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Geophysical Center of Dourbes

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You are here: Geophysical Center of Dourbes » Research » Division Ionospheric Profiles

Section "Ionosphere"

I. Background

The ionosphere is the inner part of the upper atmosphere, extending from about 50 km to 1000-2000 km altitude, which is being ionised by the solar radiation. The major part of the ionisation is produced by solar X-ray and ultraviolet radiation and by corpuscular radiation from the Sun. In the ionosphere, free electrons occur in sufficient density to have an appreciable influence on the propagation of radio frequency electromagnetic waves. The ionospheric plasma consists of mostly H+ and He+ ions above 1000 km, O+ ions from 300 to 500 km, and molecular ions (NO+, O2+, N2+) below 200 km. Total ion densities (= electron density) range from 10^8 to 10^13 m^-3.

The ionosphere plays an important role in radio wave propagation. The modern-day society uses sophisticated technological systems relying on the emission and reception of radio waves: ground-to-ground and ground-to-space telecommunications, Global Navigation Satellite Systems - GNSS (such as GPS, Galileo), radars, etc. A disturbed ionosphere can strongly affect the performance of such technological systems and it is, therefore, important to monitor and model the ionospheric activity and its effects.

 

The atmosphere-ionosphere relationship

II. Main activities

The focus is on :

  • Research on Ionosphere/Space Weather
  • Monitoring and modeling the ionosphere/space weather activity
  • Monitoring and modeling the ionosphere/space weather effects on radio communications and GNSS-based positioning/navigation
  • Monitoring the cosmic rays intensity


For the purpose, several instruments are available at the RMI Geophysical Center in Dourbes.

 

III. Main products and services

Various products and services are being developed for different users, both national and international, in particular for users of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). These products and services are available via the section's R&D website:

http://ionosphere.meteo.be 

 

IV. Research projects

The section participates in various national and international research projects supported by BELSPO (Belgian Science Policy Office),  ESA (European Space Agency), GSA (GNSS Supervising Authority), etc.

List of recent projects

 

V - Instruments

Digisonde-4D and the transmit antenna

Neutron detector

GPS receiver

In the frame of its scientific research activities, the section is responsible for the operation of various instruments installed at the Geophysical Center of Dourbes:

  • an ionosonde (Lowell Digisonde-4D) monitoring the main ionospheric characteristics
  • a neutron monitor for cosmic ray monitoring
  • GNSS receivers for monitoring ionospheric scintillations and total electron content (TEC)
 

VI. Contact

Dr. S. Stankov  (Head of Section)

Tel. : +32 (0)60 3954 27
Fax : +32 (0)60 3954 23
E-mail : S.Stankov@meteo.be