A review of atmospheric gravity waves and travelling ionospheric disturbances: 1982-1995

Recent investigations of atmospheric gravity waves (AGW) and travelling ionospheric disturbances (TID) in the Earth’s thermosphere and ionosphere are reviewed. In the past decade, the generation of gravity waves at high latitudes and their subsequent propagation to low latitudes have been studied by several global model simulations and coordinated observation campaigns such as the Worldwide Atmospheric Gravity-wave Study (WAGS), the results are presented in the first part of the review. The second part describes the progress towards understanding the AGW/TID characteristics. It points to the AGW/TID relationship which has been recently revealed with the aid of model-data comparisons and by the application of new inversion techniques. We describe the morphology and climatology of gravity waves and their ionospheric manifestations, TIDs, from numerous new observations.     

The spatial structure of the dayside ionospheric trough

Tomographic imaging provides a powerful technique for obtaining images of the spatial distribution of ionospheric electron density at polar latitudes. The method, which involves monitoring radio transmissions from the Navy Navigation Satellite System at a meridional chain of ground receivers, has particular potential for complementing temporal measurements by other observing techniques such as the EISCAT incoherent-scatter radar facility. Tomographic reconstructions are presented here from a two-week campaign in November 1995 that show large-scale structuring of the polar ionosphere. Measurements by the EISCAT radar confirm the authenticity of the technique and provide additional information of the plasma electron and ion temperatures. The dayside trough, persistently observed at high latitudes during a geomagnetically quiet period but migrating to lower latitudes with increasing activity, is discussed in relationship to the pattern of the polarcap convection.     

顾及电离层变化的层析反演新算法

区别于以往GPS电离层层析研究主要关注迭代模型的思路,本文从两方面入手提高GPS电离层层析迭代算法的反演精度:一方面,顾及传统电离层层析迭代模型仅与对电子密度误差起放大作用的GPS射线截距权重相关的不足,提出考虑层析像素格网中的电子密度对GPS TEC的贡献建立新的迭代模型,在不同电子密度像素格网内重新分配GPS TEC实测值与其反演值之间的差距;另一方面,顾及电离层层析迭代算法中松弛因子对反演结果的影响,提出考虑电子密度变化构造新的松弛因子,抑制传播噪声对电子密度反演精度的影响.实验结果显示,相对于传统代数重构算法(ART),新方法反演的电离层电子密度剖面更接近于电离层测高仪观测的电子密度剖面,提高了电子密度反演精度.     

磁层-电离层-热层耦合的模式计算和分析

对磁层-电离层电动耦合和电离层发电机两种效应进行了模式计算,并对所得的一些耦合现象作了综合讨论.结果表明,在中低纬和赤道区的电离层和地磁研究中必须考虑磁层-电离层耦合效应向中低纬区的穿透和屏蔽;潮汐发电机效应对极光区（电导率增高时）的作用也值得重视.这两效应的特征和相对重要性随磁暴的发展阶段而异,在高低纬区也各不相同,但都有明显的晨昏不对称性.此外,弱磁扰对中低纬电离层形态的影响也不容忽视.     

Specification and forecasting of scintillations in communication/navigation links: current status and future plans

The ionosphere often becomes turbulent and develops electron density irregularities. These irregularities scatter radio waves to cause amplitude and phase scintillation and affect satellite communication and GPS navigation systems. The effects are most intense in the equatorial region, moderate at high latitudes and minimum at middle latitudes. The thermosphere and the ionosphere seem to internally control the generation of irregularities in the equatorial region and its forcing by solar transients is an additional modulating factor. On the other hand, the irregularity generation mechanisms in the high-latitude ionosphere seem to be driven by magnetospheric processes and, therefore, high-latitude scintillations can be tracked by following the trail of energy from the sun in the form of solar flares and coronal mass ejections. The development of a global specification and forecast system for scintillation is needed in view of our increased reliance on space-based communication and navigation systems, which are vulnerable to ionospheric scintillation. Such scintillation specification systems are being developed for the equatorial region. An equatorial satellite equipped with an appropriate suite of sensors, capable of detecting ionospheric irregularities and tracking the drivers that control the formation of ionospheric irregularities, has also been planned for the purpose of specifying and forecasting equatorial scintillations. In the polar region, scintillation specification and forecast systems are yet to emerge although modeling and observations of polar cap plasma structures, their convection and associated irregularities have advanced greatly in recent years. Global scintillation observations made during the S-RAMP Space Weather Month in September 1999 are currently being analyzed to study the effects of magnetic storms on communication and navigation systems.     

