Abstract
The response of the critical frequency of the ionosphere F2–layer, described by its main Fourier components (daily constant, “diurnal” and “semidiurnal waves”) and the lower thermosphere dynamics to the geomagnetic storms in July 1991 and February 1992 is studied. The daily constant displays a negative response, however, the magnitude of reaction depends on the season and latitude. The amplitudes of “diurnal” and “semidiurnal waves” increase during a geomagnetic storm, as this enhancement is very strong at high latitudes in winter. The prevailing neutral wind, especially the zonal wind, shows an inclination to decrease during the geomagnetic storm (the effect is more distinct in summer). The amplitudes of diurnal and semidiurnal tides also demonstrate a tendency toward reduction during high geomagnetic activity.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Balsley B., Carter D. and Eckland W., 1982: On the relationship between auroral electrojet intensity fluctuations and the wind field near the mesopause. Geophys. Res. Lett., 9, 219–222.
Duncan R., 1969: F-region seasonal and magnetic storm behaviour. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 31, 59–70.
Fesen C., Richmond A. and Roble R., 1993: Theoretical effects of geomagnetic activity on thermospheric tides. J. Geophys. Res., 98, 15599–15612.
Fesen C., 1997: Geomagnetic activity effects on thermospheric tides: a compendium of theoretical predictions. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 59, 785–803.
Field P. and Rishbeth H., 1997: The response of the ionospheric F2–layer to geomagnetic activity: an analysis of worldwide data. J. Atmos. Solar-Terr. Phys., 59, 163–180.
Fuller-Rowell T., Codrescu M., Rishbeth H., Moffett R. and Quegan WS., 1996: On the seasonal response of the thermosphere and ionosphere to geomagnetic storms. J. Geophys. Res., 101, 2343–2353.
Hays P., Jones R. and Rees, 1973: Auroral heating and the composition of the neutral atmosphere. Planet. Space Sci., 21, 559–573.
Hook J., 1970: Winds at 70–100 km level at College, Alaska. Planet. Space Sci., 18, 1623–1638.
Johnson R. and Luhmann J., 1988: Cross correlation of high.latitude upper mesospheric neutral wind with AE and Kp. J. Geophys. Res., 93, 8625–8632.
Kunitake M. and Schlegel K., 1991: Neutral winds in the lower thermosphere at high latitudes from five years of EISCAT data. Ann. Geophys., 9, 143–155.
Manson A. and Meek C., 1991: The effects of geomagnetic disturbances and atmospheric tides uppon middle atmosphere winds and MF radar scatter at Saskatoon. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 915–926.
Matsushita S., 1959: A study of the morphology of ionospheric storms. J. Geophys. Res., 64, 305–321.
Mayr H. and Volland H., 1973: Magnetic storms characteristics of the thermosphere. J. Geophys. Res., 78, 2251–2264.
Mukhtarov P. and Kutiev I., 1997: Empirical modelling of ionospheric storms at midlatitudes. Proceeding of COST251/IRI Workshop, Kuhlungsborn, 86–97.
Pancheva D. and Mukhtarov P., 1996a: Seasonal model of dynamical relgime in the upper mesosphere over Bulgaria. Bulg. Geophys. J., 22, 31–41 (in Bulgarian).
Pancheva D. and Mukhtarov P., 1996b: A single station spectral model of the monthly median F-region critical frequency. Ann. Geofisica., 39, 807–818.
Prolss G., 1980: Magnetic storm associated perturbation of the upper atmosphere: Recent results obtained by satellite-born gas analyzers. Rev. Geophys., 18, 183–202.
Prolss G., Brace L., Mayr H., Carignan G., Killen T. and Klobuchar J., 1991: Ionospheric storm effects at subauroral latitudes: A case study. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 1275–1288.
Prolss G., 1993: On explaining the local time variation of ionospheric storm effects. Ann. Geophys., 11,No 1.
Rishbeth H., 1975: F-region storms and thermospheric circulation. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 37, 1055–1064.
Rodger A., Wrenn G. and Rishbeth H., 1987: Geomagnetic storms in the Antarctic F-region. 2. Physical interpretation. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 51, 851–866.
Salah J., Deng W. and Clark R., 1996: Observed response of the Earth's lower thermosphere to a major geomagnetic storm. Geophys. Res. Lett., 23, 575–578.
Seaton M., 1956: A possible explanation of the drop in F-region critical dlensities accompanying major geomagnetic storms. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 8, 122–124.
Singer W., Bremer J., Hoffman P., Manson A., Meek C., Schminder R., Kurschner D., Partnyagin Yu., Makarov A., Miller H., Kazimirovsky E. and Clark R., 1994: Geomagnetic influences upon tides-wind from MLT radars. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 56, 1301–1311.
Wrenn G., Rodger A. and Rishbeth H., 1987: Geomagnetic storms in the Antarctic F-region. 1. Diurnal and seasonal patterns for main phase effects. J. Atmos. Terr. Phys., 49, 901–913.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pancheva, D., Mukhtarov, P. Observed Response of the Ionospheric F2–Layer and Lower Thermosphere to Geomagnetic Storms during High Solar Activity. Studia Geophysica et Geodaetica 42, 119–136 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023300919664
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023300919664