Pole-To-Pole Ionospheric Disturbances Due To Solar Flares, During Low Solar Activity

Author(s)

Fagundes, P. R. ; Pillat, V. G. ; Tardelli, A. ; Muella, M. T. A. H.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS; v. 129, n. 7, p. 17-pg., 2024-07-01.

Abstract

There are growing concerns about the effect of solar flares on the ionosphere, mainly due to possible deterioration or damage to our communication and navigation satellite systems. On 3 July 2021, and 28 October 2021, there were solar flares (SFs) classified as X1.59 and X1.0, respectively. These two SFs were the only ones of X-class that occurred during the last low solar activity (LSA:2018-2021). Data from magnetometers and Global Positioning System (GPS)-Total Electron Content (TEC) are used to investigate the spatial-temporal electrodynamics of the ionosphere from pole-to-pole in the American sector. Employing triangle H and vertical TEC, along with the ROT (rate of change of VTEC) parameter. Rapidly triangle H disturbances closely follow the X-ray variation and the triangle H valleys and peaks are well-synchronized during the SFs, indicating that they are linked. Major disturbances in the triangle H are noticed in the mid-low-equatorial latitudes. However, minor disturbances were seen at high latitudes. Also, |ROT| is a good indicator of the electron density changes during the SFs, especially when the X-ray intensity rises to the peak. There are growing concerns about the effect of solar flares on the ionosphere, mainly due to possible deterioration or damage to our communication and navigation satellite systems. This kind of space weather event known as solar flare, releases energy in the form of radiation in the entire electromagnetic spectrum. However, the UV, EUV, and X-ray radiation burst penetrates deeper into the Earth's atmosphere and is absorbed in the D and E regions (lower ionosphere) and F-region. In this investigation the ionospheric disturbances are investigated, from pole-to-pole, using a magnetometer and GPS-TEC networks. The primary objective of this paper is to investigate the ionospheric response to solar flares across the entire latitudinal range The triangle H exhibited synchronized peaks and valleys, during SF. The ROT is the most effective parameter to study electron density disturbances The methodology employed in this study involves the calculation and analysis of triangle H, VTEC, and ROT (Rate of TEC change) (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/14815-5 - The global study of the diurnal, day-to-day, and seasonal variability of the ionospheric electrodynamics as a function of the solar cycle, during geomagnetically calm and disturbed periods, using experimental data
• Grantee: Paulo Roberto Fagundes
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants