Speaker
Level for award<br> (Hons, MSc, <br> PhD)?
MSc
Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?
Yes
Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution
Prof. Michael Inggs, mikings@gmail.com, Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Cape Town
Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> award (Yes / No)?
Yes
Abstract content <br> (Max 300 words)<br><a href="http://events.saip.org.za/getFile.py/access?resId=0&materialId=0&confId=34" target="_blank">Formatting &<br>Special chars</a>
Lightning data from World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) and GPS data
from Trignet have been analysed to ascertain the influence of lightning on total electron
content (TEC) in the F2 region of the ionosphere over southern Africa. In this study,
data from four dual frequency GPS reference stations in regions with different lightning
activity levels within South Africa have been used. The analysis reveal periods of TEC en-
hancement between 3-12 TECU on geomagnetic “quiet” days which correspond to periods
of intense lightning activity in the regions. One of the hypotheses for this link between
atmospheric weather and ionospheric activity is that the enhancement of TEC is caused
by the infiltration of energy dissipated by lightning discharges in the troposphere into the
F2 region.
