Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Ionospheric foF2 morphology and response of F2 layer height over Jicamarca during different solar epochs and comparison with IRI-2012 model

  • Published:
Journal of Earth System Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Diurnal, seasonal and annual foF2 variability and the response of the F2-layer height over Jicamarca (11.9 °S, 76.8 °W, 1 °N dip) during periods of low (LSA), moderate (MSA) and high (HSA) solar activities was investigated. The relative standard deviation (V R ) was used for the analysis. The F2-layer critical frequency pre-noon peak increases by a factor of 2 more than the post-noon peak as the solar activity increases. The variability coefficient (V R ) is lowest during the day (7–16%) for the three solar epochs; increases during nighttime (20–26%, 14–26%, and 10–20%, respectively for the LSA, MSA and HSA years); and attained highest magnitude during sunrise (21–27%, 24–27%, and 19–30%, respectively in similar order). Two major peaks were observed in V R – the pre-sunrise peak, which is higher, and the post-sunset peak. Generally, the variability increases as the solar activity decreases. Annually, V R peaks within 23–24%, 19–24% and 15–24% for the LSA, MSA, and HSA periods, respectively. The ionospheric F2-layer height rises to the higher level with increasing solar activity. The foF2 comparison results revealed that Jicamarca is well represented on the IRI-2012 model, with an improvement on the URSI option. The importance of vertical plasma drift and photochemistry in the F2-layer was emphasized.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6
Figure 7
Figure 8
Figure 9
Figure 10
Figure 11
Figure 12
Figure 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abdu M A, Fejer B G, Batista I S, Sobral J H A and Szuszczewicz E P 1993 Equatorial ionosphere sunset electrodynamics in the American sector from SUNDIAL December 1988 campaign results; Geomagn. Aeron. 33(1) 13–19.

  • Adebesin B O, Adeniyi J O, Adimula I A and Reinisch B W 2013a Equatorial vertical plasma drift velocities and electron densities inferred from ground-based ionosonde measurements during low solar activity; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 97 58–64. doi: 10.1016/j.jastp.2013.02.010.

  • Adebesin B O, Adeniyi J O, Adimula I A, Reinisch B W and Yumoto K 2013b F2 layer characteristics and electrojet strength over an Equatorial station; Adv. Space Res. 52(5) 791–800, doi: 10.1016/j.asr2013.05.025.

  • Adebesin B O, Ikubanni S O, Adebiyi J S and Joshua B W 2013c Multi-station observation of ionospheric magnetic disturbance of March 9, 2012 and comparison with IRI model; Adv. Space Res. 52(4) 604–613, doi: 10.1016/j.asr2013.05.002.

  • Adebesin B O 2012 foF2 variations during geomagnetic disturbances at the rise of solar cycle 23; Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 41(3) 323–331.

  • Adebesin B O, Bakare N O and David T W 2008 Variability in the F1 and F2 region electron density during a geomagnetic activity at mid-latitude; J. Environ. Ext. 7 48–55.

  • Adeniyi J O, Oladipo O A and Radicella S M 2007 Variability of foF2 for an equatorial station and comparison with the foF2 maps in IRI model; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 69 721–733.

  • Alagbe G A 2012 Geomagnetic storm effects on F2 layer peak electron density and other profile parameters at high solar activity at an equatorial station; J. Phys. Sci. Innovation 4 5–12, ISSN 2277–0119.

  • Akala A O, Somoye E O, Adeloy A B and Rabiu A B 2011 Ionospheric foF2 variability at equatorial and low latitudes during high, moderate and low solar activity; Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 40 124–129.

  • Ambili K M, St-Maurice J-P and Choudhary R K 2012 On the sunrise oscillation of the F region in the equatorial ionosphere; Geophys. Res. Lett. 39 L16102, doi: 10.1029/2012GL052876.

  • Anderson D, Anghel A, Chau J, Yumoto K, Bhattacharyya A and Alex S 2006 Daytime, low latitude, vertical E × B drift velocities, inferred from ground-based magnetometer observations in the Peruvian, Philippine and Indian longitude sectors under quiet and disturbed conditions; ILWS WORKSHOP, GOA, February 19–24, 2006, pp. 1–6.

