Geomagnetic Correlations of Ionospheric F2 Layer Peak Electron Density Height for Ionospheric Station Rome, Italy

Abstract

The basic aim of this research is to present an analysis of the relationship between the average ionospheric response of peak electron density height of the ionospheric F2 region (hmF2) and the geomagnetic activity for ionospheric station Rome, Italy. Significantly long data series for both quantities in the period 2002–2022 (including two solar cycles) were used, and the method for determining the relative deviation of the parameters from quiet (median) conditions was applied. To analyze the influence of geomagnetic activity represented by planetary Kp index on the hmF2, correlation analysis was used. The results show that a) the predominant ionospheric response is positive with a delay of about 1–2 hours; b) the influence of geomagnetic activity on hmF2 is maximal during the equinox months, during the night hours and around local noon. The obtained results of the positive correlation coefficient, indicating the presence of a relationship between hmF2 and Kp index (reaching up to 30%), show that the most significant influence on hmF2 is the vertical upward drift caused by the induced electric fields in the ionosphere from the “perturbed dynamo” and prompt penetration electric fields (PPEF). The choice of the selected ionospheric station Rome is related to the fact that this station is located at the geographic latitude coinciding with the latitude of Sofia, which suggests similar characteristics of the ionosphere for the territory of Bulgaria.