Ionospheric TEC and its irregularities over Egypt: a comprehensive study of spatial and temporal variations using GOCE satellite data
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Ibrahim Fouad Bakry
,
Ibrahim F. Ahmed
Abstract
This study delves into ionospheric characteristics during solar cycle 24 using data from the Global Positioning System (GPS) and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites, GOCE. The present study fills the gap of not assessing and studying GOCE satellite data before in Egypt. Focusing on spatial and temporal variations of ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC) over Egypt and the Middle East across a 4-year dataset, monthly average Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) variations are scrutinized, emphasizing extremes during heightened and reduced solar and geomagnetic activities. Results TEC typically decreases with latitude’s increase, with peak ionization during equinoxes and troughs during solstices. Notably, VTEC values consistently reach maximum values on days of heightened solar and geomagnetic activities. GOCE data is evaluated against International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model and NeQuick2 model by selecting 10 days from all data by using a statistical comparison via t-tests. There is not significant difference between them except for two days between GOCE-IRI. The values of Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) are 3.7403 and 4.4655 for GOCE – NeQuick2 model and GOCE – IRI model, respectively. Ionospheric scintillation, signifying rapid electron density fluctuations, is assessed through amplitude scintillation index (S4), S4 proxy, and Rate Of TEC Index (ROTI). A robust correlation between S4 and S4 proxy is noted, thus scintillation can be studied by using S4 proxy instead of S4. Temporal variations indicate heightened scintillation during geomagnetic storms and peak solar activity, contrasting with reduced activity during solar minimum. Throughout the study period the maximum scintillation index values for ROTI, S4, and S4 proxy are 0.3, 0.15, and 0.05, indicating minimal scintillation. This comprehensive analysis, rooted in GOCE data, illuminates spatial and temporal dynamics of ionospheric TEC and elucidates ionospheric scintillation characteristics in the Egypt region. These findings are crucial for refining ionospheric models, improving scintillation prediction, and enhancing satellite communication and navigation systems, especially in the study region.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the ESA, ETSI, NASA-CCMC and SWPC for providing data.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: The author has accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: None declared.
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Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: None declared.
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Data availability: Data are freely available and can be downloaded from: https://goce-ds.eo.esa.int/oads/access/collection/GOCE_TEC_and_ROTI/tree for the data, https://kauai.ccmc.gsfc.nasa.gov/instantrun/iri/ for IRI data, https://t-ict4d.ictp.it/nequick2/nequick-2-web-model for NeQuick2 model.
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© 2024 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Original Research Articles
- Locally robust Msplit estimation
- Extending geodetic networks for geo-monitoring by supervised point cloud matching
- Evaluation and homogenization of a marine gravity database from shipborne and satellite altimetry-derived gravity data over the coastal region of Nigeria
- Modelling geoid height errors for local areas based on data of global models
- Unmanned aerial vehicle-based aerial survey of mines in Shanxi Province based on image data
- Ionospheric TEC and its irregularities over Egypt: a comprehensive study of spatial and temporal variations using GOCE satellite data
- Monitoring of volcanic precursors using satellite data: the case of Taftan volcano in Iran
- Modeling of temperature deformations on the Dnister HPP dam (Ukraine)
- Impact of temporal resolution in global ionospheric models on satellite positioning during low and high solar activity years of solar cycle 24
- Comparative performance of PPP software packages in atmospheric delay estimation using GNSS data
- Assessment and fitting of high/ultra resolution global geopotential models using GNSS/levelling over Egypt
- An efficient ‘P1’ algorithm for dual mixed-integer least-squares problems with scalar real-valued parameters
- Spatio-temporal trajectory alignment for trajectory evaluation
- Monitoring of networked RTK reference stations for coordinate reference system realization and maintenance – case study of the Czech Republic
- Crustal deformation in East of Cairo, Egypt, induced by rapid urbanization, as seen from remote sensing and GNSS data
Articles in the same Issue
- Frontmatter
- Original Research Articles
- Locally robust Msplit estimation
- Extending geodetic networks for geo-monitoring by supervised point cloud matching
- Evaluation and homogenization of a marine gravity database from shipborne and satellite altimetry-derived gravity data over the coastal region of Nigeria
- Modelling geoid height errors for local areas based on data of global models
- Unmanned aerial vehicle-based aerial survey of mines in Shanxi Province based on image data
- Ionospheric TEC and its irregularities over Egypt: a comprehensive study of spatial and temporal variations using GOCE satellite data
- Monitoring of volcanic precursors using satellite data: the case of Taftan volcano in Iran
- Modeling of temperature deformations on the Dnister HPP dam (Ukraine)
- Impact of temporal resolution in global ionospheric models on satellite positioning during low and high solar activity years of solar cycle 24
- Comparative performance of PPP software packages in atmospheric delay estimation using GNSS data
- Assessment and fitting of high/ultra resolution global geopotential models using GNSS/levelling over Egypt
- An efficient ‘P1’ algorithm for dual mixed-integer least-squares problems with scalar real-valued parameters
- Spatio-temporal trajectory alignment for trajectory evaluation
- Monitoring of networked RTK reference stations for coordinate reference system realization and maintenance – case study of the Czech Republic
- Crustal deformation in East of Cairo, Egypt, induced by rapid urbanization, as seen from remote sensing and GNSS data
