Investigation in the Variations of Ionospheric f₀F₂ due to Sunspot Numbers over Wakkanai using EDA Technique
Pages 418-425

Muzammil Mushtaq Hussain, Syed Nazeer Alam and Faisal Ahmed Khan Afridi
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1927-5129.2017.13.69

Published: 11 August 2017

Abstract: In this research article, the authors have implemented the Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) techniques to examine the deviation of the monthly median noon and midnight values of the critical frequency of F₂ layer ionosphere (i.e. f₀F₂) at the Wakkanai station (45.39°N, 141.68°E), Japan, during sunspot cycle 21^st (1976-1986) and 23^rd (1996-2008). Primarily, univariate analysis has been done, which shows the variations in f₀F₂ at different local times, seasons and in the range of sunspot numbers (SSN), in which winter and semi-annual anomalies are detected in the months of December and March respectively. Secondly, the regression analysis is being used as a bivariate data analysis. The results proved a significantly nonlinear relationship exists between f₀F₂ and SSN. In both solar cycles, saturation effects are seen in the month of March during the noontime period and immensely in June during the midnight time. The behavior of the ionosphere has been studied for different latitudes, seasonal effects and sunspot dynamic conditions, in which this paper plays an essential role in it.

Keywords: Sunspot number, Ionosphere, f₀F₂, Winter anomaly, Semi-annual anomaly, Saturation effect.

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