Plasma Density Irregularities Research Articles

Ionospheric plasma irregularities over Dronning Maud Land in Antarctica and associated space weather effects

Ionospheric plasma irregularities and associated space weather effects over Dronning Maud Land in Antarctica are studied with a multi-instrument approach. It is demonstrated during a substorm event that auroral particle precipitation associated with the edges of auroral arcs can lead to irregularities in the ionospheric plasma density that can have significant impact on trans-ionospheric radio waves. Both refractive and diffractive effects are observed on signals from the GNSS satellites, where the latter are identified by the ionospheric free linear combination approach and amplitude scintillation. Thus, intense auroral particle precipitation can lead to plasma irregularities at scales from several kilometers down to and below the Fresnel radius, and they can result in space weather effects which can lead to losing the integrity of the GNSS signals.

First Detections of Ionospheric Plasma Density Irregularities from GOES Geostationary GPS Observations during Geomagnetic Storms

In this study, we present the first results of detecting ionospheric irregularities using non-typical GPS observations recorded onboard the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) mission operating at ~35,800 km altitude. Sitting above the GPS constellation, GOES can track GPS signals only from GPS transmitters on the opposite side of the Earth in a rather unique geometry. Although GPS receivers onboard GOES are primarily designed for navigation and were not configured for ionospheric soundings, these GPS measurements along links that traverse the Earth’s ionosphere can be used to retrieve information about ionospheric electron density. Using the radio occultation (RO) technique applied to GPS measurements from the GOES–16, we analyzed variations in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) on the links between the GPS transmitter and geostationary GOES GPS receiver. For case-studies of major geomagnetic storms that occurred in September 2017 and August 2018, we detected and analyzed the signatures of storm-induced ionospheric irregularities in novel and promising geostationary GOES GPS observations. We demonstrated that the presence of ionospheric irregularities near the GOES GPS RO sounding field of view during geomagnetic disturbances was confirmed by ground-based GNSS observations. The use of RO observations from geostationary orbit provides new opportunities for monitoring ionospheric irregularities and ionospheric density.

Investigating Equatorial Plasma Depletions through CSES-01 Satellite Data

Ionospheric plasma density irregularities, which are one of the primary sources of disturbance for the Global Navigation Satellite System, significantly impact the propagation of electromagnetic signals, leading to signal degradation and potential interruptions. In the equatorial ionospheric F region after sunset, certain plasma density irregularities, identified as equatorial plasma bubbles, encounter optimal conditions for their formation and development. The energy spectra of electron density fluctuations associated with these irregularities exhibit a power-law scaling behavior qualitatively similar to the Kolmogorov power law observed in fluid turbulence theory. This intriguing similarity raises the possibility that these plasma density irregularities may possess turbulent characteristics. In this study, we analyzed electron density, temperature, and pressure data obtained from the China Seismo-Electromagnetic Satellite (CSES-01) to delve into the spectral properties of equatorial plasma depletions in the ionospheric F region at an altitude of about 500 km. This research marks the first exploration of these properties utilizing CSES-01 data and focuses on 14 semi-orbits that crossed the equator after midnight (01:00–03:00 LT), characterized by a geomagnetic quiet condition (Kp < 1). The analysis of electron temperature, density and pressure within equatorial plasma depletions revealed power-law scaling behavior for all the selected parameters. Notably, the spectral index values of these parameters are different from each other. The significance of these findings in terms of investigating plasma depletions via magnetic field signatures, as well as their relationship to the occurrence of Rayleigh–Taylor convective turbulence, is examined and discussed.

