TITIPy: A Python tool for the calculation and mapping of topside ionosphere turbulence indices

Abstract

TITIPy (Topside Ionosphere Turbulence Indices with Python) is a stand-alone Python tool developed for the calculation and mapping of RODI, ROTI, and ROTEI indices, for the characterization of the turbulent state of the topside ionosphere. Data gathered by Langmuir Probes and Precise Orbit Determination antennas on-board ESA Swarm satellites constellation are used to calculate topside ionosphere indices with a high time rate and a global coverage. From the study of these topside indices, information on physical mechanisms involved in the formation of small-scale irregularities (both spatial and temporal) can be drawn, particularly at high and low latitudes. TITIPy provides outputs as time series of calculated indices in text files, and figures as maps in geographic and magnetic coordinates. TITIPy is particularly suited for the investigation of the topside ionosphere irregularities, and for the identification of peculiar spatial and temporal patterns. The paper describes the TITIPy design and code workflow along with a detailed explanation of RODI, ROTI, and ROTEI indices calculation. Furthermore, an example of application based on data collected during the St. Patrick 2015 geomagnetic storm is also shown. TITIPy is open-source and freely downloadable at https://github.com/pignalberi/TITIPy.