foF2 Variations Research Articles

Modeling and Forecasting Ionospheric foF2 Variation Based on CNN-BiLSTM-TPA during Low- and High-Solar Activity Years

The transmission of high-frequency signals over long distances depends on the ionosphere’s reflective properties, with the selection of operating frequencies being closely tied to variations in the ionosphere. The accurate prediction of ionospheric critical frequency foF2 and other parameters in low latitudes is of great significance for understanding ionospheric changes in high-frequency communications. Currently, deep learning algorithms demonstrate significant advantages in capturing characteristics of the ionosphere. In this paper, a state-of-the-art hybrid neural network is utilized in conjunction with a temporal pattern attention mechanism for predicting variations in the foF2 parameter during high- and low-solar activity years. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM), which is capable of extracting spatiotemporal features of ionospheric variations, are incorporated into a hybrid neural network. The foF2 data used for training and testing come from three observatories in Brisbane (27°53′S, 152°92′E), Darwin (12°45′S, 130°95′E) and Townsville (19°63′S, 146°85′E) in 2000, 2008, 2009 and 2014 (the peak or trough years of solar activity in solar cycles 23 and 24), using the advanced Australian Digital Ionospheric Sounder. The results show that the proposed model accurately captures the changes in ionospheric foF2 characteristics and outperforms International Reference Ionosphere 2020 (IRI-2020) and BiLSTM ionospheric prediction models.

Pattern of variation of TEC, hmF2 and foF2, and their correlation during the geomagnetic storm time conditions

This paper mainly examines the diurnal variation of the Total Electron Content (TEC) and critical frequency of the F2-layer (foF2) and their correlation with the height of the peak electron density (hmF2). This is carried out employing the observations (co-located Global Positioning System (GPS) and digisonde) and empirical models (International Reference Ionosphere, IRI, 2016 and IRI-extended to the Plasmasphere, IRI-Plas, 2017) in the low-to-high latitudes during relatively similar intense level geomagnetic storms that occurred during the high solar activity (February 19, 2014) and low solar activity (September 08, 2017). The GPS-derived TEC and digisonde-derived TEC, hmF2 and foF2 variabilities show large fluctuations on most of the stations when compared to the IRI 2016 and IRI-Plas 2017 variations. Moreover, the highest GPS-derived TEC values are observed when the hmF2 values reach in the ranges of about 270–309 km (low latitude), 203–266 km (mid latitude) and 259–311 km (high latitude) regions. The highest digisonde-derived TEC values are also depicted at the height ranges of about 256–451 km (low latitude), 250–326 km (mid latitude) and 309–388 km (high latitude) regions. In addition, the highest digisonde-derived foF2 values are observed when the hmF2 values reach about 253–384, 217–311 and 259–281 km in the low, mid and high latitudes, respectively. The model-derived TEC and foF2 variations also reveal that the highest values are generally observed at relatively similar height ranges with the observations. Moreover, the highest TEC and foF2 values are observed relatively at lower altitudes in the mid latitudes when compared to the low and high latitudes. The highest values also tend to move to the lower altitudes in shifting from the high to the low solar activity during similar intense level geomagnetic storms.

Variability of ionospheric ionization over Eurasia according to data from a high-latitude ionosonde chain during extreme magnetic storms in 2015

. We have examined longitudinal-temporal variations in ionospheric parameters over Eurasia by analyzing data from a chain of high-latitude ionosondes along a latitude circle ~70° N (geomagnetic latitudes 58°<Glat<65°) in the longitudinal sector 26–171° E during severe magnetic storms of solar cycle 24 in March and June 2015. To analyze the response of ionospheric ionization to geomagnetic disturbances, we have used ionosonde data on hourly average critical frequency foF2 of the ionospheric F2 layer. Strong differences were observed between common peculiarities of temporal variations in foF2 for the analyzed periods of magnetic storms, which are likely associated with the characteristic features of the seasonal and diurnal variations in the background high-latitude ionosphere of the given geographic region. During the main and early recovery phases of magnetic storms there were periods of blackouts of ionosonde radio signals. Differences in the character of the ionospheric response to geomagnetic disturbances have been noted. This is probably due to seasonal features of the probability of occurrence of the ionospheric storm positive or negative phase in different seasons of the year. The trends of increasing ionospheric ionization over the vast region of Eastern, Western Siberia and Europe after the end of the extreme magnetic storm in March 2015, according to measurements from the chain of high-latitude ionosondes, may be associated with the formation of an area of increased [O]/[N₂] ratio over this territory. Such an increase in ionospheric ionization exceeding the background level of foF2 values can be considered as a clear manifestation of the after-effect of magnetic storms.

