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Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition)
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Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Upper Atmosphere".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2025 | Viewed by 5745

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Emilia Correia

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Guest Editor
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais–INPE/DICEP-MCTI, São Paulo 05468, Brazil
Interests: solar physics; Sun–Earth connection; ionospheric irregularities; ionospheric storms; upper atmosphere; VLF propagation; GNSS–TEC and scintillation; ionospheric radio sounding; cosmic noise absorption; ionospheric gravity waves; space weather; atmospheric coupling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jean-Pierre Raulin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Rádio-Astronomia e Astrofísica Mackenzie, UniversidadePresbiteriana Mackenzie, São Paulo 01302, Brazil
Interests: solar physics; Sun-Earth relations; radio astronomy; VLF propagation; atmospheric electricity
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Paulo Roberto Fagundes

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Guest Editor
Laboratório de Física e Astronomia, Universidade do Vale do Paraíba – IP&D, São Paulo 12244, Brazil
Interests: space physics; Sun–Earth relations; ionosphere dynamics; aeronomy; ionospheric irregularities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. José-Valentin Bageston

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais–COESU/INPE-MCTI, São Paulo 05468, Brazil
Interests: gravity waves; airglow imagers; troposphere–mesosphere coupling; atmospheric composition and structure; atmospheric dynamics
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a follow-up of the first Special Issue entitled “Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/942A3X5G1A)  published in Atmosphere and will cover all aspects of recent advances in ionosphere observation, investigation, modeling, and forecasting, with interests in ionosphere characterization under the influence of external drives, in association with space weather, as well as under internal atmosphere drives.  

The ionosphere has received special attention in recent decades because it critically affects the propagation of radio signals, which are widely used in GNSS applications, HF/VHF/UHF radio communications, air and ground traffic control, petrol platform stabilization, precision agriculture, and satellite control and operations, among others. Space weather is the main driver of the ionosphere conditions, so it has recently been considered a natural hazard because it can potentially endanger humans by impacting actual technologies and infrastructures.

Observations using multi-instruments and networks have been of great importance in the characterization of the ionosphere at different heights and at regional and global scales. Combined observations using ground- and space-based platforms have permitted the characterization of ionosphere dynamics over large spatial scales from low to high latitudes and at different longitude sectors, under quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions.

Contributions related to large spatial and temporal ionosphere conditions, under different drivers and geomagnetic conditions, and particularly reviews thereof are welcome. Ionosphere characterization is important for climatology and forecasting, which are used to mitigate the problems caused in modern technology based on radio communication and navigation.

Authors are invited to contribute papers related, but not limited, to the following topics:

  • Multi-instrument ionospheric observations;
  • Ionospheric dynamics;
  • Ionospheric irregularities;
  • Influence of solar and geomagnetic activities in the ionosphere;
  • Ionosphere coupling between high and low latitudes;
  • Ionosphere coupling with lower layers of the atmosphere.

Dr. Emilia Correia
Dr. Jean-Pierre Raulin
Prof. Dr. Paulo Roberto Fagundes
Dr. José-Valentin Bageston
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ionosphere
  • space weather
  • ionosphere multi-instrument observation
  • low, middle, and high latitudes
  • atmospheric waves
  • atmospheric coupling
  • ionosphere dynamics
  • ionospheric irregularities forecasting

