In this paper, we present (i) the comparison of a solution accuracy of an inverse VLF problem for very low frequency (VLF) wave propagation (10–16 kHz) in the “Earth – sporadic Ds layer of atmosphere ionization” as estimated by three different methods of eiganvalue calculation and (ii) an estimation of latitude uncertainty for the equatorward (southern) boundary of Ultra-energetic Relativistic Electron (URE) precipitations into the middle polar atmosphere. The uncertainty for 1982–1987 years was caused by the different years, seasons, months, hours of daytime and electric conductivities of ground surface. Sporadic Ds layer was caused by the URE precipitations with the electron energies about 100 MeV into the polar region of atmosphere with a geographical latitude range 63–67 N degrees. The results of application of new accurate generalized Schumann (GS) method and of the approximate variation moment (VM) method used for an eigenvalue problem were compared with the results of another accurate method in which the Ricatti nonlinear equation (RNLE) was used. Comparison has been performed for the values of one (main) eigenvalue of a transversal operator for the corresponding model waveguide and for the determined positions of the URE precipitation equatorward boundary, the eigenvalue was being a function of the disturbance time. This comparison provides an estimation which method is preferable during simultaneous observations and analysis of a geophysical disturbance. In the second part of the study, the influence of the electrical conductivity in the waveguide model on the accuracy of equatorward boundary determination for the 16 kHz radio path “England – Kola peninsula” was analyzed, based on the data from the fixed location of two sources (in North Norway and in England) and a receiver (on Kola Peninsula) of the radio signal. It was shown that the uncertainty introduced by different values of the ground conductivity was 2–3 times less than the differences in the boundary position between different events under study.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)186-193
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics
Volume182
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2019

    Research areas

  • 100 MeV electron precipitation, Eigenvalue problem, Electric conductivity, Equatorward (southern) boundary of precipitation, Generalized Schumann method, Ground surface, Polar middle atmosphere, Sporadic ionospheric layer, Variation moment method, Very low frequencies

    Scopus subject areas

  • Geophysics
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Space and Planetary Science

ID: 39946057