Pattern and variation of electron ionisation gradient as related to the plasma distribution mechanisms during the total solar eclipse of March 20, 2015

B.  J. Adekoya; B. O. Adebesin; V. U. Chukwuma; S. J. Adebiyi; S. O. Ikubanni; H. T. Oladunjoye; E. O. Adekoya

doi:10.46481/jnsps.2025.2209

Authors

B. J. Adekoya
[email protected]
Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1443-5510
B. O. Adebesin Space Weather Group, Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5698-6057
V. U. Chukwuma Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7882-901X
S. J. Adebiyi Space Weather Group, Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4861-5827
S. O. Ikubanni Space Weather Group, Department of Physical Sciences, Landmark University, P.M.B. 1001, Omu-Aran, Kwara State, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8596-6071
H. T. Oladunjoye Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2897-5849
E. O. Adekoya Department of Physics, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P.M.B. 2002, Ago Iwoye, Nigeria

Abstract

The pattern and electron ionisation gradient associated with the obstruction of solar ionizing radiation (SIR) provided a good opportunity to study the plasma movements and neutral compositions during the solar eclipse at mid-latitude. The electron ionisation gradient (dN/dh) as related to the plasma distributions at the mid-latitudes during the total solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 was investigated. The ionogram inversion profile data for each station along the solar eclipse path were obtained from the database of the Global Ionospheric Radio Observatory (GIRO). The solar eclipse's obscuration percentage at these locations ranges from 69% to 94%. The variations in the dN/dh and its corresponding height h_dN during the eclipse window are related to the solar eclipse’s turnoff and onset effect on SIR. The ionisation gradient valley caused by the solar eclipse was associated with the vertical transport and diffusion processes. The dN/dh varies correspondingly with NmF2, responding to changes in photoionisation, and the peak responses occurred 11 – 20 mins after the eclipse’s totality. The height (h_dN) at which the maximum ionisation gradient was obtained followed a similar pattern to hmF2, but the peak response of h_dN is lower across all stations. In contrast to the hmF2, the time lag between the ionisation gradient's minimum peak and the eclipse's maximum magnitude ranges from 25 to 40 mins. The neutral composition changes and plasma movements during the solar eclipse can be explained by dN/dh.

Dimensions

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