Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999

A satellite tomographic campaign was carried out in Russia during January–May 1999. The receiver chain consisted of four sites extending from the north of Karelia to the north of the Kola Peninsula. The F-region electron density measurements were performed during the main seasons (the winter...

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Main Authors: A. N. Namgaladze, O. V. Evstafiev, B. Z. Khudukon, A. A. Namgaladze
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2003-04-01
Series:Annales Geophysicae
Online Access:https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1005/2003/angeo-21-1005-2003.pdf
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author A. N. Namgaladze
O. V. Evstafiev
B. Z. Khudukon
A. A. Namgaladze
A. A. Namgaladze
author_facet A. N. Namgaladze
O. V. Evstafiev
B. Z. Khudukon
A. A. Namgaladze
A. A. Namgaladze
author_sort A. N. Namgaladze
collection DOAJ
description A satellite tomographic campaign was carried out in Russia during January–May 1999. The receiver chain consisted of four sites extending from the north of Karelia to the north of the Kola Peninsula. The F-region electron density measurements were performed during the main seasons (the winter, equinox and summer), and the data contained typical levels of solar activity (F<sub>10.7</sub> varied from 100 to 200). The magnetic activity was quite low (<i>Kp</i> = 2 - 3). The Upper Atmosphere Model (UAM), the theoretical model of the Earth’s atmosphere, as well as two known empirical ionospheric models, IRI-95 and RIM-88, have been applied to compare with experimental data. The tomographic images were interpreted by using simulation results obtained by the models which were also compared to one another. The analysis shows the following: (a) all three models show the best agreement with the tomography data at the height 300 km (near <i>hm</i>F2) in comparison with the heights below and above <i>hm</i>F2 (200 and 400 km); (b) all three models systematically underestimate the electron density values in comparison with the tomography data at the height 200 km and overestimate them at the height 400 km; (c) for all investigated events the <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (UAM) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 399 of 1125 examined data points (36%), <i>N<sub>e</sub></i>(RIM-88) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i>(tomo) in 510 cases (45%) and <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (IRI-95) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 216 cases (19%). For the only day-time events, the <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (UAM) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 274 of 624 data points (44%), whereas <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (RIM-88) day-time values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 221 cases (36%) and closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (IRI-95) values in 129 cases (20%). It means that for all events RIM-88 has the best agreement with the tomography measured electron densities, whereas UAM has the best agreement with the daytime tomography measured electron densities, and IRI-95 has the worst agreement for both daytime and all events; (d) simulated UAM daytime values of electron density near the F2-layer maximum agree with corresponding tomography images for all seasons for the first half of 1999, covering almost the total range of the solar activity, so that no correction of the solar EUV flux (used as an input parameter in the UAM) is required; (e) a necessary correction of simulated precipitating soft electron flux intensities has to be made, in order to improve the consistency between measured night-time values of the electron density and those estimated by the theoretical model; (f) the simulated electron density behaviour caused by spatial, diurnal, seasonal variations, as well as due to a solar activity is consistent with the experimental tomographic images. This indicates a good reliability of both experimental and simulated data (at least in the central part of the examined latitudinal interval).<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; modeling and forecasting)
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spelling doaj.art-2048957ef73e46ada27d1865260785e52022-12-22T02:48:50ZengCopernicus PublicationsAnnales Geophysicae0992-76891432-05762003-04-01211005101610.5194/angeo-21-1005-2003Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999A. N. Namgaladze0O. V. Evstafiev1B. Z. Khudukon2A. A. Namgaladze3A. A. Namgaladze4Polar Geophysical Institute, 15 Khalturina St., 183010 Murmansk, RussiaPolar Geophysical Institute, 15 Khalturina St., 183010 Murmansk, RussiaPolar Geophysical Institute, 15 Khalturina St., 183010 Murmansk, RussiaMurmansk State Technical University, 13 Sportivnaya St., 183010 Murmansk, RussiaPolar Geophysical Institute, 15 Khalturina St., 183010 Murmansk, RussiaA satellite tomographic campaign was carried out in Russia during January–May 1999. The receiver chain consisted of four sites extending from the north of Karelia to the north of the Kola Peninsula. The F-region electron density measurements were performed during the main seasons (the winter, equinox and summer), and the data contained typical levels of solar activity (F<sub>10.7</sub> varied from 100 to 200). The magnetic activity was quite low (<i>Kp</i> = 2 - 3). The Upper Atmosphere Model (UAM), the theoretical model of the Earth’s atmosphere, as well as two known empirical ionospheric models, IRI-95 and RIM-88, have been applied to compare with experimental data. The tomographic images were interpreted by using simulation results obtained by the models which were also compared to one another. The analysis shows the following: (a) all three models show the best agreement with the tomography data at the height 300 km (near <i>hm</i>F2) in comparison with the heights below and above <i>hm</i>F2 (200 and 400 km); (b) all three models systematically underestimate the electron density values in comparison with the tomography data at the height 200 km and overestimate them at the height 400 km; (c) for all investigated events the <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (UAM) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 399 of 1125 examined data points (36%), <i>N<sub>e</sub></i>(RIM-88) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i>(tomo) in 510 cases (45%) and <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (IRI-95) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 216 cases (19%). For the only day-time events, the <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (UAM) values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 274 of 624 data points (44%), whereas <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (RIM-88) day-time values are closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (tomo) in 221 cases (36%) and closest to <i>N<sub>e</sub></i> (IRI-95) values in 129 cases (20%). It means that for all events RIM-88 has the best agreement with the tomography measured electron densities, whereas UAM has the best agreement with the daytime tomography measured electron densities, and IRI-95 has the worst agreement for both daytime and all events; (d) simulated UAM daytime values of electron density near the F2-layer maximum agree with corresponding tomography images for all seasons for the first half of 1999, covering almost the total range of the solar activity, so that no correction of the solar EUV flux (used as an input parameter in the UAM) is required; (e) a necessary correction of simulated precipitating soft electron flux intensities has to be made, in order to improve the consistency between measured night-time values of the electron density and those estimated by the theoretical model; (f) the simulated electron density behaviour caused by spatial, diurnal, seasonal variations, as well as due to a solar activity is consistent with the experimental tomographic images. This indicates a good reliability of both experimental and simulated data (at least in the central part of the examined latitudinal interval).<br><br><b>Key words. </b>Ionosphere (auroral ionosphere; modeling and forecasting)https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1005/2003/angeo-21-1005-2003.pdf
spellingShingle A. N. Namgaladze
O. V. Evstafiev
B. Z. Khudukon
A. A. Namgaladze
A. A. Namgaladze
Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
Annales Geophysicae
title Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
title_full Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
title_fullStr Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
title_full_unstemmed Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
title_short Model interpretation of the ionospheric F-region electron density structures observed by ground-based satellite tomography at sub-auroral and auroral latitudes in Russia in January–May 1999
title_sort model interpretation of the ionospheric f region electron density structures observed by ground based satellite tomography at sub auroral and auroral latitudes in russia in january may 1999
url https://www.ann-geophys.net/21/1005/2003/angeo-21-1005-2003.pdf
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