Statistical Analysis of the Regional and Global Ionosphere Model on Intense Geomagnetic Storm

Abstract

This study evaluated an intense geomagnetic storm two days before, on the day of the magnetic storm (26 August 2018), and two days after, for a total of 5-daily global navigation satellite system (GNSS) measurements. The assessments were carried out for eight continuously operation reference stations-Turkey (CORS-TR) stations located in the province of Konya, Turkey. The change in the ionosphere layer caused by the geomagnetic storm was analyzed in terms of the total electron content (TEC) values. The analysis revealed that positive and negative anomalies had occurred on the day of the magnetic storm, the day before, and the day after. The statistic tests and correlation coefficient were calculated between regional and global ionosphere models. The global model that best fit the regional model was determined by comparing the regional values obtained from the GNSS measurements with the CODE, IRI-2016, and IRI-Plas. Besides, the geomagnetic storm, solar wind parameters (Bz, E, P, N, v), and geomagnetic activity indices (Dst, ap, Kp) were examined. As a result of the study, the global model that best fit the ionosphere model found using the regional TEC values was obtained using CODE TEC values. Moreover, the study demonstrated that magnetic storm-induced changes in the ionosphere could be detected using GNSS stations located in Turkey. Besides, the possible effects of the intense geomagnetic storm were propounded by the TEC anomalies.