Theoretical simulation of O+ and H+ concentrations obtained by the indian SROSS C2 satellite in the topside F-region and comparison with the IRI Original Research Article

A time dependent model is used to calculate the O+ and H+ ion density distribution in the Indian low latitude topside ionosphere within ±15° geomagnetic latitude. The calculations are performed along magnetic field lines from a base altitude of 120km in the Northern Hemisphere to the same altitude in the Southern Hemisphere for solar minimum equinoctial conditions. The simulated O+ and H+ values are compared with observations made from Indian SROSS C2 satellite at an altitude of ∼500km over India during solar minimum (1995–1996) equinoctial conditions and with predictions made by the IRI. It is found that the modelled O+ and H+ concentrations are in reasonable accord with SROSS C2 observations. The H+ concentrations obtained from the IRI are comparatively higher than the observed and modelled values. However, in case of O+ the IRI values are in conformity with the model and data.