Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
United Nations Workshop on the International Space Weather Initiative: The Way Forward, Vienna, Avusturya, 26 - 30 Haziran 2023, ss.56
The ionosphere is a highly dynamic and complex region of Earth's upper atmosphere, where
plasma interacts with electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and other physical processes.
Comprehending the attributes and actions of the ionosphere is crucial for multiple applications, such
as radio communication, navigation, and space weather forecasting. This study has a novel theoretical
diagram of the ionosphere that presenting a standardized structure for grasping the physical
mechanisms characteristics of this region.
The diagram includes ten lines in the middle that represent the variation of the Poynting
vector as a function of altitude, which offers a quantitative measure of the energy flow in the
ionosphere. Their slopes are proportional to the Kp index, which represents the level of geomagnetic
activity. On the left y-axis, there are several vertical lines representing different ionospheric layers,
such as the D, E, F1, F2, and F layers, as well as various phenomena like aurora and plasma bubbles.
The length of these vertical lines is calculated as a function of F10.7 and the Solar Zenith Angle, and
the value of the layer or phenomenon of interest on the line is determined according to their values
at the time of examination. The diagram also encompasses three logarithmic secondary y-axes
denoting electron density, electron temperature, and the electron-to-ion temperature ratio,
computed via Chapman functions. By drawing lines from the layer/phenomena lines and intersecting
them with the interested altitude point of the middle lines at the selected Kp index, various
characteristics such as electron density and temperature can be determined for questioned
layer/phenomena. As a result, the values of various ionospheric characteristics may be shown at
different altitudes and under different solar and geomagnetic conditions.
The proposed theoretical representation of the ionosphere introduced in this investigation
delivers a valuable tool for visualizing and understanding the energy flow and connected physical
processes within the ionosphere. As it is purely theoretical and not restricted to any specific location
or observation, scientists studying the ionosphere in any locality can utilize it, providing a standardized
method to visualize and comprehend the ionosphere's properties and behaviour. It could function as
a universal reference instrument for comparing and interpreting observational data, enabling
scientists investigating the ionosphere in various locations and under different solar and geomagnetic
conditions to better understand and interpret the complex physical processes occurring in the
ionosphere. With ongoing research and development, this representation holds the potential to
substantially enhance our understanding of the ionosphere and its effects on Earth and space-based
technologies. It could facilitate efficient and effective ionospheric study, leading to new discoveries
and advancements in fields such as plasma physics, geophysics, space physics, and space weather.
KEYWORDS: Space Weather, Ionosphere