Ionospheric Observations during the 14 Oct 2023 Annual Eclipse

A solar eclipse triggers a sudden reduction in the solar irradiation reaching Earth's atmosphere. This impact significantly affects both photoabsorption by neutral constituents, which warms the atmosphere, and photoionization in the upper atmosphere, which generates the ionosphere. Consequently, ionospheric responses occur across a range of spatiotemporal scales. Contemporary investigations into the effects of the eclipse on the ionosphere place considerable emphasis on research beyond local and regional responses, encompassing broader-scale fluctuations with global ramifications. In this presentation, we present the preliminary analysis of observations made during the annual eclipse on October 14, 2023. The primary focus lies on GNSS TEC (Total Electron Content) observations across the continental US and South America. We will examine TEC responses within regions under the moon's umbra and penumbra, estimating percentage variations from midlatitudes to lower latitudes. We will also explore corresponding regions in the conjugate hemisphere. We will further analyze into the Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) along the path of the eclipse and investigate their sources of disturbance.