The Role of Geomagnetic Anomalies in the O+ Concentration Distribution Considering the Seasonal Position of the Sun according to the Data from the Meteor-M Complex

Abstract

This paper presents an analysis of the mass spectrometry measurement data for the ion composition of the upper atmosphere at altitudes of 810–830 km. A radio frequency mass spectrometer RIMS was mounted on the Meteor-M 1 and 2 spacecraft that were launched in 2009 and 2014. The measurements were carried out by the contact method. The analysis of the seasonal data from January 1, 2016, to January 1, 2017, reveals a seasonal variation in the oxygen ion concentration associated with the Sun’s position. An increase in the O⁺ concentration for the South Pole and a decrease for the North Pole are observed in the regions of magnetic anomalies. The greatest increase in the ion concentration is detected in the region of the Brazilian magnetic anomaly. There are also minor increases in the O⁺ concentration that can be associated with the North American Anomaly over Yellowstone National Park.