From Solar Cycle 23 to 25: Investigating the Geospace Response to Major Geomagnetic Storms over Africa

Project Description:

Aim: The study aims to understand the interconnectedness of the magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere during these significant geomagnetic storms. The results will offer insights into the Earth's response to solar activity events and severe geomagnetic storms. Summary: This research proposal outlines a study comparing the Earth's geospace reaction to intense geomagnetic storms between 2003 and 2024, encompassing solar cycles 23 and 25. The investigation will analyse the ionosphere's total electron content (TEC), thermospheric circulation patterns, GNSS signal behaviour, and magnetospheric responses during storm events with magnitudes exceeding -300nT. Highlights: Comparison of the Geospace response to severe geomagnetic storms (> 300nT) from 2003 to date spanning the waning period of solar cycle 23 to the waxing phase of solar cycle 25. In particular, the 2003/11/20 ( -422nT), the 2003/10/30 ( -383nT ), the 2004/11/08 (-374nT), 2024/05/11 (-412nT), and 2024/10/11 (-335nT).

Research Area:

Space Physics

Project Level:

Masters

This Project Is Offered At The Following Node(s):

(NWU)

Special Requirements:

Python Scientific Programming Skills