Assessment of International GNSS Service Global Ionosphere Map products over China region based on measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China

The global ionosphere maps(GIM)provided by the International GNSS Service(IGS)are extensively utilized for ionospheric morphology monitoring,scientific research,and practical application.Assessing the credibility of GIM products in data-sparse regions is of paramount importance.In this study,measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China(CMONOC)are leveraged to evaluate the suitability of IGS-GIM products over China region in 2013-2014.The indices of mean error(ME),root mean square error(RMSE),and normalized RMSE(NRMSE)are then utilized to quantify the accuracy of IGS-GIM products.Results revealed distinct local time and latitudinal dependencies in IGS-GIM errors,with substantially high errors at nighttime(NRMSE:39%)and above 40°latitude(NRMSE:49%).Seasonal differences also emerged,with larger equinoctial deviations(NRMSE:33.5%)compared with summer(20%).A preliminary analysis implied that the irregular assimilation of sparse IGS observations,compounded by China’s distinct geomagnetic topology,may manifest as error variations.These results suggest that modeling based solely on IGS-GIM observations engenders inadequate representations across China and that a thorough examination would proffer the necessary foundation for advancing regional total electron content(TEC)constructions.

Assessment of the performance of the TOPGNSS and ANN-MB antennas for ionospheric measurements using low-cost u-blox GNSS receivers

Low-cost GNSS receivers have recently been gaining reliability as good candidates for ionospheric studies. In line with these gains are genuine concerns about improving the performance of these receivers. In this work, we present a comprehensive investigation of the performances of two antennas(the u-blox ANN-MB and the TOPGNSS TOP-106) used on a low-cost GNSS receiver known as the u-blox ZED-F9P. The two antennas were installed on two identical and co-located u-blox receivers. Data used from both receivers cover the period from January to June 2022. Results from the study indicate that the signal strengths are dominantly greater for the receiver with the TOPGNSS antenna than for the receiver with the ANN-MB antenna, implying that the TOPGNSS antenna is better than the ANN-MB antenna in terms of providing greater signal strengths. Summarily, the TOPGNSS antenna also performed better in minimizing the occurrence of cycle slips on phase TEC measurements. There are no conspicuous differences between the variances(computed as 5-min standard deviations) of phase TEC measurements for the two antennas, except for a period around May-June when the TOPGNSS gave a better performance in terms of minimizing the variances in phase TEC. Remarkably, the ANN-MB antenna gave a better performance than the TOPGNSS antenna in terms of minimizing the variances in pseudorange TEC for some satellite observations. For precise horizontal(North and East) positioning, the receiver with the TOPGNSS antenna gave better results, while the receiver with the ANN-MB antenna gave better vertical(Up) positioning. The errors for the receivers of both antennas are typically within about 5 m(the monthly mean was usually smaller than 1 m) in the horizontal direction and within about 10 m(the monthly mean was usually smaller than 4 m) in the vertical direction.

The anisotropy of suprathermal electrons in the Martian ionosphere

Suprathermal electrons are an important population of the Martian ionosphere, either produced by photoionization of atmospheric neutrals or supplied from the Solar Wind (SW). This study is dedicated to an in-depth investigation of the pitch angle distribution of suprathermal electrons at two representative energies, 19−55 eV and 124−356 eV, using the extensive measurements made by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. Throughout the study, we focus on the overall degree of anisotropy, defined as the standard deviation of suprathermal electron intensity among different directions which is normalized by the mean omni-directional intensity. The available data reveal the following characteristics: (1) In general, low energy electrons are more isotropic than high energy electrons, and dayside electrons are more isotropic than nightside electrons;(2) On the dayside, the anisotropy increases with increasing altitude at low energies but remains roughly constant at high energies, whereas on the nightside, the anisotropy decreases with increasing altitude at all energies;(3) Electrons tend to be more isotropic in strongly magnetized regions than in weakly magnetized regions, especially on the nightside. These observations indicate that the anisotropy is a useful diagnostic of suprathermal electron transport, for which the conversion between the parallel and perpendicular momenta as required by the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant, along with the atmospheric absorption at low altitudes, are two crucial factors modulating the observed variation of the anisotropy. Our analysis also highlights the different roles on the observed anisotropy exerted by suprathermal electrons of different origins.

