Achievement of a short term three dimensional electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European sector: Comparisons with the IRI model for quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions

• Short term forecasting of foF2 and M(3000)F2.
• Short term forecasted electron density profiles.
• foF2 and M(3000)F2 data ingestion into the IRI model.
• Interpolation algorithm for the calculation of foF2 and M3000F2 on a grid of equi-spaced points covering the European sector.

In this paper will be described the procedure followed for the achievement of a short term three dimensional (3-D) electron density mapping of the ionosphere in the European area.It consists of three main steps: (1) foF2 and M(3000)F2 short-term forecasts, (foF2STF) and (M3000F2STF), are calculated at 12 ionospheric observatories scattered in the European area; (2) the values of foF2STF and M3000F2STF on a grid of equi-spaced points, (foF2STF,GP) and (M3000F2STF,GP), are calculated by means of an appropriate interpolation algorithm by using the foF2STF and M3000F2STF data; (3) foF2STF,GP and M3000F2STF,GP data ingestion into the IRI model is employed to produce a short term 3-D electron density mapping (ST-3D-M) of the ionosphere.The electron density profiles provided by the ST-3D-M and IRI models, were compared with the electron density profiles autoscaled by the Automatic Real-Time Ionogram Scaler with True-height (ARTIST) system, which are here considered as the truth profiles. The results of these comparisons, shown for a certain number of epochs during quiet-moderate geomagnetic-ionospheric conditions, in the truth-sites of Athens (38○.0′N, 23○.5′E), Chilton (51○.5′N, −0○.6′W), Dourbes (50○.1′ N, 4○.6′E), Pruhonice (50○.0′N, 14○.6′E), Rome (41○.9′N, 12○.5′E), and Tortosa (40○.8′N, 0○.5′E), indicate that the ST-3D-M as forecasting tool can be considered generally reliable.