Spectral Analysis of Planetary Waves seen in Ionospheric Total Electron Content (TEC): First Results using GPS differential TEC and Stratospheric Reanalyses

Abstract

The coupling of the neutral atmosphere and the ionosphere through planetary waves (zonal wavenumber 0-5) is investigated by spherical harmonic analyses of the ionospheric total electron content (TEC). These analyses detect mean variations, standing and travelling waves which are assumed to be signatures of planetary waves. Data base used for TEC analyses are three years of hourly regional TEC maps covering the higher middle and polar latitudes. They are regularly produced by DLR Neustrelitz. The obtained results are compared with planetary wave analyses using NCEP/NCAR and Met Office stratospheric reanalyses. Case studies show that signatures of planetary waves occur simultaneously in the middle atmosphere and ionosphere.