Ionospheric changes observed over Waltair (Dip 20° N) during the total solar eclipse of 24th October 1995

Abstract

The ionosonde measurements made at Waltair (20° N dip) during the solar eclipse of 24th October 1995 showed significant decreases in both the critical frequency and the height of the F-layer during the eclipse. Also, significant oscillatory variations were observed in h'F and foF2 during the course of the eclipse. When compared with the control days, foF2 and foF1 fell by about 15% and as much as 50%, respectively, on the eclipse day. The spectral components derived from the quasi-periodic variations observed in foF2 and h'F over Waltair (81% obscuration) clearly showed the presence of an additional 30-minute component on the eclipse day, which was not present on the control days, indicating that the waves are observed away from the totality path.