Modeling the Oct 2023 and Apr 2024 Eclipses with SAMI3

Total solar eclipses provide an important and unique opportunity to better understand the dynamics of the ionosphere subject to the rapid spatial and temporal variation of the solar EUV radiation. Aside from extensive observational data that can be acquired during an eclipse, sophisticated computer models are also invaluable in quantifying their impact on the earth’s ionosphere. We present simulation results of the effects of eclipses on the ionosphere using the ionosphere/plasmasphere model SAMI3. We present results for the October 14, 2023 and April 8, 2024 eclipses. Preliminary simulations of the October 14, 2023 eclipse suggest large-scale equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) may be generated by the eclipse after sunset. In the attached figure, the top panel is the total electron content (TEC) for October 14, 2023 with no eclipse occurring and the bottom panel is with the eclipse occurring. A large EPB has developed over the Atlantic sector. We will compare these results to observations made by the NASA GOLD satellite mission.