Study of the upper transition height using ISR observations and IRI predictions over Arecibo

Abstract

The temporal and spatial variation of the upper transition height ( H T ) is studied using the measurements of the Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) at Arecibo Observatory ( 18.35 ° N , 66.75 ° W ) , Puerto Rico (magnetic latitude 30 ° N ). Observed ion compositions, electron densities, electron and ion temperatures are analysed to understand the diurnal and seasonal variations of H T at low and high solar activity covering solar cycles 23 and 24. The results show that during the low solar activity conditions, the mean H T is very low (around 750 km during the daytime and 500 km at night), while during high solar activity conditions, it reaches about 1600 km. Under very quiet geomagnetic conditions, the mean H T is about 700 km during day time and 500 km during night time. The obtained results are compared with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model predictions using the TBT15 model ion composition option. During low and moderate solar activity conditions, the TBT15 model overestimates about 5–10% at night and 15–20% in the afternoon. Furthermore, from the current investigation using the IRI’s TBT15 and DY85 model ion composition options, it is found that the newer TBT15 model option is more appropriate to investigate H T variations as compared to the DY85 model option.