This study examines the variability of the ionospheric content during the period around the 2015 Saint Patrick magnetic storm and when equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) are observed during the quiet time over South America during two other events. It uses the ionospheric scales index map based on the disturbance ionospheric index (DIX). The results are compared to the traces of the ionograms obtained at three different ionospheric stations (Fortaleza, Campo Grande, and Cachoeira Paulista) in Brazil acquired in the same period and at the same time rate. The index is based on the TEC map developed at the “Brazilian Studies and Monitoring of Space Weather” (Embrace/INPE). It covers the whole South America (latitudes from 20°N to 60°S and longitudes from 90°W to 30°W) with 0.5° × 0.5° resolution cells (60 × 60 km²). Among the results, the DIX map revealed some patches of “Disturbed” and “Weakly Disturbed” ionospheric conditions during the magnetically quiet time before the storm, which were associated with range and frequency Spread‐F over the same area as observed in ionograms. Also, the information from the southern portion of the dip equator showed a transition from occurrences of Spread‐F prior to sunrise to a condition favorable enough to develop a F3 layer after sunrise.

中文翻译：

---

基于圣帕特里克电磁风暴和EPB期间TEC数据的电离层尺度指数图

这项研究调查了2015年圣帕特里克（St Patrick）磁暴前后以及在南美其他两个事件的平静时间内在赤道观测到的赤道等离子体气泡（EPB）期间电离层含量的变化。它使用基于干扰电离层指数（DIX）的电离层尺度指数图。将结果与在同一时期以相同的时间率在巴西获得的三个不同电离层站（福塔莱萨，大坎普和卡乔埃拉保利斯塔）获得的电离图的迹线进行比较。该指数基于在“巴西空间天气研究与监测”（Embrace / INPE）上开发的TEC地图。它覆盖整个南美（纬度从20°N到60°S，经度从90°W到30°W），分辨率为0.5°×0.5°（60×60 km ²）。在这些结果中，DIX图显示了暴风雨前的磁性静默时间内电离层状况的一些“扰动”和“弱扰动”状态，这与电离图中在同一区域内的范围和频率Spread-F相关。同样，来自垂赤道南部的信息显示，从日出前的Spread-F发生过渡到足以在日出后形成F3层的条件。