The Impact of Geomagnetic Storms on the Ionospheric Critical Frequency in the Northern and Southern Mid-Latitude Hemisphere Regions

Abstract

In this work, the impact of different geomagnetic storm events on the plasma-sphere layer (ionosphere layer) over the northern and southern hemisphere regions was investigated during solar cycle 23. To grasp the influence of geomagnetic storms on the behavior and variation of the critical frequency parameter of the F2 ionospheric layer (f_oF2), five geomagnetic storms (classified as great, severe, and strong), with Disturbance storm time (Dst) values <-100 nT were chosen. Four stations located in different mid-latitude regions in northern and southern hemispheres were designated, the northern stations are: Millstone Hill (42.6° N, 288.50° W) and Rome (41.90° N, 12.50° E) and the southern stations are: Port Stanley (-51.60° S, 302.10° W) and Grahamstown (-33.30° S, 26.50° E). The findings of this study showed that during events of 16 July 2000 and 24 August 2005, the negative storms cause a noticeable reduction in the values of the f_oF2 parameter at the northern hemisphere stations compared to those at the southern hemisphere. These outcomes are consistent with the results of the examining the variation of D(f_oF2) and the electron density depletion during the tested event times at all stations except in Rome, where minor enhancements in f_oF2 value were observed during the August 24 2005 storm. During equinox storm events occurring on March 31 and November 6 2001, a noticeable negative impact of storms was observed across all stations. However, at Millstone Hill and Port Stanley stations, the results showed a slight positive storm impact during the October 21, 2001event.