Thermospheric Composition Research Articles

Calibrating estimates of ionospheric long-term change

Abstract. Long-term reduction (∼20 km) in the height of the ionospheric F2 layer, hmF2, is predicted to result from increased levels of tropospheric greenhouse gases. Sufficiently long sequences of ionospheric data exist in order for us to investigate this long-term change, recorded by a global network of ionosondes. However, direct measurements of ionospheric-layer height with these instruments is not possible. As a result, most estimates of hmF2 rely on empirical formulae based on parameters routinely scaled from ionograms. Estimates of trends in hmF2 using these formulae show no global consensus. We present an analysis in which data from the Japanese ionosonde station at Kokubunji were used to estimate monthly median values of hmF2 using an empirical formula. These were then compared with direct measurements of the F2 layer height determined from incoherent-scatter measurements made at the Shigaraki MU Observatory, Japan. Our results reveal that the formula introduces diurnal, seasonal, and long-term biases in the estimates of hmF2 of ≈±10% (±25 km at an altitude of 250 km). These are of similar magnitude to layer height changes anticipated as a result of climate change. The biases in the formula can be explained by changes in thermospheric composition that simultaneously reduce the peak density of the F2 layer and modulate the underlying F1 layer ionization. The presence of an F1 layer is not accounted for in the empirical formula. We demonstrate that, for Kokobunji, the ratios of F2 / E and F2 / F1 critical frequencies are strongly controlled by changes in geomagnetic activity represented by the am index. Changes in thermospheric composition in response to geomagnetic activity have previously been shown to be highly localized. We conclude that localized changes in thermospheric composition modulate the F2 / E and F2 / F1 peak ratios, leading to differences in hmF2 trends. We further conclude that the influence of thermospheric composition on the underlying ionosphere needs to be accounted for in these empirical formulae if they are to be applied to studies of long-term ionospheric change.

Multi-Instrument Observation of the Ionospheric Irregularities and Disturbances during the 23–24 March 2023 Geomagnetic Storm

This work investigates the ionospheric response to the March 2023 geomagnetic storm over American and Asian sectors from total electron content (TEC), rate of TEC index, ionospheric heights, Swarm plasma density, radio occultation profiles of Formosat-7/Cosmic-2 (F7/C2), Fabry-Perot interferometer driven neutral winds, and E region electric field. During the storm’s main phase, post-sunset equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) extend to higher latitudes in the western American longitudes, showing significant longitudinal differences in the American sector. Over the Indian longitudes, suppression of post-sunset irregularities is observed, attributed to the westward prompt penetration electric field (PPEF). At the early recovery phase, the presence of post-midnight/near-sunrise EPBs till post-sunrise hours in the American sector is associated with the disturbance of dynamo-electric fields (DDEF). Additionally, a strong consistency between F7/C2 derived amplitude scintillation (S4) ≥ 0.5 and EPB occurrences is observed. Furthermore, a strong eastward electric field induced an increase in daytime TEC beyond the equatorial ionization anomaly crest in the American region, which occurred during the storm’s main phase. Both the Asian and American sectors exhibit negative ionospheric storms and inhibition of ionospheric irregularities at the recovery phase, which is dominated by the disturbance dynamo effect due to equatorward neutral winds. A slight increase in TEC in the Asian sector during the recovery phase could be explained by the combined effect of DDEF and thermospheric composition change. Overall, storm-time ionospheric variations are controlled by the combined effects of PPEF and DDEF. This study may further contribute to understanding the ionospheric responses under the influence of storm-phase and LT-dependent electric fields.

