Interhemispheric nighttime medium-scale TIDs: influence of sporadic E layer

Project Description:

Nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) are wavelike propagating perturbations occurring in the ionospheric F region during nighttime. These mostly quasi-periodic plasma structures are superposed onto the background ionospheric plasma distribution and are difficult to predict as they have widely varying sources. This means medium scale TIDs may affect the normal operation of radio systems and space weather forecasting abilities, thereby introducing uncertainty in the predicting power of these systems and/tools. They are thought to be generated from atmospheric gravity waves or through plasma instabilities, such as Perkins instability and sporadic E. Nighttime medium-scale TIDs have been studies using a multitude of instruments including all-sky imagers (ASI), which are cameras with specialized filters that measure nighttime airglow intensity. The aim of the project is to determine the role of sporadic E layer in generating and supporting nighttime medium-scale TIDs. Sporadic E layer is a thin enhancement of plasma occurring between 90 and 130 km. This study will involve the use of airglow intensity measurements from two ASIs located in conjugate locations in the southern and northern hemisphere to identify medium-scale TIDs and determine their characteristic parameters. In addition, ionosonde measurements from ionosondes within the field of view of the ASIs will be used to investigate the influence of sporadic E in their occurrence and on their properties.

Research Area:

Space Physics

Project Level:

Masters

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

(UCT)(UKZN)(NWU)

Special Requirements:

This project involved using optical data, therefore image processing and 2D spectral analysis background will be advantageous. Good Python programming skills required.