Modelling of the solar eclipse of 20 March 2015 and its influence on VLF measurements at different radio transmissions

Kurzfassung

The solar eclipse over Northern Europe on 20 March 2015 offered a well-conditioned study of the physical properties of the ionosphere. The obscuration of the Sun by the Moon and the related temporary reduction of solar radiation resulted in significant ionization changes in the whole ionosphere. The presentation concentrates on changes of the D region ionosphere by means of Very Low Frequency (VLF) measurements. Amplitude data of various navy signals measured by the Global Ionospheric Flare Detection System (GIFDS) at the DLR Neustrelitz are correlated with the gradual obscuration ofalong diverse VLF propagation paths. In conclusion the Long-Wavelength Propagation Capability code (LWPC) was used to model the eclipse effect on VLF signals in dependence of the obscuration function of each propagation path.