Solar cosmic ray effects in the lower ionosphere
The polar cap absorption (PCA) events are the most remarkable geophysical phenomena in the high latitude ionosphere. Their effects are extended on the whole polar region in both hemispheres. The PCA events are caused by the intense fluxes of the solar cosmic rays (SCR) which are generated by the solar proton flares. Entering into the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere the SCR fluxes create excessive anomal ionization at the ionospheric heights of 50 to 100 km which exceeds usual undisturbed level of ionization in several orders of magnitude. The PCA events can be considered as catastrophic in relation to the polar ionosphere because all radio systems using ionospheric radio channels ceased to operate during these events. On the other hand the abnormally high level of ionization in the ionospheric D region during the PCA events create excellent opportunities to conduct fruitful aeronomical research for the lower ionosphere. Obvious scientific and practical importance of the PCA events leads to publishing of special PCA catalogues. The ionospheric effects caused by the SCR fluxes were profoundly described in the classical paper (Bailey, 1964). Nevertheless several aspects of this problem were not studied properly. An attempt is made to clarify these questions.