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Ionospheric scintillation near the anomaly crest in relation to the variability of ambient ionization
Author(s) -
Chakraborty S. K.,
Hajra R.,
DasGupta A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1029/2011rs004942
Subject(s) - tec , daytime , ionosphere , interplanetary scintillation , scintillation , sunset , atmospheric sciences , total electron content , environmental science , space weather , anomaly (physics) , earth's magnetic field , geology , physics , meteorology , geophysics , coronal mass ejection , solar wind , astronomy , optics , plasma , quantum mechanics , condensed matter physics , detector , magnetic field
Ionospheric scintillation near the anomaly crest is a matter of great concern for the design of transionospheric communication and navigation links and forecasting of the same is an important aspect of ensuing space weather scenario. Under present investigation, amplitude scintillation data at VHF/UHF, total electron content (TEC) data from Calcutta (geographic: longitude 88.38°E, latitude 22.58°N, dip: 32°N), situated virtually below the northern crest of equatorial ionization anomaly, are analyzed to study any correspondence between occurrences of postsunset equatorial scintillations and daytime ambient ionization characteristics. The study reveals distinctive features of diurnal TEC profiles on scintillation and non‐scintillation days. The differences are reflected in daytime TEC parameters like diurnal peak values of TEC, its occurrence time, 3‐dB width of diurnal TEC profile, daytime integrated TEC and average TEC level around the local sunset. The analysis reveals that local time of diurnal TEC maximum in conjunction with daytime integrated TEC values may potentially be selected to develop forecasting capability of postsunset scintillation for the equinoctial months of high solar activity years under quiet geomagnetic condition. The results are discussed in terms of sustenance probability of high ambient ionization in the postsunset period.