Achievement of a short term three dimensional electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European sector: Comparisons with the IRI model for quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions

Abstract

In this paper will be described the procedure followed for the achievement of a short term three dimensional (3-D) electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European area. It consists of three main steps: (1) foF2 and M(3000)F2 short-term forecasts, (foF2 STF ) and (M3000F2 STF ), are calculated at 12 iono- spheric observatories scattered in the European area; (2) the values of foF2 STF and M3000F2 STF on a grid of equi-spaced points, (foF2 STF, GP ) and (M3000F2 STF, GP ), are calculated by means of an appropriate interpolation algorithm by using the foF2 STF and M3000F2 STF data; (3) foF2 STF, GP and M3000F2 STF, GP data ingestion into the IRI model is employed to produce a short term 3-D elec- tron density mapping (ST-3D-M) of the ionosphere. The electron density profiles provided by the ST-3D-M and IRI models, were compared with the electron density profiles autoscaled by the Automatic Real-Time Ionogram Scaler with True-height (ARTIST) system, which are here considered as the truth profiles. The results of these comparisons, shown for a certain number of epochs during quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions, in the truth-sites of Athens (38°.0 ' N, 23°.5 ' E), Chilton (51°.5 ' N, -0° 6 ' W), Dourbes (50°.1 ' N, 4°.6 ' E), Pruhonice (50°.0 ' N, 14°.6 ' E), Rome (41°.9 ' N, 12°.5 ' E), and Tortosa (40°.8 ' N, 0°.5 ' E), indicate that the ST-3D-M as forecasting tool can be considered generally reliable.