Hong Kong Observatory Monitoring Ionospheric Scintillation

Hong Kong Observatory Monitoring Ionospheric Scintillation

LAM Ming-chun

In March 2025, the Observatory installed a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver that operates at a high sampling rate of 50 times per second at King’s Park to monitor ionospheric scintillation in real-time. Ionospheric scintillation is the phenomenon caused by irregularities in electron density within the ionosphere, resulting in rapid fluctuations in signal intensity and phase, which affects satellite positioning systems. This phenomenon is influenced by solar activity, seasonal changes and geographic location, etc., and most prominent between sunset and midnight in low-latitude regions. The Observatory will continue to optimise the ionospheric scintillation monitoring system and use real-time monitoring data to enhance space weather related services, including support for drone-based low-altitude economy activities in Hong Kong. Please visit Observatory’s Blog for more detailed information.

The GNSS receiver at King’s Park Meteorological Station for ionospheric scintillation monitoring.