Planetary Variations in the Height of the F2-Layer Maximum during Ionospheric Disturbances

Abstract

Abstract: A large array of experimental data from observations of ionospheric stations located in different regions of the world is used to consider the variations in the height of the F2-layer maximum during ionospheric disturbances of solar and magnetospheric origin. The proposed algorithm for the calculation of hmF2 describes the height behavior at any point on the Earth with respect to the current solar and geomagnetic activity. This method is based on the identification and mathematical description of regular disturbed variations in hmF2 with allowance for the latitudinal–longitudinal features, different levels of solar and magnetic activity, and the north–south asymmetry. The accuracy of the algorithm is estimated. Simple mathematical software makes the technique convenient for operational use in applied problems.