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Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas

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A special issue of Remote Sensing (ISSN 2072-4292). This special issue belongs to the section "Atmospheric Remote Sensing".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2021) | Viewed by 11257

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Luca Spogli

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Guest Editor

Upper Atmosphere Physics and Radiopropagation Unit - Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, Rome, Italy
Interests: space weather; ionospheric scintillations; GNSS; solar-terrestrial physics; ionospheric modelling and forecasting

Prof. P.T. Jayachandran

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Physics Department, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB, Canada
Interests: space weather; ionospheric scintillations; GNSS; solar-terrestrial physics; ionospheric modelling and forecasting

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Solar–terrestrial interactions affect the entire Earth, but polar areas, being directly connected with outer space through the geomagnetic field lines, are a natural laboratory to monitor and conduct fundamental research on space weather and its effects on modern technological systems. Currently, different instruments support space weather research of the ionosphere and coupled magnetosphere–ionosphere system, from ground-based observations (Global Navigation Satellite System receivers, coherent and incoherent scatter radars, ionosondes, magnetometers, riomters, all-sky-imagers) to in-situ measurements provided by Low-Earth Orbit satellites and sounding rockets. Papers are welcomed which concern, among other subjects, recent developments in modeling and forecasting, monitoring methodologies, metrology, data analysis (especially based on multi-instrument observations), measurement campaigns and international initiatives related to the understanding of ionospheric structures, morphology, dynamics and related threats on technological systems such as communication and position, navigation and timing systems at high latitudes.

Dr. Luca Spogli
Prof. P.T. Jayachandran
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Remote Sensing is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

High-latitude ionosphere
Space
Weather
Ionospheric irregularities
Ionospheric
Scintillation
Magnetosphere – ionosphere interaction
Solar-terrestrial connection

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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25 pages, 6497 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Physical Processes Involved in GNSS Amplitude Scintillations at High Latitude: A Case Study

by Giulia D’Angelo, Mirko Piersanti, Alessio Pignalberi, Igino Coco, Paola De Michelis, Roberta Tozzi, Michael Pezzopane, Lucilla Alfonsi, Pierre Cilliers and Pietro Ubertini

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(13), 2493; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13132493 - 25 Jun 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2126

Abstract

The storm onset on 7 September 2017, triggered several variations in the ionospheric electron density, causing severe phase fluctuations at polar latitudes in both hemispheres. In addition, although quite rare at high latitudes, clear amplitude scintillations were recorded by two Global Navigation Satellite System receivers during the main phase of the storm. This work attempted to investigate the physical mechanisms triggering the observed amplitude scintillations, with the aim of identifying the conditions favoring such events. We investigated the ionospheric background and other conditions that prevailed when the irregularities formed and moved, following a multi-observations approach. Specifically, we combined information from scintillation parameters and recorded by multi-constellation (GPS, GLONASS and Galileo) receivers located at Concordia station (75.10°S, 123.35°E) and SANAE IV base (71.67°S, 2.84°W), with measurements acquired by the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager on board the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellites, the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network, the Swarm constellation and ground-based magnetometers. Besides confirming the high degree of complexity of the ionospheric dynamics, our multi-instrument observation identified the physical conditions that likely favor the occurrence of amplitude scintillations at high latitudes. Results suggest that the necessary conditions for the observation of this type of scintillation in high-latitude regions are high levels of ionization and a strong variability of plasma dynamics. Both of these conditions are typically featured during high solar activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas)

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14 pages, 2812 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Case Study of Polar Cap Sporadic-E Layer Associated with TEC Variations

by Yong Wang, Periyadan T. Jayachandran, David R. Themens, Anthony M. McCaffrey, Qing-He Zhang, Shiva David and Richard Chadwick

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(7), 1324; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13071324 - 31 Mar 2021

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2000

Abstract

The Sporadic-E (Es) layer is an often-observed phenomenon at high latitudes; however, our understanding of the polar cap Es layer is severely limited due to the scarce number of measurements. Here, the first comprehensive study of the polar cap Es layer associated with Global Positioning System (GPS) Total Electron Content (TEC) variations and scintillations is presented with multiple measurements at Resolute, Canada (Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde (CADI), Northward-looking face of Resolute Incoherent-Scatter Radar (RISR-N), and GPS receiver). According to the joint observations, the polar cap Es layer is a thin patch structure with variously high electron density, which gradually develops into the lower E region (~100 km) and horizontally extends >200 km. Moreover, the TEC variations produced by the polar cap Es layer are pulse-like enhancements with a general amplitude of ~0.5 TECu and are followed by smaller but rapid TEC perturbations. Furthermore, the possible scintillation effects likely associated with the polar cap Es layer are also discussed. As a consequence, the results widely expand our understanding on the polar cap Es layer, in particular on TEC variations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas)

