Convergence Effects on the Ionosphere During and After the Annular Solar Eclipse on 21 June 2020

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we analyze the observations of the ionosondes at Wuhan (30.4°N, 114.4°E, 82.4% obscuration), Xiamen (24.2°N, 118.07°E, 97.8% obscuration), and Nanning (22.7°N, 109.25°E, 81.1% obscuration), as well as the total electron content (TEC) from the global ionosphere maps (GIMs) to examine the ionospheric behaviors in the F‐region on 21 June 2020 solar eclipse day. The observations show that a TEC enhancement occurred after the major depression near the center path of the solar eclipse, and it lasts to midnight on the solar eclipse day. Notes that the occurrence of the TEC enhancement is accompanied by the prominent TEC depletion in the southern side of the center path in the nighttime. The independent in situ electron density (Ne) observation from the Swarm‐B satellite and the calibrated TEC profile from the radio occultation technique onboard the FORMOSAT‐7/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate‐2 satellites also observed the long‐lasting enhancement in the F2 region near midnight. The solar eclipse‐induced convergence effects can result in the long‐lasting ionospheric perturbations, which may further cause the spread‐F in the nighttime.