Study of Ionospheric F2 Layer Characteristics at Low, Mid and High Latitudes

In the present study we have investigated the characteristics of ionospheric F2 layer during the May month of 2010 at low, mid and high latitudes. We have selected six ionosonde station two in each low, mid and high latitude regions. To characterize the behavior of ionospheric F2 layer we have selected three F2 layer characteristic parameters namely foF2 and hMF2 taken by ionosonde measurements at the respective ionosonde stations. From our analysis we found that the storm time and daily variability (quiet time) of all the important ionospheric parameters showed much strong changes either at mid latitudes or at low latitudes. The high latitude ionosphere undergoes only slight deviations. At the same time the effect of storms on foF2 is strongest at mid latitudes followed by high latitudes and then low latitudes. The daily variability of hmF2 remains almost same at all latitudes. The effect of geomagnetic storms on hmF2 is also not much pronounced. The hmF2 was found to be an important parameter that undergoes strongest changes during geomagnetic active condition.