Universal Journal of Geoscience Vol. 1(2), pp. 77 - 83
DOI: 10.13189/ujg.2013.010206
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Geomagnetic Signature of the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006 Over Africa and the Comprehensive Model Prediction

Elvis V Onovughe^1,2,*
1 Department of Earth Sciences, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Delta State, Nigeria
² Earth & Ocean Sciences, School of Environmental Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3GP, United Kingdom

ABSTRACT

Minute values of all three geomagnetic field components X, Y, Z (north-south, east-west and vertically downward components respectively) were taken from four observatories in Africa (Bangui, Mbour and Tamarraset) and South Atlantic (Ascension Island) during the total solar eclipse and analysed. Results were compared with the Comprehensive Model (CM4) to see whether the model was able to reasonably predict the observatory data during the eclipse – or does the modification of the geomagnetic field at ground level as a result of the ionosphere being shielded from the Sun’s heating and ionization radiation during the eclipse provides constraints for the model? Results show pronounced eclipse feature at Tamarraset, with a decrease of about 20nT in X component and an increase of 5nT in Y component. The model was also able to reasonably predict the observatory data at Tamarraset – doing very well in Y and Z components compared to X. No significant effect was noticed in Bangui, Mbour and Ascension Island. The model did a fairly good job predicting the data at Bangui and Mbour but not so well at Ascension Island

KEYWORDS
Geomagnetic Field Components, Total Solar Eclipse, Comprehensive Model, CM4

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Elvis V Onovughe , "Geomagnetic Signature of the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006 Over Africa and the Comprehensive Model Prediction," Universal Journal of Geoscience, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 77 - 83, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/ujg.2013.010206.

(b). APA Format:
Elvis V Onovughe (2013). Geomagnetic Signature of the Total Solar Eclipse of 29 March 2006 Over Africa and the Comprehensive Model Prediction. Universal Journal of Geoscience, 1(2), 77 - 83. DOI: 10.13189/ujg.2013.010206.