Изменчивость ионизации ионосферы над Евразией по данным цепи высокоширотных ионозондов во время экстремальных магнитных бурь 2015 г.

. We have examined longitudinal-temporal variations in ionospheric parameters over Eurasia by analyzing data from a chain of high-latitude ionosondes along a latitude circle ~70° N (geomagnetic latitudes 58°<Glat<65°) in the longitudinal sector 26–171° E during severe magnetic storms of solar cycle 24 in March and June 2015. To analyze the response of ionospheric ionization to geomagnetic disturbances, we have used ionosonde data on hourly average critical frequency foF2 of the ionospheric F2 layer. Strong differences were observed between common peculiarities of temporal variations in foF2 for the analyzed periods of magnetic storms, which are likely associated with the characteristic features of the seasonal and diurnal variations in the background high-latitude ionosphere of the given geographic region. During the main and early recovery phases of magnetic storms there were periods of blackouts of ionosonde radio signals. Differences in the character of the ionospheric response to geomagnetic disturbances have been noted. This is probably due to seasonal features of the probability of occurrence of the ionospheric storm positive or negative phase in different seasons of the year. The trends of increasing ionospheric ionization over the vast region of Eastern, Western Siberia and Europe after the end of the extreme magnetic storm in March 2015, according to measurements from the chain of high-latitude ionosondes, may be associated with the formation of an area of increased [O]/[N₂] ratio over this territory. Such an increase in ionospheric ionization exceeding the background level of foF2 values can be considered as a clear manifestation of the after-effect of magnetic storms.

The Influence of Sudden Stratospheric Warming on the Development of Ionospheric Storms: The Alma-Ata Ground-Based Ionosonde Observations

This paper examines the response of the ionosphere to the impact of two moderate geomagnetic storms observed on January 17 and 26–27, 2013, under conditions of strong sudden stratospheric warming. The study uses data from ground-based ionosonde measurements at the Alma-Ata ionospheric station (43.25 N, 76.92 E) combined with optical observation data (The Spectral Airglow Temperature Imager (SATI)). Ionosonde data showed that the geomagnetic storms under consideration do not generate ionospheric storms but demonstrate some unusual types of diurnal foF2 variations with large (up to 60%) deviations in foF2 from median values observed during the night/morning periods on 13–15 and 20–23 January, which do not have any relation to solar or geomagnetic activity. Wave-like disturbances in foF2, h’F, and daily averaged foF2 values with a quasi-period of 5–8 days and peak-to-peak amplitude from about 1 MHz to 2 MHz (from 20% to 40%) and ~40 km are observed during the period 9–28 January, after registration of the occurrence of the major SSW event on 6–7 January. The observed variations in the OH emission rate are found to be quite similar to those observed in the ionospheric parameters that assume a community of processes in the stratosphere/mesosphere/ionosphere system. The study shows that the F region of the ionosphere is influenced by processes in the lower ionosphere, in this case by processes associated with sudden stratospheric warming SSW-2013, which led to modification of the structure of the ionosphere and compensation of processes associated with the development of the ionospheric storms.

Empirical Models of foF2 and hmF2 Reconstituted by Global Ionosonde and Reanalysis Data and COSMIC Observations

AbstractThe F2‐peak plasma frequency (foF2) and the height of the F2 peak (hmF2) are two of the most important parameters for any ionospheric model, as well as radio propagation studies and applications. In this study, we have developed empirical models to capture the most significant variations of foF2 and hmF2. The derived empirical models (referred to as the USTC models within this study) are specified through global ionosonde and reanalysis data based on the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) Consultative Committee on International Radio (CCIR) method and Constellation Observindg System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) observations based on the empirical orthogonal function analysis, respectively. The USTC models are validated against the IRI CCIR model prediction. The comparison results revealed that the empirical foF2 model performs better in capturing the foF2 variations than the IRI CCIR model, which can overcome the underestimation of the IRI CCIR model at low latitudes. Although the IRI CCIR model overestimation at middle latitudes is addressed by the empirical hmF2 model, the visible differences between the model predictions and ionosonde observations still exist at low latitudes, which could be attributed to the significant difference between COSMIC and ionosonde hmF2 measures.

