Study of the ionosphere F2 layer response to Earth?s magnetic field secular variations using experimental data and IRI model

JOSE V. VENCHIARUTTI; ANA G. ELIAS; BLAS F. DE HARO BARBAS

Cusco

Congreso; X COLAGE; 2014

ALAGE

The Earth?s magnetic field presents long-term variations in strength and orientation which affect the ionosphere F2 region. Changes in the dip and declination angles, for example, affect the vertical component of the thermosphere neutral wind that moves the conducting plasma of the ionosphere. In this way, a lowering or lifting of the F2-peak (hmF2) is induced together with changes in the F2 critical frequency, foF2, which is a measure of the peak electron density un the ionosphere. These expected changes due to the Earth?s magnetic field secular variations depend on season, time and location. foF2 and hmF2 data measured at several worldwide stations together with IRI model predictions are analyzed to assess long-term trends and detect the importance of the Earth?s magnetic field as a possible source of these trends relative to the anthropogenic trend forcing linked to greenhouse gases increase.