Drift Velocity Estimation of Ionospheric Bubbles Using GNSS Observations

Equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) irregularities are large-scale plasma depleted structures that exist in the equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere. Thus, particularly in these regions, much attention must be given to the effects of the EPBs in the life critical applications based on global navigation...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Souza, Ana L. C. [UNESP], Camargo, Paulo O. [UNESP], Muella, Marcio T. A. H., Tardelli-Coelho, Flavia
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2021
País:Brasil
Institución:Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)
Repositorio:Repositório Institucional da UNESP
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repositorio.unesp.br:11449/229386
Acceso en línea:http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2020RS007220
http://hdl.handle.net/11449/229386
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:airglow
equatorial plasma bubble
GNSS
irregularity drift
keograms
total electron content
Descripción
Sumario:Equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) irregularities are large-scale plasma depleted structures that exist in the equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere. Thus, particularly in these regions, much attention must be given to the effects of the EPBs in the life critical applications based on global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). The study on the dynamics of plasma bubbles, particularly in the determination of their drift velocities, and their impact on ground-based augmentation system is of fundamental importance for civilian aviation. In this regard, we proposed a methodology to estimate the zonal drift velocities of the plasma bubble irregularities using slant total electron content (TEC) measurements derived from two spaced ground-based GNSS receivers. The experiments were performed with the purpose to evaluate if the drift velocities obtained using the methodology proposed in this study agree with the velocities deduced from all-sky imaging systems. The results revealed that the TEC-estimated mean eastward drift velocities were comparable with the values deduced from the airglow techniques, and with the results obtained from previous studies. Therefore, the methodology proposed in this work to infer the plasma bubble drift velocities seem to have the potential in future investigations to provide a new data source in this field.