Small‐Scale Field‐Aligned Currents of Intense Amplitude Resolved by the Swarm Satellites

AbstractIn this study we used the Level‐2 product of field‐aligned currents (FACs) from the Swarm satellites, to check the distribution characteristics of small‐scale FACs (SSFACs) of intense amplitude. Data applied covers 9 years from December 2013 to April 2023. Based on the statistical analysis on the amplitude, the SSFACs in this study is defined with amplitude larger than 20 μA/m2, which is also by two orders larger than the well‐known large‐scale R1 and R2 FACs (about 0.2 μA/m2). Such an intense amplitude indicates that it should play an important role in the magnetosphere‐ionosphere coupling. The location of the SSFACs observed is general between 60°∼80° and −80°∼−60° magnetic latitude, which is coincidently inside the auroral oval. The occurrence of the SSFACs depends on both solar activity and geomagnetic activity, and the influence of geomagnetic activity is more important than that of solar activity. By further checking the simultaneous in situ plasma density measured by Swarm, we find that the SSFACs are always associated with clear plasma density fluctuations. This suggests that the SSFACs play an important role for causing the small‐scale plasma density irregularities at auroral latitude.

Modeling of Multi‐Ion Plasma Bubbles in the Equatorial Ionosphere

AbstractEquatorial plasma bubbles (spread F/ionospheric irregularities) are plasma density irregularities or depletion in the ionosphere. It can be observed by radio waves, optical and in situ instruments during postsunset in equatorial and low‐latitude regions. Severe scintillations in radio waves can be caused by the presence of plasma bubbles. Therefore, studies of plasma bubbles become one of the most important and hot topics. Many studies have been devoted to the physical mechanism and characteristics of plasma bubbles in the ionosphere. However, some critical issues (e.g., day‐to‐day variability, complex structures, and ions composition) are still not well known. In this study, a new two‐dimensional model of multi‐ion (H+, He+, N+, O+, N2+, NO+, and O2+) plasma bubbles was developed. The photoionization, chemical reaction, and recombination processes of multiple ions have been added to the new model. The present model was used to simulate the nonlinear evolutions of multiple plasma bubbles in the equatorial region. Results show that the merging, disconnection and connection processes of plasma bubbles can be reproduced in this simulation. In addition, simulations first present morphological structures of molecular ions (NO+, O2+) of multiple plasma bubbles, which are significantly different from plasma bubbles. Molecular ion NO+ is manifested as plasma blobs. However, molecular ion O2+ is manifested as bubbles at low altitudes but blobs at high altitudes. The complex structures of multiple plasma bubbles and morphological structures of molecular ions in the present simulation are mostly consistent with observations.

Simultaneous equatorial plasma bubble observation using amplitude scintillations from GNSS and LEO satellites in low-latitude region

This study estimates the scale sizes of the plasma density irregularities and the longitudinal width associated with equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) in equatorial and low-latitude regions. By analyzing amplitude scintillation S4 indices and total electron content (TEC) measured from low earth orbit (LEO) satellite’s beacon signals with 400 MHz and Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) L1/E1 signals with 1575.42 MHz, recorded by receivers at the KMITL station in Bangkok, Thailand (geographic; 13.73° N, 100.77°E, magnetic: 7.26°N), we investigate the characteristics of these irregularities. We collected data of 154 LEO satellite pass events during nighttime on 21 disturbed days in four equinoctial months in 2021. Based on the presence or absence of the scintillation effects on GNSS and LEO beacon signals, the events are categorized into four classes to estimate the scale size of the plasma density irregularities. The analysis suggests that events with both GNSS and LEO scintillations, as well as events with GNSS scintillation alone, occur predominantly before midnight assuming the presence of the small-scale size of the irregularities within EPB. However, events with only LEO scintillation occur throughout the whole night and some events are observed before the events with both GNSS and LEO scintillations. Post-sunset LEO scintillation alone may be attributed to the onset of EPBs developing at low altitude, while post-midnight LEO scintillation events near the magnetic equator, observed during periods of low GNSS Rate of TEC Index (ROTI) values, are associated with bottom-side ionospheric irregularities but are not linked with EPB. The findings are consistent with previous researches on the generation and decay of electron density irregularities within plasma bubbles. However, this study provides new insights by using specific data sets and analysis techniques, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the association of LEO scintillations with bottom-side ionospheric irregularities near the magnetic equator, not observed in the ROTI map.Graphical

Variability and distribution of nighttime equatorial to mid latitude ionospheric irregularities and vertical plasma drift observed by FORMOSAT-5 Advanced Ionospheric Probe in-situ measurements from 2017 – 2020

