Thesis advisor: Michael J. Naughton / Thesis advisor: Keith M. Groves / The low-latitude ionosphere is characterized by large-scale instabilities in the post-sunset hours due to the distinct geometry of the earth’s magnetic field lines at the equator. The magnetic field lines are horizontal at the equator contributing to the high vertical drift velocity of the plasma bubbles growing from the bottomside of the ionospheric F-region. The phenomenon, commonly known as equatorial spread F, is an important problem in aeronomy as it can cause radio wave scintillation effects representing the most critical impacts of space weather on man-made technologies, such as satellite communications and global navigation satellite systems (GNSS). Here, we present results from an artificial ionospheric modification experiment as well as from naturally occurring instabilities in the equatorial ionosphere. An artificial plasma cloud was created in the bottomside of the ionospheric F-layer during the Metal Oxide Space Cloud (MOSC) experiment in May 2013 to study the interactions of artificial ionization with the background plasma under the hypothesis that the artificial plasma might suppress the occurrence of natural instabilities. While the suppression hypothesis remains open to debate, the propagation results confirm that the injection of artificial ionization in the lower F–region causes dramatic changes to the ambient HF propagation environment. We also calculate various parameters needed to evaluate the growth rate of Rayleigh- Taylor instability created in the F-region bottomside of the ionosphere from the thirteen days of High-Frequency (HF) radar data during the MOSC campaign. These parameters have been used to calculate the growth rate to predict the diurnal variability of the spread F occurrence. The growth rate has also been calculated from model ionospheric profiles optimized by ray-tracing techniques to match actual delays as observed in the oblique HF links. The calculated growth rate provides a close prediction of spread F development as seen in its correlation with the ground scintillation observations. With regard to natural processes, data from the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) / the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Communications/Navigations Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite mission has been analyzed to investigate the characteristics of equatorial ionospheric irregularities from in situ observations. We present a comprehensive investigation on the variation of apex-altitude distribution of equatorial ionospheric irregularities with solar activity supported by modeling, simulation and comparisons with ground- and space-based in situ density observations. We also analyze Physics Based Model (PBMOD) ionospheric model results to determine if a physics-based model can reproduce the observed dependence of bubble height on solar activity. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2019. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Physics.

No description available.

Thesis (Th. D.)--Grace Theological Seminary, 1959. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 336-352).

Thesis advisor: Prof. Michael J. Naughton / Thesis advisor: Dr. Cesar E. Valladares / The equatorial and low-latitude ionosphere of the Earth exhibits unique features on its structuring, coupling, and electrodynamics that offer the possibility to forecast the dynamics and fluctuations of ionospheric plasma densities at later times. The scientific understanding and forecasting of ionospheric plasma are necessary for several practical applications, such as for mitigating the adverse effects of space weather on communication, navigation, power grids, space mission, and for various scientific experiments and applications. The daytime equatorial electrojet (EEJ), equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), as well as nighttime equatorial plasma bubble (EPB) and plasma blobs are the most prominent low-latitude ionospheric phenomena. This dissertation focuses on the multi-diagnostic study of the mechanism, properties, abnormalities, and interrelationships of these phenomena to provide significant contributions to space weather communities from the ground- and space-based measurements. A strong longitudinal, seasonal, day-to-day variability and dependency between EEJ, ExB vertical plasma drift, and total electron content (TEC) in the EIA distribution are seen in the equatorial and low-latitude region. In general, the EEJ strength is stronger in the west coast of South America than in its east coast. The variability of the EEJ in the dayside ionosphere significantly affects the ionospheric electron density variation, dynamics of the peak height of F2-layer, and TEC distributions as the EEJ influences the vertical transport mechanism of the ionospheric plasma. The eastward electric field (EEF) and the neutral wind play a decisive role in controlling the actual configuration of the EIA. The trans-equatorial neutral wind profile calculated using data from the Second-generation, Optimized, Fabry-Perot Doppler Imager (SOFDI) located near the geomagnetic equator and a physics-based numerical model, LLIONS (Low-Latitude IONospheric Sector) give new perspectives on the effects of daytime meridional neutral winds on the consequent evolution of the asymmetry of the equatorial TEC anomalies during the afternoon onwards. The spatial configurations including the strength, shape, amplitude and latitudinal extension of the EIA crests are affected by the EEF associated with the EEJ under undisturbed conditions, whereas the meridional neutral winds play a significant role in the development of their asymmetric structure in the low-latitude ionosphere. Additionally, the SWARM satellite constellation and the ground-based LISN (Low-Latitude Ionospheric Sensor Network) data allow us to resolve the space-time ambiguity of past single-satellite studies and detect the drastic changes that EPBs and plasma blobs undergo on a short time scale. The coordinated quantitative analysis of a plasma density observation shows evidence of the association of plasma blobs with EPBs via an appropriate geomagnetic flux tube. Plasma blobs were initially associated with the EPBs and remained at the equatorial latitude right above the EPBs height, but later were pushed away from geomagnetic equator towards EIA latitudes by the EPB/ depleted flux tubes that grew in volume. Further, there exists a strong correlation between the noontime equatorial electrojet and the GPS-derived TEC distributions during the afternoon time period, caused by vertical E × B drift via the fountain effect. Nevertheless, only a minor correlation likely exists between the peak EEJ and the net postsunset ionospheric scintillation index (S4) greater than 0.2. This study not only searches for a mutual relationship between the midday, afternoon and nighttime ionospheric phenomena but also aims at providing a possible route to improve our space weather forecasting capability by predicting nighttime ionospheric irregularities based on midday measurements at the equatorial and low latitudes. / Thesis (PhD) — Boston College, 2018. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Physics.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 1974. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 116-119).