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17 pages, 7551 KiB

Open AccessArticle

E Layer Dominated Ionosphere Occurrences as a Function of Geophysical and Space Weather Conditions

by Sumon Kamal, Norbert Jakowski, Mohammed M. Hoque and Jens Wickert

Remote Sens. 2020, 12(24), 4109; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs12244109 - 16 Dec 2020

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1996

Abstract

At some locations, especially in the auroral regions, the ionization of the E layer can dominate over that of the F2 layer, which is called the E layer dominated ionosphere (ELDI). In the present work we investigate the spatiotemporal variation of the ELDI depending on the season, solar activity, geomagnetic activity, interplanetary magnetic field, convection electric field, and solar wind energy. We specify each distribution of ELDI events by the values of four parameters. In this regard, we compute the height, full width at half maximum, and position of a Gaussian function relative to a precomputed reference ellipse as parameters to describe the spatial distribution of ELDI events in geocentric latitude/longitude coordinates. To study the temporal variation of the ELDI events, we estimate the weighted mean local time of the distribution as the fourth parameter. The database used for our investigations contains more than 3.5 million vertical electron density profiles derived from ionospheric GPS radio occultation observations on board the COSMIC/FORMOSAT-3 (Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate/Formosa Satellite Mission 3) mission, covering a period of almost 13 years. The analysis of observations representing changing geophysical conditions results in clear trends for all ELDI parameters. In this context, the mean local time varies mostly between 01:00 and 02:00 local time, while the probability of ELDI occurrence is increased in local winter and in the case of low solar activity. Likewise, an increase in the solar wind parameters increases the number of ELDI events and leads to an equatorward shift of their position. The relationships found in our investigations can serve as a basis for future modeling studies addressing ELDI occurrences as a function of selected geophysical quantities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas)

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Other

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14 pages, 18650 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Possibilities of Estimating F2 Layer Peak Plasma Frequency Using HF Radiation from High Apogee Satellites over Arctic Region

by Igor Krasheninnikov and Givi Givishvili

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(21), 4225; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13214225 - 21 Oct 2021

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1501

Abstract

Based on the results of mathematical modeling, we consider the possibility to estimate the plasma frequency F2 layer maximum of the polar ionosphere (critical frequency, foF2) using frequency-sweeping radiation from a highly elliptical spacecraft orbit in the Arctic zone. Our modeling concerning the energy problem of radio sensing consisted of analyzing wave field parameters, received field strength, and SNR on two radio paths with the distances 1900 and 2500 km along the earth’s surface, with the satellite height varying from 10,000 to 30,000 km. Radio path orientations were selected to be close to the classical limit cases of radio wave propagation in the anisotropic ionospheric plasma: quasi-longitudinal approximation and, to a large extent, the quasi-transversal one for the quiet midday and midnight conditions. As a result of these simulations and following specific spacecraft conditions, working with an optimal probing signal was proposed for the appropriate emission power for the onboard transmitter. In the inverse problem of radio sounding of an ionized media, common mathematical inaccuracy in foF2 calculated from the transionogram, frequency dependence of the probing signals magneto-ionic group delay, was estimated. Considering and founding a possible realization of the method, physical prerequisites are discussed based on the experimental data of radio waves passing the 16,000 km long radio path for Moscow–Antarctica (UAS Vernadsky). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas)

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12 pages, 7132 KiB

Open AccessTechnical Note

Global Positioning System (GPS) Scintillation Associated with a Polar Cap Patch

by Jayachandran P. Thayyil, Anthony M. McCaffrey, Yong Wang, David R. Themens, Christopher Watson, Benjamin Reid, Qinghe Zhang and Zanyang Xing

Remote Sens. 2021, 13(10), 1915; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/rs13101915 - 13 May 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2380

Abstract

A Global Positioning System (GPS) network in the polar cap, along with ionosonde and SuperDARN radar measurements, are used to study GPS signal amplitude and phase scintillation associated with a polar cap patch. The patch was formed due to a north-to-south transition of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz). The patch moved antisunward with an average speed of ~600 m/s and lasted for ~2 h. Significant scintillation occurred on the leading edge of the patch, with smaller bursts of scintillation inside and on the trailing edge. As the patch moved, it maintained the integrity of the scintillation, producing irregularities (Fresnel scale) on the leading edge. There were no convection shears or changes in the direction of convection during scintillation events. Observations suggest that scintillation-producing Fresnel scale structures are generated through the non-linear evolution of the gradient drift instability mechanism. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Ionospheric Studies over Polar Areas)

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