The nature of electron density enhancement over a wide altitude range during ionosphere heating experiments at EISCAT

During the course of ionospheric heating experiments, researchers at the European Incoherent Scatter Scientific Association (EISCAT) observed an apparent electron density enhancement. The enhancement extended over a wide range of altitudes, above the reflection altitude of the high-frequency pump wave. However, whether this enhancement actually corresponds to a true enhancement in electron density remains an open question. When the dispersion relation of ion acoustic waves is followed, the frequency ratio of the enhanced ion line to the background ion line suggests that the profile of the effective ion mass may have remained unchanged. Furthermore, the solar radio flux and ion drift velocity indicate no significant changes in the ion species and their densities. In conclusion, the electron density enhancement observed at EISCAT should not, in fact, be considered a true enhancement.

Theoretical study of the ionospheric dynamo region inside the South Atlantic Anomaly

The South Atlantic Anomaly(SAA)is a region where the geomagnetic field is significantly lower than that of the surrounding area.On the basis of the models of CHAOS-7.8,Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter Model(NRLMSISE-00),and International Reference Ionosphere 2016(IRI-2016),we theoretically investigated the lower and upper boundaries of the ionospheric dynamo region inside the SAA.In the ionospheric dynamo region,electrons are coupled with magnetic field lines,whereas ions are decoupled from magnetic field lines.Our results showed that the ionospheric dynamo region inside the SAA is higher and larger than that outside the SAA.We also studied the boundary variations of the dynamo region inside the SAA depending on the seasons and solar activities.We found that the dynamo region inside the SAA is the highest and largest in the summer of the southern hemisphere at solar maximum.The larger and higher altitude range of the ionospheric dynamo region in the SAA can contribute to the stronger ionospheric currents in this region.

Ionospheric precursors of strong earthquakes observed using six GNSS stations data during continuous five years(2011-2015)

This study reports the morphological characteristics of anomalous variations in Global Navigation Satellite System Total Electron Content(GNSS-TEC) prior to the strong local earthquakes(EQ) that occurred during the period of 2011-2015.We have analyzed 20 earthquakes of magnitude M> 5.6.A statistical technique is implemented on the data of six GNSS stations located in Tashkent,Kitab,and Maidanak in Uzbekistan,and Islamabad,Multan,Quetta in Pakistan.The results show continuous anomalous variations in TEC during 24 h befo re the occupancy of local earthquakes.It is shown that the precursors before the occurrence of strong earthquakes,in particular of magnitude 5.7,7.7,7.5,7.8 and 7.3 are detected near Eastern Uzbekistan(26 May 2013),Southwestern Pakistan(24 September 2013),Hindukush region of Afghanistan(26 October 2015),and Central Nepal(25 April 2015) and(12 May 2015),respectively.The ionospheric anomalies appearing before the strong earthquakes at six GNSS stations are registered in 14cases(70%) out of 20 selected EQs.It is depicted that anomalies referred to as ionospheric precursors appeared about 1-7 days prior to the occurrence of strong earthquakes.

Solar cycle variations in equatorial ionospheric zonal electric fields near sunrise

