Studies of space weather and its influence on the ionospheric F-region in the Brazilian sector

Abstract

The objective of the project is to study space weather events and their influence on the ionospheric F region in the Brazilian sector. It is proposed to use the ionospheric sounding and GPS (Global Positioning System) data obtained by the UNIVAP network with digital ionosondes and GPS receivers co-located at S.J. Campos (23.2º S, 45.9º W), Palmas (10.2º S, 48.8º W) and Manaus (2.9º S, 60.0º W), and a GPS receiver at Ji-Paraná (10,9º S, 63,3º W), Brazil, obtained during varying geomagnetic storm conditions and HILDCAAs (High Intensity, Long Duration, Continuous AE Activity) events, to study the influence on the equatorial and low-latitude F region. The HILDCAAs are geomagnetic events associated with occurrence of Alfvén waves in the interplanetary environment. Recent studies have shown that fast bunches of solar wind doesn’t result in the development of intense geomagnetic storms, but they can generate sub storms or HILDCAAs events, whose effects in middle and low latitudes are yet unknown. Also, the possibility exists of using ionospheric data obtained by the receivers of GPS located different places in Brazil by the Rede Nacional de Monitoramento Continuo (RBMC) operated by the IBGE (AU)