Climatology of nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) in the Central Pacific and South American sectors

Abstract

We present occurrence rate statistics for nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) in the Central Pacific and South American sectors using data collected by 630.0 nm filtered CCD imaging systems. The data were collected from September 2006 through December 2012. In general, the statistics are in good agreement with the basic linear theory of MSTIDs, with observations coinciding with low F10.7A values, representative of solar minimum. Overall, MSTIDs are observed in approximately 68% of the usable nights near the solstices at mid-latitudes and approximately 20% of the usable nights for equinox periods. Observations closer to the geomagnetic equator yielded a maximum occurrence rate of about 10–20% during the solstices and about 0–3% during the equinoxes. The lower number of MSTID observations near the low latitudes is attributed to limitations of MSTID growth rate, propagation, and/or geometrical observational effects. The relatively large number of MSTID occurrences during the solstices can be accounted for by the neutral wind contribution to the MSTID growth rate either at the local or magnetic conjugate point.