Turkish Physical Society 39th International Physics Congress, Muğla, Turkey, 31 August - 04 September 2023, pp.240
The ionosphere is a natural plasma layer consisting of ionized gases that freely move in
the upper layers of the atmosphere due to solar radiation. During a solar eclipse, the Moon
blocks solar radiation. The ionized molecules in the region under the shadow of the Moon
combine with the free electrons in the environment. It causes short-term night conditions
in the shaded area of the ionosphere. After the end of the eclipse, this region tries to return
to its former ionospheric conditions before the eclipse. In this study, the dynamics of the
ionospheric response to Partial Solar eclipses on January 4, 2011 and October 25, 2022,
over Mid Latitude, are analyzed comparatively. The ionospheric response to two different
partial solar eclipses occurring approximately one solar cycle later at the same latitude is
interpreted. The total electron content (TEC), critical frequency of the F2 region (foF2),
and maximum height of the F2 region (hmF2) values were compared with the averages
of one month before and after the eclipse dates, as well as the values on the eclipse day.
Ionosonde data was obtained by the Lowell GIRO (Global Ionospheric Radio
Observatory) Data Center from stations coded AT138, DB049, EB040, FF051 and RL052
at mid-latitude. The data on the quiet day and on the day of the eclipse were compared.
The relationship between the variation of the eclipse with time and the critical frequency
of the F2 region (foF2) was examined for different stations and a correlation was found
between the two dates.
Keywords: Ionosphere, Solar Eclipse, Total Electron Content.