Ionospheric response to a moderate geomagnetic storm on 14 April 2022 and a partial solar eclipse 30 April 2022

In this study, the ionospheric response to a moderate geomagnetic storm on April 14, 2022, as well as a partial solar eclipse on April 30, 2022, were studied. The University Navstar Consortium network's identical dual-frequency Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers were utilized to collect TEC data for the Falkland (-51.45 degrees N, -59.00 degrees E), Montevideo (-34.90 degrees N, -56.16 degrees E), and Santiago (-33.44 degrees N, -70.67 degrees E) stations. The results of the study show that the response of the ionospheric TEC to the moderate geomagnetic storm is stronger than the response of the ionospheric TEC during the partial solar eclipse at all three stations. In comparison to the other two stations, Falkland station, which is situated at a higher latitude than other stations, had a greater positive change in TEC during the storm's main phase, measuring 20 TECU. This change in TEC is strongly correlated with a Dst minimum, increased solar wind speed, and an increased southward interplanetary Bz component. The partial solar eclipse's impact on TEC is shown to be greater for a station that experienced longer and stronger eclipses. The Santiago station, which has 28% coverage, or 0.4 magnitude, and a 3-h eclipse length, displayed a substantially larger change in TEC than the other stations. The station with 7.8% coverage and a 0.1 eclipse magnitude showed no appreciable change in TEC.

Automated summary

This study investigates the ionospheric response to a moderate geomagnetic storm and a partial solar eclipse in April 2022. TEC data was collected from the Falkland, Montevideo, and Santiago stations using GPS receivers. The results show that the ionospheric TEC response to the geomagnetic storm is stronger than the response to the solar eclipse at all stations. The Falkland station, located at a higher latitude, experiences a larger TEC change during the storm, while the Santiago station, with a longer and stronger eclipse, shows a substantial TEC change.