In this study,we investigate the solar cycle dependence of the sunrise ionospheric zonal electric fields at the equator under geomagnetically quiet conditions.Simulations using the Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamics General Circulation Model(TIEGCM)reveal that the equatorial eastward electric field at sunrise decreases with the increase in solar activity,independent of longitude,season,and lower atmospheric tides.The solar cycle dependence of the sunrise zonal electric field is mainly related to the zonal wind dynamo.Moreover,this solar cycle dependence of sunrise electric fields at the equator is dominated by the corresponding variation in the F-region dynamo because the response of conductivity and neutral winds near sunrise to increasing solar flux is stronger in the F-region than in the E-region,although the sunrise eastward enhancement of electric fields is mainly driven by the E-region zonal wind dynamo.Specifically,the westward gradient of low-latitude F-region neutral winds near the dawn terminator tends to produce westward electric fields in the equatorial region that are more pronounced at solar maximum,whereas the midlatitude E-region dynamo induces an eastward enhancement of sunrise electric fields at the equator that decreases slightly with increasing solar activity.This study also reveals that the reason the eastward enhancement of equatorial zonal electric fields near dawn and dusk terminators show opposite solar cycle dependence is because of their different generation mechanisms.

Recent ionospheric investigations in China(2018–2019)

Since the release of the 2018 National Report of China on ionospheric research(Liu LB and Wan WX,2018)to the Committee on Space Research(COSPAR),scientists from China's Mainland have made many new fruitful investigations of various ionospheric-related issues.In this update report,we briefly introduce more than 130 recent reports(2018–2019).The current report covers the following topics:ionospheric space weather,ionospheric structures and climatology,ionospheric dynamics and couplings,ionospheric irregularity and scintillation,modeling and data assimilation,and radio wave propagation in the ionosphere and sounding techniques.

Probing the lower ionospheric perturbations associated with earthquakes by means of subionospheric VLF/LF propagation

There have been reports for many years that the ionosphere is very sensitive to seismic effects, and the detection of ionospheric perturbations associated with earthquakes （EQs） attracts a lot of attention as a very promising candidate for short-term EQ prediction. In this review we present a possible use of VLF/LF （very low frequency （3-30 kHz）/low frequency （30-300 kHz）） radio sounding of seismo-ionospheric perturbations. In order to avoid the overlapping with my own previous reviews, we first show some pioneering results for the Kobe EQ and we try to present the latest results including the statistical evidence on the correlation between the VLF/LF propagation anomalies （ionospheric perturbations） and EQs （especially with large magnitude and with shallow depth）, medium-distance （6-8 Mm） propagation anomalies, the fluctuation spectra of subionospheric VLF/LF data （the effect of atmospheric gravity waves, the effect of Earth＇s tides, etc.）, and the mechanism of lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling. Finally, we indicate the present situation of this kind of VLF/LF activities going on in different parts of the globe and we suggest the importance of international collaboration in this seismo-electromagnetic study.

Relationships between ionospheric parameters derived from ionosonde observations and characteristics of post-sunset GHz scintillation during high solar activities(2012−2013)at Sanya(18.3°N,109.6°E),China

In this study,we present characteristics of post-sunset GHz scintillation occurrence and their correlations with ionospheric parameters derived from ionosonde observations in high solar activity years(2012−2013)of solar cycle 24 at Sanya(18.3°N,109.6°E;dip lat.:12.8°N),China.The analyzed data include the F_(2)-layer’s critical frequency(foF_(2)),peak height(h_(m)F_(2)),and minimum virtual height(h’F),as well as the scale height around the F_(2)-layer peak(H_(m)),and virtual height(h’F_(5))and true height(hF_(5))measured at 5 MHz.We have investigated relationships between the equinoctial asymmetry of these scintillations and these ionospheric parameters.In addition,we calculate the growth rates of Rayleigh−Taylor instability on the basis of the ionosonde measurements and theoretical models,respectively.We find that the equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation onset time is associated with the scale length of the vertical electron density gradient(L),which has been shown to affect the growth of Rayleigh−Taylor instability at the bottom of the F-layer.The seasonal variations of foF_(2),H_(m)and scale length of vertical electron density gradient appear to cause the seasonal variations of scintillation occurrence;the equinoctial asymmetry of scintillation occurrence rate over low latitudes appears to be related to background electron density and vertical drifts in the F-layer around time of sunset.Further study is required to explain the observed correlational weakness in low latitudes between scintillation strength,represented by the daily maximum S4,and daily maximum values of foF_(2),h_(m)F_(2),h’F,H_(m),and also the drifts.

