Solar-terrestrial observations at bipolar conjugate points using global positioning system

Abstract

GPS technique is an essential tool to explore of the near-Earth space environment towards improved space weather prediction and such methods provide suitable platforms for the studies solar-climate relationships. Using the atmospheric precipitable water vapour (PWV) as a terrestrial response and the ionospheric total electron content (TEC) as a measure solar activity which both derived from ground-based GPS observations, some physical mechanisms of how solar activity exerts their influences on weather/climate changes can be explained. This paper presents an characterization of both TEC and PWV using ground-based GPS receivers to insight Sun-Earth coupling mechanisms through bipolar conjugate points.