A Case Study of Ionospheric Storm‐Time Altitudinal Differences at Low Latitudes During the May 2021 Geomagnetic Storm

AbstractPrevious studies paid little attention to the ionospheric storm‐time altitudinal differences due to insufficiency of ionospheric measurements. In this work, multiple instrumental observations were used to investigate the ionospheric storm‐time response at low latitudes in the American and Asian‐Australian sectors during the May 2021 geomagnetic storm. The ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) total electron content (TEC) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite topside TEC presented opposite (positive/negative) variations in the low‐latitude and equatorial region of both sectors during this storm. The electron density profiles from the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate‐2 (COSMIC‐2) and the Sanya Incoherent Scatter Radar showed a good agreement and well explained the opposite variations between GNSS TEC and LEO satellite topside TEC. The F2‐layer peak height (hmF2) and peak density (NmF2) displayed inverse variations, and the feature was present mostly in the regions between equatorial ionization anomaly crests. The combined modulation effects of the storm‐time zonal electric fields and the field‐aligned transports possibly resulted in the contrary variations of hmF2 and NmF2 in the low‐latitude and equatorial region, leading to the storm‐time altitudinal differences during this storm. Relatively, the storm‐time thermospheric composition disturbances might be a minor factor responsible for these differences.

A storm-time global electron density reconstruction model in three-dimensions based on artificial neural networks

We present results of a dedicated global storm-time model for the reconstruction of ionospheric electron density in three-dimensions. Using the storm criterion of |Dst|⩾50 nT and Kp⩾4, the model is constructed using a combination of radio occultation and ionosonde data during the periods of 2006–2021 and 2000–2020, respectively. From the ionosonde data, only the bottomside electron density profiles up to the maximum height of the F2 layer (hmF2) are considered. In addition to the selection of storm-time data only for the model development, we have investigated the inclusion of time history for the geomagnetic storm indicator Kp at 9 and 33 h in an attempt to take into account the delay of physical processes related to atmospheric gravity waves or traveling ionospheric disturbances and thermospheric composition changes which drive varying ionospheric storm effects during storm conditions. Based on incoherent scatter radar data and in comparison with the IRI 2020 model, the developed storm-time model provides foF2 modelling improvement of above 50% during the storm main phase over Millstone Hill (42.6°N, 71.5°W) and Tromsø (69.6°N, 19.2°E) for the storm periods of 3–6 November 2021 and 23–25 March 2023, respectively. Modelled results for Jicamarca (11.8°S, 77.2°W) show that the storm-time model estimates foF2 by an improvement of over 20% during the main phase of the 07–10 September 2017 storm period. As the ionospheric conditions return to quiet time levels, the IRI 2020 model perform better than the constructed storm -time model

Ionospheric longitudinal variability in the Northern Hemisphere during magnetic storms in March 2012 from ionosonde and GPS/GLONASS data

A comprehensive study of spatio-temporal variations of geomagnetic, ionospheric, and atmospheric parameters in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during a series of magnetic storms in March 2012 has been expanded by including vertical total electronic content (TEC) data from measurements at the chains of dual-frequency phase receivers GPS/GLONASS in the analysis. The features of longitudinal variations in ionosphere ionization over mid-latitude Eurasia, found earlier from vertical sounding data, are confirmed by vertical TEC data. We emphasize the complex physics of the long magnetically disturbed period in March 2012 with switching between positive and negative effects of an ionospheric storm during the same magnetic storm phases for spaced mid-latitude regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Such changes in the ionospheric storm effects might have been caused by the superposition of competing processes in the mid-latitude region of the Eastern Hemisphere due to variations in the thermospheric composition, thermospheric winds, and large-scale electric fields affecting ionospheric ionization. We have observed significant differences in the nature of the ionospheric ionization reaction between the Eastern and Western hemispheres to the prolonged geomagnetic disturbance in March 2012. According to TEC data, there was an effect of reduced ionization of the ionosphere at longitudes of the Western Hemisphere, unlike the Eastern one. The effect of a negative ionospheric storm was caused by the formation of vast areas of atmospheric gas with a reduced density ratio [O]/[N2] over the mid-latitude region of the Western Hemisphere in the zone of maximum penetration of geomagnetic disturbances from high latitudes to middle latitudes. According to the INTERMAGNET magnetometer chain data for the analyzed period of magnetic storms on March 7–20, 2012, at midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere the maximum geomagnetic field variations were observed in the Western Hemisphere.

