Preliminary Results from FORMOSAT3COSMIC Campaigns

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Preliminary Results from FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC
Campaigns

• S. Basu1, Su. Basu2, C. Coker3, K.M. Groves1,
  T.R. Pedersen1, K. Dymond3, and C.S. Lin1
• 1Space Vehicles Directorate, Air Force Research
  Laboratory, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731, USA
• 2Boston University, Boston, MA 02216 3Naval
  Research Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375
• First FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC Workshop,
• UCAR, Boulder, CO
• 16-18 October 2006

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AFRL Scintillation Network Decision Aid (SCINDA)
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TIP passes over large area 14 Sep 2006
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TIP observations over large area on 14 Sep 2006
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Equatorial Anomaly Formation

• Daytime eastward electric field causes ionized
  gas (plasma) to drift upward near magnetic
  equator
• Plasma subsequently diffuses poleward guided by
  magnetic field lines
• Process results in enhanced plasma density at
  15º magnetic latitude

Anomaly region has greatest effect on RF
propagation
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TIP passes near allsky imager FOV17 Sep 2006
FM-1 0924 UT
FM-5 1104 UT
FM-3/4 0829 UT
FM-3/4 1004 UT

• Satellites are ascending
• Time of Kwajalein latitude (9.4N) crossing is
  provided
• Two passes cut across imager field-of-view FM1
  and FM5
• Four passes are close enough that moving
  structures may be seen by imager at an earlier or
  later time

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TIP 135.6-nm passes near Kwajalein 17 Sep 2006
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Comparison of TIP and allsky imager17 Sep
2006Strong gradient should be excellent case for
validation, properly calibrated 630.0 nm ASIP
images can be used for such validation
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TIP pass directly over SCINDA line-of-sight18
Sep 2006
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TEC Fluctuations at Kwajalein on 17Sep 2006
Kwajalein Sept 17,2006 1-min Rate of Change
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Estimation of S4 index of 244 MHz scintillation
S4 8 ?1.5 (L Sec i)1/2 (dN/NN) (2p/?0) Radio
wavelength, ? 1.23 m Irregularity amplitude
from GPS, dN/N 2 Outer scale ?0 10
km Irregularity layer thickness 100
km, Ionospheric zenith angle, i 200 , From
ionosonde, N 1012 m-3, S4 0.6 at 244 MHz
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First Impressions!

• TIP and the GPS occultation sensor on
  FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC will be useful to study the
  variability of equatorial ionospheric
  electrodynamics in the dusk sector on a global
  scale
• TIP will be a viable platform for the study of
  the development and collapse of the equatorial
  anomaly and its association with the generation
  of plasma density irregularities also helped by
  TBB
• Support by ISRs and ground arrays such as SCINDA
  are essential to realize the full potential of
  FORMOSAT-3/COSMIC

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TIP passes near Kwajalein 14 Sep 2006
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TIP observations near Kwajalein on 14 Sep 2006
structure
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TIP 135.6-nm data near allsky imager17 Sep
2006(data runs South to North, Kwajalein
latitude crossing indicated, dark count every 37
s, data not calibrated)
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Comparison of TIP and allsky imager 17 Sep 2006
TIP cuts along depletion, shows structure
FM1 pass 0923-0926 UT
mid lat
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TIP 135.6-nm passes 17 Sep 20067-13 UT
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Density and Height17 Sep 2006
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Depletions and Scintillation
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Comparison of TIP and allsky imager 17 Sep 2006
TIP cuts along depletion, shows structure not
seen at 630.0 nm
FM1 pass 0923-0926 UT
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Comparison of TIP and allsky imager17 Sep
2006Strong gradient should be excellent case for
validation
FM5 pass 1103-1106 UT
9.4N
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