Trends in the F2-layer parameters to 2023

Diurnal variations in the long-term trends in the F2-layer critical frequency, foF2, are studied in detail based on the observations to 2022 and use of several solar activity (SA) indices to remove the SA effects in the foF2 variations. The new results confirm the conclusions derived earlier based on the data only to 2014. In the winter months, two well pronounced periods are observed: the nighttime hours when the trends are small by their magnitude and the daytime hours when the negative trends are maximal. In March, the picture is close to that in winter months, however the daytime negative trends are weaker than in winter. No pronounced diurnal variation in the foF2 trends is found in the summer month June. A search for long-term trends in foF2 is performed based on the observations at three stations in the Northern Hemisphere (Juliusruh, Boulder, and Moscow) and three stations in the Southern Hemisphere (Townsville, Hobart, and Canberra). The data for two winter months in each hemisphere for five near-noon LT moments are analyzed. Three solar activity proxies (F30, Ly-α, and MgII) are used to get rid of the SA effects. Negative trends are obtained for all considered situations (station, month, LT moment, SA proxy). The trends for different stations agree well with each other. A tendency in intensification in the negative trends during the recent years is seen in all months.

Study of the ionospheric precursors associated with M w ≥6.0EQ from Ionosonde Stations and GIM TEC

To study the coupling mechanism between lithosphere, atmosphere and ionosphere, the ionosonde based earthquake (EQ) anomalies provide clear indications for the future events. The Lithospheric-Atmosphere-Ionospheric coupling (LAIC) provides information about pre and post seismic precursors over the seismogenic zone. This study presents the variations in ionospheric critical frequency (foF2) of the F2 layer and Total Electron Content (TEC) from Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) associated with the two Mw ≥ 6.0 EQs at Pakistan-Iran border (here-in-after, Saravan EQ) and Afghanistan. The ionosonde stations data located at Islamabad and Sonmiani provided significant foF2 variation for the April 16, 2013 (Mw7.7) and June 22, 2022 (Mw6.0) EQs in Saravan and Afghanistan, respectively. Furthermore, the foF2 values showed significant variations before the main shocks of both the events. Moreover, the TEC maps over the epicenter supported the variations of ionosonde data with maximum variations beyond the bound of the statistical method as anomalous positive variations before the two events. Moreover, prominent variations occur before both the EQs in ionosonde and TEC data but the Afghanistan event showed more pronounced variations than Saravan EQ. Additionally, it has been observed that more prominent variation occurs in both the stations within 5–10 days before the main shocks to aid another development in LAIC hypothesis.

Response of the mid-latitude ionosphere to the solar eclipse on 25 October 2022: Results of F2–layer vertical sounding

The results of observations of the critical frequency (foF2), ionospheric F2 peak electron density (NmF2) and peak height (hmF2) of the ionosphere over Kharkiv (Ukraine, 49.6° N, 36.3° E) during a partial solar eclipse (SE) on 25 October 2022 are presented. The data analysis showed a clear effect in the variations of foF2 (and, accordingly, NmF2): during the SE, foF2 decreased, and 5 min after the time of maximum eclipse, began to increase to its usual level. From the beginning of the SE, hmF2 decreased from 285 to 255 km, and then it began to grow with a maximum near the time of maximum obscuration. To study longitudinal effects and clarify contributions of different factors to the observed temporal variations of the ionospheric parameters, the results of observations of the ionosphere over Kharkiv were compared with the data obtained by the ionosonde in Pruhonice (Czech Republic, 50.0° N, 14.6° E). The NmF2 electron density decreased due to SE by the factor of 1.46 in Kharkiv, in contrast to 1.33 times in Pruhonice. Comparison of data in universal time (UT) showed a coincidence in the nature and time of fluctuations in both foF2 and hmF2 observed in Kharkiv and Pruhonice on 25 October. Variations in hmF2 caused by SE in Kharkiv and Pruhonice were identical. The SE was accompanied by a plasma flow from the plasmasphere to the ionosphere. The flux density change was about –2 × 1013 m–2s−1 and about 0 for Kharkiv and Pruhonice, respectively. The obtained value of the vertical velocity (tens of meters per second) for Kharkiv is the typical velocity for the mid-latitude F2 layer of the ionosphere. It was confirmed that in addition to typical SE effects, results of observations of the ionosphere over Kharkiv on October 25, 2022 had individual features.

