Influence of the Neutral Atmosphere Model on the Correctness of Simulation the Electron and Ion Concentrations in the Lower Ionosphere

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2023-12, Vol.128 (12), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Bekker, S. Z., Korsunskaya, J. A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Amplitudes; Atmosphere; Atmospheric models; Aura satellite; Experimental data; Geophysical observatories; Incoherent scatter radar; Ion concentration; Ionosphere; ionospheric D‐region; Lower ionosphere; Mass spectrometers; Mass spectrometry; Mathematical models; Modelling; MSIS model; Observatories; Parameters; plasma‐chemical modeling; Radar; Radio waves; Satellite data; Satellites; Scattering; Signal reflection; Solar flares; Transmitters; Verification; Very Low Frequencies; VLF waves propagation
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1029/2023JA032007

The work is devoted to modeling and verification of the dynamics of charged components of the Earth's lower ionosphere, obtained using different values of the background neutral atmosphere parameters. Long‐term experimental data on temperature and concentration of neutral components from the Aura satellite and Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Radar (MSIS) model were used as input data. The average relative difference between the electron concentration values obtained using Aura and MSIS data (11 June 2014, 6–18 UT, h = 50–90 km, 41°N 10°E) was 34%. Obtained results were verified with use of very low frequency (VLF) signals propagation data, which were collected on Mikhnevo Geophysical Observatory (GPO) and A118 station from GBZ, GQD, DHO, TBB, and ICV transmitters. Based on the results of the verification, it was found that the response of the lower ionosphere to X‐ray flares, that occurred on 9–11 June 2014, is better described by the Aura satellite data in 4 out of 5 cases. Consequently, they are more preferable for predicting the state of ionospheric parameters below the reflection height of signals of the considered frequencies (∼75 km). It is also shown that taking into account the ion concentration for calculation the amplitude‐phase characteristics of the VLF‐signals makes it possible to describe the dynamics of parameters better. Plain Language Summary Due to the small amount of direct experimental measurements, the lower ionosphere still remains the least studied. At the same time, it is responsible for the distortion of the amplitude and phase of the very low frequency (VLF) signals and the absorption of high frequency radio waves during strong disturbances. The correctness of the existing plasma‐chemical models of the lower ionosphere depends on the values of the input parameters, many of which are known with low accuracy. In this paper, we compare and verify results of the plasma‐chemical model with different values of the background neutral atmosphere parameters—experimental data on the temperature and concentration of neutral components from the Aura satellite and the Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Radar (MSIS) model results. These two sets of neutral atmospheric input data were used to simulate the response of the lower ionosphere to solar flares that occurred on 9–11 June 2014. Verification is carried out according to the VLF‐signals propagation from GBZ, GQD, DHO, TBB, and ICV transmitters to the Mikhnevo Geophysical Observatory