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An IRI-based improvement of the electron density distribution in the lower ionosphere
Abstract
A method for determining the lower ionospheric electron density distribution is proposed which involves determining the D-region profile and the initial height and peak height of the E region. It is noted that a single rocket probing per week is sufficient to guarantee the intercalibration of ground-based and direct measurements, and to assess the seasonal and solar cycle variations of the ionospheric characteristics. The method can be used to determine the variation of ionospheric parameters during the day, including solar eruptions, solar eclipses, nuclear explosions, and disturbances by rocket exhaust.
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Data on day-time and night-time radio wave absorption in the frequency range 50 to 2614 kHz, obtained in long-term observational programmes in Central Europe, are compared with corresponding absorption values calculated from electron density profiles of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-1979) using the full-wave method.Discrepancies between calculated and observed absorption values were found for the diurnal and the solar-cycle variation, the amplitudes of the solar-cycle variation of absorption being considerably larger than the observed variation.A modification of the solar-activity dependence of the D-region electron density parameters is derived, which provides an improvement of the solar-cycle variation as well as the diurnal variation of the IRI electron density profiles.
While describing the formulation of IRI-79, in so far as it is applicable to the sub E-peak electron density profile, an attempt is made to compare its predictions with the available experimental evidence. The improvements needed for D-region electron density modelling are summarized. The current D-region IRI modelling effort is illustrated with a typical example.
Advantages and disadvantages of radio measurements by ground based techniques are discussed with a view to improve the IRI. In particular, these techniques allow the diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle variations of the D-region to be continuously followed. Also, the spatial variations might be established with a network of stations measuring radio wave absorption on several frequencies. In case of strong events, it is important to follow their development in space and time. It seems that absorption measurements alone do not allow the determination of the electron density profile unambiguously. It is, however, suggested that the addition of vertical soundings (with profile computation) potentially combined with rocket and balloon borne pressure determinations might produce some indications about how a certain part, at least, of such data might be used to check/improve the description of D-region variations in time and space.
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