HR: 0800h
AN: SA21A-0278    [Abstracts]
TI: Ionospheric Indices Based on GPS TEC
AU: * Noguera, C
EM: cnoguera@cc.usu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 United States
AU: Sojka, J J
EM: fasojka@sojka.cass.usu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 United States
AU: Thompson, D C
EM: thompson@cc.usu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 United States
AU: Schunk, R W
EM: schunk@cc.usu.edu
AF: Center for Atmospheric and Space Sciences, Utah State University, 4405 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322-4405 United States
AB: The solar terrestrial environment is presently characterized by a suite of indices that represent the system's dynamics and indicate the degree of space weather effects. These indices an have extended heritage based on measurements that are well calibrated and readily available. Examples of these are the solar radio flux at 10.7 cm (F10.7), magnetospheric currents inferred from ground-based magnetographs (Dst), and auroral electrojet also based on ground-based magnetograms (AE family of indices). At the present time, the ionosphere's dynamics and response to space weather are not characterized by a "true" ionosphere index. However, since ionospheric plasma variability has a major adverse effect on human space technologies, the creation of such an index may be appropriate. The major adverse effects are associated with radio wave propagation through the ionosphere either communications or navigation. Over the past decade thousands of ground-based dual frequency GPS receivers have been deployed. Each of these measures ionospheric total electron content (TEC) continuously in multiple directions. Hence, with the standardized formatting of these measurements and their near real-time nature, a unique ionospheric data stream exists from which indices can, in principle, be developed. This study is an initial exploration of how a purely ionospheric index could be derived from these GPS TEC data. Regional versus global issues are addressed, as well as diurnal issues.
DE: 2400 IONOSPHERE (6929)
DE: 2435 Ionospheric disturbances
DE: 2447 Modeling and forecasting
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: Fall Meeting 2005