• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.159-168
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• 2019

In solstices during the solar minimum, the hemispheric difference of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) intensity (hereafter hemispheric asymmetry) is understood as being opposite in the morning and afternoon. This phenomenon is explained by the temporal variation of the combined effects of the fountain process and interhemispheric wind. However, the mechanism applied to the observations during the solar minimum has not yet been validated with observations made during other periods of the solar cycle. We investigate the variability of the hemispheric asymmetry with local time (LT), altitude, season, and solar cycle using the electron density taken by the CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload satellite and the global total electron content (TEC) maps acquired during 2001-2008. The electron density profiles provided by the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate satellites during 2007-2008 are also used to investigate the variation of the hemispheric asymmetry with altitude during the solar minimum. During the solar minimum, the location of a stronger EIA moves from the winter hemisphere to the summer hemisphere around 1200-1400 LT. The reversal of the hemispheric asymmetry is more clearly visible in the F-peak density than in TEC or in topside plasma density. During the solar maximum, the EIA in the winter hemisphere is stronger than that in the summer hemisphere in both the morning and afternoon. When the location of a stronger EIA in the afternoon is viewed as a function of the year, the transition from the winter hemisphere to the summer hemisphere occurs near 2004 (yearly average F10.7 index = 106). We discuss the mechanisms that cause the variation of the hemispheric asymmetry with LT and solar cycle.

• Korean Journal of Remote Sensing
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.277-284
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• 2003

We present a GPS-derived regional ionosphere model, which estimates Total Electron Content (TEC) in a rectangular grid on the spherical shell over Korea. After dividing longitude and latitude over Korea with 1$^{\circ}$$\times$1$^{\circ}$ spatial resolution, the TEC at the vertex of the grid was estimated by the Kalman filter. The GPS data received from nine nationwide GPS stations, operated by Korea Astronomy Observatory (KAO), were used for this study. To reduce inherent noises, the pseudorange data were phase-leveled by a linear combination of pseudoranges and carrier phases. The solar-geomagnetic reference frame, which is less variable to the ionosphere movement due to the Sun and the geomagnetic field than an Earth-fixed frame, was used. During a quiet time of solar activity, the KAO's regional ionosphere map indicated 30-45 Total Electron Content Unit at the peak of the diurnal variation. In comparison with the Global ionosphere Map of the Center for Orbit Determination in Europe, RMS differences were at the level of 4-5 TECU for five days.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.283-292
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• 2005

Ionosphere is deeply coupled to the space environment and introduces the perturbations to radio signal because of its electromagnetic characteristics. Therefore, the status of ionosphere can be estimated by analyzing the GPS signal errors which are penetrating the ionosphere and it can be the key to understand the global circulation and change in the upper atmosphere, and the characteristics of space weather. We used 9 GPS Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), which have been operated by Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) , to determine the high precision of Total Electron Content (TEC) and the pseudorange data which is phase-leveled by a linear combination with carrier phase to reduce the inherent noise. We developed the method to model a regional ionosphere with grid form and its results over South Korea with $0.25^{\circ}\;by\;0.25^{\circ}$ spatial resolution. To improve the precision of ionosphere's TEC value, we applied IDW (Inverse Distance Weight) and Kalman Filtering method. The regional ionospheric model developed by this research was compared with GIMs (Global Ionosphere Maps) preduced by Ionosphere Working Group for 8 days and the results show $3\~4$ TECU difference in RMS values.

