• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.45-57
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• 2023

This study examined the effect of solar flux (F10.7) and sunspots number (R) on the daily variation of equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and morning/afternoon counter electrojet (MCEJ/ACEJ) in the ionospheric E region across the eight longitudinal sectors during quiet days from January 2008 to December 2013. In particular, we focus on both minimum and maximum solar cycle of 24. For this purpose, we have collected a 6-year ground-based magnetic data from multiple stations to investigate EEJ/CEJ climatology in the Peruvian, Brazilian, West & East African, Indian, Southeast Asian, Philippine, and Pacific sectors with the corresponding F10.7 and R data from satellites simultaneously. Our results reveal that the variations of monthly mean EEJ intensities were consistent with the variations of solar flux and sunspot number patterns of a cycle, further indicating that there is a significant seasonal and longitudinal dependence. During the high solar cycle period, F10.7 and R have shown a strong peak around equinoctial months, consequently, the strong daytime EEJs occurred in the Peruvian and Southeast Asian sectors followed by the Philippine regions throughout the years investigated. In those sectors, the correlation between the day Maxima EEJ and F10.7 strengths have a positive value during periods of high solar activity, and they have relatively higher values than the other sectors. A predominance of MCEJ occurrences is observed in the Brazilian (TTB), East African (AAE), and Peruvian (HUA) sectors. We have also observed the CEJ dependence on solar flux with an anti-correlation between ACEJ events and F10.7 are observed especially during a high solar cycle period.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2002.05b
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• pp.26.1-26
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• 2002

• Journal of Space Technology and Applications
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.153-168
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• 2024

Sounding rockets are cost-effective and rapidly deployable tools for directly exploring the ionosphere and microgravity environments. These rockets achieve their target altitudes quickly and are equipped with various scientific instruments to collect real-time data. Perigee Aerospace plans its inaugural test launch in the first half of 2024, followed by a second performance test launch in January 2025. The second launch, scheduled off the coast of Jeju Island, aims to reach an altitude of approximately 150 km with a payload of 30 kg, conducting various experiments in the suborbital region. Particularly in mid-latitude regions, the ionosphere sporadically exhibits increased electron densities in the sporadic E layers and magnetic fluctuations caused by the equatorial electrojet. To measure these phenomena, the sounding rocket version of ionospheric anomaly monitoring by magnetometer and plasma-probe (IAMMAP), currently under development at the KAIST Satellite Research Center, will be onboard. This study focuses on enhancing our understanding of the mid-latitude ionosphere and designing observable missions for the forthcoming performance tests.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.33-42
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• 2008

By analyzing the observations from a number of ground- and space-based instruments, including ionosonde, magnetometers, and ACE interplanetary data, we examine the response of the ionospheric TEC over Korea during 2003 magnetic storms. We found that the variation of vertical TEC is correlated with the southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field $B_z$. It is suggested that the electric fields produced by the dynamo process in the high-latitude region and the prompt penetration in the low- latitude region are responsible for TEC increases. During the June 16 event, dayside TEC values increase more than 15%. And the ionospheric F2-layer peak height (hmF2) was ${\sim}300km$ higher and the vertical $E{\times}B$ drift (estimated from ground-based magnetometer equatorial electrojet delta H) showed downward drift, which may be due to the ionospheric disturbance dynamo electric field produced by the large amount of energy dissipation into high-latitude regions. In contrast, during November 20 event, the nightside TEC increases may be due to the prompt penetration westward electric field. The ionospheric F2-layer peak height was below 200km and the vertical $E{\times}B$ drift showed downward drift. Also, a strong correlation is observed between enhanced vertical TEC and enhaaced interplanetary electric field. It is shown that, even though TEC increases are caused by the different processes, the electric field disturbances in the ionosphere play an important role in the variation of TEC over Korea.