Dr. DM Moeketsi
Tel: 021 658 3961
E-mail: dmoeketsi@csir.ac.za

This research group investigates the effects of space weather, including as solar flares and geomagnetic storms, on the plasmasphere-ionosphere system parameters over Southern Africa with increasing activities of solar cycle 24. The study will utilise existing regional models primed with data from local networks of a dual-frequency Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and the ground-based ionospheric sounders, and various international geostationary satellite and spacecraft. The research will contribute to further understanding the impact of space-weather triggered phenomena on the plasmaspheric-ionospheric ionization over southern Africa. In the context of the national space weather programme initiatives, the research will provide information which could lead to near real-time operational products (e.g. Figure 1. TEC map of South Africa) to benefit a range of single-frequency users. The current computational resources at the CHPC provide a unique platform and capabilities for large data storage, processing and computations which is required for near real-time ionospheric TEC monitoring operations. The research is performed in collaboration with local and international space weather research institutes.