Conjugate hemispheric response of Earth’s ionosphere due to 2019 Antarctic minor Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW): Comparison with 2013 Arctic major SSW

In this paper, we attempt to compare the Antarctic SSW of 2019 with the Arctic SSW of 2013. Despite being a minor SSW, the rare Antarctic event of September 2019 caused a significant enhancement of stratospheric temperature at high latitudes with more temperature deviation than the Arctic major SSW of 2013. On the basis of the duration and extent of stratospheric zonal mean zonal wind, the 2019 SSW is comparable to major SSWs. An exceptionally strong wave 1 planetary wave was observed during the 2019 SSW. We have investigated the response of the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) during both the SSWs over two low mid-latitude locations Okinawa and Darwin, which form magnetic conjugate pair. The extent of maximum ionospheric deviations during the 2019 SSW is almost comparable to the 2013 SSW in their respective hemispheres. We have observed mostly night time enhancement in TEC during the Arctic SSW, while daytime enhancement is noted during the Antarctic SSW. Hemispheric asymmetry is observed during both the SSWs. Minor geomagnetic storm has been noticed coinciding with each SSW during different phases of the warming. The SSW, solar flux, and storm contribution on the TEC have been calculated during both the SSWs, which shows clear contribution of SSW on the total TEC despite the presence of storm and during moderately high solar activity. We have also investigated the foF2 variations from ionosonde and IRI-16 at the same two locations. The peak electron density from ionosonde responds to the warming in a manner similar to TEC. The foF2 of IRI-16 exhibits overestimation during daytime and underestimation during nighttime on quiet days during low solar activity (2019), while during moderate solar activity (2013), it overestimates during morning hours. However, it can not predict the enhancements of foF2 during SSWs.

Ionospheric foF2 nowcast based on a machine learning GWO-ALSTM model

The ionospheric foF2 prediction model GWO-ALSTM is proposed in this paper, which combines the Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm and the attention mechanism based on the long short-term memory (LSTM) model. The datasets used in this model were obtained from the oblique ionosondes of the China Ground-based Seismo-ionospheric Monitoring Network. The data from 2010 to 2012 was used for training, and the data of 2013 was used for verification. The input parameters of the model include local time, day number, sunspot number, F10.7 solar flux, Ap index, Dst index, and foF2 at the previous moment, and the output parameter is foF2 at the current moment. The IRI2016 model, GABP model, LSTM model and GWO-ALSTM model were compared with the observed results for analysis. The results show that the GWO-ALSTM model is superior to the LSTM model, the GABP model and the IRI2016 model. Meanwhile, the comparative analyses of the diurnal variations of foF2 show that the curve of the GWO-ALSTM model fits the observed values more closely than the curve of any other model under the geomagnetic quiet and storm conditions.

Low latitude atmospheric-ionospheric dynamical response to Prior, During, and Post stages of Super Cyclonic Storm “AMPHAN”

We present the most intensified Super Cyclonic Storm (SuCS) “AMPHAN” impacts on the low latitude atmospheric–ionospheric system from Ionosonde Observations over Chiang Mai (CMU) located at 18.76°N and 98.93°E. Extensive analysis has been carried out using ionospheric parameters foF2 and hmF2, wind components, and Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR). The dynamical response of atmosphere-ionosphere to SuCS AMPHAN (16–21 May 2020) has been studied in depth, and the effect of the cyclone is classified as non-cyclonic or Prior (9–15 May 2020 taken as reference), During (16–21 May 2020) and Post (22–28 May 2020) stages. We found a significant reduction in foF2 and modulated hmF2 during SuCS AMPHAN. Peak variation in ionospheric foF2 and hmF2 is seen during the ESCS (19 May 2020) and landfalling conditions. The appearance of low OLR and strong negative vertical velocity indicates deep convection during the cyclone. Evidence of 2–6 h gravity wave activity has strongly appeared in precipitation, and the ionospheric foF2 and hmF2 confirm the tropical cyclone – ionosphere dynamical coupling.

