GITM‐Data Comparisons of the Depletion and Enhancement During the 2017 Solar Eclipse
Abstract
The total solar eclipse of 21 August 2017 was simulated with the Global Ionosphere‐Thermosphere Model (GITM), and the results were compared with the total electron content (TEC) measurements provided by the Global Navigation Satellite System, as well as F2 layer peak electron density (NmF2) derived from six ionosondes. TEC decreased over North America by ~54.3% in the model and ~57.6% in measurements, and NmF2 decreased by ~20–50% in the model and ~40–60% in the measurements. GITM predicted a posteclipse enhancement of ~10% in TEC and NmF2, consistent with observations which suggested an increase of ~10–25% in TEC and ~10–40% in NmF2. GITM showed that the divergence of horizontal winds drove the increase in Oxygen after the eclipse allowing an increase in the ionization rate. The slower charge exchange due to both the decreased ion temperature and N2 density allowed an increase of O+ density in the F region also.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Apr 16, 2018
- Source ID
- 10.1002/2018gl077409
Entities
People
- A. J. Ridley
- Chen Wu
- Gang Chen
- Larisa P. Goncharenko
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- National Science Foundation
- University of Michigan