Irregularities in ionospheric plasma distribution can result in severe scintillation and disruption to the radio frequencies utilized for satellite communications and navigation. In the low and mid latitudes, these irregularities can include Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) and Travelling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs). EPBs are irregularities manifesting in low latitude nighttime ionosphere plasma density that can extend along magnetic field lines with zonal scales on the order of 100 km or less, while TIDs are propagating wave disturbances. High frequency in-situ measurements of ionospheric plasma aboard spacecraft in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) are a direct measurement of irregularities in plasma density and are therefore valuable for resolving EPB and TID occurrences, variability, and relation to other ionospheric parameters that are believed to play a driving role in the formation of such irregularities. In this study, we utilize observations taken over a three-year period between 2017 and 2020 by the Advanced Ionospheric Probe (AIP) carried aboard the FORMOSAT-5 satellite to examine the spatial, seasonal, and interannual variability of equatorial to mid latitude ionospheric irregularities and vertical ion drift during this time. AIP provides in-situ measurements of ion density and vertical ion drift in the equatorial to mid latitude ionosphere at approximately 720 km altitude with local times between 22:00 – 23:00 local time. Our global scale results resolve distinct and inter-annually recurrent seasonal patterns in the distribution of nighttime ionospheric irregularities and vertical plasma drift during this time. Elevated occurrences of ion density irregularities are resolved along the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) latitudes, while notable occurrences with variability consistent with EPBs also observed along the low and equatorial magnetic latitudes. Zonal variability of equatorial irregularities consistent with the signatures of nonmigrating atmospheric tides are observed. It is also notable that the occurrences and geographic distribution of ion density irregularities showed a considerable level of interannual variability, especially at mid latitudes over the South Atlantic and Southern African sectors, which showed much higher levels of irregularities in 2017–––2018, compared to 2019 and 2020. In comparison, the spatial and interannual variation of the co-located vertical ion drifts were much more consistent during the years examined, indicating that the driver for the observed interannual variability in ion density irregularities cannot be attributed to the vertical ion drift at the same time and location of the observations. This highlights the need for in-situ instruments distributed across multiple satellites in different local time zones.

Decomposing solar and geomagnetic activity and seasonal dependencies to examine the relationship between GPS loss of lock and ionospheric turbulence

Ionospheric irregularities are plasma density variations that occur at various altitudes and latitudes and whose size ranges from a few meters to a few hundred kilometers. They can have a negative impact on the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), on their positioning accuracy and even cause a signal loss of lock (LoL), a phenomenon for which GNSS receivers can no longer track the satellites’ signal. Nowadays, the study of plasma density irregularities is important because many of the crucial infrastructures of our society rely on the efficient operation of these positioning systems. It was recently discovered that, of all possible ionospheric plasma density fluctuations, those in a turbulent state and characterized by extremely high values of the Rate Of change of the electron Density Index appear to be associated with the occurrence of LoL events. The spatial distributions of this class of fluctuations at mid and high latitudes are reconstructed for the first time using data collected on Swarm satellites between July 15th, 2014 and December 31st, 2021, emphasizing their dependence on solar activity, geomagnetic conditions, and season. The results unequivocally show that the identified class of plasma fluctuations exhibits spatio-temporal behaviours similar to those of LoL events.

Occurrence pattern of large-scale ionospheric irregularities over Ilorin, Nigeria - During solar cycle 24

