Abstract
This study examines the influence of space weather conditions on ionospheric TEC variations at different latitudes around the world. According to the space weather condition indices (geomagnetic storm-activity indices, solar activity indices, magnetic field change indices, plasma density and proton flux indices) different time periods were chosen. GPS observations were used to obtain TEC data derived from International GNSS Service (IGS) stations located at northern and southern hemisphere latitude regions (equatorial, mid-latitude and high latitude). GPS TEC data were evaluated associated with the space weather conditions using 15-day running median statistical analysis method. The results showed that besides the commonly used geomagnetic storm-activity and solar activity indices, plasma density, magnetic field change and particle flux indices are also important in determining whether there is any TEC anomaly in the ionosphere. This study illustrated that all indices should be examined in the applications associated with the ionosphere and particularly in the research of pre-earthquake ionospheric anomalies.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbo, L., Ofman, L., Antiochos, S.K., Hansteen, V.H., Harra, L., Ko, Y.K., Lapenta, G., Li, B., Riley, P., Strachan, L., von Steiger, R., Wang, Y.M.: Slow solar wind: observations and modeling. Space Sci. Rev. 201, 55,108 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-016-0264-1
Abraha, G.: Total electron content (TEC) variability of low latitude ionosphere and role of dynamical coupling: quiet and storm-time characteristics. PhD thesis, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (2014)
Adeniyi, J.O.: Magnetic storm effects on the morphology of the equatorial F2-layer. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys. 48, 695–702 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1016/0021-9169(86)90019-X
Alcay, S., Yigit, C.O., Seemala, G., Ceylan, A.: GPS-based ionosphere modeling: a brief review. Fresenius Environ. Bull. 23(3a), 815–824 (2014). https://www.prt-parlar.de/download_feb_2014/
Alcay, S., Oztan, G., Selvi, H.Z.: Comparison of IRI_PLAS and IRI_2012 model predictions with GPS_TEC measurements in different latitude regions. Ann. Geophys. 60, 5 (2017). https://doi.org/10.4401/ag-7311.
Alcay, S., Oztan, G.: Analysis of global TEC prediction performance of IRI-PLAS model. Adv. Space Res. 63(10), 3200–3212 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2019.02.002
Arikan, F., Erol, C.B., Arikan, O.: Regularized estimation of vertical total electron content from Global Positioning System data. J. Geophys. Res. 108(A12), 1469 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JA009605
Arikan, F., Erol, C.B., Arikan, O.: Regularized estimation of VTEC from GPS data for a desired time period. Radio Sci. 39, RS6012 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1029/2004RS003061
Augusto, C., Navia, C., de Oliveira, M.N., Fauth, A., Nepomuceno, A.: Signals at ground level of relativistic solar particles associated with a radiation storm on 2014 April 18. Publ. Astron. Soc. Jpn. 68(1), 8 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1093/pasj/psv111
Baade, W., Zwicky, F.: Cosmic rays from supernovae. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 20, 259–263 (1934). https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.20.5.259
Baker, D.N., Allen, J.H., Kanekal, S.G., Reeves, G.D.: Disturbed space environment may have been related to pager satellite failure. IEEE Trans. 79, 477 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1029/98EO00359
Boteler, D.H., Pijola, R.J., Nevanlinna, H.: The effects of geomagnetic disturbances on electrical systems at the Earth’s surface. Adv. Space Res. 22, 17–27 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1016/S0273-1177(97)01096-X
Brunini, C., Meza, A., Azpilicueta, F., Van Zele, M.A., Gende, M., Diaz, A.: A new ionosphere monitoring technology based on GPS. Astrophys. Space Sci. 290, 415–429 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ASTR.0000032540.35594.64
Cander, L.R.: Ionospheric Space Weather. Springer, Cham (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-99331-7
Chakraborty, S., Ray, S., Sur, D., Datta, A., Paul, A.: Effects of CME and CIR induced geomagnetic storms on low-latitude ionization over Indian longitudes in terms of neutral dynamics. Adv. Space Res. 65(1), 198–213 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2019.09.047
Conker, R.S., El-Arini, M.B., Hegarty, C.J., Hsiao, T.: Modeling the effects of ionospheric scintillation on GPS/satellite-based augmentation system availability. Radio Sci. 38(1), 1001 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1029/2000RS002604.
