Variations of electron density in the regional middle latitude D-region of the ionosphere, conditioned by the morning solar terminator during magnetic storm of the 7–11th of november, 2004

Abstract

The results of experimental investigations by the partial reflection radar of the electron density variations in the middle latitude ionospheric D-region during the morning solar terminator passage in the period of the magnetic storm dated the 7-11th of November, 2004, are presented. There was found the increase of the electron density more than 200% both in the period of the morning solar terminator passage and during tens min after this event. To explain such events a hypothesis concerning electron precipitations from the magnetosphere stimulated by the morning solar terminator is used. There were made estimations of the ionization rate. On the basis of the experimental data of electron density changes over the electron precipitation periods, corresponding fluxes were estimated, being p ≈ (0.6-8.8) 109 m-2 sec-1.