Investigation of Different ΣO/N2 Variations Observed by GOLD During a Minor Geomagnetic Storm From 2 to 4 August 2021

AbstractDuring a minor geomagnetic storm occurring from Aug 2 (day‐of‐year (DOY) 214) to Aug 4 (DOY 216), 2021, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission observed different column density ratio of O to N2 (ΣO/N2) variations in storm main and recovery phases. The percentage difference of ΣO/N2 between DOY 215 (disturbed day, main phase) and DOY 213 (quiet reference day) exhibits a depletion on the east side of the GOLD field‐of‐view (FOV). However, that of ΣO/N2 between DOY 216 (recovery phase) and 213 shows depletions on the west side of GOLD FOV. The National Center for Atmospheric Research Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model qualitatively reproduced the observations. Analysis of the model output illustrates that the ΣO/N2 patterns in the two days are both formed due to the classical thermospheric composition theory and formed on DOY 214 and 215, respectively. Further investigation found that the ΣO/N2 depletion on DOY 214 and 215 both initially formed near 120–180°E, but the one on DOY 215 then quickly moved westward into the GOLD FOV, from local post‐midnight to pre‐midnight, near 19 UT. Then it moves equatorward and slowly westward. This results in the observed depletion structure on the west side of GOLD FOV. Model simulations show that the quick westward movement near 19 UT is due to the dominant positive Interplanetary Magnetic Field east‐west component (By) conditions.

Thermospheric Responses to the 3 and 4 November 2021 Geomagnetic Storm During the Main and Recovery Phases as Observed by NASA's GOLD and ICON Missions

AbstractLeveraging observations by two NASA missions—GOLD (Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk) and ICON (Ionospheric Connection Explorer), we investigate concurrent responses of thermospheric composition, temperatures, and neutral winds to the geomagnetic storm on 3–4 November 2021, as well as their interplay at low and middle latitudes. The synergetic observations reveal remarkable depletions up to 60%–70% in GOLD O/N2, along with large enhancements in GOLD temperatures poleward of 30° in the middle thermosphere. Meridional winds from ICON observations are altered by ∼100 m/s equatorward of 25°N latitude and at 250 km, characterized by a reversal of prevailing northward winds to geomagnetic storm‐driven southward winds. This study fills a need, after a decade‐long gap, for observing concurrent and co‐located responses of composition, temperatures, and neutral winds in the thermosphere to geomagnetic storms.

Долготная изменчивость ионосферы северного полушария во время магнитных бурь в марте 2012 года по данным ионозондов и GPS/ГЛОНАСС

A comprehensive study of spatio-temporal variations of geomagnetic, ionospheric, and atmospheric parameters in the middle and high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere during a series of magnetic storms in March 2012 has been expanded by including vertical total electronic content (TEC) data from measurements at the chains of dual-frequency phase receivers GPS/GLONASS in the analysis. The features of longitudinal variations in ionosphere ionization over mid-latitude Eurasia, found earlier from vertical sounding data, are confirmed by vertical TEC data. We emphasize the complex physics of the long magnetically disturbed period in March 2012 with switching between positive and negative effects of an ionospheric storm during the same magnetic storm phases for spaced mid-latitude regions of the Eastern Hemisphere. Such changes in the ionospheric storm effects might have been caused by the superposition of competing processes in the mid-latitude region of the Eastern Hemisphere due to variations in the thermospheric composition, thermospheric winds, and large-scale electric fields affecting ionospheric ionization. We have observed significant differences in the nature of the ionospheric ionization reaction between the Eastern and Western hemispheres to the prolonged geomagnetic disturbance in March 2012. According to TEC data, there was an effect of reduced ionization of the ionosphere at longitudes of the Western Hemisphere, unlike the Eastern one. The effect of a negative ionospheric storm was caused by the formation of vast areas of atmospheric gas with a reduced density ratio [O]/[N2] over the mid-latitude region of the Western Hemisphere in the zone of maximum penetration of geomagnetic disturbances from high latitudes to middle latitudes. According to the INTERMAGNET magnetometer chain data for the analyzed period of magnetic storms on March 7–20, 2012, at midlatitudes of the Northern Hemisphere the maximum geomagnetic field variations were observed in the Western Hemisphere.