Ionospheric plasma density irregularities are regular features of the nighttime equatorial ionosphere especially around solar maximum. These irregularities exist in different scales ranging from small sizes of meters to very large scales of hundreds of kilometers and are responsible for the scintillation of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals. Occurrence of these irregularities poses serious danger to GNSS signals and their applications. It is therefore necessary to continuously study their occurrence pattern and the severity of their effects on radio signals when new data are available. GNSS data for the whole of solar cycle 24 for Ilorin, Nigeria (Lat. = 8.48 °N, Long. = 4.67 °E, Dip = 4.1 °S) acquired using dual frequency GPS receiver (GPStation-2) and Novatel GISTM receiver (GPStation-6) were used to study the trend of large-scale irregularities. The indices used are the rate of change of TEC Index (ROTI) and ROTI average (ROTIAVE) obtained from 30 s RINEX data. The results showed two peaks in the level and frequency of occurrence of large-scale irregularities at Ilorin - one in March and the other in September. The level and frequency of occurrence of irregularities widened around these 2 months as the level of solar activity increases. It was observed that the frequency of occurrence is higher in March equinox than in September for all the years. Similarly, the spread of irregularities in terms of the monthly average number of satellites affected with irregularities was found to be higher in March equinox than in September during the increasing phase of the solar cycle; while during the decreasing phase, the spread for September was found to be higher than that of March. In terms of the local time of occurrence, irregularities are more pronounced between 1900 LT and 2400 LT. The level of irregularities was found to be correlated with solar indices (i.e. EUV and F10.7). A correlation study between solar indices (i.e. EUV and F10.7) with irregularities showed consistency pattern during the scintillation season i.e. during equinox. A slightly higher correlation values were however obtained between the level/spread of irregularities and EUV compared to that with F10.7.

Storm‐Time Subauroral Ionospheric Plasma Density Irregularities and the Substorm Current Wedge

AbstractWe report on the development of plasma density irregularities in the subauroral ionosphere over the North American sector during the 17 March 2015 Saint Patrick's Day geomagnetic storm. Data from network of ground‐based observation instruments including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Continuously Operating Reference Station global navigation satellite system receivers and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) all‐sky imagers, as well as in situ measurements from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and the Van Allen Radiation Belt Storm Probes (RBSP) spacecrafts, were examined to characterize the spatial and temporal development of subauroral irregularities. The auroral electrojet (AE) index was used as primary indicator of substorm occurrences, aided by some cross‐referencing with the SYM‐H index and SYM‐H time derivative. Special attention was given to substorms that happened at the beginning of this geomagnetic storm. Analysis of Global Positioning System (GPS) rate‐of‐total electron content index (ROTI) data along an east‐west cut line near the US‐Canada border indicates that subauroral ionospheric irregularities may start to form as early as a few minutes after a substantial increase in the AE index. Contemporaneous DMSP and RBSP observations confirmed the presence of subauroral polarization streams wave structures when the aforementioned enhancement in AE index and GPS ROTI occurred. An equatorward expansion of bright auroral arc and subsequent auroral breakups were also seen in the THEMIS all‐sky imager observation data. The relatively short time scales for irregularities to develop suggest possible roles played by the penetration of magnetotail plasma flow bursts into the plasmasphere and the substorm current wedge development in their formation in the subauroral ionosphere.

Global Maps of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Depletions Based on FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 Ion Velocity Meter Plasma Density Observations

AbstractFORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 is the largest equatorial multi‐satellite constellation of six full‐size satellites to study the equatorial ionosphere. Each satellite is equipped by an ion velocity meter (IVM) instrument to provide high rate in situ plasma density observations along the low‐inclined satellite orbits at ∼530–550 km altitude. Six satellites provide an unprecedented dense coverage of the entire equatorial region around the globe and allow reliable detection of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) and plasma density irregularities at different local times/longitudinal sectors simultaneously. We present a method for detection of EPBs in FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 in situ plasma density data and construction of the global maps of EPB geolocations. The results in the form of time series and IVM‐based global Bubble Maps have a great potential for both near real‐time monitoring of space weather conditions and long‐term statistical analysis of EPB occurrence in regional or global scales. We present first FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 derived climatological characteristics of the post‐sunset and post‐midnight EPBs occurrence probability and their apex altitudes during a period of low solar activity. Also, we demonstrate the good performance of the FORMOSAT‐7/COSMIC‐2 IVM‐based Bubble Maps when compared to optical images and ground‐based ionosonde observations.