Automatic recognition of tweek atmospherics and plasma diagnostics in the lower ionosphere with the machine learning method

Tweek atmospherics are extremely low frequency and very low frequency pulse signals with frequency dispersion characteristics that originate from lightning discharges and that propagate in the Earth–ionosphere waveguide over long distances.In this study,we developed an automatic method to recognize tweek atmospherics and diagnose the lower ionosphere based on the machine learning method.The differences(automatic−manual)in each ionosphere parameter between the automatic method and the manual method were−0.07±2.73 km,0.03±0.92 cm^(−3),and 91±1,068 km for the ionospheric reflection height(h),equivalent electron densities at reflection heights(Ne),and propagation distance(d),respectively.Moreover,the automatic method is capable of recognizing higher harmonic tweek sferics.The evaluation results of the model suggest that the automatic method is a powerful tool for investigating the long-term variations in the lower ionosphere.

An Improved Extreme Learning Machine Prediction Model for Ionospheric Total Electron Content

Earth’s ionosphere is an important medium for navigation,communication,and radio wave transmission.Total Electron Content(TEC)is a descriptive quantify for ionospheric research.However,the traditional empirical model could not fully consider the changes of TEC time series,the prediction accuracy level of TEC data performed not high.In this study,an improved Extreme Learning Machine(ELM)model is proposed for ionospheric TEC prediction.Improvements involved the use of Empirical Mode Decomposition(EMD)and a Fuzzy C-Means(FCM)clustering algorithm to pre-process data used as input to the ELM model.The proposed model fully uses the TEC data characteristics and expected to perform better prediction accuracy.TEC measurements provided by the Centre for Orbit Determination in Europe(CODE)were used to evaluate the performance of the improved ELM model in terms of prediction accuracy,applicable latitude,and the number of required training samples.Experimental results produced a Mean Relative Error(MRE)and a Root Mean Square Error(RMSE)of 8.5%and 1.39 TECU,respectively,outperforming the ELM algorithm(RMSE=2.33 TECU and MRE=17.1%).The improved ELM model exhibited particularly high prediction accuracy in mid-latitude regions,with a mean relative error of 7.6%.This value improved further as the number of available training data increased and when 20-doys data were trained,achieving a mean relative error of 4.9%.These results suggest the proposed model offers higher prediction accuracy than conventional algorithms.

Progress of Geodesy Related Ionosphere from Chinese Scientists in the Period of 2019—2023

The ionosphere is the ionized part of the upper atmosphere of the Earth,which plays an important role in atmospheric electricity and forms the inner edge of the magnetosphere.It influences radio propagation significantly,such as the Global Navigation Satellite System(GNSS).Meanwhile,the GNSS is also an essential technique for sensing the variation of ionosphere.During the years of 2019—2023,a large number of Chinese geodesy scientists devoted much efforts to the geodesy related ionosphere.Due to the very limited length,the achievements are carried out from the following six aspects,including:①The ionospheric correction models for BDS and BDSBAS;②Real-time global ionospheric monitoring and modeling;③The ionospheric 2D and 3D modeling based on GNSS and LEO satellites;④The ionospheric prediction based on artificial intelligence;⑤The monitoring and mitigation of ionospheric disturbances for GNSS users;⑥The ionospheric related data products and classical applications.