Automated daily process for global ionospheric total electron content maps and satellite ocean altimeter ionospheric calibration based on Global Positioning System data

The accuracy of single-frequency ocean altimeters benefits from calibration of the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere below the satellite. Data from a global network of Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers provides timely, continuous, and globally well-distributed measurements of ionospheric electron content. For several months we have been running a daily automatic Global Ionospheric Map process which inputs global GPS data and climatological ionosphere data into a Kalman filter, and produces global ionospheric TEC maps and ocean altimeter calibration data within 24 h of the end-of-day. Other groups have successfully applied this output to altimeter data from the GFO satellite and in orbit determination for the TOPEX/Poseidon satellite. Daily comparison of the global TEC maps with independent TEC data from the TOPEX altimeter is performed as a check on the calibration whenever the TOPEX data are available. Comparisons of the global TEC maps against TOPEX data will be discussed. Accuracy is best at mid-to-high absolute latitudes (∣latitude∣>30°) due to the better geographic distribution of GPS receivers and the relative simplicity of the ionosphere. Our highly data-driven technique is relatively less accurate at low latitudes and especially during ionospheric storm periods, due to the relative scarcity of GPS receivers and the structure and volatility of the ionosphere. However, it is still significantly more accurate than climatological models.     

Numerical simulation of the structure of the high-latitude ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> region during meridional HF propagation

A previously developed model of the high-latitude ionosphere is used to calculate the distribution of the ionospheric parameters in the polar region. A specific method for specifying input parameters of the mathematical model, using the experimental data obtained by the method of satellite radio tomography, is used in this case. The spatial distributions of the ionospheric parameters characterized by a complex inhomogeneous structure in the high-latitude region, calculated with the help of the mathematical model, are used to simulate the HF propagation along the meridionally oriented radio paths extending from middle to high latitudes. The method for improving the HF communication between a midlatitude transmitter and a polar-cap receiver is proposed.     

study of ionospheric response to magnetic superstorms in the East Asian sector

In this paper, we present analyses of the great geomagnetic storms observed during last two cycles of solar activity. This study is based on data from a network of ionosondes located within the longitudinal sector of 80–150°Е. it was found that the superstorms were observed predominantly in equinox. Long-lasting severe decreases of ionization at high and middle latitudes were the most impressive storm effect. A short-time positive phase occurred in response to the onset of both ssc and recovery phases of the magnetic storm in the daytime at high and middle latitudes. Large time-varying rates of foF2 were observed at low latitudes. Modeling results of the ionospheric response to two superstorms are also presented. It is established that the storm effect at middle latitudes was controlled predominantly by disturbed thermospheric composition. At high latitudes, the impact of magnetospheric processes and thermospheric composition on the ionosphere was the same.     

极区电子沉降对电离层影响的模拟研究

在极区电离层模式中,考虑了软电子沉降引起的电离,并对差分方法的应用提出了改进意见.模拟了不同特征的沉降电子对极区电离层的影响,发现平均能量低的电子束能够形成明显的电离层F层,平均能量较高的电子束能使得最大电离的高度下移,形成明显的E层,甚至其电子浓度高于F层.将电子沉降的卫星测量结果作为电离层模型的输入,所得F层临频与观测结果符合较好.通过分析中山站电离层统计结果,综合电子沉降在极隙区的分布特征和上述模拟结果,认为中山站磁中午现象主要由电子沉降所致.     

Total electron content of the ionosphere during thegeomagnetic storm on 10 January 1997

Measurements at GPS ground stations of the International GPS Service (IGS) havebeen used to derive the total electron content (TEC) of the ionosphere over Europe and overthree North American stations for the 6–11 January 1997 storm event. The derived TEC dataindicate large deviations from the average behaviour especially at high latitudes on thenight-side/early morning longitude sector.The high-latitude perturbation causes a well-pronounced positive phase on the day-sidesector over Europe.Both meridional winds as well as transient electric fields are assumed to contribute to thesignature of the ionospheric perturbation propagating from high to low latitudes. Theobservations indicate a subsequent enhanced plasma loss which is probably due to theequatorward expansion of storm induced composition changes.     

Causes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">NmF</Emphasis>2 longitudinal variations at mid- and subauroral latitudes under summer nighttime conditions

The main factors controlling NmF2 longitudinal variations at mid- and subauroral latitudes have been studied. The data of the Intercosmos-19 topside sounding, obtained at high solar activity for summer nighttime conditions, have been used in the analysis. The contributions of the solar ionization, neutral wind, and temperature and composition of the thermosphere to NmF2 longitudinal variations have been estimated based on ionospheric models. It has been indicated that NmF2 variations in the unsunlit midlatitude ionosphere mainly depends on the residual electron density and its decay under the action of recombination. At subauroral latitudes under summer nighttime conditions, the ionosphere is partially sunlit, and ionization by solar radiation mainly contributes to NmF2 longitudinal variations, whereas the effect of the neutral wind is slightly less significant. These results also indicate how the contribution of different factors to NmF2 longitudinal variations changes at different latitudes.     

