Comparison of ionospheric profile parameters with IRI-2012 model over Jicamarca

[摘要] We used the hourly ionogram data obtained from Jicamarca station (12° S, 76.9° W, dip latitude: 1.0° N) an equatorial region to study the variation of the electron density profile parameters: maximum height of F2-layer (hmF2), bottomside thickness (B0) and shape (B1) parameter of F-layer. The period of study is for the year 2010 (solar minimum period).The diurnal monthly averages of these parameters are compared with the updated IRI-2012 model. The results show that hmF2 is highest during the daytime than nighttime. The variation in hmF2 was observed to modulate the thickness of the bottomside F2-layer. The observed hmF2 and B0 post-sunset peak is as result of the upward drift velocity of ionospheric plasma. We found a close agreement between IRI-CCIR hmF2 model and observed hmF2 during 0000-0700 LT while outside this period the model predictions deviate significantly with the observational values. Significant discrepancies are observed between the IRI model options for B0 and the observed B0 values. Specifically, the modeled values do not show B0 post-sunset peak. A fairly good agreement was observed between the observed B1 and IRI model options (ABT-2009 and Bill 2000) for B1.

[发布机构] Department of Physics, Faculty of Physical Sciences, University of Ilorin, Nigeria^1;Space Science Centre (ANGKASA), Institute of Climate Change, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia^2;Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia^3;School of Applied Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor; 43600 UKM, Malaysia^4;Center for Atmospheric Research, University of Massachusetts, Lowell; MA, United States^5;Lowell Digisonde International, Lowell; MA, United States^6

[效力级别] 无线电电子学

[关键词] Drift velocities;Electron density profiles;Equatorial regions;Ionospheric plasmas;Iri models;Model prediction;Profile parameters;Solar minima