HF Radar Observations of Space Weather Effects in the Low and Mid-latitude Ionosphere

Abstract:

The ionosphere is dynamically coupled to the magnetosphere and hence diurnal and seasonal processes in the ionosphere are strongly influenced by space weather effects. These may vary the electron density distribution and cause changes in the reflection and absorption of HF radio signals. Other consequences include the formation of enhanced convective flows and irregularity features which may contribute to Doppler clutter. While there has been much discussion on the ionospheric signatures of magnetic storms at high latitudes, this presentation focuses on effects detected using mid- and low-latitude HF radars which examine field lines mapping to the vicinity of the ring current. Characteristic features include travelling ionospheric disturbances, high velocity flows and sustained irregular and quasi-sinusoidal 5 - 20 mHz waves recorded near the plasmapause. Such observations provide new insight on complex M-I coupling dynamics.