First Detection of Midlatitude Plasma Bubble by SuperDARN During a Geomagnetic Storm on May 27 and 28, 2017

AbstractWe used the global navigation satellite system‐total electron content (TEC) and Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar to elucidate the characteristics of the plasma bubble extending to midlatitudes over North America during a geomagnetic storm on 27 and 28 May 2017. To identify plasma bubbles, we analyzed the rate of the TEC index (ROTI), which is a good indicator of the occurrence of plasma bubbles. The enhanced ROTI region expanded up to 50°N (geomagnetic latitude), and the upper limit of this region coincided with the equatorward wall of the midlatitude trough. Two‐dimensional ROTI maps show that the enhanced midlatitude ROTI region moved westward at a bulk speed of approximately 310 m/s. The Fort Hays East SuperDARN radar also detected the radar echo, showing the existence of plasma density irregularities at ∼10‐m scales within the midlatitude plasma bubble. The radar echo had a westward velocity of ∼300 m/s, which is almost consistent with the westward motion of the enhanced midlatitude ROTI region. We deduced that the westward propagation of the plasma bubble could be caused by a poleward sub‐auroral polarization stream electric field. The observed radar echo overlapping with the enhanced ROTI region had a narrower spectral width (<50 m/s) than that of the auroral activity. This feature resembled that of the type 1 echo, although the Doppler velocity was smaller than the ion acoustic speed at the F‐region height. This is the first case in which plasma density irregularities within plasma bubbles were captured by the SuperDARN radar.

Midlatitude Sporadic E‐Layer Horizontal Structuring Modulated by Neutral Instability and Mixing in the Lower Thermosphere

AbstractObservations of 30‐MHz coherent backscatter from sporadic‐E ionization layers were obtained with a VHF imaging radar located in Ithaca, New York. The volume probed by the radar lies at relatively high magnetic latitudes, on the northern edge of the mid‐latitude region and underneath the ionospheric trough. Banded, quasi‐periodic (QP) echoes observed from Ithaca are similar to those found in lower midlatitude regions. The Doppler shifts observed are smaller and, so far, do not appear to reach the threshold for Farley‐Buneman instability. However, many of the echoes exhibit fine‐scale structure, with secondary bands or braids oriented obliquely to the primary bands. Secondary bands have been seen only rarely at lower middle latitudes. In previous observations, the QP scattering has been linked to unstable neutral wind shears. Neutral wind shear commonly found in the lower thermosphere could play a key role in the formation of these irregularities and explain some morphological features of the resulting plasma density irregularities and the radar echoes. We consider whether neutral instability and turbulence in the lower thermosphere is the likely cause for some of the structuring in the sporadic‐ E layers. Results of 3D numerical simulations of atmospheric dynamics in the mesosphere to lower thermosphere support the proposition. In particular, we focus on Ekman‐type instabilities that, like the more common Kelvin‐Helmholtz instabilities, are inflection point instabilities, although specifically associated with turning shears, and result in convective rolls aligned close to the mean wind direction, with smaller‐scale secondary waves aligned normal to the primary structures.

The role of particle precipitation on plasma structuring at different altitudes by in-situ measurements

The plasma in the cusp ionosphere is subject to particle precipitation, which is important for the development of large-scale irregularities in the plasma density. These irregularities can be broken down into smaller scales which have been linked to strong scintillations in the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. We present power spectra for the plasma density irregularities in the cusp ionosphere for regions with and without auroral particle precipitation based on in-situ measurements from the Twin Rockets to Investigate Cusp Electrodynamics-2 (TRICE-2) mission, consisting of two sounding rockets flying simultaneously at different altitudes. The electron density measurements taken from the multi-needle Langmuir probe system (m-NLP) were analyzed for the whole flight duration for both rockets. Due to their high sampling rates, the probes allow for a study of plasma irregularities down to kinetic scales. A steepening of the slope in the power spectra may indicate two regimes, a frequency interval with a shallow slope, where fluid-like processes are dominating, and an interval with a steeper slope which can be addressed with kinetic theory. The steepening occurs at frequencies between 20 Hz and 100 Hz with a median similar to the oxygen gyrofrequency. Additionally, the occurrence of double slopes increases where precipitation starts and throughout the rest of the flight. In addition, strong electron density fluctuations were found in regions poleward of the cusp, thus in regions immediately after precipitation. Furthermore, by investigating the integrated power of the fluctuations within different frequency ranges, we show that at low frequencies (10–100 Hz), the power is pronounced more evenly while the rocket encounters particle precipitation, while at high frequencies (100–1000 Hz) fluctuations essentially coincide with the passing through a flow channel.

