Abstract
Abstract. The low frequency propagation conditions along the path from Iceland to Germany (52° N 8° E) using the NRK/TFK 37.5 kHz transmitter (63.9° N 22.5° W) prove as an easy to monitor and reliable proxy for north auroral activity. Signal processing using wavelet decomposition allows for quantitative activity level estimations. Calibration is based upon NOAA POES auroral activity data. Using an auroral oval model for the local intensity distribution of solar energetic particle precipitation and a wave propagation model ionospheric D-layer height decreases along the path can be derived. This in turn gives a hint to the low latitude extension and intensity of the auroral electrojet currents that can be responsible for communication and power systems failures.
Highlights
Remote detection of auroral activity using moderately elaborate equipment is a good complement to in situ measurements and satellite based recordings, especially with regard to the lower ionosphere behaviour which cannot be accessed “from top” and with regard to nearly 24/7 availability of data covering the same propagation range
Their work indicated that VLF phase and amplitude anomalies and effective D-layer reflection height decrease is well correlated with an increase of high energetic (E ≥ 300 keV) electron precipitation during expansion of the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval crossing VLF
Location and intensity of the auroral electrojet which is coupled to this boundary are of geophysical interest but important for the assessment of possible communication and electric power systems failure risks
Summary
Remote detection of auroral activity using moderately elaborate equipment is a good complement to in situ measurements and satellite based recordings, especially with regard to the lower ionosphere behaviour which cannot be accessed “from top” and with regard to nearly 24/7 availability of data covering the same propagation range. We follow and extend previous work done by Cummer et al (1996), Cummer et al (1997), Kikuchi and Ohtani (1986), Peter et al (2005). Their work indicated that VLF phase and amplitude anomalies and effective D-layer reflection height decrease is well correlated with an increase of high energetic (E ≥ 300 keV) electron precipitation during expansion of the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval crossing VLF
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