Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
group
Authors' Class Standing
Danayit Mekonnen, Junior Chintan A Thakrar , Sophomore Lucas Tijerina, Senior Nicolas Gachancipa, Senior Julian Herrera, Senior Marissa Priore, Senior Daniel Nigro, Senior Pralay Vaggu, Graduate Student.
Lead Presenter's Name
Danayit Mekonnen
Faculty Mentor Name
Danayit T Mekonnen
Abstract
Understanding how space weather phenomenon affects daily life has been a main focus of space weather studies. In particular, identifying the relationship between solar activities, ionospheric irregularities and consequently ionospheric scintillation has inspired numerous research efforts. Geomagnetic storms fueled by solar activities cause ionospheric irregularities. Ionospheric scintillation occurs when radio signals travel through these irregularities and experience rapid fluctuations in radio signal phase and amplitude. Such fluctuations have great consequences in radio wave based technology such as the Global Position system(GPS) as it causes a loss of lock. Therefore, through the implantation of two GPS Receivers, continuous data was obtained on phase and amplitude of radio signals from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems(GNSS). This data was then thoroughly analyzed to identify scintillation signatures. On January 31st, 2019, scintillation signatures that correlated to a G1 minor geomagnetic storm were observed. In this paper, the method of analysis is adapted from the aforementioned case study to identify past geomagnetic events that possibly correlated with observed scintillation. Through this study, it is hoped that a correlation between geomagnetic storms and ionospheric scintillation in the mid-latitude region will be highlighted.
Did this research project receive funding support from the Office of Undergraduate Research.
No
Investigation into Geomagnetic storms and ionospheric scintillation
Understanding how space weather phenomenon affects daily life has been a main focus of space weather studies. In particular, identifying the relationship between solar activities, ionospheric irregularities and consequently ionospheric scintillation has inspired numerous research efforts. Geomagnetic storms fueled by solar activities cause ionospheric irregularities. Ionospheric scintillation occurs when radio signals travel through these irregularities and experience rapid fluctuations in radio signal phase and amplitude. Such fluctuations have great consequences in radio wave based technology such as the Global Position system(GPS) as it causes a loss of lock. Therefore, through the implantation of two GPS Receivers, continuous data was obtained on phase and amplitude of radio signals from the Global Navigation Satellite Systems(GNSS). This data was then thoroughly analyzed to identify scintillation signatures. On January 31st, 2019, scintillation signatures that correlated to a G1 minor geomagnetic storm were observed. In this paper, the method of analysis is adapted from the aforementioned case study to identify past geomagnetic events that possibly correlated with observed scintillation. Through this study, it is hoped that a correlation between geomagnetic storms and ionospheric scintillation in the mid-latitude region will be highlighted.