Analysis of daytime ionosphere behavior between 2004 and 2008 in Antarctica

In this paper we present 5-year study of the lower ionosphere behavior obtained from VLF sounding done at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station. The results suggested a strong influence of ‘meteorological processes’ especially during wintertime, when VLF measurements showed that the D-region was strongly affected by planetary waves in all years. This effect was superposed to the well known control by solar radiation. The 16-day wave was the most important PW modulating the lower ionosphere behavior. Since planetary waves are very predominantly of tropospheric origin, this result is an evidence of the vertical couplings in the atmosphere–ionosphere system.

► Daytime VLF amplitude measurements characterizing the forcing in the ionosphere.
► Influence of ‘meteorological processes’ in the ionosphere during the wintertime.
► Detection of the 16-day planetary wave in the lower ionosphere.