Comparison of GOLD nighttime measurements of OI 135.6 nm radiance with the total electron content map: preliminary results | CU Experts

The unambiguous 2-dimensional (2D) maps of OI 135.6 nm radiance; retrieved from the Global Observation of Limb and Disk (GOLD) after; sunset are compared with the total electron content (TEC) maps measured; by GPS receivers in the America sector. The OI 135.6 nm radiance; observed by GOLD is an indicator of the peak electron density of the; ionosphere, while the TEC depends on the total electron density in the; column. The comparisons show that both of them are able to capture the; large structures in the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) well, and; sometimes they both also capture bubbles. Both show that the ionosphere; after sunset is quite dynamic and has strong day-to-day variability. A; statistical study has also been carried out to check the occurrence rate; of bubbles and the apparent EIA structure between Oct 17, 2018 to May; 31, 2019. GOLD is able to image the areas where it is difficult to; situate GPS receivers such as the ocean, while TEC data covers the; full-diurnal cycle. In all, the GOLD and TEC have valuable synergy to; allow us to gain a better understanding of the equatorial ionosphere.

Cai X; Burns A; Wang W; Coster A; Qian L; Liu J; Solomon S; Eastes R; Daniell R; McClintock W

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