Three‐Dimensional Ionospheric Evolution and Asymmetry of the Electron Density Depletion Generated by the 21 June 2020 Annular Solar Eclipse

AbstractThe three‐dimensional computerized ionospheric tomography (3DCIT) technique has been used to reconstruct the ionospheric response to the 21 June 2020 annular solar eclipse and the results are evaluated by constellation observing system for meteorology, ionosphere, and climate observations. The 3DCIT‐derived electron density (Ne) difference between the eclipse and quiet days showed that the Ne depletion was between 200 and 550 km and the maximum magnitude was about −3.0 × 1011 el/m3 which was at 280 km in altitude. The contributions from below 250 and 350 km altitudes to Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) depletion were ∼30% and ∼60%, respectively. Significant asymmetry of Ne depletion with respect to the eclipse path was captured in 3DCIT results, and the deviation conditions between the Ne depletion central line and eclipse path varied at different altitudes. Simulations with the thermosphere‐ionosphere‐electrodynamics general circulation model generally showed consistent ionospheric variations with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) VTEC and 3DCIT electron density. Furthermore, term analysis on the ion continuity equation indicates that the asymmetry of Ne depletion was mainly induced by the neutral wind disturbance which converged toward the eclipse region and caused opposite transport effects on both sides of the eclipse path. The thermospheric composition was also changed by disturbed neutral wind and impacted plasma production and loss rates, contributing to the Ne depletion asymmetry.

Unveiling the combined effects of neutral dynamics and electrodynamic forcing on dayside ionosphere during the 3–4 February 2022 “SpaceX” geomagnetic storms

Geomagnetic storms of G1-class were observed on 3 and 4 February 2022, which caused the loss of 38 out of 49 SpaceX satellites during their launch due to enhanced neutral density. The effects of storm-time neutral dynamics and electrodynamics over the American sector during this minor storm have been investigated using Global Positioning System—total electron content (TEC) and Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission measured thermospheric composition and temperature. Results revealed an unexpected feature in terms of increase in O/N2 and depletion in TEC over the American low-latitudes. This feature is in addition to the classic storm time ionospheric variations of enhancement in ionospheric electron density in presence of enhanced O/N2 and an intense equatorial electrojet (EEJ). Further, significant morning-noon electron density reductions were observed over the southern mid-high latitudes along the American longitudes. Results from Multiscale Atmosphere-Geospace Environment (MAGE) model simulations elucidated storm-induced equatorward thermospheric wind which caused the strong morning counter electrojet by generating the disturbance dynamo electric field. This further explains the morning TEC depletion at low-latitudes despite an increase in O/N2. Sub-storm related magnetospheric convection resulted in significant noon-time peak in EEJ on 4 February. Observation and modelling approaches together suggested that combined effects of storm-time neutral dynamic and electrodynamic forcing resulted in significant ionospheric variations over the American sector during minor geomagnetic storms.

Impact of Storm‐Time Enhanced O2 Absorption on Disk Viewing N2 LBH Spectra: TIMED GUVI Observations

AbstractA comparison between storm‐time TIMED/GUVI FUV spectra in thermospheric composition disturbed (O/N2 <∼140 km> depleted and NO <∼110 km> enhanced) and undisturbed regions reveals the following features: (1) A clear decrease in N2 LBHS (140–150 nm) band intensities compared to that between 150 and 160 nm; (2) A significant spectral decrease around O 164.1 nm; (3) Two enhanced peaks between 170 and 185 nm. The feature (2) is clearly due to atomic oxygen density decrease in the low thermosphere. The feature (3) is caused by storm‐time production and transport of nitric oxide. An AURIC simulation reproduced feature (1) confirming that storm‐time enhancement in O2 density (∼120–170 km) and the wavelength dependent O2 absorption cross section are the source of observed feature (1). On the other hand, the feature (1) was not observed in the regions without O/N2 depletion. This further supports that O2 density enhancement is responsible for feature (1).

