Prediction of the Ionospheric Response to the 14 December 2020 Total Solar Eclipse Using SUPIM‐INPE. Issue 11 (22nd November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Martínez‐Ledesma, M.; Bravo, M.; Urra, B.; Souza, J.; Foppiano, A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of geophysical research. Volume 125:Issue 11(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-11-22
• Subjects: eclipse simulation -- ionospheric impact -- low‐latitude ionosphere -- equatorial fountain effect -- Equatorial Ionization Anomaly -- SUPIM‐INPE; Magnetospheric physics -- Periodicals; Space environment -- Periodicals; Cosmic physics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Atmospheres -- Periodicals; Heliosphere (Astrophysics) -- Periodicals; Geophysics -- Periodicals; 523.01
• DOI: 10.1029/2020JA028625
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-9380

Abstract

Abstract: We present the first prediction of the ionospheric response to the 14 December 2020 solar eclipse using the SUPIM‐INPE model. Simulations are made for all known ionosonde stations for which solar obscuration is significant. The found response is similar to that previously reported for other eclipses, but it also shows a modification of the equatorial fountain transport that will impact the low latitudes after the event. In addition to the large reduction of electron concentration along the totality path (~4.5 TECu, ~22%), a significant electron and oxygen ion temperature cooling is observed (up to ~400 K) followed by lasting temperature increases. Changes of up to ~1.5 TECu (~5%) are also expected at the conjugate hemisphere. These predictions may serve as a reference for eventual ionospheric measurements of multiple instruments and are leading to a better understanding of the ionospheric response to solar eclipses. Key Points: The eclipse obscuration would lead to a TEC reduction of up to ~4.5 TECu (~22%) Electron and oxygen ion temperatures are expected to decrease up to ~400 (~22%) and ~200 K (~8%), respectively Magnetically conjugate reductions of up to ~1.5 TECu (~5%) are predicted