C, X Shapes in Atmosphere May Affect Long-Range Com's

[GordMay]

NASA’s GOLD Finds Surprising C, X Shapes in Atmosphere

NASA's Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission geostationary satellite has spotted unexpected X- and C-shaped structures in Earth’s ionosphere, the layer of electrified gas, in the planet’s atmosphere, that allows radio signals to travel over long distances.
Their surprise appearances prove that we have more to learn about the ionosphere, and its effects on communication, and navigation signals, that pass through it.

Earlier reports of merging were only during geomagnetically disturbed conditions.
A paper [1] published in the “Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics”, described these unexpected observations.

This unexpected feature occurred during geomagnetic quiet conditions, suggesting that, what happens in the lower atmosphere, actually, affects the ionosphere more than extreme solar, or volcanic events.

If a vortex, or a very strong shear in the plasma, has happened, this will completely distort the plasma, over that region. Signals may be lost completely, with a strong disturbance like this.

More about ➥ https://science.nasa.gov/science-res...in-atmosphere/

[1] “The X-Pattern Merging of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly Crests During Geomagnetic Quiet Time”~ by F. I. Laskar et al
➥ https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2023JA032224

“... Key Points

• Merging of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests leading to an X-shaped pattern is observed in Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk ionospheric measurements during geomagnetic quiet time

• Model simulations demonstrate that EIA-X occurs after periods of downward vertical drift, which is a necessary but not sufficient condition

• The simulations also show that the observed post-sunset EIA-X is generated during pre-sunset hours and persists until later local times.

Plain Language Summary

Using Global-scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) mission observations of the nighttime ionospheric emissions, a new phenomenon—the merging of the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) crests forming an X shaped pattern (EIA-X)—has been observed around the magnetic equator during geomagnetic quiet conditions. This intriguing pattern has been reproduced in a whole atmospheric general circulation model simulation and in data assimilation. By examining the GOLD observations and the model simulations we address four outstanding science questions in this manuscript:
(a) Can EIA-X occur during geomagnetic quiet conditions?
(b) Does the GOLD observed EIA-X originate after sunset or before sunset? (c) What is the relationship between the vertical drift and the formation of EIA-X? and
(d) Can it be driven by lower atmospheric forcing?
We found that the EIA-X can occur during geomagnetic quiet conditions and it originates before sunset. We propose that the drivers of this phenomenon primarily originate in the lower atmosphere. These significant findings advance our understanding of the afternoon to evening ionosphere, which hold the potential to improve space weather forecasting and space based radio communication.
...”

See also:

“Unique Combinations of Differently Shaped Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Occurring Within a Small Longitude Range” ~ by Deepak Kumar Karan et al
➥ https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley....9/2023JA031625

“To Study Atmosphere, NASA Rockets Will Fly into Oct. Eclipse’s Shadow”
➥ https://science.nasa.gov/solar-syste...lipses-shadow/