Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere

Omondi George Erick; Baki Paul; Ndinya Boniface

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere

Omondi George Erick, Baki Paul, Ndinya Boniface

Published in International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science (Volume 5, Issue 1)

Received: 22 February 2017 Accepted: 8 March 2017 Published: 17 March 2017

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Abstract

The equatorial ionosphere is highly dynamic and consequently poses serious threats to communication and navigation systems. As a result, proper understanding of ionospheric dynamics is important. The present paper presents the results of an investigation of the correlation between quiet time vertical total electron content (VTEC) and solar quiet variation in the horizontal component of geomagnetic field (Sq(H)) from low solar activity year (2009) to the high solar activity year (2014) within the equatorial East African sector using statistical analysis method. Values of Sq(H) were observed to increase steadily from around 0700LT attaining maximum values around 1100-1200LT, then descending towards zero level and beyond. The magnitudes of (VTEC) increase uniformly from around 0600-1000LT, then gradually, attaining maximum values around 1300-1500LT. The time instants of occurrence of these peaks are mainly controlled by drifts and photo-ionization. The correlation coefficients (ccs) between (VTEC) and Sq(H) were found to be strongest during the ascending phase (0600-1200LT), ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 at Addis Ababa and 0.61 to 0.97 at Nairobi. During the descending phase (1300-1800LT), ccs range from -0.28 to 0.89 at Addis Ababa and-0.06 to 0.76 at Nairobi. A high level of significance (99.98%) of ccs was obtained. The good linear relationship is attributed to the independent increase of the eastward electric field and photo-ionization on (VTEC) while poor relationship is possibly due to domination of photo-ionization over equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development. The annual ccs between (VTEC) and Sq(H) exhibit a general dependence on solar activity at Addis Ababa, closer to the dip equator, rather than at Nairobi during the ascending phase of the daytime. This observation suggests that the EEJ changes linearly with change in solar activity, thus streamlining the variations in TEC, through drifts, and Sq(H) by intensifying the eastward equatorial electric field.

Published in	International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science (Volume 5, Issue 1)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
Page(s)	6-18
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2017. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Equatorial Electrojet, Equatorial Ionization Anomaly, Solar Quiet, Total Electron Content, Correlation

References

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APA Style

Omondi George Erick, Baki Paul, Ndinya Boniface. (2017). Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science, 5(1), 6-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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ACS Style

Omondi George Erick; Baki Paul; Ndinya Boniface. Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. Int. J. Astrophys. Space Sci. 2017, 5(1), 6-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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AMA Style

Omondi George Erick, Baki Paul, Ndinya Boniface. Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. Int J Astrophys Space Sci. 2017;5(1):6-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12,
  author = {Omondi George Erick and Baki Paul and Ndinya Boniface},
  title = {Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere},
  journal = {International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science},
  volume = {5},
  number = {1},
  pages = {6-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijass.20170501.12},
  abstract = {The equatorial ionosphere is highly dynamic and consequently poses serious threats to communication and navigation systems. As a result, proper understanding of ionospheric dynamics is important. The present paper presents the results of an investigation of the correlation between quiet time vertical total electron content (VTEC) and solar quiet variation in the horizontal component of geomagnetic field (Sq(H)) from low solar activity year (2009) to the high solar activity year (2014) within the equatorial East African sector using statistical analysis method. Values of Sq(H) were observed to increase steadily from around 0700LT attaining maximum values around 1100-1200LT, then descending towards zero level and beyond. The magnitudes of (VTEC) increase uniformly from around 0600-1000LT, then gradually, attaining maximum values around 1300-1500LT. The time instants of occurrence of these peaks are mainly controlled by  drifts and photo-ionization. The correlation coefficients (ccs) between (VTEC) and Sq(H) were found to be strongest during the ascending phase (0600-1200LT), ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 at Addis Ababa and 0.61 to 0.97 at Nairobi. During the descending phase (1300-1800LT), ccs range from -0.28 to 0.89 at Addis Ababa and-0.06 to 0.76 at Nairobi. A high level of significance (99.98%) of ccs was obtained. The good linear relationship is attributed to the independent increase of the eastward electric field and photo-ionization on (VTEC) while poor relationship is possibly due to domination of photo-ionization over equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development. The annual ccs between (VTEC) and Sq(H) exhibit a general dependence on solar activity at Addis Ababa, closer to the dip equator, rather than at Nairobi during the ascending phase of the daytime. This observation suggests that the EEJ changes linearly with change in solar activity, thus streamlining the variations in TEC, through  drifts, and Sq(H) by intensifying the eastward equatorial electric field.},
 year = {2017}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere
AU  - Omondi George Erick
AU  - Baki Paul
AU  - Ndinya Boniface
Y1  - 2017/03/17
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
T2  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JF  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JO  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
SP  - 6
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7022
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
AB  - The equatorial ionosphere is highly dynamic and consequently poses serious threats to communication and navigation systems. As a result, proper understanding of ionospheric dynamics is important. The present paper presents the results of an investigation of the correlation between quiet time vertical total electron content (VTEC) and solar quiet variation in the horizontal component of geomagnetic field (Sq(H)) from low solar activity year (2009) to the high solar activity year (2014) within the equatorial East African sector using statistical analysis method. Values of Sq(H) were observed to increase steadily from around 0700LT attaining maximum values around 1100-1200LT, then descending towards zero level and beyond. The magnitudes of (VTEC) increase uniformly from around 0600-1000LT, then gradually, attaining maximum values around 1300-1500LT. The time instants of occurrence of these peaks are mainly controlled by  drifts and photo-ionization. The correlation coefficients (ccs) between (VTEC) and Sq(H) were found to be strongest during the ascending phase (0600-1200LT), ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 at Addis Ababa and 0.61 to 0.97 at Nairobi. During the descending phase (1300-1800LT), ccs range from -0.28 to 0.89 at Addis Ababa and-0.06 to 0.76 at Nairobi. A high level of significance (99.98%) of ccs was obtained. The good linear relationship is attributed to the independent increase of the eastward electric field and photo-ionization on (VTEC) while poor relationship is possibly due to domination of photo-ionization over equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development. The annual ccs between (VTEC) and Sq(H) exhibit a general dependence on solar activity at Addis Ababa, closer to the dip equator, rather than at Nairobi during the ascending phase of the daytime. This observation suggests that the EEJ changes linearly with change in solar activity, thus streamlining the variations in TEC, through  drifts, and Sq(H) by intensifying the eastward equatorial electric field.
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
ER  -

