Investigation of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances during a Midlatitude Spread F Event

TL;DR

This study investigates the causes of midlatitude spread F events by analyzing ionospheric disturbances, gravity waves, and scintillation data, revealing the role of atmospheric gravity waves and neutral winds in MSF occurrence.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the role of atmospheric gravity waves and neutral winds in midlatitude spread F events through multi-instrument analysis.

Findings

Presence of medium scale atmospheric gravity waves during MSF

Low scintillation levels observed across multiple sensors

Gravity waves propagating towards low latitudes with small eastward component

Abstract

During a midlatitude spread F (MSF) event, data was collected to investigate the circumstances that may lead to MSF. Using the Total Electron Content (TEC) derived from the NCAT-SCINDA GPS station and the Continuous Operating Reference Stations (CORS) Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TID) were analyzed during a period of MSF over Wallops Island, Virginia. In addition to the TEC analysis, scintillation calculations have been made using the NCAT-SCINDA GPS receiver, USRP receiver and a Narrow Band (NB) receiver. Scintillation levels on the GPS, USRP and NB signals were very low throughout the period of MSF. Analysis of TEC data from multiple CORS sites has shown the presence of medium scale atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) within the MSF event region propagating towards low latitudes with a small eastward component. This is consistent with theories showing AGW may lead to MSF if an oppositely directed neutral wind is present. This study was performed in conjunction with a sounding rocket experiment investigating ionospheric disturbances at multiple scale sizes.