Investigation of Interhemispheric Asymmetry of the Thermospheric Composition Observed by GOLD During the First Strong Geomagnetic Storm in Solar‐Cycle 25, 1: IMF By Effects

AbstractAn interhemispheric asymmetry of thermospheric Oxygen (O) to Nitrogen (N2) column density ratio (∑O/N2) variations was observed by the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) during the 3–5 November 2021 geomagnetic storm. ∑O/N2 depletion is more equatorward in the local morning than in the local afternoon in the northern hemisphere (NH), while more equatorward in the local afternoon than the local morning in the southern hemisphere (SH). The Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations reproduced the observed ∑O/N2 asymmetry. The impacts of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) east‐west component (By) on the interhemispheric asymmetry of ∑O/N2 depletion was investigated. Comparisons of simulation results with and without real By show that the dominant positive IMF By results in the Joule heating maximum occurring in the local afternoon of NH and local morning in the SH during the storm initial phase, which generates the corresponding ∑O/N2 changes. Additionally, the IMF By during this storm are more crucial in the SH than in the NH. Without By, equatorward penetration of the ∑O/N2 depletion in GOLD Field of View are almost same in the SH. However, in the NH, there is still more equatorward depletion in the local morning than the local afternoon without By.

Hemispheric Asymmetries in Thermospheric Composition and Temperature: GOLD Observations

AbstractWith the launch of the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission, spatial variations of the thermospheric composition (ΣO/N2) and temperature can be investigated. In this work, we defined the hemispheric asymmetry indexes of thermospheric composition and temperature and investigated their local time (LT), latitude, and seasonal variations. For the first time, it is found that the hemispheric asymmetry of the thermosphere is weaker toward the duskside statistically. In addition, the hemispheric asymmetry of the thermosphere is found to be weaker toward lower latitudes, and the northern hemisphere has a longer duration with lower ΣO/N2 and higher temperature.

Vertical Variations in Thermospheric O/N2 and the Relationship Between O and N2 Perturbations During a Geomagnetic Storm

AbstractThe ratio of O to N2 number densities (O/N2) at different altitudes is an important parameter in describing thermospheric neutral composition changes and their effects on the ionosphere during geomagnetic storms. However, storm‐induced vertical variations in O/N2 and its dependence on the O and N2 perturbations are still not fully understood. Here, the Thermosphere/Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model simulations were used to investigate the responses of thermospheric composition at different pressure levels to the super geomagnetic storm occurred on November 20 and 21 in 2003. Our analysis shows that the behaviors of O/N2 perturbations on different pressure levels are similar above ∼180 km altitude. In the middle and low thermosphere of below ∼300 km, the storm‐time O/N2 decrease is mainly caused by a large reduction of O number density. However, N2 enhancement plays a vital role in O/N2 decreases in the upper thermosphere. The O/N2 enhancement is mainly attributed to the N2 decreases at all pressure levels. The changes of O and N2 number densities at a constant pressure level can be explained by the perturbations of their mass mixing ratio (mmr) and total mass density (ρ). The regions of the O/N2 decrease are characterized by the O mmr decrease and N2 mmr enhancement, whereas the regions of the O/N2 increase are characterized by the O mmr increase and N2 mmr decrease. The ρ value that shows the decrease globally at most pressure levels during the storm either enhance or reduce the O and N2 perturbations.

