Speaker
Description
The geomagnetic storm that began on May 10$^{th}$, 2024 — commonly referred to as the “Mother’s Day” or “Gannon” storm — was the strongest in decades, producing global auroral displays and major space weather impacts.
This study presents a detailed analysis of GNSS signal scintillation in the Arctic (50°–85°N, 160°W–40°E), combining multi-instrument datasets to examine both physical drivers and user-level impacts.
We analyze phase and amplitude scintillation indices from dense high-latitude GNSS receiver networks, supported by ionospheric convection patterns from the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) and current estimates from multiple ground magnetometer arrays.
Positioning performance is assessed for real-time kinematic (RTK) GNSS services in Tromsø (~70°N), with results showing that high-accuracy positioning was severely degraded — becoming practically unusable for up to 37 consecutive hours.
Spatial and temporal patterns of scintillation are mapped across the region, with clear links to the auroral oval, the tongue of ionization, and mesoscale current systems.
Scintillation was observed within both the eastward and westward electrojets, though it was not a constant feature. Activity in the eastward electrojet showed a slight preference for the poleward edge of the current system. Additionally, periods of strong field-aligned currents were sometimes associated with enhanced scintillation, suggesting complex electrodynamic coupling. As part of ongoing research-to-operations efforts, this analysis integrates GNSS data with supporting observations to contextualize the role of plasma structuring and total electron content (TEC) gradients. These findings inform the development of operational products such as real-time TEC and scintillation impact maps, regional ionospheric classification layers, and prototype GNSS risk indices to support PNT and communication users in high-latitude environments.
This work highlights the value of a multi-sensor approach in understanding and mitigating GNSS vulnerabilities during space weather events. It also demonstrates the potential for using real-time data from ground-based sources to improve Arctic ionospheric situational awareness. By linking scintillation behavior to electrodynamic drivers and user impacts, this study provides one of the most complete overviews of Arctic ionospheric conditions during the May 2024 storm and supports the design of future Arctic monitoring and early warning systems.
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