The influence of disturbed conditions and increased solar activity on geomagnetic distortion of the equatorial inonospheric F2 region

Abstract

The principal diurnal anomalies in the maximum electron density of ionospheric F2 layer over Kodaikanal are discussed. From an analysis of data obtained over half a solar cycle, it has been found that the phenomena of rapid increase in the electron densities following sunrise, the diuranal asymmetry and the maintenance of abnormally high ionic densities after sunset undergo systematic changes during stormy conditions. In order to examine whether these changes are accounted for by additional movements during disturbed conditions, magnitudes of quiet as well as the disturbed days, have been computed and discussed.