Cranmer, S.R.: Coronal holes. Living Rev. Sol. Phys. 6, 3 (2009). https://doi.org/10.12942/lrsp-2009-3
Deviren, M.N., Arikan, F., Arikan, O.: Spatio-temporal interpolation of total electron content using a GPS network. Radio Sci. 48, 302–309 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/rds.20036
Doumbia, V., Boka, K., Kouassi, N., Grodji, O.D.F., Mazaudier, C.A., Menvielle, M.: Induction effects of geomagnetic disturbances in the geo-electric field variations at low latitudes. Ann. Geophys. 35, 39–51 (2017). https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-35-39-2017
Fletcher, L., Dennis, B.R., Hudson, H.S., Krucker, S., Phillips, K., Veronig, A., Battaglia, M., Bone, L., Caspi, A., Chen, Q., Gallagher, P., Grigis, P.T., Ji, H., Liu, W., Milligan, R.O., Temmer, M.: An observational overview of solar flares. Space Sci. Rev. 159, 19 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11214-010-9701-8
Gosling, J.T.: The solar flare myth. J. Geophys. Res. 98, 18,937–18,949 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1029/93JA01896
Gulyaeva, T.L., Arikan, F., Stanislawska, I., Poustovalova, L.V.: Global distribution of zones of enhanced risk for the ionospheric weather. J. Geogr., Environ. Earth Sci. Int. 4, 1–13 (2016). https://doi.org/10.9734/JGEESI/2016/20488
Hess, V.F.: Penetrating radiation in seven free ballon flights. Phys. J. 13, 1084 (1912)
Hines, C.O.: Internal atmospheric gravity waves at ionospheric heights. Can. J. Phys. 38, 1441 (1960). https://doi.org/10.1139/p60-150
Hunsucker, R.D.: Atmospheric gravity waves generated in the high-latitude ionosphere: a review. Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 20, 293–315 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1029/RG020i002p00293
Jiao, Y., Morton, Y.T., Taylor, S., Pelgrum, W.: Characterization of high-latitude ionospheric scintillation of GPS signals. Radio Sci. 48, 698–708 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/2013RS005259
Jin, M., Manchester, W.B., van der Holst, B., Sokolov, I., Tóh, G., Vourlidas, A., de Koning, C.A., Gombosi, T.I.: Chromosphere to 1 AU simulation of the 2011 March 7th event: a comprehensive study of coronal mass ejection propagation. Astrophys. J. 834, 172 (2017). https://doi.org/10.3847/1538-4357/834/2/172
Judge, D.L., McMullin, D.R., Ogawa, H.S., Hovestadt, D., Klecker, B., Hilchenbach, M., Möbius, E., Canfield, L.R., Vest, R.E., Watts, R., Kühne, M., Wurz, P.: First solar EUV irradiances obtained from soho by the celias/sem. Sol. Phys. 177, 161–173 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1004929011427
Kappenman, J.G.: Storm sudden commencement events and the associated geomagnetically induced current risks to ground-based systems at low-latitude and mid-latitude locations. Space Weather 1, 1–16 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1029/2003SW000009
Klobuchar, J.A., Kunches, J.M.: Eye on the ionosphere: correcting for ionospheric range delay on GPS – temporal decorrelation. GPS Solut. 4, 78–82 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00012846
Klotz, S., Johnson, N.L. (eds.): Encyclopedia of Statistical Sciences. Wiley, New York (1983)
Koulouri, A., Smith, N.D., Vani, B.C., Rimpiläinen, V., Astin, I., Forte, B.: Methodology to estimate ionospheric scintillation risk maps and their contribution to position dilution of precision on the ground. J. Geod. 94, 22 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00190-020-01344-0
Kumar, P., Pandeya, A.: Effect of coronal mass ejection on the Earth’s magnetic field during the ascending and descending phase of solar cycles-24. Int. J. Sci. Res. 9, 1 (2020). https://doi.org/10.36106/ijsr
Liu, Z., Gao, Y.: Ionospheric TEC predictions over a local area GPS reference network. GPS Solut. 8, 23–29 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10291-004-0082-x
Liu, J.Y., Chen, Y.I., Chen, C.H., Liu, C.Y., Chen, C.Y., Nishihashi, M., Li, J.Z., Xia, Y.Q., Oyama, K.I., Hattori, K., Lin, C.H.: Seismoionospheric GPS total electron content anomalies observed before the 12 May 2008 Mw7.9 Wenchuan earthquake. J. Geophys. Res. 114(A04320), 1–10 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1029/2008JA013698
Lowder, C., Qiu, J., Leamon, R.: Coronal holes and open magnetic flux over cycles 23 and 24. Sol. Phys. 292, 18 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-016-1041-8.
