HR: 12:05h
AN: SA22A-07    [Abstracts]
TI: Statistical Study of Ionospheric Scintillation Associated with Hurricanes and Typhoons
AU: * Bishop, R L
EM: Rebecca.L.Bishop@aero.org
AF: The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957 M2/260 , Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957, United States
AU: Straus, P R
EM: Paul.R.Straus@aero.org
AF: The Aerospace Corporation, P.O. Box 92957 M2/260 , Los Angeles, CA 90009-2957, United States
AB: Interest in coupling between atmospheric regions continues to increase. Gravity waves generated in the troposphere are often cited as a coupling mechanism between the low and upper altitude regions. However, few experiments demonstrating coupling between the troposphere and thermosphere/ionosphere exist. Intense, localized storms, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, provide an ideal opportunity to examine tropospheric/ionospheric coupling. This study utilizes GPS occultation (GPSRO) to investigate TEC levels and ionospheric scintillation near hurricanes and typhoons. GPSRO measurements from receivers on LEO satellites supply accurate global ionospheric and upper atmospheric monitoring. This study utilizes data from the CHAMP, PicoSat, and COSMIC satellites. Observations from more than 150 tropical storms over three years are used to determine the presence of ionospheric scintillation within 1500 km horizontal distance of the storm's center. Results show significant scintillation or ionospheric disturbances are observed near the storms. Specifically, during Pacific typhoons in 2002-2003, scintillation was present over 70% of the time.
DE: 2427 Ionosphere/atmosphere interactions (0335)
DE: 2435 Ionospheric disturbances
DE: 2439 Ionospheric irregularities
DE: 2443 Midlatitude ionosphere
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2007 Joint Assembly