Radio signals propagating through the ionised upper atmosphere (the ionosphere) in low latitude regions of the world can experience amplitude scintillation. This could threaten safety-critical applications of satellite navigation such as aviation. The research presented here studied the effects of amplitude scintillation on a Septentrio PolaRxS geodetic receiver and a Garmin 480 aviation receiver by means of a Spirent GNSS constellation simulator. Different types of fade profiles showed that an abrupt drop in signal strength caused a loss of lock on the signal more often than a profile with a slow, gradual fade. A performance comparison of the two receivers demonstrated that the aviation receiver was more vulnerable than the geodetic receiver. An unexpected loss of lock at a specific fade duration and depth was seen with the Garmin receiver and was not explained. A single fade with a long fade duration was more likely to cause a loss of signal lock compared to rapid multiple fades. Scintillation on signals from low elevation satellites can significantly degrade the precision and integrity of the navigation solution in an aviation receiver; especially if the satellites are within the best geometrical set. RAIM was observed to be no longer available during the critical landing approach phase of the scenario, in the case when all satellites in view were affected by the scintillation-induced signal perturbations. A technique was also developed to simulate L5 scintillation based on real scintillation events of L1, in the absence of real captured data for L5. This was done to enable future investigations on aviation receiver performance when both L1 and L5 frequencies experience scintillation. Analysis indicated that L5 signal can be more vulnerable to the scintillation compared to the L1 signal, which may have important implications for aviation safety.

Approximately 6.6 million years ago in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific a large increase in biogenic mass accumulation rates (MAR’s) occurred. This increased level of biogenic mass accumulation persisted until about 4.4 Ma at which time levels returned to those similar to before the transition at 6.6 Ma. The exact nature of the change that facilitated this transition in biogenic MAR’s, however, was not understood. Here we present the results of a study which characterizes the diatom assemblage spanning the depositional transition at 6.6 Ma from sediments taken from ODP Hole 850B. A close inspection of lithology reveals a clear change in lithology from a diatom nannofossil ooze to a nannofossil diatom ooze at 6.6 Ma. This transition is immediately followed by the occurrence of laminated diatom ooze (LDO). Diatom absolute abundance data reveals three levels of productivity associated with pre-transitional, post-transitional, and LDO formational sediments. An increase in the absolute abundance of Thalassionema nitzschioides was the major contributor to the formation of post-transitional, and LDO sediments. The known ecological preferences of this species indicate an overall increase in nutrient availability followed by sporadic changes in nutrient availability. These changes in nutrient availability could be associated with the establishment, or increase in strength, of an upwelling cell and/or the increase in nutrients made available via upwelling due to a shoaling of the thermocline.

Five line transect surveys for marine mammals were conducted offshore of mainland Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands from 2008-2011. These data were used in conjunction with MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) observations of ocean color and sea surface temperature (SST) to assess spatial and temporal relationships between surface oceanographic features and cetacean distribution within the Eastern Equatorial Pacific (EEP). Results from this study indicated that oceanographic processes affected cetacean distribution on inter-annual, seasonal, and weekly to monthly time scales. The spatial scales on which these processes affect cetacean distribution are small, the smallest associations being found at 4 km2 bin sizes, as well as 9 km2 and 36 km2 bin sizes. By utilizing ocean color and SST data from the MODIS instrument and analyzing variability of these parameters in addition to average concentration, cetacean distribution within the region was related to the locations of frontal boundaries. Cetaceans were grouped into two categories based on the trophic level and relative depths at which they forage. Cetaceans feeding nearer the ocean surface and lower on the trophic scale were generally found in cooler waters of higher average chlorophyll concentration and elevated variability. Those cetaceans feeding higher on the trophic scale and lower in the water column (mesopelagic and bathypelagic depths) were sighted within relatively warmer waters of reduced temperature variability near areas of high chlorophyll variability (though less variable and lower in average chlorophyll than surface feeding cetaceans), with little spatial and temporal lag between peak surface chlorophyll concentration and cetacean presence. The EEP is a biologically productive region with many competing economic and environmental interests. Ecuador is home to one of the largest artisenal fishing fleets in South America, and entanglement of various cetacean species has been a known issue for several decades (Félix and Haase, 2006; Castro and Rosero, 2010). Seismic exploration, shipping, and tourism are also found on the busy waterways surrounding both mainland Ecuador and the archipelago. The results of this study provide additional insight into the mesoscale processes affecting the distribution and habitat use of cetaceans within the EEP and South American waters and to support ongoing ecosystem management efforts.

Approximately 6.6 million years ago in the Eastern Equatorial Pacific a large increase in biogenic mass accumulation rates (MAR’s) occurred. This increased level of biogenic mass accumulation persisted until about 4.4 Ma at which time levels returned to those similar to before the transition at 6.6 Ma. The exact nature of the change that facilitated this transition in biogenic MAR’s, however, was not understood. Here we present the results of a study which characterizes the diatom assemblage spanning the depositional transition at 6.6 Ma from sediments taken from ODP Hole 850B. A close inspection of lithology reveals a clear change in lithology from a diatom nannofossil ooze to a nannofossil diatom ooze at 6.6 Ma. This transition is immediately followed by the occurrence of laminated diatom ooze (LDO). Diatom absolute abundance data reveals three levels of productivity associated with pre-transitional, post-transitional, and LDO formational sediments. An increase in the absolute abundance of Thalassionema nitzschioides was the major contributor to the formation of post-transitional, and LDO sediments. The known ecological preferences of this species indicate an overall increase in nutrient availability followed by sporadic changes in nutrient availability. These changes in nutrient availability could be associated with the establishment, or increase in strength, of an upwelling cell and/or the increase in nutrients made available via upwelling due to a shoaling of the thermocline.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Rutgers University, 2009. / "Graduate Program in Political Science." Includes bibliographical references (p. 451-456).