Analysis and Studies of Radio Tomographic Data Taken at a Low Latitude Chain of Stations

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Tomographic techniques, applied to ionospheric imaging, have provided many simulation studies to learn the nature of artifacts when reconstructions are based on imperfect data. Scientists have also developed techniques to use subsidiary ionospheric information to increase the accuracy of reconstructions. Finally, validation measurements have enhanced confidence in these tomographic techniques. These data, though, have been obtained mainly in campaign mode; hence, they aren't suitable for long-term behavior studies, needed to improve understanding of ionospheric weather. One chain, known as the Low-latitude Ionospheric Tomography Network (LITN), covers the whole northern equatorial anomaly region. The PI now gleans a set of LITN data, showing prominently the equatorial anomaly. This feature, changing day by day, moves to a lower geomagnetic latitude with altitude, demonstrating typical equatorial ionospheric weather. The anomaly is tied intimately to the dynamo electric field through a fountain effect, so the PI can also study this phenomenon. In all, mining the LITN database is enhancing understanding of equatorial region ionospheric weather.