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 21451 KiB  
Article
Automatic Detection of Whistler Waves in the Top-Side Ionosphere: The WhISPER Technique
by Dario Recchiuti, Roberto Battiston, Giulia D’Angelo, Emanuele Papini, Coralie Neubüser, William Jerome Burger and Mirko Piersanti
Atmosphere 2025, 16(5), 522; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16050522 (registering DOI) - 29 Apr 2025
Abstract
We introduce the Whistler Identification by Spectral Power Estimation and Recognition (WhISPER) algorithm, a novel automated technique for detecting whistler waves in the top side of the Earth’s ionosphere. WhISPER is the first step towards a comprehensive system designed to accumulate and analyze [...] Read more.
We introduce the Whistler Identification by Spectral Power Estimation and Recognition (WhISPER) algorithm, a novel automated technique for detecting whistler waves in the top side of the Earth’s ionosphere. WhISPER is the first step towards a comprehensive system designed to accumulate and analyze a large dataset of whistler observations, which has been developed to advance our understanding of whistler generation and propagation. Unlike conventional image-correlation-based techniques, WhISPER identifies whistlers based on their energy content, enhancing computational efficiency. This work presents the results of applying WhISPER to four years (2019–2022) of top-side ionospheric magnetic field data. A statistical analysis of over 800,000 detected whistlers reveals a strong correlation with lightning activity and (as expected) higher occurrence rates during local summer months. The presented results demonstrate the excellent performance of the WhISPER technique in identifying whistler events. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition))
12 pages, 3354 KiB  
Article
Long-Term Changes and Trends in the F2 Layer Critical Frequency over Alma-Ata (Kazakhstan)
by Galina Gordiyenko, Artur Yakovets, Yurii Litvinov and Murat Zhiganbayev
Atmosphere 2025, 16(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos16010002 - 24 Dec 2024
Viewed by 821
Abstract
The long-term variability and trends in the F2 layer critical frequency variations over Alma-Ata [43.25 N, 77.92 E] for the period 07.1957–04.2018 are studied using near-midday, near-midnight, and hourly median foF2 values. It is shown that the foF2 and solar activity index F10.7 [...] Read more.
The long-term variability and trends in the F2 layer critical frequency variations over Alma-Ata [43.25 N, 77.92 E] for the period 07.1957–04.2018 are studied using near-midday, near-midnight, and hourly median foF2 values. It is shown that the foF2 and solar activity index F10.7 display regular 11-year periodicity, stable negative trend over the 60-year observation interval, and some long-term (approximately four 11-year solar cycles) oscillation. The foF2 trend dependencies on the season and time of day are studied. The critical frequency shows a good connection with solar activity for the entire observation period and for each season. However, the position of the maximum in the time distribution of the difference between the observed foF2 and those calculated in accordance with the regression relationship between foF2 and F10.7 and smoothed with the 11-year window occurred earlier (around 1980) relative to the maximum in the F10.7 distribution (around 1986), which may indicate the influence of an additional (to solar activity) source on the ionosphere, possibly of an anthropogenic nature. The foF2 trend for 22-year periods before and after 1980 is investigated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition))
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14 pages, 3708 KiB  
Article
Properties of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed over Mexico during Quiet Solar Activity
by Esmeralda Romero-Hernandez, Federico Salinas-Samaniego, Olusegun F. Jonah, Ernesto Aguilar-Rodriguez, Mario Rodriguez-Martinez, Giorgio Arlan da Silva Picanço, Clezio M. Denardini, Carlos Alberto Guerrero-Peña, Rogelio Aguirre-Gutierrez, Flor Araceli Garcia-Castillo, Sandra Ayala, Eduardo Perez-Tijerina, Maria A. Sergeeva and Juan Americo Gonzalez-Esparza
Atmosphere 2024, 15(8), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15080894 - 26 Jul 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 965
Abstract
We present a statistical study of some physical properties of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) registered over the Mexican territory during 2018 and 2019 (solar minimum). The analysis is based on total electron content (TEC) approximations using data from [...] Read more.
We present a statistical study of some physical properties of medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) registered over the Mexican territory during 2018 and 2019 (solar minimum). The analysis is based on total electron content (TEC) approximations using data from the ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers at different locations, divided into three regions according to geographic longitudes: west, center, and east. The MSTIDs were classified into day and night events, and only geomagnetically quiet days were considered to reduce the solar influence. We explored fundamental aspects of the MSTIDs, such as differences between day and night events, occurrence patterns, and geographical differences. Our results show some similarities with the occurrence periods of gravity waves, exhibiting high activity during summer and winter. For this period, however, most events occurred between 20:00 and 04:00 AM UT. The most energetic events, i.e., large amplitudes and power, occurred around the sunset terminator. This suggests that the density gradient generated when the sunlight falls benefits MSTID formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition))