A new strategy for ionospheric remote sensing using the 130.4/135.6 nm airglow intensity ratios

We demonstrate here that global-scale determination of a key ionospheric parameter,the peak height of the F_(2)region(h_(m)F_(2)),can be obtained by making a simple ratio measurement of the atomic oxygen 130.4 and 135.6 nm emissions in the far-ultraviolet nightglow with a nadir-viewing system such as a pair of photometers suitable for flight on a CubeSat.We further demonstrate that measurements from an altitude that is within the typical range of nighttime h_(m)F_(2)250−450 km can provide the ratios that are needed for retrieval of the h_(m)F_(2).Our study is conducted mostly through numerical simulations by using radiative transfer models of the two emissions coupled with empirical models of the atmosphere and ionosphere.Modeling results show that the relationship between the h_(m)F_(2)and the intensity ratio is sensitive to the altitude from which the emissions are observed,primarily because of the distinctly different degrees of resonant scattering of the two emissions in the atmosphere.A roughly quadratic relationship can be established for observations from an orbit of~400 km,which enables h_(m)F_(2)retrieval.Parametric analysis indicates that the relationship can be affected by the ambient atmospheric conditions through resonant scattering and O2 absorption.For typical nighttime conditions with h_(m)F_(2)250−450 km,retrieval of the h_(m)F_(2)from synthetic observations shows that the typical errors are only a few kilometers(up to~20 km),depending on the accuracy of the ambient conditions predicted by the empirical models.Our findings pave the way for use of the 130.4/135.6 nm intensity ratios for global-scale monitoring of the nighttime ionosphere at mid to low latitudes.

Ionospheric Currents in the Equatorial and Low Latitudes of Africa

The magnetometer data obtained for 2008 from geomagnetic stations installed across Africa by magnetic data acquisition set (MAGDAS) have been used to study the ionospheric Sq current system in the equatorial and low-latitudes of Africa. The aim of this work is to separate the quiet-day field variations obtained in the equatorial and low latitude regions of Africa into their external and internal field contributions and then to use the paired external and internal coefficients of the SHA to determine the source current and induced currents. The method used involved a spherical harmonic analysis (SHA). This was applied in the separation of the internal and external field/current contribution to the Sq variations. The result shows that the variation in the currents is seen to be a dawn-to-dusk phenomenon with the variation in the external currents different from that of the internal currents both in amplitude and in phase. Furthermore, the seasonal variation in the external current maximizes during the March equinox and minimizes during the December solstice. The maximum current observed in AAB and ILR is due to the Equatorial Electrojet Current present in the AAB and ILR stations. Seasonal variation was observed in the geomagnetic component variations as well as in the currents. This is attributed to the position of the sun with respect to the earth at different months of the year. The equinoctial maximum is observed in external current intensity which occurred mostly during the March Equinox.

Statistical Characteristics of the Temporal Spectrum of Scattered Radiation in the Equatorial Ionosphere

On the basis of the solution of the space-time characteristic system by the method of geometric optics using symbolic calculations,analytical and numerical simulation of the propagation of the ordinary and extraordinary radio waves in the conducting equatorial ionospheric plasma was made considering the anisotropy of plasma irregularities and non-stationary nature of propagation medium.Broadening of the spectrum and the displacement of its maximum contain velocity of a turbulent plasma flow and parameters characterizing anisotropic plasmonic structures.Statistical moments of both radio waves do not depend on the absorption sign and are valid for both active and absorptive random media.Temporal pulsations and conductivity of a turbulent ionospheric plasma have an influence on the evaluation of the spectrum-varying propagation distances travelling by these waves.The new double-humped effect in the temporal spectrum has been revealed for the ordinary wave varying anisotropy coefficient and dip angle of stretched plasmonic structures.From a theoretical point of view,the algorithms developed in this work allow effective modelling of the propagation of both radio signals in the equatorial conductive ionospheric plasma,considering the external magnetic field,inhomogeneities of electron density in-homogeneities,as well as non-stationary.

