Waves-like signatures in the D-region ionosphere generated by solar flares

Abstract

The present study reports presence of periodic Wave-Like Signatures (WLS) in the D-region ionosphere detected using NWC, Australia, VLF navigational transmitter signal (19.8 kHz) observed at Allahabad, an Indian low latitude station. The observed WLS are associated with series of solar flares which includes 12 C, 3 M and 2 X class flares occurred during the month of May 2013. Significant variations are observed on NWC-VLF amplitude and phase due to different classes of flares which occurred at different solar zenith angles. The wavelet analysis of VLF amplitude on control day reveals presence of WLS with periods 40–180 minutes during day/night and night/day transition times which are probably generated due to passage of dusk and dawn solar terminator. Flare day WLS are observed with period varying 90–200 minutes and are remarkably different in their period, occurrence duration/time and amplitude depending on the class and occurrence time of flare and are more prominent during morning and evening times when D-region is in developing stage. The WLS on flare day are probably generated by solar flare induced gravity waves which may cause periodic changes in temperature, electron density, and plasma conductivity in the ionosphere. The present observations seem to shed additional light on the current understanding of gravity wave induced D-region dynamics.