1. Even moderate geomagnetic pulsations can cause fluctuations of foF2 frequency of the auroral ionosphere
- Author
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Nadezda Yagova, Alexander Kozlovsky, Evgeny Fedorov, and Olga Kozyreva
- Subjects
QC801-809 ,Science ,Physics ,QC1-999 ,Geophysics. Cosmic physics ,Physics::Space Physics ,Astrophysics::Solar and Stellar Astrophysics ,Physics::Geophysics - Abstract
Using data of the ionosonde in Sodankyla, (SOD, 67° N, 27° E, Finland), variations of the critical frequency of o-mode radiowave reflected from ionospheric F2 layer (foF2) in 1–5 mHz frequency range and their possible association with long period (Pc5/Pi3) geomagnetic pulsations are studied. For that, a technique of automatic detection of the foF2 critical frequency from an ionogram is developed and applied to daytime Pc5/Pi3 geomagnetic pulsations and foF2 fluctuations during several months of years 2014–2015 near the maximum of 24-th Solar cycle. The variations of foF2 are compared with the Pc5/Pi3 geomagnetic pulsations at SOD station, and the influence of pulsations' spatial scale is analyzed with the data of a station pair located at the same magnetic meridian but separated in latitude. The variations of foF2 are in the majority of cases decoupled from the geomagnetic pulsations on the ground. Meanwhile, the analysis of geomagnetic and foF2 variations show intervals with noticeable coherence for both horizontal components. These coherent pulsations are predominantly registered in the afternoon sector of the magnetic local time (MLT). Statistically, their spectral content, polarization and spatial distribution differ from averaged parameters of post-noon Pc5 pulsations. The pulsations, coherent to foF2 fluctuations, demonstrate features typical for Alfven field-line resonance. The analysis of space weather conditions favorable for the occurrence of coherent geomagnetic/foF2 pulsations show that these pulsations are registered mostly under moderately disturbed conditions. Comparison of space weather parameters for all the intervals analyzed and the intervals of high geomagnetic/foF2 coherence show that the latter correspond mostly to intermediate values of indexes of geomagnetic (Dst) and auroral (AE) activity, solar wind speed and dynamic pressure fluctuations.
- Published
- 2021