Ionospheric foF2 morphology and response of F2 layer height over Jicamarca during different solar epochs and comparison with IRI-2012 model

• Published in: Journal of Earth System Science Vol. 123; no. 4; pp. 751 - 765
• Main Authors: Adebesin, B O, Adekoya, B J, Ikubanni, S O, Adebiyi, S J, Adebesin, O A, Joshua, B W, Olonade, K O
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Springer India 01.06.2014; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aeronomy; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; F 2 region; foF2; Height; Ionosphere; Magnetic fields; Mathematical models; Photochemistry; Plasma drift; Seasonal variability; Solar activity; Solar physics; Space Exploration and Astronautics; Space Sciences (including Extraterrestrial Physics; Sunrise; Sunset; Variability; Vertical drift; Peru, Lima, Jicamarca; relative standard deviation; plasma drift; F2-layer; critical frequency; post-sunset; solar activity
• ISSN: 0253-4126; 0973-774X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12040-014-0435-y

Diurnal, seasonal and annual foF2 variability and the response of the F2-layer height over Jicamarca (11.9 °S, 76.8 °W, 1 °N dip) during periods of low (LSA), moderate (MSA) and high (HSA) solar activities was investigated. The relative standard deviation ( V R ) was used for the analysis. The F2-layer critical frequency pre-noon peak increases by a factor of 2 more than the post-noon peak as the solar activity increases. The variability coefficient ( V R ) is lowest during the day (7–16%) for the three solar epochs; increases during nighttime (20–26%, 14–26%, and 10–20%, respectively for the LSA, MSA and HSA years); and attained highest magnitude during sunrise (21–27%, 24–27%, and 19–30%, respectively in similar order). Two major peaks were observed in V R – the pre-sunrise peak, which is higher, and the post-sunset peak. Generally, the variability increases as the solar activity decreases. Annually, V R peaks within 23–24%, 19–24% and 15–24% for the LSA, MSA, and HSA periods, respectively. The ionospheric F2-layer height rises to the higher level with increasing solar activity. The foF2 comparison results revealed that Jicamarca is well represented on the IRI-2012 model, with an improvement on the URSI option. The importance of vertical plasma drift and photochemistry in the F2-layer was emphasized.