EFFECT OF FLUCTUATING GEOMAGNETIC ACTIVITY ON THE TEC DURING SOLAR CYCLE 24: CORRELATIONS WITH F10.7 SOLAR INDICES, EUV AND COSMIC RAYS AT THE KOUDOUGOU GPS STATION

This study examines the response of total electron content (TEC) to solar and geomagnetic activity at the Koudougou station (Lat 12° 15'N; Long: -2°20' E) (Burkina Faso), focusing on periods of fluctuating activity during solar cycle 24. The data covers the period 2009-2017 and includes F10.7 solar indices, EUV and cosmic rays. The approach is based on a fine classification of geomagnetic days via the Pixel diagram. In this manuscript, we present the monthly variation of the TEC according to the phases of the solar cycle, in relation to the F10.7 solar fluxes, the EUV, and the cosmic rays. We also examine the dependence of the TEC on solar activity and the impact of geomagnetic activity on it. The results show that the EUV and F10.7 fluxes correlate best with the TEC, particularly during the ascending and maximum phases of the cycle. Conversely, cosmic rays generally show an anti-correlation with the TEC, except during the quiet period at solar maximum. These results underline the significant influence of geomagnetic activity on equatorial ionospheric dynamics and provide essential insights for regional ionospheric forecasting.