GPS-based detection of high-latitude ionospheric structures from satellites and their comparison with other ground and satellite based observations and with models.
Abstract
As the TurboRogue GPS high precision receiver supplied from JPL, NASA was launched in February 1999 with the Ørsted satellite it was only the second time (after GPS-MET) that such observations in space were conducted. GPS observations during occultation events provide TEC estimates along the signal paths from the Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellite to the available GPS satellites in relevant positions. These data can be converted into equivalent vertical electron density profiles. Available Ørsted GPS data have been compared with data from incoherent scatter radar measurements, digisonde observations and beacon satellite tomographic data. In order to facilitate comparisons of data collected from quite different locations at unsynchronized times we have used the "International Reference Ionosphere" (IRI) model (NSSDC Model, Dieter Bilitza), as common reference for comparisons. Using the model we have calculated predicted electron densities for the actual environmental conditions, signal paths and locations involved in the observations. We have focused on polar ionospheric conditions and have, specifically, analyzed the data collected during two campaigns dedicated to cusp investigations. The presentation will describe the results of some of these comparisons and discuss the interrelations between satellite and ground based electron density observations.
- Publication:
-
EGS - AGU - EUG Joint Assembly
- Pub Date:
- April 2003
- Bibcode:
- 2003EAEJA....13827S