McComas, D.J., Ebert, R.W., Elliott, H.A., Goldstein, B.E., Gosling, J.T., Schwadron, N.A., Skoug, R.M.: Weaker solar wind from the polar coronal holes and the whole Sun. Geophys. Res. Lett. 35, L18103 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1029/2008GL034896
Nayir, H., Arikan, F., Arikan, O., Erol, C.B.: Total electron content estimation with Reg-Est. J. Geophys. Res. 112, A11313 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1029/2007JA012459
Okoh, D., Okoro, E.: On the relationships between sunspot number and solar radio flux at 10.7 centimeters. Sol. Phys. 295, 1 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11207-019-1566-8
Oka, T.: H3+, the ideal probe for in situ measurement of the Galactic cosmic rays. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. A 377, 20180402 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1098/rsta.2018.0402
Qian, L., Burns, A.G., Chamberlin, P.C., Solomon, S.C.: Flare location on the solar disk: modeling the thermosphere and ionosphere response. J. Geophys. Res. Space Phys. 115, A09311 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1029/2009JA015225
Ratcliffe, J.A.: An Introduction to the Ionosphere and Magnetosphere p. 256. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (1972)
Schwenn, R.: Solar wind: global properties. In: Encyclopedia of Astronomy and Astrophysics. Institute of Physics, Bristol (2001). https://doi.org/10.1888/0333750888/2301
Sentürk, E., Cepni, M.S.: Ionospheric temporal variations over the region of Turkey: a study based on long-time TEC observations. Acta Geod. Geophys. 53, 623–637 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40328-018-0233-0
Sezen, U., Arikan, F., Arikan, O., Ugurlu, O., Sadeghimorad, A.: Online, automatic, near-real time estimation of GPS-TEC: IONOLAB-TEC. Space Weather 11, 297–305 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1002/swe.20054
Stephenson, F.R., Willis, D.M., Hallinan, T.J.: The earliest datable observation of the aurora borealis. Astron. Geophys. 45, 15–17 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1468-4004.2003.45615.x
Thiemann, E.M.B., Eparvier, F.G., Woodraska, D., Chamberlin, P.C., Machol, J., Eden, T., Jones, A.R., Meisner, R., Mueller, S., Snow, M., Viereck, R., Woods, T.N.: The GOES-R EUVS model for EUV irradiance variability. J. Space Weather Space Clim. 2019(9), A43 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1051/swsc/2019041
Tsurutani, B.T., Lakhina, G.S., Pickett, J.S., Guarnieri, F.L., Lin, N., Goldstein, B.E.: Nonlinear Alfven waves, discontinuities, proton perpendicular acceleration, and magnetic holes/decreases in interplanetary space and the magnetosphere: intermediate shocks? Nonlinear Process. Geophys. 12, 321–336 (2005). https://doi.org/10.5194/npg-12-321-2005
Tverskaya, L.V.: Dynamics of the Earth’s radiation belts. Moscow Univ. Phys. 65, 246–251 (2010). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0027134910040028
Ulukavak, M., Yalcınkaya, M.: Analysis of ionospheric anomalies due to space weather conditions by using GPS-TEC variations. In: FIG Congress, 2018, May 6–11, Istanbul, Turkey (2018)
Van Allen, J.A., Ludwig, G.H., Ray, E.C., McIlwain, C.E.: Observation of high intensity radiation by satellites 1958 alpha and gamma. Jet Propuls. 28(9), 588–592 (1958). https://doi.org/10.2514/8.7396
Van Allen, J.A., McIlwain, C.E., Ludwig, G.H.: Satellite observations of electrons artificially injected into the geomagnetic field. J. Geophys. Res. 64(8), 877–891 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ064i008p00877
Van Allen, J.A.: Charged particles in the magnetosphere. Rev. Geophys. 7(1), 233–256 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1029/RG007i001p00233
Vernov, S.N., Gorchakov, E.V., Kuznetsov, S.N., Logachev, Y.I., Sosnovets, E.N., Stolpovsky, V.G.: Particle fluxes in the outer geomagnetic field. Rev. Geophys. 7(1–2), 257–280 (1969). https://doi.org/10.1029/RG007i001p00257.
Wang, Y.M., Hawley, S.H., Sheeley, N.R.: The magnetic nature of coronal holes. Science 271, 464–469 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.271.5248.464
Willis, D.M., Vaquero, J.M., Stephenson, F.R.: Early observation of the aurora australis: AD 1640. Astron. Geophys. 50(5), 5.20–5.24 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-4004.2009.50520.x.
Wintoft, P.: The variability of solar EUV: a multiscale comparison between sunspot number, 10.7 cm flux, LASP MgII index, and SOHO/ SEM EUV flux. J. Atmos. Sol.-Terr. Phys. 73, 1708–1714 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jastp.2011.03.009
Xu, Z.W., Wu, J., Wu, Z.S.: A survey of ionospheric effects on space based radar. Waves Random Media 14, S189–S273 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1088/0959-7174/14/2/008
URL-4: https://www.swpc.noaa.gov/phenomena/solar-radiation-storm
URL-5: http://www.ionolab.org/index.php?page=ionolabtec&language=tr
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to express their gratitude to IONOLAB group for providing ionolabtecv1.30 software. The authors thank the NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center for the space weather condition indices obtained using OMNIWeb interface.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Alcay, S., Gungor, M. Investigation of ionospheric TEC anomalies caused by space weather conditions. Astrophys Space Sci 365, 150 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-020-03862-x
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10509-020-03862-x