Comparison of total electron content measurements made with the ATS-6 radio beacon over the U.S. and Europe

Abstract

We compare and contrast ATS-6 radio beacon measurements made at three stations in the U.S.A. with similar measurements made in Europe the following year at two locations. It is shown that over the U.S.A. the winter plasmaspheric content reaches its maximum near 0300 LT whereas in Europe the maximum occurs near noon. The plasmaspheric content decreases with increase of magnetic activity in both continents. Winter night maxima are observed in ionospheric content in both hemispheres. Marked differences occured in magnetic storm effects and in the day-to-night ratio of ionospheric electron content.