磁暴期间太阳风-磁层-电离层间的耦合过程

本文用行星际和地面磁场以及电离层资料,讨论了三次磁暴期间高、中纬电离层电场对太阳风和磁层内变化的响应。 分析表明,当IMF的B_x分量由北向转为南向时,太阳风驱动的磁层对流变化能直接反映出高纬电离层电位的变化。但持续南向的B_x再次增强时,太阳风输入的主要能量耗损于内磁层过程;电离层的响应表现为一个弛豫过程。当B_x由南转北时,环电流的消失对电离层的作用同样有弛豫的特点。此时,驱动电位已撤消,环电流是维持电离层电位的唯一外源。 本文用电路类比及简单模式法结论对上述几种实测情况进行了讨论。     

Application of the method of numerical simulation of ionospheric filtration of Pc1 signals to solving the inverse problem of ionospheric modelling

Summary The numerical method of simulating ionospheric filtration of ULF signals in the range of Pc1 frequencies has been applied to French geomagnetically conjugate observations of ULF signals made by the GEOS-1 satellite and at the observatory of Husafell (Iceland) [2]. The experimentally obtained variable values of the transmissivity of the Pc1 signal through the ionosphere [5] in the course of the micropulsation distrubance of 13.7. 1977 have been compared with the results of the numerical simulation taking into consideration the fundamental physical parameters of the high-latitude external ionosphere. This approximate form of solving the inverse problem of ionospheric modelling yielded quantitative estimates of the rapid variations of the concentration of charged particles in connection with the expected changes of their temperature. It is assumed that nonstationary states of the ionospheric plasma are caused by the very ion-cyclotron waves penetrating the ionosphere at high latitudes ( 70°) along the plasmapause.     

中纬度电离层电子总量冬夜增长研究

本文研究太阳活动低年期间英国South Uist、Hawick和Aberystwyth三台站电离层电子总量的冬夜行为特性。法拉第旋转记录分析表明,中纬度电离层电子总量冬夜增长幅度和出现率同季节和台站纬度有关。文中详细考察了冬夜增长的发生时刻和持续时间的分布状况,电子总量冬夜极大值位置,冬夜电子总量W型特征面貌,冬夜增长的运动速度与方向等,发现电离层电子总量冬夜值和冬夜增长同地磁活动指数之间存在着负相关关系。对冬夜增长的机制,本文提出一种磁共轭电离迁移与等离子层电离库原理。指出在冬夏至期间,由于南北半球的太阳天顶角、日照时间、大气温度和电离密度的显著差别,在全球范围内依次于各地傍晚时分,发生一种从夏半球中纬度电离层沿高空磁力线并经等离子层电离库的调节,而朝向冬半球中纬度电离层共轭区的电离迁移和电离层贸易风,以此来解释电离层电子总量的夜间行为。     

Alfven波在低纬电离层中的传播研究

Alfven波在低纬地区电离层的传播有其特殊性,一方面,低纬地区同样存在Alfven速度梯度的巨大变化,导致电离层Alfven谐振器(Ionospheric Alfven resonator, IAR)的形成;另一方面,由于在低纬地区磁倾角很小,所以剪切Alfven波在传播的过程中纬度方向跨度很大,不同纬度电离层参数将共同对其产生影响;并且,由于电离层水平分层,故磁力线与电离层不正交.本文选取双流体力学模型,在忽略场向电场的条件下,利用非正交坐标系,结合IRI07模型与MSISE00模型模拟低纬地区Alfven波的传播,得到其反射及耦合特性.结果表明,低纬地区同样存在电离层Alfven谐振现象,由耦合产生的压缩模有向磁赤道方向传播的趋势,夜间电离层状态相对于白天更适合IAR的形成,谐振频率沿磁力线L值增大单调递增.     

Gradient drift instability as a source of spread <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> in the region of large-scale irregularities in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

The expression for the increment of instability and decrement of diffusion damping of gradient drift waves for ionospheric altitudes above the F ₂ layer maximum is obtained. The gradient drift instability is used to interpret the observations of spread F in the region of large-scale horizontal irregularities of the electron density. Two types of such irregularities observed on board the Intercosmos-19 (IC-19) satellite in the region of low latitudes (a peak of the density in the dusk ionosphere and a trough of the density in the dawn ionosphere) are considered. It is shown that the observed gradients of the density and electric field values in the dawn and dusk ionospheric sectors are quite sufficient for the instability development criterion to be satisfied in both considered cases.     

