Low-latitude Model Electron Density Profiles using the IRI and CCIR Models

Abstract

The study of low-latitude electron density profiles has been carried out on a semi-empirical basis with the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-90) and the CCIR models. Electron density profiles are computed using the median values of ionospheric data routinely scaled from ionograms at Ibadan (7.40N, 3.90E) and Tsumeb (19.20S, 17.70E) for different scalar activities and times of the day. The results of this study revealed the possibility of using analytic semi-empirical models to produce representative electron density profiles of the equatorial and low-latitude ionospheres. The importance of incorporating results of studies on the equatorial anomaly into the IRI-90 model and further comparisons with additional sets of electron density profiles under different solar-geophysical conditions are highlighted. The need for additional ionosonde stations in the African sector in order to incorporate the results of studies on equatorial anomaly into the models is emphasized.


Nigeria Journal of Pure and Applied Physics VOLUME 1, AUGUST 2000, pp. 33-36