Predicted and measured total electron content over Havana

Abstract

The total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere is a parameter often used to check the validity of ionospheric models. Moreover, it is very important for the systems which use transionospheric radio waves. In this paper, TEC measurements obtained with Faraday technique at Havana (23.1°N, 277.5°E, geomagnetic latitude: 34.2°), Cuba, during 1982-1983 period are used to check the validity of two ionospheric models to predict TEC over this station. Havana is a low latitude station but it is not affected by the equatorial anomaly (EA). The models considered are the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) and a Chapman layer with scale height equal to atomic oxygen scale height (CHOEA). Measured values of the critical frequency of the F2 ionospheric region obtained at San José de Las Lajas (23.0°N, 277.9°E, geomagnetic latitude: 34.1°), Cuba, are used as input coefficients in the models. The results show that the models have different performances as predictors of TEC over Havana. In general, the IRI gives very good predictions for the period around the daily minimum, and for the maximum TEC hours CHOEA is a very good predictor. Taking into account the simplicity of the calculations with CHOEA, this model would be an adequate alternative to predict TEC over stations which are not affected by the EA, as Havana, at least for the solar activity conditions