Unusual early morning development of the equatorial anomaly in the Brazilian sector during the Halloween magnetic storm

The solar events that occurred at the end of October 2003 gave rise to very strong geomagnetic disturbances that peaked twice with Dst values reaching -345 nT around 0000 UT on 30 October and -400 nT around 2300 UT, on the same day. Disturbances in several ionospheric parameters were observed over Brazil. This work will focus on the ionospheric response to the initial westward prompt penetration electric field and on the strong intensification of the equatorial ionization anomaly that occurred because of the electric field polarity reversal that followed in the early morning hours of 29 October. The F layer peak height over the equator first decreased under the strong prompt penetration westward electric field, which was followed by significant height increase under eastward electric field. We have used Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model (SUPIM) with an intensified westward disturbed electric field in the presunrise hours, presumably due to prompt penetration from the magnetosphere, in order to study the effect of such a field in the ionosphere. The simulation results showed that prompt penetration of magnetospheric electric fields of westward polarity to the nightside equatorial region seems to be the most probable cause of the initial F layer height decreases. The intensification of the equatorial ionization anomaly and the unusual enhancement on F layer peak density, which was not modeled by the SUPIM, are explained as caused by the strong eastward electric field that followed the initial phase in combination with a highly variable disturbed meridional/transequatorial wind system as inferred from the F2 layer peak height variations. The highly dynamic wind pattern, with a short-term response (2-4 hours), is compatible with the predictions of some previous theoretical model calculations reported in the literature.

Diagnostics of equatorial and low latitude ionosphere by TEC mapping over Brazil

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Quality of TEC Estimated with Mod Ion Using GPS and GLONASS Data

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Análise e comparação do comportamento da ionosfera e do posicionamento por ponto em períodos de alta e baixa atividade solar

The ionosphere is a major source of systematic error in the GPS observables. As this error is directly proportional to the TEC (Total Electron Content), the quality of GPS positioning (especially with single frequency receivers) can be significantly affected by regular changes of TEC. The ionosphere factor is even more relevant in the Brazilian region, where ionospheric phenomena, such as the Equatorial Anomaly, intensify these variations. Taking the above mentioned factors into account, experiments were conducted in this research to evaluate the daily and seasonal behavior of the TEC and the point positioning with GPS (single frequency) in periods of high and low solar activity in the Brazilian region. The results showed a direct correlation between the decrease in electrons density in the ionosphere (period of low solar activity) and improvement in positioning accuracy, as well as a large influence of Equatorial Anomaly on the results of point positioning.

Análise da ionosfera usando dados de receptores GPS durante um período de alta atividade solar e comparação com dados de Digissondas

Cada vez mais é crescente o uso do GPS (Global Positioning System ) em estudos da atmosfera terrestre. Neste artigo, a atmosfera superior da Terra, denominada ionosfera, foi estudada durante um período de alta atividade solar (ano de 2001) usando dados de receptores GPS de dupla freqüência localizados na região brasileira, pertencentes à RBMC (Rede Brasileira de Monitoramento Contínuo). A partir dos dados GPS foram calculados os valores de TEC (Total Electron Content - Conteúdo Total de Elétrons) da ionosfera. Adicionalmente foram incluídos no estudo dados de freqüência crítica da camada F2 advinda de Digissondas localizadas em São Luís/MA (3ºS; 44ºW) e Cachoeira Paulista/SP (22ºS; 45ºW), para fins de comparação. de uma forma geral, os resultados mostraram maiores valores de TEC durante os meses próximos aos equinócios e menores durante os meses de inverno. Quanto à variação diária do TEC, os menores valores foram verificados por volta das 4-6 HL (Hora Local) e os maiores durante o período da tarde, com valores um pouco maiores para São Luís. O segundo pico da anomalia equatorial foi verificado em Cachoeira Paulista nos meses próximos aos equinócios e verão. Na maioria dos meses, uma alta correlação linear foi verificada quando realizada a comparação entre os valores de freqüência crítica da camada F2 e os de TEC, principalmente para São Luís.

Abnormal evening vertical plasma drift and effects on ESF and EIA over Brazil-South Atlantic sector during the 30 October 2003 superstorm

Equatorial F region vertical plasma drifts, spread F and anomaly responses, in the south American longitude sector during the superstorm of 30 October 2003, are analyzed using data from an array of instruments consisting of Digisondes, a VHF radar, GPS TEC and scintillation receivers in Brazil, and a Digisonde and a magnetometer in Jicamarca, Peru. Prompt penetrating eastward electric field of abnormally large intensity drove the F layer plasma up at a velocity ∼1200 ms -1 during post dusk hours in the eastern sector over Brazil. The equatorial anomaly was intensified and expanded poleward while the development of spread F/plasma bubble irregularities and GPS signal scintillations were weaker than their quiet time intensity. Significantly weaker F region response over Jicamarca presented a striking difference in the intensity of prompt penetration electric field between Peru and eastern longitudes of Brazil. The enhanced post dusk sector vertical drift over Brazil is attributed to electro-dynamics effects arising energetic particle precipitation in the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA). These extraordinary results and their longitudinal differences are presented and discussed in this paper. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

CIGALA: Challenging the solar maximum in Brazil with PolaRxS

The upcoming solar maximum, which is expected to reach its peak around May 2013, occurs at a time when our reliance on high-precision GNSS has reached unprecedented proportions. The perturbations of the ionosphere caused by increased solar activity pose a major threat to these applications. This is particularly true in equatorial regions where high exposure to solar-induced disturbances is coupled with explosive growth of precise GNSS applications. Along with the various types of solar-induced ionospheric disturbances, strong scintillations are amongst the most challenging, causing phase measurement errors up to full losses of lock for several satellites. Brazil, which heavily relies on high-precision GNSS, is one of the most affected regions due notably to the proximity to the southern crest of the ionospheric equatorial anomaly and to the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly. In the framework of the CIGALA project, we developed the PolaRxS™, a GNSS receiver dedicated to the monitoring of ionospheric scintillation indices not only in the GPS L1 band but for all operational and upcoming constellations and frequency bands. A network of these receivers was deployed across the whole Brazilian territory in order to first investigate and secondly to mitigate the impact of scintillation on the different signals, ensuring high precision GNSS availability and integrity in the area. This paper reports on the validation of the PolaRxS™ receiver as an ionospheric scintillation monitor and the first results of the analysis of the data collected with the CIGALA network.