  • Anderson D N, Anghel A, Yumoto K, Ishitsuka Yumoto K and Kudeki E 2002 Estimating daytime, vertical E × B drift velocities in the equatorial f-region using ground-based magnetometer observations; GRL 29 12, doi: 10.1029/2001GL014562.

  • Atac A, Ozguc A and Pektas R 2009 The variability of foF2 in different phases of solar cycle 23; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 71 583–588.

  • Batista I S and Abdu M A 2004 Ionospheric variability at Brazillian low and equatorial latitudes: Comparison between observations and IRI model; Adv. Space Res. 34 1894–1900.

  • Bilitza D, Obrou O K, Adeniyi J O and Oladipo O 2004 Variability of foF2 in the equatorial ionosphere; Adv. Space Res. 34 1901–1906.

  • Chaitanya P P, Patra A K and Rao V B 2012 Contrasting features of the F3 layer during high and low solar activity conditions observed from Indian low latitude; Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 41 121–129.

  • Chou Y T and Lee C C 2008 Ionospheric variability at Taiwan low latitude station: Comparison between observations and IRI 2001 model; Adv. Space Res. 42 673–681.

  • Dabas R S, Singh L, Lakshimi D R, Subramanyam P, Chopra P and Garg S C 2003 Evolution and dynamics of equatorial plasma bubbles: Relationship to E × B drift, post-sunset total electron content enhancements, and EEJ strength; Radio Sci. 38 1075. doi: 10.1029/2001RS002586.

  • Fejer B G 1997 The electrodynamics of the low latitude ionosphere recent results and future challenges; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 59 1465–1482.

  • Fejer B G and Scherliess L 1997 Empirical models of storm-time equatorial zonal electric fields; J. Geophys. Res. 102 24,047–24,056.

  • Fejer B G, de Paula E R, Heelis R A and Hanson W B 1995 Global equatorial ionosphere vertical plasma drifts measured by the AE-E Satellite; J. Geophys. Res. 100 5769–5776.

  • Forbes J M 1981 The equatorial electrojet; Rev. Geophys. Space Phys. 19(3) 469–504.

  • Gordienko G I, Aushev V M, Fedulina I N, Shi Ryazapova S and Shepherd M G 2005 Observation of the F2-layer variability from the ‘Alma-Ata’ observatory; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 67(6) 563–580.

  • Hanson W B and Moffett R J 1966 Ionization transport effects in the equatorial F region; J. Geophys. Res. 71 5559–5572.

  • Hines C O, Paghis I, Hartz T R and Fejer J A (eds) 1965 Physics of the Earth’s Upper Atmosphere; Prentice-Hall, Inc. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.

  • Iheonu E E and Oyekola O S 2006 Vertical drift velocity in the daytime F-region at Ibadan estimated from ionosonde data; Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 35(1) 9–13.

  • Jin S G, Luo R J and Park P 2008 GPS observations of the ionospheric F2-layer behaviour during the 20th November 2003 geomagnetic storm over South Korea; J. Geodesy 82 883–892.

  • Kouris S S and Fotiadis D N 2002 Ionospheric variability: A comparative statistical study; Adv. Space Res. 29(6) 977–985.

  • Lilensten J and Blelly P L 2002 The TEC and F2 parameters as traces of the ionosphere and thermosphere; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 64 775–793.

  • Liu L, Yang J, Le H, Chen Y, Wan W and Lee C-C 2012 Comparative study of the equatorial ionosphere over Jicamarca during recent two solar minima; J. Geophys. Res. 117 A01315, doi: 10.1029/2011JA017215.

  • Mikhailov A V and Leschinskaya T Yu 1991 On the mechanism of daytime F2-layer negative disturbances at the geomagnetic equator; Geomag. Aeronom. 31 1027–1031.

  • Obrou O K, Bilitza D, Adeniyi J O and Radicella S M 2003 Equatorial F2-layer peak height and correlation with vertical ion drift and M(3000)F2; Adv. Space Res. 31(3) 513–520.

  • Oladipo O A, Adeniyi J O and Radicella S M 2009 Electron density distribution at fixed heights N(h): Gaussian distribution test; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 71 1–10.

