Multi-instrument observations of low-latitude ionospheric variability
Abstract
Although many aspects of the ionosphere are taken as known, its variability is still not fully understood. In this study we use a multi-instrument approach, based around all-sky imagers (ASIs), to study variability in the low-latitude ionosphere. ASIs are well suited for studying the two processes in the ionosphere that we are interested in, the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) and equatorial spread F (ESF). They provide a 2D view of the ionosphere that we combine with ionosondes and ground and space-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers. In this way we can better characterize the features that we observe. The ASIs used in this study are ones in South America operated by the Boston University Imaging Science Team and one in Seychelles operated by the US Naval Research Laboratory. In South America, we use conjugate imagers to measure variability in the EIA and ESF on both sides of the magnetic equator. We present a case with a hemispheric asymmetry in the brightness of the EIA and the apex altitude of ESF airglow depletions. GNSS receivers, ground-based instruments, and models provide more context and validation to the ASI observations. As with past studies, the hemispheric asymmetry in the EIA is attributed to neutral winds and we also attribute the new results observations of hemispheric asymmetry in ESF to the winds as well. At Seychelles we use the ASI along with GNSS receivers to investigate how the morphology and evolution of ESF is affected by variability of the EIA.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2018
- Bibcode:
- 2018AGUFMSA53A..07H
- Keywords:
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- 2415 Equatorial ionosphere;
- IONOSPHEREDE: 2435 Ionospheric disturbances;
- IONOSPHEREDE: 2437 Ionospheric dynamics;
- IONOSPHEREDE: 2441 Ionospheric storms;
- IONOSPHERE