• Bulletin of the Korean Space Science Society
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• 2011.04a
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• pp.26.3-27
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• 2011

Formation of a steep plasma density gradient in the middle-latitude ionosphere during geomagnetic storms and the latitudinal migration of its location depending on the storm phase are suggested to be associated with the ionospheric signature of the plasmapause. We test this idea by using the satellite and ground observation data during the 11 April 2001 storm. The locations of the steep plasma density gradient identified by TOPEX/Poseidon (2001 LT) and DMSP (1800 and 2130 LT) satellites coincide with the ionospheric footprints of the plasmapause identified by the IMAGE satellite. This observation may support the dependence of the middle-latitude plasma density gradient location on the plasmapause motion, but does not explain why the steep density gradient whose morphology is largely different from the morphology of the middle-latitude ionization trough during quiet period is formed in association with the plasmapause. The ionospheric disturbances in the total electron content (TEC) maps shows that the steep TEC gradient is formed at the boundary of the positive ionospheric storm in low-middle latitudes and the negative ionospheric storm in middle-high latitudes. We interpret that the thermospheric neutral composition disturbance in the dayside is confined within the middle-high latitude ionospheric convection zone. The neutral composition latitudes and, therefore, the locations of the steep plasma density gradient coincide with the footprints of the plasmapause. The TEC maps show that the appearance of the steep plasma density gradient in the pre-midnight sector during the recovery phase is related to the co-rotation of the gradient that is created during the main phase.

• 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.

• Journal of Satellite, Information and Communications
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.14-22
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• 2013

GPS radio occultation is a remote sensing technique probing atmospheric properties based on the fact that GPS signal is refracted and delayed by atmosphere. The FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC mission jointly developed by the USA and Taiwan is providing about 2500 occultation soundings a day on the near real-time basis. The Korean KOMPSAT-5/AOPOD system is preparing to launch for monitoring troposphere and ionosphere using a dual frequency GPS receiver and the antenna for occultation data acquisition. In this paper, we examine the methods for signal processing and the geometry analysis for GPS radio occultation, and look into the retrieval techniques for the temperature and humidity of troposphere and the electron density and scintillation of ionosphere. Using these atmospheric properties, we aim to derive the strategies for applying GPS radio occultation to space weather, for example, ionospheric TEC(total electron content) analysis for earthquake monitoring and the Open API(application programming interface) development for more effective data service.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Aeronautical & Space Sciences
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• v.45 no.7
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• pp.550-557
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• 2017

Ionospheric delay, which affect the accuracy of GNSS positioning, is generated by electrons in Ionosphere. Solar activity level, region and time could make change of this delay level. Dual frequency receiver could effectively eliminate the delay using difference of refractive index between L1 to L2 frequency. But, Single frequency receiver have to use limited correction such as ionospheric model in standalone GNSS or PRC(pseudorange correction) in Differential GNSS. Generally, these corrections is effective in normal condition. but, they might be useless, when TEC(total electron content) extremely increase in local area. In this paper, monitoring algorithm is proposed for local ionospheric anomaly using multiple reference stations. For verification, the algorithm was performed with specific measurement data in Ionospheric storm day (20. Nov. 2003). this algorithm would detect local ionospheric anomaly and improve reliability of ionospheric corrections for standalone receiver.

• Journal of Astronomy and Space Sciences
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.185-193
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• 2018

Jang Bogo Station (JBS), the second Korean Antarctic research station, was established in Terra Nova Bay, Antarctica ($74.62^{\circ}S$ $164.22^{\circ}E$) in February 2014 in order to expand the Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) research capabilities. One of the main research areas at JBS is space environmental research. The goal of the research is to better understand the general characteristics of the polar region ionosphere and thermosphere and their responses to solar wind and the magnetosphere. Ground-based observations at JBS for upper atmospheric wind and temperature measurements using the Fabry-Perot Interferometer (FPI) began in March 2014. Ionospheric radar (VIPIR) measurements have been collected since 2015 to monitor the state of the polar ionosphere for electron density height profiles, horizontal density gradients, and ion drifts. To investigate the magnetosphere and geomagnetic field variations, a search-coil magnetometer and vector magnetometer were installed in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Since JBS is positioned in an ideal location for auroral observations, we installed an auroral all-sky imager with a color sensor in January 2018 to study substorms as well as auroras. In addition to these observations, we are also operating a proton auroral imager, airglow imager, global positioning system total electron content (GPS TEC)/scintillation monitor, and neutron monitor in collaboration with other institutes. In this article, we briefly introduce the observational activities performed at JBS and the preliminary results of these observations.