Multi-Technique Studies of Ionospheric Plasma Structuring
Abstract
Analysis of GPS phase fluctuations in conjunction with regional total electron content (TEC) maps, insitu measurements of sub-auroral polarization streams (SAPS) and auroral convection from several DMSP spacecraft and dynasonde measurements at the Bear Lake Observatory obtained during the intense magnetic storm of November 8, 2004, have indicated the tremendous impact of large ionospheric velocities on GPS-based navigation systems within the mid-latitude region in the North American sector. The major difference between this superstorm and the others observed during the October-November, 2003 events is the absence of appreciable storm-enhanced density gradients, with the mid-latitude region being enveloped by either the auroral oval or the ionospheric trough within which the SAPS were confined during the local dusk to nighttime hours. This shows that it is possible to disable GPS-based navigation systems for many hours even in the absence of appreciable TEC gradients, provided an intense flow channel is present in the ionosphere during nighttime hours. The competing effects of irregularity amplitude DN/N, the background F-region density and the magnitude of SAPS or auroral convection are discussed in establishing extent of the region of impact on such systems.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2007
- Accession Number
- ADA573400
Entities
People
- Sunanda Basu
Organizations
- Boston University