Achievement of a short term three dimensional electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European sector: Comparisons with the IRI model for quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions

摘要

In this paper will be described the procedure followed for the achievement of a short term three dimensional (3-D) electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European area. It consists of three main steps: (1)foF2 and M(3000)F2 short-term forecasts, (foF2_(STF)) and (M3000F2_(STF)), are calculated at 12 ionospheric observatories scattered in the European area; (2) the values of foF2_(STF) and M3000F2_(STF) on a grid of equi-spaced points, (foF2_(STF, GP)) and (M3000F2_(STF, GP)), are calculated by means of an appropriate interpolation algorithm by using the foF2_(STF) and M3000F2_(STF) data; (3)foF2_(STF, GP) and M3000F2_(STF, GP) data ingestion into the IRI model is employed to produce a short term 3-D electron density mapping (ST-3D-M) of the ionosphere. The electron density profiles provided by the ST-3D-M and IRI models, were compared with the electron density profiles autoscaled by the Automatic Real-Time Ionogram Scaler with True-height (ARTIST) system, which are here considered as the truth profiles. The results of these comparisons, shown for a certain number of epochs during quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions, in the truth-sites of Athens (38°.0'N, 23°.5'E), Chilton (51°.5'N, -0°.6'W), Dourbes (50°.1' N, 4°.6'E), Pruhonice (50°.0'N, 14°.6'E), Rome (41°.9'N, 12°.5'E), and Tortosa (40°.8'N, 0°.5'E), indicate that the ST-3D-M as forecasting tool can be considered generally reliable.