Replication Data for Ionospheric Effects during the Total Solar Eclipse over Southeast Asia-Pacific on 9 March 2016

We report the results of our experimental investigation on a number of ionospheric effects that were observed during the total solar eclipse over the Southeast Asia-Pacific region on 9 March 2016. In particular, here we discuss a set of experimental observations that reveal a rapid uplift of the ionospheric F-layer during the eclipse, and prompt reduction of ionospheric plasma density in the areas around the eclipse totality. Data from ionosonde measurements at Biak (in eastern part of Indonesia) and Guam (in the Pacific) indicate an upward vertical drift velocity in the range of 21-40 m/s in the ionospheric F-region during the eclipse. Over Biak, foF2 decreased from 10 MHz to 6 MHz (a 40% reduction) during the eclipse. Meanwhile, foF2 over Guam during the eclipse was suppressed for a few hours; lower than the 7-day average normal level by 3 MHz. A comparison with the total electron content (TEC) data from MIT Haystack Observatory's Madrigal Database further confirms the findings from these ionosonde measurements. In addition, observational data from an HF radio link between Biak and Manado (~1300 km apart, cutting across the eclipse totality trajectory) also indicate that the D-region ionosphere had diminished considerably during the solar eclipse. We attribute these eclipse-related ionospheric effects to the interruption of solar photoionization within the eclipse totality, and to the consequential disruption of the background ionospheric current by the localized ionospheric density reduction --- which leads to a build-up of polarization electric field that gives rise to an upward vertical plasma drift.