Ionospheric Electron Density Perturbations during Geomagnetic Storm Period February 25, 2014 to March 3, 2014 over Koudougou Station in the Solar Cycle 24

Abstract

In this study, we analyzed electron density disturbances in the ionosphere during the period from February 25, 2014, to March 3, 2014. This period is in the solar maximum phase of Solar Cycle 24. Solar flares are classified using the letters A, B, C, M and X depending on their X-ray peak flux in the wavelength range from 0.1 to 0.8 nm. X class flares are major events with very intense luminosity and a large amount of X-ray flux in the order of 10-4 W.m-2. M class flares are less bright with X-flux greater than 10-5 W.m-2; C class flares are less bright than M class with X-flux greater than 10-6 W.m-2.During this time, a total of 77 solar flares occurred, among them 61 were of class C, 6 of class M, and one belongs to class X. The results show that the class X solar flare triggered a coronal mass ejection (CME). In order to interpret these events, we used interplanetary solar wind data and geomagnetic indices. These Satellite data and SYM-H (Symmetric-Horizontal index) indices, which at times reached -100 nT and beyond, were observed and analyzed. Significant Bz values found were 20 nT, -20 nT and -50 nT. These parameters are available at www.omniweb.gsfc.nasa.gov/form/omni_in.html. Furthermore, this study strongly suggests that solar flares and coronal mass ejections have a major impact on electron density and Total Electron Content (TEC) in the ionosphere and influence the origin of geomagnetic storms. TEC and RINEX data were obtained from the Koudougou Ionosonde station (Burkina Faso) during solar cycle 24. Specifically, the coronal mass ejections (CME) of February 25, 2014, had a significant geo-effective impact between February 27 and 28, leading to a geomagnetic storm whose intensity ranged from moderate to strong, causing ionospheric disturbances. The geomagnetic storm significantly disrupted the ionosphere, resulting in an increase in TEC and disturbances on Global Positioning System (GPS) and High Frequency (HF) radio signals.