A New Way of Estimating the Spatial and Temporal Components of the Vertical Total Electron Content Gradient Based on UPC‐IonSAT Global Ionosphere Maps. Issue 2 (11th February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Liu, Qi; Hernández‐Pajares, Manuel; Yang, Heng; Monte‐Moreno, Enric; García‐Rigo, Alberto; Lyu, Haixia; Olivares‐Pulido, Germán; Orús‐Pérez, Raül
• Is Part Of: Space weather. Volume 20:Issue 2(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-02-11
• Subjects: spatial gradients -- Total Electron Content -- ionospheric perturbation -- Global Ionosphere Maps -- Global Navigation Satellite System; Space environment -- Periodicals; 551.509992
• DOI: 10.1029/2021SW002926
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1542-7390

Abstract

Abstract: The determination of the ionospheric perturbation degree is essential to describe the ionosphere state for space weather monitoring. A new method for estimating the spatial and temporal components of the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) gradient is introduced. The new method is based on VTEC estimated at each grid point of Global Ionosphere Map (GIM) by the UPC‐IonSAT research group of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Depending on the requirement, the VTEC spatial gradients can be derived at selected regions or grid points of the GIM on a global scale. According to the comparison with previous studies over the Europe region during quiet ionosphere state and two severe geomagnetic storms, the new method has proven to be reliable and has a great potential for the monitoring of ionospheric perturbation degree on a global scale. In addition, the associated warning of disturbed ionosphere might be available in the context of the on‐going development of real‐time GIMs. Plain Language Summary: Space weather events in the space environment can significantly affect the performance of satellite navigation, positioning, and communications. Among the space weather events, the perturbations of the upper atmosphere of the earth, the ionosphere, can degrade the function of radio systems crossing the ionosphere. In this paper, a new method based on Global Ionosphere Maps for measuring the perturbation of the ionosphere on a global scale is presented and validated during quiet and disturbed ionosphere states. Key Points: A new ionospheric temporal and spatial gradient index based on UPC‐IonSAT Global Ionosphere Maps (UQRG) are presented at the selected region The new ionospheric spatial gradients indices at grid points of UQRG are presented The derived ionospheric spatial gradients and temporal variations indices are analyzed during quiet and disturbed ionosphere states