  • Oladipo O A, Adeniyi J O, Radicella S M and Obrou O K 2008 Variability of equatorial ionospheric electron density at fixed heights below the F2 peak; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 70 1056–1065.

  • Olawepo A O and Adeniyi J O 2012 Ionosphere’s F2-layer response to 2006 geomagnetic storm at Ilorin, Nigeria; The African Rev. Phys. 7(0031) 277–281.

  • Oyinloye J O 1988 Equatorial HF radio wave absorption measurements and IRI; Atmos. Terr. Phys 50 519.

  • Radicella S M and Adeniyi J O 1999 Equatorial ionospheric electron density below the F2 peak; Radio Sci. 34(5) 1153–1163.

  • Rajaram G and Rastogi R G 1977 Equatorial electron densities – Seasonal and solar cycle changes; J. Atmos. Terr. Phys. 39 1175–1182.

  • Risbeth H and Mendillo M 2001 Pattern of F2-layer variability; J. Atmos. Sol. Terr. Phys. 63(15) 1661–1680.

  • Risbeth H 1971 Polarization fields produced by winds in the equatorial F-region; Planet Space Sci. 19 357–369.

  • Sumod S G, Pant T K and Nayar S R P 2012 On the variability of the observed HF Doppler derived equatorial F-region plasma drifts during evening and morning hours and the chemical corrections therein; Indian J. Radio Space Phys. 41 130–140.

  • Scherliess L and Fejer B G 1999 Radar and satellite global equatorial F-region vertical drift model; J. Geophys. Res. 104 6829–6842.

  • Uemoto J, Maruyama T, Saito S, Ishii M and Yushimura R 2010 Relationship between pre-sunset electrojet strength, PRE and ESF onset; Ann. Geophys. 28 449–454.

  • Woodman R F, Chau J L and Ilma R R 2006 Comparison of ionosonde and incoherent scatter drift measurements at magnetic equator; Geophys. Res. Lett. 33 L01103, doi: 10.1029/2005GL023692.

  • Zhang S R and Holt J M 2008 Ionospheric climatology and variability from long-term and multiple incoherent scatter radar observations: Variability; Ann. Geophys. 26 1525–1537.

  • Zhang M I, Shi J K, Wang X and Radicella S M 2004 Ionospheric variability at low latitude station: Hainan, China; Adv. Space Res. 34(9) 1860–1868.

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge United State National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for providing the foF2 data from the IRI-2012 website at http://omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/vitmo/iri_vitmo.html, as well as the Space Physics Interactive Data Resource (SPIDR) centre website (http://spidr.ngdc.noaa.gov) for the observational foF2 and hmF2 data used. One of the authors (B O Adebesin) is grateful to the Editor and the two reviewers for the wonderful job they have done on the original draft of the paper. Their constructive comments and suggestions have led to reprocessing many of our important plots and reanalyzing them, especially the inclusion of more than one-year data in identifying different solar epochs and in the importance of using the relative standard deviation as our variability index. The solar flux at 10.7 cm (F10.7) for characterizing solar activity is obtained from the NSSDC’s OMNI database website (http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/omniweb).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Industrial Physics, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria.

    B O Adebesin, S O Ikubanni & S J Adebiyi

  2. Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Nigeria.

    B J Adekoya

  3. MTN Nigeria Communications Limited, 5th Floor, Golden Plaza Building, Falomo, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

    O A Adebesin

  4. Department of Physics, Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, P.M.B 1144, Aliero, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

    B W Joshua

  5. School of Science and Technology, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, P.M.B. 2210, Ojere, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.

    K O Olonade

Authors
  1. B O Adebesin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. B J Adekoya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. S O Ikubanni
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. S J Adebiyi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. O A Adebesin
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. B W Joshua
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. K O Olonade
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to B O Adebesin.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Adebesin, B.O., Adekoya, B.J., Ikubanni, S.O. et al. Ionospheric foF2 morphology and response of F2 layer height over Jicamarca during different solar epochs and comparison with IRI-2012 model. J Earth Syst Sci 123, 751–765 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0435-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-014-0435-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation