极区电离层对IMF Bz 4次快速转向的响应——EISCAT/ESR雷达观测

利用EISCAT VHF和EISCAT Svalbard(ESR)雷达观测数据,对2003年2月12日IMF Bz分量4次快速方向转换期间,极区电离层,尤其是极尖/极隙区的响应特征进行了分析研究.随着IMF Bz方向的多次快速变化,地面雷达观测到极尖/极隙区所在位置随着开放-闭合磁力线边界在纬度方向上来回移动.在此期间,极区电离层等离子体水平对流多次反向,表现出与IMF Bz分量强的负相关性.进一步分析表明:极区磁层-电离层系统在日侧对IMF极性变化的平均响应时间约为3 min.     

极区电离层对IMF Bz 4次快速转向的响应——EISCAT/ESR雷达观测

利用EISCAT VHF和EISCAT Svalbard（ESR）雷达观测数据,对2003年2月12日IMF B_z分量4次快速方向转换期间,极区电离层,尤其是极尖/极隙区的响应特征进行了分析研究.随着IMF B_z方向的多次快速变化,地面雷达观测到极尖/极隙区所在位置随着开放-闭合磁力线边界在纬度方向上来回移动.在此期间,极区电离层等离子体水平对流多次反向,表现出与IMF B_z分量强的负相关性.进一步分析表明：极区磁层-电离层系统在日侧对IMF极性变化的平均响应时间约为3 min.     

EISCAT雷达观测到的极区电离层等离子体反常对流

综合分析EISCAT雷达与卫星当地测量数据,并利用磁层磁场模式对磁力线进行追踪,研究了发生在极光椭圆朝极盖边界附近电离层中,一例反常的背离太阳流动的强等离子体对流事件,及相关的太阳风-磁层-电离层耦合过程.结果表明,磁暴期间IMFBz指向南时观测到这一反常高速对流,及其相应的等离子体性态特征,很可能是向阳侧磁层顶磁重联过程在电离层中的印记.     

电离层对流和极光区电集流的地磁链观测

本文采用31个高纬地磁台站资料考察1997年5月15日一次中等磁暴期间极光区电集流和电离层对流的空间分布和时间变化;其中20站处于纬度60°N～80°N之间的西半球,而另11站是偶极磁经度约为120°E的欧洲IMAGE地磁站链.对此纬度链和经度链上各站1 min精度地磁资料的综合分析结果表明,极光区电集流中心的相对强度及其纬度位置是随世界时和地方时区不断变化的.电集流中心所处位置的变化可能是其中心的南北移动造成的,也可能是中心带与磁纬圈间的相互倾斜所致.另一方面,电离层对流形态和晨昏对流圈的经向跨度及其两端的位置是基本不变的.有关结论得到同期的非相干散射雷达EISCAT观测的证实和补充.     

极区电离层F2层峰值电子浓度对太阳活动依赖性的共轭研究

本文利用南极中山站(ZHS),以及北极与其地理共轭的Tromso站(TRO)、地磁共轭的Longyearbyen站(LYB)各自约一个太阳活动周的观测数据,对比分析了极区电离层F₂层峰值电子浓度(N_mF₂)对太阳活动的依赖性.结果表明,三个台站N_mF₂月中值随修正太阳10.7 cm通量指数F_10.7P(简称P)增大在总体上呈线性增长,这说明在这三个台站,太阳辐射仍是其F₂层主要电离源.其中TRO站N_mF₂与P线性关系最好,ZHS站的次之,LYB站的最差.在日变化中,TRO站N_mF₂对太阳活动响应最为敏感的时刻出现在地方时中午附近,LYB站出现在磁中午,ZHS站则出现在地方时中午和磁地方时中午之间.这主要是由地理/地磁纬度差异引起的不同强度的光致电离与极区等离子体对流共同作用的结果.在年变化中,TRO站N_mF₂随太阳活动变化上升最快的季节出现在冬季,夏季上升最慢.在ZHS站与LYB站,N_mF₂对太阳活动变化的响应都在两分季最为敏感.这种季节上的差异则是由于三个台站光致电离与中性大气成分R[O/N₂]的不同所致.     

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.     

