Validation of B2bot in the NeQuick model during high solar activity at Hainan station Original Research Article

NeQuick ionospheric electron density model, which has been developed to version 2, produces the full electron density profile in the ionosphere. Each part of the profile is modeled using Epstein layer formalism. Simple empirical relations are used to compute the thicknesses of each layer. In order to validate the B2bot parameter in the NeQuick model during high solar activity, we use the data at Hainan, China (109.1°E, 19.5°N; Geomagnetic coordinates: 178.95°E, 8.1°N), measured with DPS-4, and study the diurnal and seasonal variations of B2bot, ΔB2 (B2best − B2NeQuick 2) and the seasonal median values of B2best/B2NeQuick 2 at that region. The results show that, (1) The differences between B2best and B2NeQuick 2 have diurnal and seasonal variations. (2) The diurnal variations of B2NeQuick 2 are smaller than those of B2best. (3) Generally, except for early morning the experimental values are properly reproduced. (4) Generally, during morning the NeQuick model has an underestimation. The magnitude of underestimation varies with LT and season.