Probing geomagnetic storm-driven magnetosphere-ionosphere dynamics in D-region ionosphere using VLF signal propagation characteristics
Abstract
When propagating in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, the amplitude and phase of VLF/LF radio signals are sensitive to changes in the electrical conductivity of the lower ionosphere. This characteristic makes it useful in studying sudden ionospheric disturbances, especially those related to prompt X-ray flux output from solar flares and gamma ray bursts (GRBs). However, strong geomagnetic disturbances and/or storm conditions are known to produce large and global ionospheric disturbances, which can significantly affect VLF radio propagation in the D region ionosphere. Diurnal VLF signature may also convey other important information, especially those related to geomagnetic disturbance/storm induced ionospheric changes. In this paper, using the data of three propagation paths (at latitudes 40-54º), we analyze in detail the trend of anomalies of VLF diurnal signal under varying solar and geomagnetic space environmental conditions to identify possible geomagnetic footprints on the D region ionosphere.
- Publication:
-
41st COSPAR Scientific Assembly
- Pub Date:
- July 2016
- Bibcode:
- 2016cosp...41E1442N