An overview of the ionospheric An overview of the ionospheric research at INPE, Brazilresearch at INPE, Brazil

Inez S. BatistaInez S. Batista

and all the staff, pos-docs, students, and and all the staff, pos-docs, students, and collaborators at thecollaborators at the

Ionospheric group at INPEIonospheric group at INPE

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has celebrated its 50th The National Institute for Space Research (INPE) has celebrated its 50th anniversary this year (2011). Since its beginning INPE has developed anniversary this year (2011). Since its beginning INPE has developed ionospheric research using ground-based instruments and payloads ionospheric research using ground-based instruments and payloads onboard of sounding rockets. So it is not incorrect to say that the onboard of sounding rockets. So it is not incorrect to say that the ionospheric research in Brazil is also celebrating its half-centenary. During ionospheric research in Brazil is also celebrating its half-centenary. During this time period important studies were conducted by the ionospheric group this time period important studies were conducted by the ionospheric group at INPE that evidenced the peculiarities of the ionospheric region over the at INPE that evidenced the peculiarities of the ionospheric region over the Brazilian region. Some of these results will be presented in this talk.Brazilian region. Some of these results will be presented in this talk.

Payloads on board of sounding rockets – continues to be an important Payloads on board of sounding rockets – continues to be an important research activityresearch activity

Research using Polarimeters (to measure TEC), Riometers (to measure Research using Polarimeters (to measure TEC), Riometers (to measure cosmic noise absorption) and VLF receivers (to study the low ionosphere)cosmic noise absorption) and VLF receivers (to study the low ionosphere)

Ionosondes – long time series (almost 40 years from some stations) – Ionosondes – long time series (almost 40 years from some stations) – continues to provide important data (digital instruments) for researchcontinues to provide important data (digital instruments) for research

VHF radarsVHF radars Scanning photometers and all sky imagers – detection of plasma bubble Scanning photometers and all sky imagers – detection of plasma bubble GPS receivers for TEC and scintillation studiesGPS receivers for TEC and scintillation studies

Digisondes in BrazilDigisondes in Brazil

Boa Vista

São Luiz

Fortaleza

Cachoeira Paulista

Alta Floresta

Campo Grande

In operation

To be installedBelém

Abdu et al., Magnetic declination Abdu et al., Magnetic declination control of the equatorial F region control of the equatorial F region dynamo electric field development dynamo electric field development and spread F, JGR, 86, A13, and spread F, JGR, 86, A13, 11,443-11,446, 198111,443-11,446, 1981

Batista et al., JGR, 1996

Plasma bubble occurrence overPlasma bubble occurrence over Cachoeira Paulista Cachoeira Paulista

HSA – High Solar Activity HSA – High Solar Activity (March/89 - October/91)(March/89 - October/91)

LSA – Low Solar Activity LSA – Low Solar Activity (September/94 - January/98) (September/94 - January/98)

All sky imager - (Sahai et al., All sky imager - (Sahai et al., 1999)1999)

All sky scanning photometerAll sky scanning photometer - - (Sobral et al., 2002)(Sobral et al., 2002)

0

20

40

60

80

100

0

20

40

60

80

100

Fre

quen

cy o

f occ

urre

nce

0

20

40

60

80

100

(a) - C O M PLETE SO LAR C YC LE

JAN FE B M AR AP R M AY JU N JU L A U G S EP O C T N O V D EC

(b) - H IG H SO LAR AC TIV ITY

(c) - LO W SO LAR AC TIV ITY

F region plasma drift for the Brazilian region (Batista et al., F region plasma drift for the Brazilian region (Batista et al., JGR, 1996)JGR, 1996)

Cases of extreme prereversal enhancementsCases of extreme prereversal enhancementsduring magnetic stormsduring magnetic storms

Batista et al, JGR, 1991

Abdu et al., JGR, 2008

Simulation of the effect of an Simulation of the effect of an westward intensified electric fieldwestward intensified electric fieldFrom: Batista et al., JGR, 2006From: Batista et al., JGR, 2006

The ionosphere under the extremely The ionosphere under the extremely prolonged low solar activity of solar prolonged low solar activity of solar cycle 23/24cycle 23/24

NmF2 variation at daily peak (19-20 UT)

Mar 31%Apr 37%May 63%Sep 51%Oct 25%

F10.7(09) > F10.7(96) but NmF2(09) < NmF2 (96)

Candido et al., JGR 2011

Model resultsModel results

Equatorial ionization anomaly simulation Equatorial ionization anomaly simulation High solar activityHigh solar activity

SequenceSequenceSeptember 1978, 1989, 2002September 1978, 1989, 2002

1800 LT1800 LT

Northward movement of the anomalyNorthward movement of the anomaly

TEC maps calculated using SUPIM-INPETEC maps calculated using SUPIM-INPE(http://www.inpe.br/climaespacial/)(http://www.inpe.br/climaespacial/)