Ionospheric Scale Index Map Based on TEC Data During the Saint Patrick Magnetic Storm and EPBs

• Published in: Space Weather Vol. 18; no. 9
• Main Authors: Denardini, C. M., Picanço, G. A. S., Barbosa Neto, P. F., Nogueira, P. A. B., Carmo, C. S., Resende, L. C. A., Moro, J., Chen, S. S., Romero‐Hernandez, E., Silva, R. P., Bilibio, A. V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.09.2020
• Subjects: Equator; geomagnetic storm; Ionograms; ionosphere; Ionospheric conditions; ionospheric disturbance index; Magnetic storms; neutral atmosphere; Plasma bubbles; Space weather; Storms; Weather; South America
• ISSN: 1542-7390; 1539-4964; 1542-7390
• DOI: 10.1029/2019SW002330

This study examines the variability of the ionospheric content during the period around the 2015 Saint Patrick magnetic storm and when equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) are observed during the quiet time over South America during two other events. It uses the ionospheric scales index map based on the disturbance ionospheric index (DIX). The results are compared to the traces of the ionograms obtained at three different ionospheric stations (Fortaleza, Campo Grande, and Cachoeira Paulista) in Brazil acquired in the same period and at the same time rate. The index is based on the TEC map developed at the “Brazilian Studies and Monitoring of Space Weather” (Embrace/INPE). It covers the whole South America (latitudes from 20°N to 60°S and longitudes from 90°W to 30°W) with 0.5° × 0.5° resolution cells (60 × 60 km2). Among the results, the DIX map revealed some patches of “Disturbed” and “Weakly Disturbed” ionospheric conditions during the magnetically quiet time before the storm, which were associated with range and frequency Spread‐F over the same area as observed in ionograms. Also, the information from the southern portion of the dip equator showed a transition from occurrences of Spread‐F prior to sunrise to a condition favorable enough to develop a F3 layer after sunrise. Key Points We illustrate the capability of the new ionospheric index that accounts for external drivers and internal low latitude ionosphere dynamics DIX maps are compared with ionosonde data and all‐sky images over South America During quiet times DIX maps reveal weak ionospheric disturbances collocated with the footprints of the EPBs not seen by other instruments