Probing the high latitude ionosphere from ground-based observations: The state of current knowledge and capabilities during IPY (2007–2009)

During the International Polar Year (IPY), one area of great interest is co-coordinated, multi-instrument probing of the ionosphere at high latitudes. This region is important not only for the applications that rely upon our understanding of it, but also because it contains the footprints of processes that have their origin in the interplanetary space. Many different techniques are now available for probing the ionosphere, from radar measurements to the analysis of very low frequency (VLF) wave paths. Combining these methods provides the ability to study the ionosphere from high in the F-region to the bottom of the D-layer. Thus, coupling processes from the magnetosphere and to the neutral atmosphere can be considered. An additional dimension is through comparisons of the response of the two polar ionospheres to similar (or the same) geomagnetic activity. With more instruments available at the South Pole inter-hemispheric, studies have become easier to accomplish such that a fuller picture of the global response to Sun–Earth coupling can be painted.This paper presents a review of the current state of knowledge in ionospheric probing. It cannot provide a comprehensive guide of the work to date due to the scale of the topic. Rather it is intended to give an overview of the techniques and recent results from some of the instruments and facilities that are a part of the IPY cluster 63—Heliosphere Impact on Geospace. In this way it is hoped that the reader will gain a flavor of the recent research performed in this area and the potential for continuing collaboration and capabilities during the IPY (2007–2009).     

Ionospheric response to geomagnetic disturbances in the north-eastern region of Asia during the minimum of 23rd cycle of solar activity

We present the results of studies of the subauroral and mid-latitude ionosphere variations in the north-eastern region of Asia. We used the data from network of vertical and oblique-incidence sounding ionosondes and optical measurements. Long-term experiments on the radio paths Magadan–Irkutsk and Norilsk–Irkutsk were carried out within the period 2005–2007. Vertical sounding stations operated in standard regime. Observation of airglow near Irkutsk was provided by the zenith photometer that measured intensities of 557.7 and 630.0 nm atomic oxygen emissions. The results may be summarized as follows. (1) Large daytime negative disturbances are observed during the main and recovery phases mainly at high latitudes, whereas the positive disturbances observed during the main phase at mid latitudes. The disturbances changed their sign between Yakutsk and Irkutsk. (2) During the main and recovery storm phases the fall of foF2 associated with the equatorward wall of the main ionospheric trough is observed in the afternoon and evening. (3) Fluctuations of the electron density more intensive at mid latitudes during the storm main phase are observed during all considered periods. They are classed as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID). Such sharp gradients of electron density are responsible for the strong changes in the characteristics of the radio wave propagation, particularity MOF. (4) A large-scale ionospheric disturbance is noted at the meridional chain of ionosonds in December 2006 as the sharp increase of foF2. It appears in the evening in the minimum of D_st at high latitude and propagate to equator. (5) A maximum of 630 nm emission above Irkutsk corresponds to the foF2 increase. (6) The obtained experimental data on the net of vertical and oblique-incidence sounding with high time resolution show that such net is the effective facility to study the conditions of the radio wave propagation and can be used for the diagnostic of the ionosphere.     

中、低纬度地区电离层不同层结间的耦合对夜晚F区不规则结构的影响

电离层不规则结构的形成和演化与电离层等离子体不稳定性密切相关 .长期以来 ,在中低纬区扩展 -F现象的研究中 ,没有考虑电离层上下层结之间的相互作用 .本文从理论上全面探讨了在中纬度地区 ,E区可变的Pedersen电导率和Hall电导率 ,与F区可变的Pedersen电导率的共同作用对F区梯度漂移不稳定性的影响 ,导出了存在这种耦合时电离层梯度漂移不稳定性的统一表达式 .这一耦合理论不但解释了实际观测中发现的 ,在某些地方电离层F区顶部的不稳定性发生率要高于F区底部这一现象 ;同时还表明 ,电离层E区与F区的耦合对F区夜晚梯度漂移不稳定性的形成不仅会有阻碍作用 ,同时还使得中、低纬度地区的扰动增长具有了方向的选择性 .该理论的一个重要结论是 ,F区中某一地区能否发展出梯度漂移不稳定性 ,并不完全由当地电离层F区的状态决定 ,同一根磁力线连接的、位于不同纬度地区的E区层结对其发展和演化也会有相当大的影响 .     

用非相干散射雷达链的观测资料研究高、低纬电离层间的耦合

本文用美国NCAR非相干散射雷达链的观测资料进行了两个事例分析。结果表明,在所选事例的中、弱磁扰期间,高低纬电离层间以动力耦合效应为主,即扰动电离层发电机的特征较明显。由于赤道电离层特性和赤道站雷达观测灵敏度较高,从而也观测到与扰动电场从高纬直接穿透过来相关的电动耦合现象。最后,对有关的物理过程进行了讨论。