Atmospheric Gravity and Acoustic Waves as Drivers of Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances

Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs) are an important group of Space Weather phenomena in the ionosphere-thermosphere (IT) system. These wavelike structures in ionospheric plasma density can interfere over-the-horizon radar operations and induce plasma instabilities that result in GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) scintillations. TIDs are primarily triggered through collisional coupling between ionospheric plasma and the fluid perturbations of waves in the neutral thermosphere. This coupling is facilitated by acoustic waves and Atmospheric Gravity Waves (AGWs) originating from earth’s surface and the lower atmosphere. Additionally, TIDs are generated through magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling mechanisms (including Joule heating and particle precipitation) and ionospheric processes such as E-F-region coupling and the Perkins instability. They can also transmit electric fields to the magnetically conjugate ionosphere through ionospheric dynamo processes. The characteristics of TIDs, shape, wavelength, and period, provide vital insights into the underlying atmospheric perturbations and their origins.

This Research Topic aims to explore the multifaceted nature of TIDs and their fundamental drivers through a variety of research approaches, including observational, theoretical, simulation, and advanced AI/ML techniques.

To gather further insights in understanding TIDs and their interactions, we welcome original research papers, reviews, or perspective articles articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Mechanisms of TID generation, propagation, evolution, and dissipation.
• Contribution of TIDs to atmospheric and/or ionospheric dynamics.
• The types of atmospheric perturbations that give rise to TIDs.
• Impact and role of ionospheric processes generating TIDs and shaping their characteristics.
• TIDs as indicators and diagnostic of natural or anthropogenic energetic processes.
• Impact of TIDs on radio frequency (RF) signals.

Articles on these themes will contribute significantly to a more comprehensive understanding of TIDs within space weather science.




Dr. Scott A. Thaller and Dr. Anastasia Newheart are employed as Research Scientists by Orion Space Solutions, owned by Arcfieldby. All other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regards to the Research Topic subject.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (TIDs), Space Weather, Atmospheric Gravity Waves, Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling, Plasma Instabilities, Atmospheric Acoustic Waves, Natural and Anthropogenic Hazard Detection, Ionospheric irregularities

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.