Developing a GPS TEC mapping service over Canada

Abstract

Understanding space weather phenomena in near real time can be challenging without the proper access to data sources. Space weather nowcasts and forecasts require timely dissemination of products relevant to end‐users. A process has been developed to routinely map total electron content (TEC) estimated from GPS observations over Canada. This technique implements spherical cap harmonic analysis to interpolate vertical estimates on a standardized mapping grid that can be compared with other types of data to understand the evolution of processes in the ionosphere. The service can also provide an estimate of positioning errors encountered by Global Navigation Satellite Systems users that are associated with ionospheric TEC.