Instantaneous mapping of ionospheric characteristics using 5-minute measurements for the day of the total solar eclipse of 11 August 1999

Abstract

Instantaneous mapping methods for hourly observations were developed within the COST 251 European Action. The hourly maps of foF2 for eclipse day are available on the web page http://www.cbk.waw.pl/rwc/idce.html of the Ionospheric Despatch Centre in Europe. However, the eclipse effect on the ionosphere requires more frequent time scale for the observations than 1 hour. This paper presents the results of maps of foF2, foF1, foE with the use of 5-minute measurements during the eclipse of 11 August 1999. The instantaneous maps are shown be a useful tool to study the effect of the solar eclipse upon the ionosphere.