Polar Vortex Strength Impacts on the Longitudinal Structure of Thermospheric Composition and Ionospheric Electron Density

AbstractThis work examines the weak stratospheric polar vortex event in late February 2008 and the strong polar vortex event in late February 2021 to understand the potential influence of polar vortex strength on midlatitude thermospheric composition and ionospheric plasma density. The weak polar vortex event shows a reduction in thermospheric O/N2 at all longitudes, changes in the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) that vary with longitude, and an intensification of the semidiurnal tides. The strong polar vortex event shows O/N2 elevated by up to 25% in the Asian sector and a 25% decrease in semidiurnal tidal amplitude. The TEC response during the strong polar vortex event is complex and shows enhanced TEC in the Asian sector where O/N2 is elevated. These are the first observations of anomalies in the thermospheric composition and ionospheric plasma associated with a strong polar vortex event.

Significant Mid‐ and Low‐Latitude Ionospheric Disturbances Characterized by Dynamic EIA, EPBs, and SED Variations During the 13–14 March 2022 Geomagnetic Storm

AbstractThis work investigates mid‐ and low‐latitude ionospheric disturbances over the American sector during a moderate but geo‐effective geomagnetic storm on 13–14 March 2022 (π‐Day storm), using ground‐based Global Navigation Satellite System total electron content data, ionosonde observations, and space‐borne measurements from the Global‐scale Observations of Limb and Disk (GOLD), Swarm, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP), and the Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) satellites. Our results show that this modest but geo‐effective storm created a number of large ionospheric disturbances, especially the dynamic multi‐scale electron density gradient features in the storm main phase as follows: (a) The low‐latitude equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) exhibited a dramatic storm‐time deformation and reformation, where the EIA crests evolved into a bright equatorial band for 1–2 hr and then quickly separated back into the typical double‐crest structure with a broad crest width and deep equatorial trough. (b) Strong equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) occurred with an abnormally high latitude/altitude extension, reaching the geomagnetic latitude of ∼30°, corresponding to an Apex height of 2,600 km above the dip equator. (c) The midlatitude ionosphere experienced a conspicuous storm‐enhanced density (SED) plume structure associated with the subauroral polarization stream (SAPS). This SED/SAPS feature showed an unusual temporal variation that intensified and diminished twice. These distinct mid‐ and low‐latitude ionospheric disturbances could be attributed to the storm‐time electrodynamic effect of electric field perturbation, along with contributions from neutral dynamics and thermospheric composition change.

GOLD Synoptic Observations of Quasi‐6‐Day Wave Modulations of Post‐Sunset Equatorial Ionization Anomaly During the September 2019 Antarctic Sudden Stratospheric Warming

AbstractUsing observations from the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission, we investigate post‐sunset ionospheric responses to the September 2019 Antarctic sudden stratospheric warming –first ever from a synoptic perspective. Observations reveal a prevalent quasi‐6‐day periodicity in the equatorial ionization anomaly region over South America and the Atlantic, coincident with enhanced quasi‐6‐day wave (Q6DW) activity in the mesosphere (Liu et al., 2021, https://doi.org/10.1029/2020JA028909). The atmosphere‐ionosphere coupling via large‐scale waves is rarely studied over the ocean due to the lack of observations. More importantly, further analyses suggest that multiple pathways are involved in transmitting the quasi‐6‐day periodicity from the middle atmosphere into the post‐sunset F‐region ionosphere, including modulation of F‐region field aligned winds and pre‐reversal enhancements by the tides and or Q6DW. A remarkable depletion in electron density, attributable to the overall change in thermosphere composition driven by the dissipative tides and or Q6DWs, is also seen during the period of enhanced Q6DW activity.

Spatial Development of Strong Storm-Induced Ionospheric Perturbations during 25–27 August 2018

