UNDERSTANDING THE CHARACTERISTICS OF IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES DUE TO GEOMAGNETIC STORM OF MOTHERS DAY 2024

Abstract

We studied ionospheric responses due to geomagnetic storms of mothers day 2024,on global scale to find the sources that triggered the ionospheric variations. In particular, we analyze the total electron content(TEC), averaged electric field (Ey) , solar wind velocity Vsw, Plasma Density (ρ),Plasma temperature (T),interplanetary magnetic field along z-axis (IMF- Bz), geomagnetic disturbance storm time index (Dst), and solar flux F10.7 index. A geomagnetic storm is a major disturbance of Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there exists an exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth. The largest storms that result from these conditions are associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The effects of all these all have an outcome of Magetospheric compression. That is , the sudden increase in solar wind speed and southward IMF Bz compressed the ionosphere, reducing the standoff distance of the magneto-pause. Magnetic reconnection allowed solar wind energy transfer efficiently into the magnetosphere, driving geomagnetic currents and accelerating charged particles. The sharp drop in Dst reflects a strengthened ring current, which forms as energetic particles circulate around earth. Enhanced electric currents flowing through the ionosphere caused joule heating, leading to the thermal expansion of the upper atmosphere. This can alter ionospheric density and composition, affecting satellite drag and radio wave propagation. Secondly, at mid latitudes, ionospheric storm Enhanced Densities (SEDs) are likely to have formed due to electric field -driven plasma transport from lower to higher latitudes. Thirdly, Southward IMF conditions and enhanced electric fields can generate ionospheric irregularities, such as plasma bubbles, which degrade GNSS navigation signals and radio communications. Lastly but not the least, increased particle precipitation due to magnetospheric disturbances enhanced auroral emissions in polar auroral regions, indicating energy deposition from the magnetosphere into the ionosphere.