Geomagnetic Disturbances and Its Impact on Ionospheric Critical Frequency (foF2) at High, Mid and Low Latitude Region

Abstract

A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth's magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. During solar and geomagnetic activities, critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) varies in a great extent. In this Study, our main aim is to examine the effect of solar and geomagnetic activities on the critical frequency (foF2) during January 2014 to April 2014 respectively. One magnetic intense storm occurred on 19 February with (Dst -112) and other moderate storm occurred on 12 April 2014 with (Dst -80). In our study, we have analyzed these effects on critical frequency of F2 layer for ionospheric monitoring. We have used ionospheric data at Low, mid and high latitude station. The absorption and ionization of the ionospheric medium depends on solar activity. The value of foF2 increased from their normal value at all the three latitudes. This is due to geomagnetic storms that occurred around the same time. A very interesting feature that can be seen in the figures is that the increase of foF2 at Low latitude is much more intense as compare to high and mid latitude. Comparison among all the latitudes shows that the values of foF2 at high latitude are quite less as compared to low and mid latitude. We have found that the effect of solar and geomagnetic storm disturbances is strongest at the low latitude and weakest at the high latitude during the geomagnetic storm time.