Wavelet coherence analysis foF2 over Boulder station during different geomagnetic activity


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. During solar and geomagnetic activities, critical frequency of F2 layer (foF2) varies in a great extent. The focus of the current study is on variations in foF2, the critical frequency of the F2 layer, during the intense geomagnetic storm of solar cycle 24 and quiet storm of solar cycle 25. The foF2 data of mid latitude station BC840 (Boulder) in the American region have been used to study geomagnetic and solar wind properties linked with foF2. Time series analysis and Wavelet Coherence analysis have been used to establish the relationship between those parameters. We have found considerable effect of solar and geomagnetic storm disturbances on foF2 during the geomagnetic storm time. The foF2 is enhanced prior to the storm and depletes during recovery phase with no significant changes observed during weak storm. The enhancement or depletion in foF2 may be used as precursor of geomagnetic storms. With long trend analysis and larger database we can make a catalog which can be used to predict the geomagnetic storm and deepen our understanding in impacts of storms on communication signals due to energy injected in ionosphere.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Relationships Between foF2 and Various Solar Activity Proxies

AbstractTo study ionospheric climate, to model the ionosphere (e.g., the International Reference Ionosphere—IRI) and to investigate its long‐term changes and trends, solar activity proxies/indices have been used, because long and homogeneous data series of solar ionizing flux are not available. To identify the optimum solar activity proxies, we use yearly average foF2 data of 11 ionospheric stations from middle and low/equatorial latitudes of four continents over 1976–2014 and six solar activity proxies, F10.7, sunspot numbers, F30, Mg II, He II, and solar H Lyman‐α flux. Mg II and F30 are found to be the best solar proxies for variability of foF2 at middle latitudes, not the usually used F10.7 or sunspot numbers. At equatorial latitudes the situation seems to be different with likely He II as the optimum solar proxy but all low/equatorial results are very preliminary. Solar activity describes 99% of the total variance of yearly foF2 and the foF2 dependence on solar proxies is highly linear at middle latitudes. The dependence of foF2 on F10.7 and sunspot numbers is significantly steeper in 1996–2014 than in 1976–1995, whereas for F30 both intervals provide the same dependence. We recommend for investigating the midlatitude yearly values of foF2 the solar proxy F30 followed by Mg II as the second one, not traditional F10.7 or sunspot numbers.

Relationships between ionospheric parameters derived from ionosonde observations and characteristics of post-sunset GHz scintillation during high solar activities (2012−2013) at Sanya (18.3°N, 109.6°E), China

In this study, we presented the characteristics of post-sunset GHz scintillation occurrence and ionospheric parameters derived from ionosonde observations, including the critical frequency of F2-layer (foF2), peak height of F2-layer (hmF2), minimum virtual height of F-layer (h’F), scale height around the F2-layer peak (Hm), virtual height (h’F5) and true height (hF5) measured at 5 MHz, in high solar activity years (2012-2013) of solar cycle 24 at Sanya (18.3°N, 109.6°E; dip lat.: 12.8°N), China. Furthermore, we investigated the relationships between the equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation and these ionospheric parameters. In addition, the growth rates of Rayleigh-Taylor instability were calculated on the basis of the ionosonde measurements and models, respectively. The results showed that the equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation onset time would be associated with the scale length of vertical electron density gradient (L), which affects the growth of Rayleigh-Taylor instability at the bottom of F-layer. The seasonal variations of foF2, Hm and scale length of vertical electron density gradient would be the reason to cause the seasonal variations of scintillation occurrence, and the equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation occurrence rate over low latitude can be related to the background electron density and the vertical drifts around sunset in F-layer. The correlations between the scintillation strength represented by the daily maximum S4 and the daily maximum values of foF2, hmF2, h’F, Hm, and also the drifts over low latitudes were weak, which need to be further studied.

Modeling and Forecasting Ionospheric foF2 Variation in the Low Latitude Region during Low and High Solar Activity Years

Prediction of ionospheric parameters, such as ionospheric F2 layer critical frequency (foF2) at low latitude regions is of significant interest in understanding ionospheric variation effects on high-frequency communication and global navigation satellite system. Currently, deep learning algorithms have made a striking accomplishment in capturing ionospheric variability. In this paper, we use the state-of-the-art hybrid neural network combined with a quantile mechanism to predict foF2 parameter variations under low and high solar activity years (solar cycle-24) and space weather events. The hybrid neural network is composed of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and bidirectional long short-term memory (BiLSTM), in which CNN and BiLSTM networks extracted spatial and temporal features of ionospheric variation, respectively. The proposed method was trained and tested on 5 years (2009–2014) of ionospheric foF2 observation data from Advanced Digital Ionosonde located in Brisbane, Australia (27°53′S, 152°92′E). It is evident from the results that the proposed model performs better than International Reference Ionosphere 2016 (IRI-2016), long short-term memory (LSTM), and BiLSTM ionospheric prediction models. The proposed model extensively captured the variation in ionospheric foF2 feature, and better predicted it under two significant space weather events (29 September 2011 and 22 July 2012).

