Convergence Effects on the Ionosphere During and After the Annular Solar Eclipse on 21 June 2020

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2022-09, Vol.127 (9), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Wang, Jin, Sun, Yang‐Yi, Yu, Tao, Wang, Yungang, Mao, Tian, Yang, Heng, Xia, Chunliang, Yan, XiangXiang, Yang, Na, Huang, Guangliang, Yifan qi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: annular solar eclipse; Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere and Climate; Convergence; convergence effects; Depletion; Electron density; F 2 region; Ionosondes; Ionosphere; Ionospheric effects; Ionospheric electron content; long‐lasting ionospheric perturbations; Meteorology; Night; Perturbation; Radio occultation; Satellite constellations; Satellite observation; Satellites; Solar eclipses; TEC enhancement; Total Electron Content
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2022JA030471

In this study, we analyze the observations of the ionosondes at Wuhan (30.4°N, 114.4°E, 82.4% obscuration), Xiamen (24.2°N, 118.07°E, 97.8% obscuration), and Nanning (22.7°N, 109.25°E, 81.1% obscuration), as well as the total electron content (TEC) from the global ionosphere maps (GIMs) to examine the ionospheric behaviors in the F‐region on 21 June 2020 solar eclipse day. The observations show that a TEC enhancement occurred after the major depression near the center path of the solar eclipse, and it lasts to midnight on the solar eclipse day. Notes that the occurrence of the TEC enhancement is accompanied by the prominent TEC depletion in the southern side of the center path in the nighttime. The independent in situ electron density (Ne) observation from the Swarm‐B satellite and the calibrated TEC profile from the radio occultation technique onboard the FORMOSAT‐7/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate‐2 satellites also observed the long‐lasting enhancement in the F2 region near midnight. The solar eclipse‐induced convergence effects can result in the long‐lasting ionospheric perturbations, which may further cause the spread‐F in the nighttime. Key Points The long‐lasting ionospheric enhancement can be attributed to the eclipse‐induced convergence effects near the center path The eclipse‐induced convergence effects cause the secondary density depletion in the southern side of the center path The solar eclipse perturbed the ionosphere from the obscuration to midnight and may further influence the nighttime irregularities