IRI-2001 model predictions compared with ionospheric data observed at Brazilian low latitude stations

Abstract. In this work, the F-region critical frequency (foF2) and peak height (hmF2) measured by digital ionosondes at two Brazilian low-latitude stations, namely Palmas (10.17° S, 48.20° W, dip –10.80°) and São José dos Campos (23.20° S, 45.86° W, dip –38.41°), are compared with the IRI-2001 model predictions. The comparison at the latter station shows quite a reasonable agreement for both parameters. The former station exhibits a better agreement for hmF2 than for foF2. In general, the model generates good results, although some improvements are still necessary to implement in order to obtain better simulations for equatorial ionospheric regions.