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Author Information

Omondi George Erick

Department of Physics and Materials Science, Maseno University, Maseno, Kenya
Baki Paul

Department of Physics and Space Science, Technical University of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya
Ndinya Boniface

Department of Physics, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kakamega, Kenya

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Omondi George Erick, Baki Paul, Ndinya Boniface. (2017). Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science, 5(1), 6-18. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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ACS Style

Omondi George Erick; Baki Paul; Ndinya Boniface. Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. Int. J. Astrophys. Space Sci. 2017, 5(1), 6-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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AMA Style

Omondi George Erick, Baki Paul, Ndinya Boniface. Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere. Int J Astrophys Space Sci. 2017;5(1):6-18. doi: 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12,
  author = {Omondi George Erick and Baki Paul and Ndinya Boniface},
  title = {Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere},
  journal = {International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science},
  volume = {5},
  number = {1},
  pages = {6-18},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijass.20170501.12},
  abstract = {The equatorial ionosphere is highly dynamic and consequently poses serious threats to communication and navigation systems. As a result, proper understanding of ionospheric dynamics is important. The present paper presents the results of an investigation of the correlation between quiet time vertical total electron content (VTEC) and solar quiet variation in the horizontal component of geomagnetic field (Sq(H)) from low solar activity year (2009) to the high solar activity year (2014) within the equatorial East African sector using statistical analysis method. Values of Sq(H) were observed to increase steadily from around 0700LT attaining maximum values around 1100-1200LT, then descending towards zero level and beyond. The magnitudes of (VTEC) increase uniformly from around 0600-1000LT, then gradually, attaining maximum values around 1300-1500LT. The time instants of occurrence of these peaks are mainly controlled by  drifts and photo-ionization. The correlation coefficients (ccs) between (VTEC) and Sq(H) were found to be strongest during the ascending phase (0600-1200LT), ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 at Addis Ababa and 0.61 to 0.97 at Nairobi. During the descending phase (1300-1800LT), ccs range from -0.28 to 0.89 at Addis Ababa and-0.06 to 0.76 at Nairobi. A high level of significance (99.98%) of ccs was obtained. The good linear relationship is attributed to the independent increase of the eastward electric field and photo-ionization on (VTEC) while poor relationship is possibly due to domination of photo-ionization over equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development. The annual ccs between (VTEC) and Sq(H) exhibit a general dependence on solar activity at Addis Ababa, closer to the dip equator, rather than at Nairobi during the ascending phase of the daytime. This observation suggests that the EEJ changes linearly with change in solar activity, thus streamlining the variations in TEC, through  drifts, and Sq(H) by intensifying the eastward equatorial electric field.},
 year = {2017}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Quiet Time Correlation Between Geomagnetic Field Variations and the Dynamics of the East African Equatorial Ionosphere
AU  - Omondi George Erick
AU  - Baki Paul
AU  - Ndinya Boniface
Y1  - 2017/03/17
PY  - 2017
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
T2  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JF  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
JO  - International Journal of Astrophysics and Space Science
SP  - 6
EP  - 18
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2376-7022
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijass.20170501.12
AB  - The equatorial ionosphere is highly dynamic and consequently poses serious threats to communication and navigation systems. As a result, proper understanding of ionospheric dynamics is important. The present paper presents the results of an investigation of the correlation between quiet time vertical total electron content (VTEC) and solar quiet variation in the horizontal component of geomagnetic field (Sq(H)) from low solar activity year (2009) to the high solar activity year (2014) within the equatorial East African sector using statistical analysis method. Values of Sq(H) were observed to increase steadily from around 0700LT attaining maximum values around 1100-1200LT, then descending towards zero level and beyond. The magnitudes of (VTEC) increase uniformly from around 0600-1000LT, then gradually, attaining maximum values around 1300-1500LT. The time instants of occurrence of these peaks are mainly controlled by  drifts and photo-ionization. The correlation coefficients (ccs) between (VTEC) and Sq(H) were found to be strongest during the ascending phase (0600-1200LT), ranging from 0.69 to 0.98 at Addis Ababa and 0.61 to 0.97 at Nairobi. During the descending phase (1300-1800LT), ccs range from -0.28 to 0.89 at Addis Ababa and-0.06 to 0.76 at Nairobi. A high level of significance (99.98%) of ccs was obtained. The good linear relationship is attributed to the independent increase of the eastward electric field and photo-ionization on (VTEC) while poor relationship is possibly due to domination of photo-ionization over equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development. The annual ccs between (VTEC) and Sq(H) exhibit a general dependence on solar activity at Addis Ababa, closer to the dip equator, rather than at Nairobi during the ascending phase of the daytime. This observation suggests that the EEJ changes linearly with change in solar activity, thus streamlining the variations in TEC, through  drifts, and Sq(H) by intensifying the eastward equatorial electric field.
VL  - 5
IS  - 1
ER  -

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