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Using previously developed methods for determining the three-dimensional spatial–temporal structure of traveling ionospheric disturbances and the automatic detection of wave disturbances, we analyzed data obtained simultaneously with the Irkutsk Incoherent Scatter Radar and Irkutsk ionosonde. The analysis relies on long continuous series of observations acquired during winter seasons in 2010–2014. We obtained representative statistics of traveling ionospheric disturbances characteristics including the full velocity vector. We analyzed the characteristics of traveling ionospheric disturbances with 1–6 h periods comparing them against the dispersion relations for internal gravity waves in the Boussinesq and Hines approximations. It was shown that, with due consideration for the horizontal neutral wind, most of the observed ionospheric disturbances agrees with the laws of internal gravity waves propagation in the upper atmosphere. It was found that azimuthal anisotropy of internal gravity waves characteristics allows us to obtain the diurnal variations of zonal and meridional neutral winds in the upper atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From 2003–2012 dataset of the Irkutsk DPS-4 Digisonde (52.3°N, 104.3°E), we obtained the diurnal, seasonal and solar activity pattern of the F2 peak density (NmF2) variability for both high- and low-frequency parts of the variability. The high-frequency part (periods from 0.5 to 6 h) is mainly caused by traveling ionospheric disturbances associated with internal gravity waves. The low-frequency part with periods more than 6 h is related to long-term variability. The year-to-year (solar cycle) variations of the total daytime variability were used to estimate the geomagnetic and meteorological activity contributions into the NmF2 variability. An explanation of the obtained variability pattern is proposed in terms of the geomagnetic, meteorological and wave activity contributions, and the sensitivity of the ionospheric electron density to the geomagnetic and meteorological impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper the spatio-temporal structure of traveling ionospheric disturbances characteristics is studied on the base of the electron density profiles measured by two beams of the Irkutsk incoherent scatter radar and the Irkutsk Digisonde. The technique for determination of spatial–temporal structure of wavelike ionospheric disturbances was developed using cross-correlation and spectrum analysis of electron density. The automated method for extracting ionospheric disturbances including both long-period day-to-day variability and short-period variations has been developed. Full analyses of January 15–February 17, 2011 data, including total velocity vector, was carry out for 1–6h ionospheric disturbances, corresponding to internal gravitational waves. The propagation characteristics agree with those obtained from the known studies of the wavelike ionospheric disturbances. An automated method of ionospheric disturbances analysis was created on the basis of regular continuous measurements with the Irkutsk Digisonde. The statistical analysis of electron density disturbances was carried out for 2004–2009 period. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using Irkutsk digisonde data obtained in 2003–2011, a morphological analysis of the G condition occurrence has been made. The G condition was found to occur during daylight hours in summer; in winter, it is extremely rare, and its appearance is associated with intense magnetic storms. In the years of moderate solar activity, the G condition is most frequently registered at Kp ⩾4, in the forenoon. During low solar activity, it can be observed under quiet geomagnetic conditions; in most cases, local time of its appearance shifts to afternoon hours. The highest percentage of the G condition occurrence (7.7–6.4%) was recorded in June and July 2008 when the levels of solar and geomagnetic activity were abnormally low. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract We study the effects of the middle atmosphere dynamics on the mid-latitude and subauroral ionosphere during the winter jet stream that occurred at the stratosphere/lower mesosphere heights in the Northern Hemisphere over 2008–2013. The used ionospheric data were obtained from measurements taken at the vertical sounding ionosonde chain covering the entire Eurasian continent. We reveal regional features of the F2 -layer ionospheric response to dynamic processes during the winter circumpolar vortex evolution in the strato-mesosphere. The variations in the ionospheric parameters observed at different longitudes in the Northern Hemisphere significantly depended on the ionosonde position relative to the jet stream zone in the strato-mesosphere. The difference in critical frequency values for the ionosondes spaced longitudinally by only 15–20° could reach about 1.5–2 MHz, depending on the observation point location under the jet stream or off the latter. We consider the molecular gas upwelling/downwelling to/from the lower thermosphere in active regions of circulation as a mechanism for the underlying atmosphere impact on the ionosphere. Irregular variations in the ionospheric parameters could also be caused by wave disturbances of various spatial and temporal scales (including internal gravity waves) propagating into the thermosphere from the underlying