Solar activity influence on the temporal and spatial variations of the Arctic and Antarctic ionosphere

Based on Total Electron Content (TEC) data in polar areas derived from Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) and observations of single GPS stations from 2000 to 2020, combined with solar activity parameters F10.7, the influence of solar activity on the polar ionosphere is studied. Firstly, the spatiotemporal variation characteristics of the Arctic and Antarctic ionosphere TEC are analyzed in different solar activity intensities. Secondly, the correlations between polar TEC and F10.7 are studied in different solar activity stages. Thirdly, the variations of TEC during the polar day and polar night in year of very low solar activity (2008) are analyzed. The results show the monthly average value of the polar ionospheric TEC reaches its maximum in May and June under the influence of solar activity. However, during the peak year of solar activity, the monthly average peak value of TEC may arrive early, reaching its maximum value in March or April. The dependence of polar TEC on the solar activity varies at different periods of solar activity (rising or declining period). The correlation between polar TEC and F(10.7 )is higher in the declining period of solar activity than in the rising period of solar activity. During the rising period of solar activity, the TEC at different times under the same solar activity intensity is also different, and the low value of TEC has a lower correlation with solar activity. The ionosphere at the Arctic and Antarctic is quiet during polar night in 2008, and ionization patch appears in the Arctic. During the polar days, the ionospheric peaks of the Arctic and Antarctic occur in the areas with a high solar irradiation altitude angle. However, the ionospheric peak region in the Antarctic area from 10:00 UT to 20:00 UT does not follow this rule. (C) 2022 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study investigates the influence of solar activity on the polar ionosphere using TEC data and solar activity parameters. The results show that the polar ionospheric TEC is significantly affected by solar activity, and the variation of TEC differs in different solar activity stages and intensities.