Effects of geomagnetic storm on equatorial ionization during 27
February-1 March, 2014
Abstract
The paper inspects the effects of a G2 class geomagnetic storm that
occurred during 27 February- 1 March, 2014 on the equatorial ionization.
This storm is observed following a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) from a
sunspot AR1967 on 26 February. An enhancement of solar wind speed is
observed on 27 February, 2014 (483 km/sec). The maximum southward
component of Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) is observed around 21
UT of 27 February (12 nT). This interconnects with Earth’s magnetic
field and develops the main phase of a geomagnetic storm on the same
day. The storm continues through 28 February and quiet-time ionospheric
condition is recovered on 1 March. The effects of the storm on
equatorial ionization is observed at Brasilia (15.95°S, 47.88°W
geographic; 9.40°N, 21.13°E geomagnetic), Addis Ababa (9.04°N, 38.77°E
geographic; 0.18°N, 110.47°E geomagnetic) and Colombo (6.89°N, 79.87°E
geographic; 1.57°S, 151.57°E geomagnetic). An enhancement of TEC is
observed during main phase of the geomagnetic storm at these stations.
Increment in diurnal peak is observed on 28 February (14 TECU at 10 UT
at Addis Ababa) while a decrement of diurnal peak TEC is observed during
the recovery phase of the storm (15 TECU at 10 UT at Addis Ababa).
Post-sunset ionospheric scintillation is inhibited at Brasilia on 28
February.