Equatorial F2-peak parameters in the IRI model

Abstract

We have used measurements of an ionosonde station near the magnetic equator in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to evaluate the ability of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model to correctly represent ionospheric F2 peak parameters in this region. The data represent conditions of high and low solar activity. Comparing the URSI and CCIR option for the F2 plasma frequency, foF2, we find that for low solar activity both options agree quite well with the ionosonde foF2 values and overall the CCIR maps show a slightly better fit. During high solar activity discrepancies are found during nighttime and the URSI maps providing the overall better fit. The measured F2 peak height values, hmF2, are compared on one hand with IRI predictions that are obtained based on the CCIR model for the propagation factor M(3000)F2 and on the other hand with the ionosonde-measured M(3000)F2 values. As expected using the measured values results in more accurate predictions. It is important to note that with the measured M(3000)F2 values IRI predicts the characteristics post-sunset that is seen in the measurements but not in the IRI predictions with the CCIR-M(3000)F2 model.