This session covers contributions related to fundamental and applied aspects of E- and F-region ionospheric irregularities occurring at equatorial and low latitudes. The session welcomes, in particular, presentations related to studies of ionospheric irregularities associated with the equatorial electrojet, valley region, 150-km echoes, and those associated with equatorial spread F events during geomagnetically quiet and/or disturbed conditions. Presentations related to experimental investigations of the conditions leading to the genesis, development and decay of ionospheric irregularities using ground- and space-based instrumentation are invited. Contributions describing current efforts associated with ongoing and upcoming rocket campaigns, cubesats and new ground-based instruments are encouraged. Finally, the session also welcomes contributions describing new results of numerical modeling efforts towards a better description of ionospheric irregularities, and presentations related to studies of the effects of the turbulent equatorial ionosphere on various applications (GNSS, IRNSS, OTH radars, remote sensing, etc.).

Coupling of the mesosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere (MIT) is a key science issue in the Earth’s upper atmosphere. During geomagnetic quiet times, the coupling mainly occurs though wave motions of various time and spatial scales ranging from sound waves, gravity waves, tides, to planetary waves. This coupling contributes to mesospheric oscillations, thermospheric midnight temperature maximum and ionospheric variabilities, namely, electrojet strength, electron density, sporadic E, equatorial ionization anomaly, and spread F, etc. It is also interesting to see how the dynamics/electrodynamics/composition of this coupled system varies in response to the prompt penetration and disturbance dynamo electric fields caused by the storms. The ionospheric plasmas can also affect dynamics of the thermosphere through the ion drag. These coupling processes also affect the variability of MLT over long-term and show trends with respect to solar activity. In this session, we focus on these various topics related to the mesosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling at low- and mid-latitudes during quiet and disturbed times. We welcome results obtained from recent satellite measurements, ground-based instruments, as well as recent global and regional modeling efforts.

The focus of this session is on space weather effects at low and mid latitudes. Space weather phenomena include electron density gradients which can affect GNSS range solutions; the formation of severe small-scale plasma irregularities which can lead to trans-ionospheric radio wave scintillations that impact aeronautical and marine navigation; atmospheric neutral density perturbations which can impair the accuracy of satellite orbit predictions; and ionospheric currents that can induce ground-electric currents which can impact the electrical grid. Many, but not all of these effects, are generated during geomagnetic storms and substorms and their associated variability of electric fields and neutral density and winds. This session solicits contributions that address processes in the ionosphere and upper atmosphere leading to space weather effects. Works based on observations and/or modeling results as well as contributions that discuss mitigation strategies are highly welcome.

Low-latitude aeronomy is a mature field, however with the advent of new instruments, techniques, satellite missions, improved coupled models, etc., its understanding and corresponding utility for society can be significantly improved. This session will be devoted to ongoing and future perspectives of expected improvements in both basic as well as applied sciences. Topics of this session include: Altitude and latitude coupling as drivers for low latitude dynamics and ionospheric irregularities, extracting new information from existing and improved ground- and satellite-based techniques (e.g., radar imaging, dynamical parameters from network measurements, ICON, GOLD, COSMIC2, Swarm, among others), integrating large datasets (multiple instrument datasets, model output/dataset integration), next-generation numerical models of the coupled geospace system, and meeting the operational needs for space weather predictions. This session will be composed of invited talks. If you feel you can contribute to the session, please contact the conveners.