atmosphere. The mesoscale wave generation source at the strato-mesospheric heights was associated with baroclinic instabilities in the spatially non-uniform, high-velocity winter jet stream. Highlights • Ionosphere response on winter stratosphere/mesosphere jet stream. • Eurasian ionosonde chain data are used for ionosphere study. • Specific longitudinal ionosphere dynamics over jet stream was found. • Different mechanisms of thermosphere [O]/[N 2 ] ratio change are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied ionospheric disturbances caused by the wave-like processes in the middle atmosphere. The ionospheric data were obtained from continuous measurements with the DPS-4 vertical sounding ionosondes in Irkutsk and Norilsk over 2008–2010. The ionospheric disturbances were considered as deviations of the F 2 layer peak density variations from the daily average values. We also used ECMWF ERA-Interim reanalysis data for the middle atmosphere dynamics analysis, and the Aura MLS data on the atmospheric temperature at the stratosphere and upper mesosphere heights obtained within the above period. The analysis allowed us to reveal periods of middle-scale wave motions in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere during winter seasons in the Northern Hemisphere. The wave motions observed in the study were associated with the jet streams at the stratosphere/lower mesosphere heights localized mainly between 50 and 80°N. The middle-scale waves in the stratosphere were compared with ionospheric disturbances over two ionosonde stations in Irkutsk and Norilsk. A noticeable increase in the wave activity was found at the F 2 layer heights during the periods of stratospheric wave activity. For both stations, the maximal variability in the ionosphere F 2 layer parameters was observed in winter with the minimal variability observed in summer. The summer–winter difference was more pronounced in the case of the high-latitude ionosonde in Norilsk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Eurasian ionosonde and GPS/GLONASS receiver chains data are used for ionosphere study. • Specific longitudinal variability of the geomagnetic field components were found. • Ionosphere response on magnetic storms exhibit a pronounced longitudinal irregularity. • Molecular gas disturbances play important role in the midlatitude ionosphere dynamics. We present a joint analysis of longitude-temporal variations of ionospheric and geomagnetic parameters at middle and high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere during the two severe magnetic storms in March and June 2015 by using data from the chains of magnetometers, ionosondes and GPS/GLONASS receivers. We identify the fixed longitudinal zones where the variability of the magnetic field is consistently high or low under quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. The revealed longitudinal structure of the geomagnetic field variability in quiet geomagnetic conditions is caused by the discrepancy of the geographic and magnetic poles and by the spatial anomalies of different scales in the main magnetic field of the Earth. Variations of ionospheric parameters are shown to exhibit a pronounced longitudinal inhomogeneity with changing geomagnetic conditions. This inhomogeneity is associated with the longitudinal features of background and disturbed structure of the geomagnetic field. During the recovery phase of a storm, important role in dynamics of the mid-latitude ionosphere may belong to wave-like thermospheric disturbances of molecular gas, propagating westward for several days. Therefore, it is necessary to extend the time interval for studying the ionospheric effects of strong magnetic storms by a few days after the end of the magnetospheric source influence, while the disturbed regions in the thermosphere continues moving westward and causes the electron density decrease along the trajectories of propagation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In the paper we study the ionosphere response to the March 2015 severe geomagnetic storm according to Eurasian high-middle latitude ionosonde chain. On the basis of the ionosonde chain data we have restored the time/longitude dynamics of the high-middle latitude ionosphere over the Eurasian continent. The data showed that during the main storm phase that developed in the nighttime Siberian sector, a disturbed thermosphere region was created. This region moved westward with 50–70 m/s velocity and which was registered two-three days after the storm in the Eastern and Western Europe. Characteristics of the geomagnetic field variations showed that three active zones occurred during the storm. One is shifted from the geographic pole toward magnetic pole at ∼270° longitude. Two other zones were formed symmetrically opposite to the geomagnetic pole at longitudes ∼40° and ∼130°; the major electron density depletions at these longitudes were observed in the high-middle latitude ionosphere. On the contrary, longitudinal sector ∼80–110° showed electron density maximum in quiet conditions and fast ionosphere restoration after the storm decaying. Highlights • Ionosphere response on winter stratosphere/mesosphere Jet stream. • Eurasian ionosonde chain data are used for ionosphere study. • Specific longitudinal ionosphere dynamics over jet stream was found. • Different mechanisms of thermosphere [ O ]/[ N 2 ] ratio change are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]