Global electron content during solar cycle 23 |
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| Authors: | E L Afraimovich E I Astafyeva I V Zhivetiev A V Oinats Yu V Yasyukevich |
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| Institution: | (1) Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (ISZF SO RAN), P.O. Box 291, Irkutsk, 664033, Russia;(2) Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Radiowave Propagation, Far East Division, Russian Academy of Sciences, Mirnaya ul. 7, Paratunka, Elizovo raion, Kamchatka oblast, 684034, Russia |
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| Abstract: | Global electron content (GEC) as a new ionospheric parameter was first proposed by Afraimovich et al. 2006]. GEC is equal to the total number of electrons in the near-Earth space. GEC better than local parameters reflects the global response to a change in solar activity. It has been indicated that, during solar cycle 23, the GEC dynamics followed similar variations in the solar UV irradiance and F 10.7 index, including the 11-year cycle and 27-day variations. The dynamics of the regional electron content (REC) has been considered for three belts: the equatorial belt and two midlatitude belts in the Northern and Southern hemispheres (±30° and 30°–65° geomagnetic latitudes, respectively). In contrast to GEC, the annual REC component is clearly defined for the northern and southern midlatitude belts; the REC amplitude is comparable with the amplitude of the seasonal variations in the Northern Hemisphere and exceeds this amplitude in the Southern Hemisphere by a factor of ～1.7. The dayside to nightside REC ratio, R(t), at the equator is a factor of 1.5 as low as such a GEC ratio, which indicates that the degree of nighttime ionization is higher, especially during the solar activity maximum. The pronounced annual cycle with the maximal R(t) value near 8.0 for the winter Southern Hemisphere and summer Northern Hemisphere is typical of midlatitudes. |
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