A Study of Daytime L-Band Scintillation in Association With Sporadic E Along the Magnetic Dip Equator

In this paper, we present a comprehensive study of occurrence of L-band scintillation in association with the appearance of sporadic E (Es) along the magnetic dip equator during daytime in 2013. The presence of L-band scintillation was determined from signals collected with GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) ground-based Scintillation Network Decision Aid receivers from five stations situated at the magnetic dip equator. The detection and analysis of Es layers were obtained from GNSS FORMOSAT-3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (F3/C) radio occultation (RO) data. Combining ground-based data with the limb-viewing geometry from space provides a unique opportunity to retrieve complementary information about scintillation and association with equatorial E region irregularities (i.e., Es) during daytime. Results for the first time show that daytime scintillation does occur at the magnetic dip equator and the occurrence is associated with the appearance of Es observed using GNSS F3/C RO data.