SRF2—A Short‐Term (1–24)h foF2 Prediction Method

AbstractA sunrise F2‐layer short‐term (1–24) h foF2 prediction method has been developed to forecast foF2 variations at a given ionosonde station during magnetically quiet and disturbed periods. The proposed method efficiently describes both positive and negative quiet time F2‐layer disturbances under daily Ap <30 nT and this was done for the first time. A comparison with modern global empirical models demonstrates a statistically significant advantage over them under various seasons and levels of solar activity.

Investigation of the negative ionospheric response of the 8 September 2017 geomagnetic storm over the European sector

In this study, we investigate the negative ionospheric response over the European sector during two storms that took place on 8 September 2017, primarily, by exploiting observations over ten European locations. The spatial and temporal variations of TEC, foF2 and hmF2 ionospheric characteristics are examined with the aim to explain the physical mechanisms underlying the strong negative ionospheric response. We detected very sharp electron density (in terms of foF2 and TEC) decrease during the main phases of the two storms and we attributed this phenomenon to the large displacement of the Midlatitude Ionospheric Trough (MIT). Our study also revealed that the two storms show different features caused by different processes. In addition, Large Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (LSTIDs) were observed during both storms, followed by enhanced Spread F conditions over Digisonde stations. The regional dependence of ionospheric storm effects was demonstrated, as the behavior of ionospheric effects over the northern part of Europe differed from that over the southern part.

The geoeffectiveness of TIE-GCM simulations of ionospheric critical frequency foF2 at the equatorial station of Thiruvananthapuram in the Indian sector

An extensive intercomparison of ionospheric foF2 observations and NCAR Thermosphere-Ionosphere ElectrodynamicsGeneral Circulation Model(TIE-GCM)simulations has been carried out for the dip equatorial location of Thiruvananthapuram. Ionosonde measurements for geomagnetically quiet days of 2002, 2006 and 2008, representing solar maximum, solar minimum and deep solar minimum conditions have been used for the analysis.In general TIE-GCM simulations reproduced the temporal and seasonal characteristics of foF2 over Thiruvananthapuram reasonably well for all the three solar activity conditions. Seasonally the difference between the measured and the simulated foF2 tended to be higher during winter (maximum of 25%). Additionally, it is found that TIE-GCM is not reproducing the reduction in the foF2 values in the noon hours i.e. the bite out, which is very prominent in the foF2 observations predominantly during 2002. A detailed analysis revealed that, there is good agreement between the modeled and measured values for the whole observation period, with an R value of 0.81. From the comparison it is clear that the model underestimates the observations in general but for the periods when bite out is prominent, the model gives an over estimation.The comprehensive comparisons during different solar activity conditions have shown that the difference between modeled and measured ionospheric peak densities lies in the range of.10 to −25%. This study brings out the efficacy of the model in simulating the temporal seasonal and solar cycle variability of ionospheric foF2 over the equatorial Indian region.

A New Index to Descript the Regional Ionospheric Disturbances During Storm Time

AbstractA new index, perturbation index (PI), was introduced to descript the regional ionospheric disturbances during storm time. Taking the statistic relative variations of foF2 for different seasons as normalized basis, we obtained the perturbation magnitude at each station. After an average process for different regional stations in latest several hours, the regional disturbance index was constructed to depict the ionospheric storm magnitude. Taking historical data from 13 stations in China between 2007 and 2017 for example, we checked out its practicability and effect to depict the ionospheric storm characteristics. It is found that the storm time ionospheric disturbance properties are preliminary represented using this index, and the local time, seasonal and some other regular variations caused by solar Extreme Ultraviolet/Ultraviolet (EUV/UV) radiation were removed remarkably. Based on this, we classified the state of ionosphere into seven grades, namely as quiet, minor positive and negative storm, median positive and negative storm, and strong positive and negative storm. It is shown a reasonable distribution of storm events with different grades, and the disturbance variation depicted by PI is well consistent with typical storm morphology. The total storm number is well related with that of geomagnetic storms, both varied versus with the solar cycles with visible lag. We argue that it is convenient to describe the ionospheric disturbances using PI index, and it is helpful for space environment scholars to study the ionospheric storms and for space weather users to monitor and assess potential impacts on their systems.