Ionospheric bubbles detection algorithms: Analysis in low latitudes

Abstract

Plasma depletions (or bubbles) are strong reductions in the ionospheric F-region plasma density due to the appearance of a Rayleigh-Taylor instability in the post-sunset, producing severe radio signal disruptions when crossing them. Most of the plasma depletions are confined on the Appleton Anomaly region, which also shows the presence of strong scintillations activity. Therefore, stations located in the vicinity of the geomagnetic equator are expected to be frequently affected by the presence of plasma depletions. This paper provides a comparison between the plasma depletion detection results achieved using two algorithms: one developed by the National Institute for Aerospace Technology and the University Complutense of Madrid and one developed by GMV. Six equatorial stations distributed all over the world and different solar activity and seasonal conditions have been selected to analyze the algorithms' response to different plasma depletions characteristics. A regional behavior analysis of the plasma depletion occurrence and characteristics is also provided.