latitudes during the solar eclipse events, even though they only partially reached the studied regions.

Highlights

  • Events as a solar eclipse, where the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, can cause modifications in the ionosphere

  • December 14, 2020, over the Brazilian sector. This event partially covers the south of Brazil, providing an excellent opportunity to study the modifications in the peculiarities that occur in this sector, as the 20 Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA)

  • We analyzed the total electron content (TEC) maps from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) that indicate a weakness in the EIA

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Summary

Introduction

Events as a solar eclipse, where the moon passes between the Sun and the Earth, can cause modifications in the ionosphere. It is possible to observe influences in the Total Electron Content (TEC) (Cherniak and Zakharenkova, 2018), in the Equatorial Ionospheric Anomaly (EIA) (Chen et al, 2019; Jonah et al., 2020), a decrease in the E and F region densities (Chandra et al, 2007), and changes in all types of Sporadic E (Es) layers (Adeniyi et al, 2007; Pezzopane et al, 2015). Sridharan et al (2002) analyzed the ionosphere electrodynamics during the solar eclipse on August 11, 1999, over the equatorial station in Trivandrum (8.5° N, 77° E, dip 0.5° N), India. Their results showed some characteristics in the ionograms as intense blanketing Es layer (Esb) occurrence, and an increase in the F region virtual height (h′F) after the solar eclipse, emerging the spread-F structures.

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