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GPS‐TEC Observation of Gravity Waves Generated in the Ionosphere During 21 August 2017 Total Solar Eclipse
Author(s) -
Nayak Chinmaya,
Yiğit Erdal
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: space physics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2169-9402
pISSN - 2169-9380
DOI - 10.1002/2017ja024845
Subject(s) - solar eclipse , ionosphere , tec , total electron content , eclipse , geodesy , global positioning system , gravitational wave , geophysics , gravity wave , geology , physics , meteorology , astronomy , telecommunications , computer science
The present work investigates ionospheric effects of the 21 August 2017 total solar eclipse, particularly targeting eclipse‐generated gravity waves in the ionosphere. Ionospheric total electron content (TEC) derived from Global Positioning System (GPS) data obtained from a number of stations located both along and across the path of eclipse totality has been utilized for this purpose. Distinct gravity wave‐like signatures with wave periods around 20–90 min (with dominant peak at 25–30 min wave period) have been observed at all locations both in the path of totality and away from it. The observed gravity waves are more intense at locations closer to the path of totality, and the wave amplitudes decrease gradually with increasing distance from the path of totality. Our result highlights the manifestation of eclipse‐generated waves in the variability of the terrestrial ionosphere.