Severe levels of Ionospheric activity detected 24th March 2023

At 04:04 UTC on the 24th March 2023, ionospheric levels reached G4 (severe) levels. These levels were maintained until 0600 UTC when it returned to G1 levels. The ionosphere remains active and further G3 levels are expected over the next 24 hours.

TERRASTAR information with regard to heightened ionospheric activity in equatorial and polar regions remains as below.

  Increased ionospheric activity is correlated with the following factors:

  • Sunspot Activity – increased ionospheric activity linked with the 11 year solar cycle.
  • Solar and Magnetic storms – cause an increase in the ionospheric activity;
  • Geographic Location – highest activity along geomagnetic equator and in auroral (polar) regions;
  • Seasonal Variations – increased activity at the Vernal and Autumnal Equinoxes;
  • Diurnal (Daily) Variations – maximum effects normally experienced one hour after local sunset until midnight

This can cause scintillation which is caused by small scale irregularities in the ionosphere caused by the solar activity. Scintillation occurs mainly in the evening along the geomagnetic equator. It has the effect of causing fluctuations in the amplitude and phase of the carrier phase signal introducing noise or causing loss of lock to the satellite. This results in a reduced number of usable GNSS satellites and occasionally a reduction in the L-Band communications link strength causing intermittent reception of the augmentation data.

Scintillation affects are normally seen in a period of 6 hours after sundown and are not predictable.