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15 pages, 44675 KiB  
Article
Three-Dimensional Computerized Ionospheric Tomography over Maritime Areas Based on Simulated Slant Total Electron Content along Small-Satellite Constellation–Automatic Identification System Signal Rays
by Haiying Li, Bin Xu, Cheng Wang, Haisheng Zhao, Ruimin Jin, Hongbo Zhang and Feifei Wang
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 714; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060714 - 14 Jun 2024
Viewed by 1092
Abstract
Ionospheres over sea areas have an inevitable impact on maritime–satellite communications; however, due to geographic constraints, ionospheric observation and analysis over sea areas are far from adequate. In our paper, slant total electron content (STEC) along small-satellite constellation–automatic identification system (AIS) signal rays [...] Read more.
Ionospheres over sea areas have an inevitable impact on maritime–satellite communications; however, due to geographic constraints, ionospheric observation and analysis over sea areas are far from adequate. In our paper, slant total electron content (STEC) along small-satellite constellation–automatic identification system (AIS) signal rays is used for computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) over sea areas, and small-satellite constellations can provide more effective signal rays than a single satellite. An adjustment factor δ is introduced to optimize the initial electron density for the multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique (MART). The CIT results reconstructed by a traditional MART and our new method at 00:00 and 06:00, 15 March 2022, are compared, and our new method produces about a 15% and over 40% improvement in average deviation (AD) and root-mean-square error (RMSE). The results show that the bigger the difference between δ and 1, the better improvement will be in the 3D CIT process. The initial electron density is well selected during CIT when δ is approximate to 1, which is the case at 12:00, and the reconstructed 3D electron density, applying the initial ne and the adjusted initial ne, are both close to the true electron density. The small-satellite constellation–AIS signals are valuable resources for electron density reconstruction in sea areas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition))
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17 pages, 10217 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Ionospheric VTEC Retrieved from Multi-Instrument Observations
by Gurkan Oztan, Huseyin Duman, Salih Alcay, Sermet Ogutcu and Behlul Numan Ozdemir
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060697 - 9 Jun 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1413
Abstract
This study examines the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) estimation performance of multi-instruments on a global scale during different ionospheric conditions. For this purpose, GNSS-based VTEC data from Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs), COSMIC (F7/C2)—Feng–Yun 3C (FY3C) radio occultation (RO) VTEC, SWARM–VTEC, and JASON–VTEC [...] Read more.
This study examines the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) estimation performance of multi-instruments on a global scale during different ionospheric conditions. For this purpose, GNSS-based VTEC data from Global Ionosphere Maps (GIMs), COSMIC (F7/C2)—Feng–Yun 3C (FY3C) radio occultation (RO) VTEC, SWARM–VTEC, and JASON–VTEC were utilized. VTEC assessments were conducted on three distinct days: geomagnetic active (17 March 2015), solar active (22 December 2021), and quiet (11 December 2021). The VTEC values of COSMIC/FY3C RO, SWARM, and JASON were compared with data retrieved from GIMs. According to the results, COSMIC RO–VTEC is more consistent with GIM–VTEC on a quiet day (the mean of the differences is 4.38 TECU), while the mean of FY3C RO–GIM differences is 7.33 TECU on a geomagnetic active day. The range of VTEC differences between JASON and GIM is relatively smaller on a quiet day, and the mean of differences on active/quiet days is less than 6 TECU. Besides the daily comparison, long-term results (1 January–31 December 2015) were also analyzed by considering active and quiet periods. Results show that Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) values of COSMIC RO, FY3C RO, SWARM, and JASON are 5.02 TECU, 6.81 TECU, 16.25 TECU, and 5.53 TECU for the quiet period, and 5.21 TECU, 7.07 TECU, 17.48 TECU, and 5.90 TECU for the active period, respectively. The accuracy of each data source was affected by solar/geomagnetic activities. The deviation of SWARM–VTEC is relatively greater. The main reason for the significant differences in SWARM–GIM results is the atmospheric measurement range of SWARM satellites (460 km–20,200 km (SWARM A, C) and 520 km–20,200 km (SWARM B), which do not contain a significant part of the ionosphere in terms of VTEC estimation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Ionosphere Observation and Investigation (2nd Edition))
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