The Occurrence Characteristics of Daytime Irregularities in the Low Latitude Topside F Region at Solar Minimum Revealed by ICON

AbstractUsing observations from the Ionospheric Connection Explorer satellite, the occurrence characteristics of daytime plasma density irregularities in the low latitude topside F region at solar minimum were studied. The results show that the occurrence characteristics of daytime topside irregularities during June solstice resembled those at solar maximum. An interesting phenomenon not reported before is that an occurrence minimum in the local‐time variation occurred around 08:30–10:00 LT, mainly during Equinox in Asia. The topside irregularities appearing after the occurrence minimum were mostly concentrated at low latitudes around ±5°–15°. Based on the total electron content perturbations derived from the ground‐based global navigation satellite system receivers at low latitudes, it was found that the topside irregularities after the occurrence minimum were accompanied with apparent medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) at times. Statistically, a good agreement was observed between the local time variations of MSTIDs and of daytime topside irregularities during Equinox in East/Southeast Asia. We suggest that the daytime irregularities in the low latitude topside F region were not totally the remnants of nighttime equatorial plasma bubbles. Especially for the daytime irregularities during Equinox in Asia, they could be MSTIDs appearing at topside F region.

Probing the Plasma Tail of Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov

We present an occultation study of compact radio sources by the plasma tail of interstellar comet 2I/Borisov (C/2019 Q4) both pre- and near-perihelion using the Arecibo and Green Bank radio telescopes. The interplanetary scintillation technique was used to probe the plasma tail at the P band (302–352 MHz), 820 MHz, and the L band (1120–1730 MHz). The presence and absence of scintillation at different perpendicular distances from the central axis of the plasma tail suggests a narrow tail of less than 6′ at a distance of ∼10′ (∼106 km) from the comet nucleus. Data recorded during the occultation of B1019+083 on 2019 October 31 with the Arecibo Telescope covered the width of the plasma tail from its outer region to the central axis. The systematic increase in scintillation during the occultation provides the plasma properties associated with the tail when the comet was at its pre-perihelion phase. The excess level of L-band scintillation indicates a plasma density enhancement of ∼15–20 times that of the background solar wind. The evolving shape of the observed scintillation power spectra across the tail from its edge to the central axis suggests a density spectrum flatter than Kolmogorov and that the plasma density irregularity scales present in the tail range between 10 and 700 km. The discovery of a high-frequency spectral excess corresponding to irregularity scales much smaller than the Fresnel scale suggests the presence of small-scale density structures in the plasma tail, likely caused by interaction between the solar wind and the plasma environment formed by the comet.

Origin of Dawnside Subauroral Polarization Streams During Major Geomagnetic Storms

AbstractSolar eruptions cause geomagnetic storms in the near‐Earth environment, creating spectacular aurorae visible to the human eye and invisible dynamic changes permeating all of geospace. Just equatorward of the aurora, radars and satellites often observe intense westward plasma flows called subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) in the dusk‐to‐midnight ionosphere. SAPS occur across a narrow latitudinal range and lead to intense frictional heating of the ionospheric plasma and atmospheric neutral gas. SAPS also generate small‐scale plasma waves and density irregularities that interfere with radio communications. As opposed to the commonly observed duskside SAPS, intense eastward subauroral plasma flows in the morning sector were recently discovered to have occurred during a super storm on 20 November 2003. However, the origin of these flows termed “dawnside SAPS” could not be explained by the same mechanism that causes SAPS on the duskside and has remained a mystery. Through real‐event global geospace simulations, here we demonstrate that dawnside SAPS can only occur during major storm conditions. During these times, the magnetospheric plasma convection is so strong as to effectively transport ions to the dawnside, whereas they are typically deflected to the dusk by the energy‐dependent drifts. Ring current pressure then builds up on the dawnside and drives field‐aligned currents that connect to the subauroral ionosphere, where eastward SAPS are generated. The origin of dawnside SAPS explicated in this study advances our understanding of how the geospace system responds to strongly disturbed solar wind driving conditions that can have severe detrimental impacts on human society and infrastructure.

