Satellite-based electron density background definition at mid-latitudes and comparison with IRI-2016 model under different solar conditions

Abstract

A new method to define a background for the ionospheric electron density (Ne) is proposed, making use of mid-latitude measurements under different solar conditions from the Langmuir Probes onboard CHAMP and three identical Swarm satellites. In particular, CHAMP measurements during the years 2004 and 2009, and Swarm observations during 2016 and 2017 have been considered in the 15°-wide latitudinal belt from 35°N to 50°N, and from 0° to 360° in longitude. CHAMP/Swarm in-situ Ne measurements have been then used to check and compare this new defined background with the one computed directly from IRI-2016 Ne output at satellite altitude. The distributions of the relative deviations between the two backgrounds, and of positive and negative anomalies (i.e., Ne variations from each background greater than 30%) with respect to the geomagnetic activity levels have been evaluated under each investigated condition, namely year/satellite, season, night-time or noon hours. Results of this comparison highlight a general overestimation of Ne from IRI during noon hours, while a better agreement between the two backgrounds is found during night-time. However, an underestimation of IRI with respect to Swarm-derived background is found for 2017 data. Finally, the analysis of 2004 plasma data suggests that the IRI-2016 model can be used as a background during periods characterized by high levels of geomagnetic activity. Due to the difficulties to construct a background for satellite data, the proposed method can be considered an useful tool for analyses of electron density variations at the heights of the satellites in Low Earth Orbits (LEO).