Estimating the propagation characteristics of large-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances using ground-based and satellite data

• Published in: Journal of geophysical research. Space physics 2013-12, Vol.118 (12), p.7768-7782
• Main Authors: Habarulema, John Bosco, Katamzi, Zama Thobeka, McKinnell, Lee-Anne
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Astronomy; characteristics of large scale TIDs; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; External geophysics; geomagnetic storms; Global positioning systems; GPS; Interferometry; Interplanetary space; Ionosphere; ionospheric irregularities; Meteorology; Physics of the ionosphere; Physics of the magnetosphere; Propagation; Solar system; Statistical methods; Storms; Time series; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 2169-9380; 2169-9402
• DOI: 10.1002/2013JA018997

In this article, the propagation characteristics of large‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (LS TIDs) are estimated during the geomagnetic storm periods of 14–16 May 2005 and 25–27 September 2011 over South Africa. One and two GPS arrays have been independently considered for the storms of 15 May 2005 and 26 September 2011, respectively. The average periods of dominant modes (≈ 2.5–3.5h) in the time series data were determined by applying wavelet analysis on both ionosonde and GPS data. The consideration of diurnal GPS total electron content (TEC) variability from receivers along three different longitude sectors showed a time shift in TEC enhancement with increasing latitude, the first indication of equatorward motion of the traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). The statistical method (based on GPS radio interferometry) employed shows that these TIDs were mostly propagating nearly equatorward (for both storm periods), which is consistent with the existing literature about storm‐induced TIDs. On storm days, TID horizontal velocities have been determined in the range of ≈200–500m/s. The analysis of diurnal TEC response from different stations confirmed that the positive storm effect observed on 15 May 2005 was a result of the large‐scale TIDs of wavelength ≈4000 km. On the other hand, the estimated wavelengths of LS TIDs on 26 September 2011 were ≈2400–3400km between 10 and 17 UT. A time lag is observed between the times at which enhancements in TEC, ionosonde foF2, and hmF2 data are revealed, and this has been attributed to the passage of the TID. Key Points First complete determination of LS TIDs characteristics over South Africa Using a combination of ground based (ionosonde) and satellite data to study TIDs Observed TIDs on 15 May 2005 could have contributed to the positive storm effect