Multi-Event Analysis of Super Equatorial Plasma Bubbles

Equatorial Plasma Bubbles (EPBs) are one of the most severe space weather phenomena that occur in the ionosphere causing high levels of radio scintillation, which can degrade Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. Due to the increasing use of satellite communication and navigation technology, it is essential to understand the characteristics and space weather impact of EPBs. Recently, EPBs have been suggested to be able to extend towards midlatitudes and are called ‘Super EPBs’; these have the potential to cause major GNSS problems at the midlatitudes, such as deep into the US, which are not generally plagued with high scintillation levels. We present a multi-event analysis exploring the formation and growth of Super EPBs using SWARM and VISTA TEC data. This analysis seeks to answer the question under what solar and geomagnetic conditions do Super EPBs form. In this study, Super EPBs are defined as EPBs that go above 25 degrees or below -25 degrees magnetic latitude. Using SWARM DISC (Data, Innovation, and Science Cluster)-IPIR (Ionospheric Plasma IRregularities) data that characterizes the irregularities and fluctuations of plasma irregularities in their amplitude and gradients (Jin et al., 2019), a fuller picture of the Super EPBs and the conditions during which they occur can be created. From this database, there are 817 EPB labels that can be classified as super EPB. This study will use the SWARM, TEC data, and solar wind data to analyze latitude/longitude, universal time, season, and solar cycle of Super EPBs. Several events will be chosen for an in depth event analysis. This analysis will present a holistic view of the Super EPBs and accompanying statistics, which will aid in our understanding of this new space weather occurrence.