Ionospheric Turbulence: A Challenge for GPS Loss of Lock Understanding

AbstractIonospheric irregularities may affect electromagnetic signals propagating through the ionosphere and consequently contribute to the malfunctioning of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems hindering their accuracy and reliability. In this study, we use data recorded on board two of the three satellites of the Swarm constellation (namely, Swarm A and Swarm B) from 15 July 2014 to 31 December 2021 to assess the possible dependence of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signals loss of lock on the presence of a specific kind of ionospheric irregularities. To accomplish this task we study the scaling features of the electron density fluctuations through the structure function analysis simultaneously to the occurrence of loss of lock events through measurements recorded by the Langmuir probes and the precise orbit determination antennas on board Swarm A and Swarm B satellites. We find that the plasma density irregularities in a turbulent state characterized by intermittent structures and extremely high values of the Rate Of change of electron Density Index can lead to GPS loss of lock events. This is always true at mid and high latitudes, especially inside the auroral oval. In the equatorial belt, this happens in at least 75% of identified GPS loss of lock events that basically coincide with the occurrence of plasma bubbles.

Generation Mechanisms of Plasma Density Irregularity in the Equatorial Ionosphere During a Geomagnetic Storm on 21–22 December 2014

AbstractThe equatorial ionosphere endured plasma density irregularities during a geomagnetic storm on 21–22 December 2014. To understand the underlying mechanism, we analyzed the rate of the total electron content change (ROTI) data obtained from a global navigation satellite system, along with solar wind, interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), geomagnetic indices, Jicamarca incoherent scatter radar, and magnetometer data. The results indicate that the ROTI enhancement related to plasma density irregularities (plasma bubbles) occurred three times in the equatorial and low latitude regions of the American sector during the geomagnetic storm. The first, second, and third enhancements which have a longitudinal extent of ∼20° appeared in the post‐sunset, pre‐midnight, and post‐midnight sectors, respectively. The second enhancement occurred during the recovery phase of the storm‐time substorm even though the IMF remained southward. During this period, the direction of the dayside equatorial electrojet (EEJ) changed from eastward to westward, while the nightside upward plasma velocity at Jicamarca increased to 28.8 m/s. The response of the EEJ and upward ion drift implies that the westward and eastward electric fields were intensified on the dayside and nightside, respectively. Therefore, these results suggest that an over‐shielding electric field penetrates the dayside/nightside equator simultaneously in association with a substorm recovery phase, and that the electric field generates plasma bubbles by the Rayleigh‐Taylor instability mechanism. Plasma bubbles induced by the penetration of an over‐shielding electric field due to substorm activity have not previously been reported.

The role of global thermospheric zonal winds on the variability of equatorial ionospheric irregularities

We analyze the role of thermospheric winds on the variability of ionospheric plasma density irregularities for solar maximum periods using ionospheric plasma density profiles from the three Swarm satellites and zonal wind data from the Horizontal Wind Model 14 (HWM14). The results show that the plasma density irregularities are strongest during post-midnight hours compared to pre-midnight hours in the African – American longitude sector and this is associated with an enhancement in eastward zonal wind after midnight. In addition, the occurrence of plasma irregularities are observed to show a westward shift. The zonal wind reversal from westward to eastward during post-sunset hours is found to be very important for the generation and variability of plasma irregularities. In the African – American longitudinal sector, where plasma irregularities are the most intense, the eastward wind is strongest in December solstice than for the other seasons. Moreover, plasma irregularity during the December solstice is comparable to the Rayleigh-Taylor Instability mechanism (RTI) favored equinox seasons. But, plasma irregularities are weakest in the June solstice where the zonal eastward wind over geomagnetic equatorial region is weakest as compared to the other seasons. Zonal wind reversal from westward to eastward around post-sunset hours occurred early for seasons with stronger ionospheric irregularity activity whereas the reversal is delayed for the season with weakest ionospheric irregularity activity in the African – American sector. Our results are confirmations of the theoretical prediction on the role of eastward zonal wind in plasma instability growth rate by Kudeki et al. (2007).