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Transionospheric Radio Link - Forecast TEC maps


Forecast vertical Total Electron Content (TEC) map,
provided by Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center (IMPC), DLR.

The service "Transionospheric Radio Link - Forecast TEC maps" provides maps of the forecasted Total Electron Content (TEC). Currently, these maps show TEC one hour ahead. Developments are planned to extend the lead time and also consider storm times.

Supplementary, geomagnetic indices are provided to this service. These indices indicate quiet and disturbed levels. On the one hand, this can be used to consider the accuracy of the TEC forecast. On the other hand, it can be used as input for the TEC forecast models.

This service addresses the needs of trans-ionospheric radio links users. This includes primarily Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) users and service providers, using GNSS single frequency services (e.g. EGNOS users and typical GNSS mass market users), GNSS multi-frequency services (e.g. aeronautical systems, geodetic users, Real-Time Kinematik) and users of satellite data communications (e.g. Search and Rescue, Air Traffic, etc.) and other space-based services affected by the ionosphere (e.g. radars, altimetry, radioastronomy, etc.).

This service is implemented through a combination of products, tools and alerts which can be found through the following tabs along with expert support provided by the teams constituting the SWE Network. Should you require further guidance in the use of this service, or have specific questions about any aspects of the service presented here, don’t hesitate to contact the Helpdesk.

The service is implemented through the following set of assets:

  • Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center (IMPC) provided by the German Aerospace Center (DLR);
  • Ionospheric Scintillation Monitoring (ISM) developed by Collecte Localisation Satellites (CLS) and IEEA.

This service page is curated by the ESC Ionospheric Weather. For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk.

Overview

While many applications already estimate the impact of the ionosphere, forecasts for ionospheric conditions are still relevant for mission planning. Up to now, there is only a limited number of Total Electron Content (TEC) forecasts available, because its development is challenging.

The ionosphere is a very dynamic medium. The electron density depends on production, loss and transport of plasma. Therefore, the variability of the TEC depends strongly on the solar EUV radiation. But also the variability of the thermosphere is a crucial component. Furthermore, geomagnetic conditions have to be considered. Especially during storm conditions, when all components are disturbed, the TEC is hardly predictable.

Application

Forecast TEC maps are relevant for mission planning.

Key Products

IMPC - TEC forecast, 1 hour ahead

This service provides TEC forecasts one hour ahead with global coverage and for the European region. Both products are derived from the Ionosphere Monitoring and Prediction Center (IMPC) - Near-real-time TEC maps, which differ in their TEC background models.

ISM - TEC forecast, 6 hours ahead

DC-IV Ionospheric Scintillation Monitoring service (ISM) provides TEC modelized maps with 6-hour forecast along with error maps. The 6 hour TEC forecast is provided in worldwide and continental maps and error maps of TEC, based on GISM model and assimilated data from dedicated scintillation receivers (MONITOR) and geodetic GNSS receivers (IGS, SOPAC, CORS).

Other Ionospheric Forecasts

In addition of TEC, information about forecasted peak electron density can be derived from ionosonde measurements. The European Ionosonde Service (EIS) therefore provides European maps of foF2 for 24 hours and up to 3 month ahead.

Forecast of Solar Data

Forecast of solar data help to predict the ionosphere. Currently, forecasts of the solar microwave index (F10.7) is provided by Solar Influence Data Center (SIDC). F10.7 can be applied as a proxy for Extreme Ultra Violet (EUV) radiation. There is a high correlation between F10.7 and the TEC. Furthermore, SIDC and RCAAM provide forecasts of solar flares.

Geomagnetic conditions forecast

Forecasts of geomagnetic storm conditions have the potential to improve ionospheric forecast. IRF provides time derivative of magnetic field (dB/dt).

Contact

For further information, please contact SSCC Helpdesk

The following products are associated with this service:

Total Electron Content Maps, Forecast

Vertical Total Electron Content Map
  • TEC map (Europe), 1hr forecast
     IMPC
  • TEC map (Global), 1hr forecast
     IMPC
3D Electron Density Grids

    Total Electron Content Maps, Nowcast

    Vertical Total Electron Content Map
    • TEC map (Europe), current
       IMPC
    • TEC map (Global), current
       IMPC
    • VTEC maps (Northern Europe)
       RTIM
    • IONMON TEC maps
       IONMON
    • EIS Near real-time TEC maps for the European region
       EIS
    • TEC and Err(TEC) nowcast modelled maps
       ISM
    • TEC and Err(TEC) nowcast modelled values at a given location
       ISM
    3D Electron Density Grids
    • TomoScand3D
       FMI
    • TomoScand2D
       FMI

    Other Ionosphere Forecasts

    URSI Ionospheric Parameters
    • EIS European maps of foF2 long term predictions
       EIS
    • EIS Maps of forecasted foF2 over Europe for the next 24 hours
       EIS
    • EIS Forecasted foF2 values for the next 24 hours over each ionosonde
       EIS
    Scintillation Indices and Parameters
    • S4 and Err(S4) 6-hour forecast modelled maps
       ISM
    • SigmaPhi and Err(SigmaPhi) 6-hour forecast modelled maps
       ISM
    • S4 and Err(S4) 6h forecast modelled values at a given location
       ISM
    • SigmaPhi and Err(SigmaPhi) 6h forecast modelled values at a given location
       ISM

    Forecast of Solar data

    Solar Flares
    • FLARECAST Solar flare forecast
    • FLARECAST Solar flare forecast
    • A-EFFort Solar flare forecast
    • A-EFFort Solar flare forecast
    • SIDC Latest Solar flare forecast
    • SIDC Solar flare forecast archive
    • SIDC Latest daily space weather bulletin
    • SIDC Daily space weather bulletin archive
    • UKMO Latest Solar flare forecast
       UKMO
    Smoothed Sunspot Number (SSN, R12)
    • SIDC/SILSO Latest sunspot number forecast
    • SIDC/SILSO Sunspot number forecast archive
    10.7cm Solar Radio Flux (F10.7)
    • SIDC Latest 10.7cm Solar radio flux (F10.7) forecast
    • SIDC 10.7cm Solar radio flux (F10.7) forecast archive
    • F10.7 Index Forecast 27-day/BGS
       FORIND
    • F10.7 Index Forecast multi-year
       FORIND
    • F10.7 Index Forecast 27-day/SWPC
       FORIND
    • F10.7 Index Forecast 45-day
       FORIND
    • F10.7 Index Forecast 30-day Absolute
       FORIND
    • F10.7 Index Forecast 30-day Adjusted
       FORIND
    Solar X-ray Flux
      Solar EUV Integrated Flux
        Solar UV Flux

          Forecast of Vector measurements of local geomagnetic field

          Local External Magnetic Field on Ground
          • Forecasts of dB/dt
             IRF
          Local Geomagnetic Induced Geoelectric Field

            Tools associated with this service:

            SWE Data is a web application that provides access to a wide range of Space Weather related data sources covering the areas of the spacecraft, ionospheric, and ground effects. SWE Data allows the user to access all data contained in the repository providing analysis and visualisation tools from these disparate sources.

            Alerts associated with this service:

            Ionospheric Disturbance Detection

            EIS Alerts for ionospheric disturbances in the European sector

             EIS

            This section provides links to web pages or resources that are not part of the ESA Space Weather Network or esa.int domain. These sites are not under ESA control and therefore ESA is not responsible for any of the information or links that you may find there.

            Other European Ionosphere Services

            Reference documents

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