Total Electron Content and Scintillation in the Vicinity of the Main Ionospheric through Over Northern Europe

Abstract : A receiving system for NNSS satellites located at Lerwick (60.1N, 1. 2W) has been used to make differential carrier phase measurements in the vicinity of the main ionospheric trough. The observations have been calibrated to obtain absolute total electron content using measurements from a co-located GPS receiver for two months near solar maximum. Mapping techniques, developed to study the changes in night-time total electron content as a function of both latitude and time, are described. Examples are given of characteristic trough behaviour for different levels of geomagnetic activity. A new feature of the work is the limited extent of the poleward wall of the trough for moderate geomagnetic conditions. The mapping techniques can also be applied to measurements of radio-wave scintillation allowing comparison between small-scale irregularity behaviour and the larger-scale changes in total electron content.