Effectiveness of the IRI-2001-predicted N(h) profile updating with real-time measurements under intense geomagnetic storm conditions over Europe

It is well known that as long as variations in the ionosphere follow regular patterns, the latest version of the International Reference Ionosphere IRI-2001 model estimates sufficiently accurate NmF2 and other parameters relevant for the ionospheric effects on radio wave propagation. During geomagne...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Published in:Advances in Space Research
Main Authors: Buresová, D., Cander, L. R., Vernon, A., Zolesi, Bruno
Other Authors: Buresová, D.; Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bocni II, 141 31 Prague 4, Czech Republic, Cander, L. R.; Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Space Science & Technology Department, Radio Communications Research Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Vernon, A.; Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, United Kingdom, Zolesi, B.; Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica, Via di Vigna Murata, 605 Roma 00143, Italy, Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Bocni II, 141 31 Prague 4, Czech Republic, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Space Science & Technology Department, Radio Communications Research Unit, Chilton, Didcot, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0QX, United Kingdom, Instituto Nazionale di Geofisica, Via di Vigna Murata, 605 Roma 00143, Italy
Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2006
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/2122/2295
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2006.02.002
Description
Summary:It is well known that as long as variations in the ionosphere follow regular patterns, the latest version of the International Reference Ionosphere IRI-2001 model estimates sufficiently accurate NmF2 and other parameters relevant for the ionospheric effects on radio wave propagation. During geomagnetic storms, it is desirable that for the IRI-2001 model to be tested against available observations. This paper presents the comparison of the IRI-2001-generated electron density (N(h)) profiles with those updated using measured values over European area during October and November 2003 geomagnetic super storms. Ionospheric stations involved in this study are Athens, Chilton, Rome, Juliusruh and Tromso. These stations provide real-time ionospheric characteristics and N(h) profiles regularly within the framework of the EU COST271 Action on ‘‘Effects of the upper atmosphere on terrestrial and earth-space communications’’. Comparative analysis shows that significant discrepancies do exist predominantly during the storm main phase. The model not always estimates correctly the phase and the magnitude of intense geomagnetic storm effects on the daytime F2 layer peak electron density at different European latitudes. Results are discussed in the context of real-time N(h) profile updating capabilities and effectiveness. 2006 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Published 1061–1068 reserved