The 25–27 August 2018 geomagnetic storm was the third largest storm in the 24th solar cycle. It was a surprising space event that originated from low-level solar activity. This study provides an overview of the temporal–spatial behaviors of plasma irregularities as functions of geographic longitude, latitude, and altitude using ground-based (GNSS receivers and ionosonde) instruments and space-borne Swarm satellites. The results not only reveal enhanced equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and hemispheric asymmetry over the Asian–Australian and American sectors at a particular time but also hemispheric asymmetric features of global ROT in the main and recovery phases. Additionally, this storm triggered positive plasma irregularities in altitudes of 100 to 150 km near the Auroral zone, and the changed ratio of bottom-side plasma irregularities exceeded 250%. This finding has been cross-validated by other instruments and models. Furthermore, the storm significantly affected the thermospheric O/N2 density ratio, equatorial electrojet, and vertical E×B drifts. The equatorial and mid-latitude plasma irregularities may be a combined action of thermospheric composition change, equatorial electrojet, and vertical E×B drifts. Finally, the storm induced positive Joule heating irregularities in the Auroral ionosphere in altitudes of 100 to 400 km with a maximum changed ratio of over 200%, as well as enhanced cross-Polar voltage to ~90 kv. The Polar ionospheric irregularities may be associated with additional energy input through particle precipitation, Joule heating, and ionospheric current intensification.

Performance evaluation of IRI, IRI Plas and SAMI2 during the consecutive prolonged solar minimum of cycles 23 and 24 around 100°E

We have examined the performance of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI 2016), International Reference Ionosphere extended to Plasmasphere (IRI-Plas 2017), and Sami2 is Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI2) models for long and deep solar minimum quiet time period around 100°E by comparing the models with the total electron content (TEC) obtained from a chain of Global Navigation Satellite Systems receivers. Results of the study reveal that; all the models overestimate the observed TEC for all stations and seasons, with the highest overestimation shown by IRI Plas. The IRI 2016 model performed better for all stations and seasons than IRI Plas. IRI Plas 2017 model is also simulated by assimilating the TEC derived from GPS (GPS-TEC) and Global Ionospheric Map (GIM-TEC) into the model code. The “no input” option of the model is used as a reference to study the effect of data assimilation on the model's efficacy. It is observed that the assimilation of GPS TEC and GIM-TEC into the model code reproduces TEC quite well for all the quiet days considered during both solar minima. IRI-Plas and IRI 2016 simulation is also compared with SAMI2 simulations for the same space–time configuration. SAMI2 also overestimates the quiet time GNSS TEC during daytime peak hours in all northern and southern hemisphere. Changes are made to the SAMI2 model inputs based on previously reported changes during deep solar minimum. By changing the ionizing EUV, neutral thermospheric composition, and neutral temperature, a good agreement between the simulated and measured data is obtained. However, due to strong tidal effects during low solar activity, additional modifications may be needed to the neutral density, temperature, and EUV. The drift model used in SAMI2 should also be replaced or modified for the low solar activity periods.

Hemispheric Asymmetry of the Annual and Semiannual Variation of Thermospheric Composition

AbstractWe examine hemispheric asymmetry of the annual and semiannual variation of the ratio of O and N2 concentrations (O/N2) using observations by the Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI) instrument onboard the Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite and compare them with Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere‐ionosphere eXtension (WACCM‐X) model simulations. We found that in the equatorial region, the “equinox peaks” of the observed O/N2 are near the end of March and October, and the two annual lows are near the beginning of July and January. Compared to the equatorial region, in the northern hemisphere (NH) low latitudes, the first “equinox peak” clearly shifts toward the December solstice, whereas in the southern hemisphere (SH) low latitudes, the “equinox peaks” shift toward the June solstice (JS), forming the hemispheric asymmetry characteristics of the annual and semiannual variation. Seasonal variation of O/N2 shows no apparent phase variation with altitude, and the annual and semiannual pattern is consistent from year to year. WACCM‐X reproduces the observed annual and semiannual pattern in NH but in SH, it simulates an annual variation instead of the observed annual and semiannual variation. The largest discrepancy occurs near JS in the lower and middle thermosphere: the simulated O density has an annual high near JS in SH; the simulated N2 density has an annual high near JS in NH but a predominant annual low near JS in SH. These are not in the GUVI data. A weaker thermospheric meridional circulation in the winter hemisphere, or a reduced summer‐to‐winter latitudinal gradient of neutral temperature in WACCM‐X simulations would make model‐data comparisons more consistent.