Influência de diferentes condições da ionosfera no posicionamento por ponto com GPS: avaliação na região brasileira

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Extended ionospheric amplitude scintillation model for GPS receivers

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Studies on equatorial undercurrent in the indian ocean

This thesis is an outcome of the studies, carried out by the author on the Equatorial Undercurrent and the Equatorial Jet, an interesting and unique phenomenon discovered, recently, in the Indian Ocean (wyrtxi, 1973). The main objective of the thesis is to carry out a detailed investigation of the seasonal, latitudinal and longitudinal variation of the Equatorial Undercurrent in the Indian Ocean and also the Equatorial Jet, through mapping the vertical distribution of the oceanographic properties across the equator along various longitudes for all the months of an year, between SON and SOS, utilising the oceanographic data collected during the International Indian Ocean Expedition and subsequently in the equatorial Indian Ocean. As the distribution of the hydrographic properties give only a qualitative identification of the Undercurrent, a novel technique of computing the zonal flux through bivariate distribution of salinity and thermosteric anomaly introduced by Montgomery and Stroup (1962), is adopted in order to have a quantitative variation of the Equatorial Undercurrent and the Equatorial Jet. Finally, an attempt is made to give a plausible explanation of the features observed.

Mass Transport In The Equatorial Indian Ocean

In the equatorial oceans, the meridional currents are far less energetic than their zonal counterparts. The response of the Equatorial Indian Ocean to the seasonal reversals in the zonal wind field. is quite interesting and unique. A modest attempt, considering the shortcomings in the hydrographic data availability and distribution, is made to evaluate the variability in the zonal transport of mass. in_ both space and time. The peculiarities in its hydrological regime imposed upon by the seasonally varying winds is best appreciated when compared with the quasi permanent circulation characteristics of the Pacific and Atlanti'c.The major features of the tequatorial mass transport is outlined in the introductory chapter of this thesis for the Pacific and Atlantic Mass transport studies in the Indian Ocean, as can be seen from the earlier studies, gis“ the least known and understood, though could have captured the attention of both the experimentalist and the theoretician alike. owing to its complexity. Since in the Indian Ocean, the studies on the zonal mass transport are limited and are confined to the equator only, an attempt has been made to compute the mass transport extending from 5 N to 20 S.

Observation and origin of an interannual salinity anomaly in the Mozambique Channel

A positive salinity anomaly of 0.2 PSU was observed between 50 and 200 m over the years 2000–2001 across the Mozambique Channel at a section at 17°S which was repeated in 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2008. Meanwhile, a moored array is continued from 2003 to 2008. This anomaly was most distinct showing an interannual but nonseasonal variation. The possible origin of the anomaly is investigated using output from three ocean general circulation models (Estimating the Circulation and Climate of the Ocean, Ocean Circulation and Climate Advanced Modeling, and Parallel Ocean Program). The most probable mechanism for the salinity anomaly is the anomalous inflow of subtropical waters caused by a weakening of the northern part of the South Equatorial Current by weaker trade winds. This mechanism was found in all three numerical models. In addition, the numerical models indicate a possible salinization of one of the source water masses to the Mozambique Channel as an additional cause of the anomaly. The anomaly propagated southward into the Agulhas Current and northward along the African coast.

Support for global climate reorganization during the "Medieval Climate Anomaly"

Widely distributed proxy records indicate that the Medieval Climate Anomaly (MCA; *900–1350 AD) was characterized by coherent shifts in large-scale Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation patterns. Although cooler sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific can explain some aspects of medieval circulation changes, they are not sufficient to account for other notable features, including widespread aridity through the Eurasian sub-tropics, stronger winter westerlies across the North Atlantic and Western Europe, and shifts in monsoon rainfall patterns across Africa and South Asia. We present results from a full-physics coupled climate model showing that a slight warming of the tropical Indian and western Pacific Oceans relative to the other tropical ocean basins can induce a broad range of the medieval circulation and climate changes indicated by proxy data, including many of those not explained by a cooler tropical Pacific alone. Important aspects of the results resemble those from previous simulations examining the climatic response to the rapid Indian Ocean warming during the late twentieth century, and to results from climate warming simulations—especially in indicating an expansion of the Northern Hemisphere Hadley circulation. Notably, the pattern of tropical Indo-Pacific sea surface temperature (SST) change responsible for producing the proxy-model similarity in our results agrees well with MCA-LIA SST differences obtained in a recent proxy-based climate field reconstruction. Though much remains unclear, our results indicate that the MCA was characterized by an enhanced zonal Indo-Pacific SST gradient with resulting changes in Northern Hemisphere tropical and extra-tropical circulation patterns and hydroclimate regimes, linkages that may explain the coherent regional climate shifts indicated by proxy records from across the planet. The findings provide new perspectives on the nature and possible causes of the MCA—a remarkable, yet incompletely understood episode of Late Holocene climatic change.