Variation in total electron content with sunspot number during the ascending and maximum phases of solar cycle 24 at Birnin Kebbi

Abstract. Satellite radio signals are affected by the presence of electrons in the earth’s upper atmosphere (ionosphere). The more electrons in the path of the satellite radio signals, the more the impact on the accuracy of satellite navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System (GPS)/ Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and GLONASS. These electrons introduce several meters of error in position calculation. Total Electron Content (TEC) is used to monitor possible space weather impacts on satellite to ground communication and satellite navigation. TEC is modified in the ionosphere by changing solar Extreme Ultra-Violet (EUV) radiation, geomagnetic storms, and the atmospheric waves that propagate up from the lower atmosphere. Therefore, TEC depends on local time, latitude, longitude, season, geomagnetic conditions, solar cycle activity, and condition of the troposphere. A dual frequency GPS receiver located at an equatorial station, Birnin-Kebbi in Northern Nigeria (geographic location: 12.64° N; 4.22° E), has been used to investigate variation of TEC during the period of 2011 to 2014. We investigate the diurnal, seasonal and solar cycle dependence of GPS-TEC. The result shows that TEC increases from a minimum at 0400 local time (LT) to maximum daytime peak between 1300–1600 LT and then decreases to a minimum value after sunset for all the years. Slight post-noon peaks in the daytime maximum and post-sunset decrease and enhancement is observed in some months. We observed that TEC were higher in the equinoxes than the solstices only in 2012. Where as in 2011, September equinox and December solstice recorded higher magnitude followed by March equinox and lowest in June solstice. In 2013, December solstice magnitude was highest, followed by the equinoxes and lowest in June solstice. In 2014, March equinox and December solstice magnitude were higher than September equinox and June solstice magnitude. June solstice consistently recorded the lowest values for all the years.