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.