The earthquake-related disturbances in ionosphere and project of the first China seismo-electromagnetic satellite

Based on the case studies and statistical analysis of earthquake-related ionospheric disturbances mainly from DEMETER satellite, ground-based GPS and ionosounding data, this paper summarizes the statisw tical characteristics of earthquake-related ionospheric disturbances, including electromagnetic emissions, plasma perturbations and variation of energetic particle flux. According to the main results done by Chinese scientists, fusing with the existed study from global researches, seismo-ionospheric disturbances usually occurred a few days or hours before earthquake occurrence. Paralleling to these case studies, lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere （LAI） coupling mechanisms are checked and optimized. A thermo-electric model was proposed to explain the seismo-electromagnetic effects before earthquakes. A propagation model was put forward to explain the electromagnetic waves into the ionosphere. According to the requirement of earthquake prediction research, China seismo-electromagnetic satellite, the first space-based platform of Chinese earthquake stereoscopic observation system, is proposed and planned to launch at about the end of 2014. It focuses on checking the LAI model and distinguishing earthquake-related ionospheric disturbance. The preliminary design for the satellite will adopt CAST-2000 platform with eight payloads onboard. It is believed that the satellite will work together with the ground monitoring network to improve the capability to capture seismo-electromagnetic information, which is beneficial for earthquake monitoring and prediction researches.

Manifestations of the earthquake preparations in the ionosphere total electron content variations

Recent ionospheric observations report anomalous total electron content (TEC) deviations prior strong earthquakes. We discuss common fetures of the pre-earthquake TEC disturbances on the basis of statistics covering 50 strong seismic events during 2005-2006. The F2-layer ionospheric plasma drift under action of the electric fields of seismic origin is proposed as the main reason of producing TEC anomalies. The origin of such electric fields is discussed in terms of the lithosphere-atmosphere-ionosphere coupling system. This theory is supported by numerical simulations using global Upper Atmosphere Model (UAM). UAM calculations show that the vertical electric current with the density of about 20 - 40 nA/m2 flowing between the Earth and ionosphere over an area of about 200 by 2000 km is required to produce the TEC disturbances with the amplitude of about 30% - 50% relatively to the non-disturbed conditions. Ionosphere responses on the variations of the latitudinal position, direction and configuration of the vertical electric currents have been investigated. We show that not only the vertical component of the ionospheric plasma drift but also horizontal components play an important role in producing pre-earthquake TEC disturbances.

A Simulation Study of Ionization Depletion in the Auroral Ionospheric F-Region Caused by Strong Convection Electric Field

THe effects of strong convection electric field on the electron density in the auroral ionosphericF-region have been simulated numerically by means of a physical model. It is found that an enhancement of electric field directed west-northward in post-noon or west-southward in pre-noon results in an ionization depletion with its maximum at altitudes 40–50 km higher than that of theF 2 peak. When the enhanced electric field lasts for 45 min and has a maximum about 32 mV/m, the resulted ionization depletions reach their maximum at the time just ～10 min behind the time when the convection electric field and ion temperature enhancements reach their maximum. This is consistent well with EISCAT observations. The magnitudes of the percentage ionization depletions and their recovery time are dependent not only on the intensity of the electric field, but also on the diurnal variation phase of the background electron density.

Ionospheric total electron content disturbance associated with May 12, 2008,Wenchuan earthquake

Possible ionospheric disturbances relating to the May 12, 2008, MsS.0 Wenchuan earthquake were identified by Global Positioning System （GPS）-derived total electron content （TEC）, ion- osonde observations, the global ionospheric map （GIM）, and electron density profiles detected by the Constellation Observation System for Meteorology Ionosphere and Climate （COSMIC）. We applied a statistical test to detect anomalous TEC signals and found that a unique enhancement in TEC, recorded at 16 GPS stations, appeared on May 9, 2008. The critical fre- quency at F2 peak （foF2）, observed by the Chinese ionosondes, and maximal plasma frequency, derived from COSMIC data, revealed a characteristic similar to GPS TEC variations. The GIM showed that the anomalous variations of May 9 were located southeast of the epicenter. Using GPS data from 13 stations near the epicenter, we analyzed the TEC variations of satellite orbit traces during 04：00-11：00 UT. We found that TEC decreased to the east and increased to the southeast of the epicenter during this period. Results showed that the abnormal disturbance on May 9 was probably an ionosphenc precursor of the Wenchuan earthquake of May 12, 2008.