高纬电离层特性的实例研究

本文利用EISCAT雷达资料讨论磁层-电离层耦合的高纬电离层效应。研究表明,即使在夏季极昼情况下,磁扰期间的磁层过程对高纬电离层形态的影响也远大于太阳紫外辐射的作用。高能粒子沉降使电离层E层的电子密度大大增加;而磁层对流速度变大会使F层内电离复合加强。因而,磁扰时经常出现n_e（E层）>_e（F层）的情况。此现象不仅与宁静时完全相反,而且与中低纬电离层形态变化也有很大差别。     

磁暴期间高纬顶部电离层离子上行特征——DMSP卫星观测

本文利用DMSP F13和F15卫星观测数据,对2001—2005年58个磁暴(-472 nT≤Min.Dst≤-71 nT)期间高纬顶部电离层离子整体上行特征进行了统计研究.观测表明,磁暴期间,顶部电离层离子上行主要发生在极尖区和夜间极光椭圆区.在北半球,磁正午前,高速的离子上行(≥500 m·s^-1)多集中在65° MLat以上;午后,高速离子上行区向低纬度扩展,上行速度要略高于午前;在南半球,磁午夜前,DMSP卫星在考察区域内几乎所有的纬度上都观测到了高速上行的离子;午夜后,各纬度上观测到上行离子的速度明显降低.离子上行期间,DMSP卫星在极区顶部电离层高度上也频繁地观测到电子/离子增温,且电子增温发生的频率要远高于离子增温.O⁺密度变化分析显示,DMSP卫星磁暴期间观测到的上行离子更多地源于顶部电离层高度.这些结果表明电子增温在驱动暴时电离层离子整体上行过程中起着重要作用.     

高纬电离层气候学特征研究--EISCAT雷达观测及与IRI模式的比较

利用1988～1999年欧洲非相干散射EISCAT（European Incoherent Scatter）雷达观测数据,对不同太阳活动周相、不同季节的极光椭圆区电离层F区电子密度进行统计分析,研究其气候学特征,并与IRI 2001模式比较.EISCAT观测到的电子密度显示出显著的太阳活动高年“冬季异常”和太阳活动低年半年变化等现象.EISCAT实测电子密度随时间和高度的平均二维分布和500 km高度以下总电子含量TEC,从总体来看与IRI 2001模式预测结果符合较好.但高年在TEC达到最大值前后,IRI 2001模式预测的电子密度高度剖面与EISCAT观测结果有显著差别：F2峰以上IRI 2001模式预测的电子密度过大,造成TEC明显高于雷达观测值.另外,在太阳活动下降相,EISCAT观测显示出明显的半年周期季节变化特征,但IRI 2001模式未能预测出此下降相季节变化.     

基于三亚VHF雷达的场向不规则体观测研究:4.太阳活动低年夏季F区回波

太阳活动低年夏季,低纬电离层F区场向不规则体表现出与太阳活动高年和其他季节明显不同的特征.本文利用我国三亚站(18.4°N,109.6°E,地磁倾角纬度dip latitude 12.8°N)VHF雷达、电离层测高仪、GPS闪烁监测仪和美国C/NOFS卫星观测数据,研究了太阳活动低年夏季我国低纬电离层F区场向不规则体的基本特征.分析发现无论磁静日还是磁扰日,夏季电离层F区不规则体回波主要出现于地方时午夜以后,回波出现的时间较短,高度范围较小,伴随着扩展F出现,但没有同时段的L波段电离层闪烁.太阳活动低年夏季午夜后的低纬电离层F区不规则体回波,可能并不总是与赤道等离子体泡沿磁力线向低纬地区的延伸相关,而可能由本地Es等扰动过程引起.     

On auroral dynamics observed by HF radar: 1. Equatorward edge of the afternoon-evening diffuse luminosity belt

Observations and modelling are presented which illustrate the ability of the Finland CUTLASS HF radar to monitor the afternoon-evening equatorward auroral boundary during weak geomagnetic activity. The subsequent substorm growth phase development was also observed in the late evening sector as a natural continuation of the preceding auroral oval dynamics. Over an 8 h period the CUTLASS Finland radar observed a narrow (in range) and persistent region of auroral F- and (later) E-layer echoes which gradually moved equatorward, consistent with the auroral oval diurnal rotation. This echo region corresponds to the subvisual equatorward edge of the diffuse luminosity belt (SEEL) and the ionospheric footprint of the inner boundary of the electron plasma sheet. The capability of the Finland CUTLASS radar to monitor the E-layer SEEL-echoes is a consequence of the nearly zero E-layer rectilinear aspect angles in a region 5/10° poleward of the radar site. The F-layer echoes are probably the boundary blob echoes. The UHF EISCAT radar was in operation and observed a similar subvisual auroral arc and an F-layer electron density enhancement when it appeared in its antenna beam.     

Plasma structure within poleward-moving cusp/cleft auroral transients: EISCAT Svalbard radar observations and an explanation in terms of large local time extent of events

We report high-resolution observations of the southward-IMF cusp/cleft ionosphere made on December 16th 1998 by the EISCAT (European incoherent scatter) Svalbard radar (ESR), and compare them with observations of dayside auroral luminosity, as seen at a wavelength of 630 nm by a meridian scanning photometer at Ny Ålesund, and of plasma flows, as seen by the CUTLASS (co-operative UK twin location auroral sounding system) Finland HF radar. The optical data reveal a series of poleward-moving transient red-line (630 nm) enhancements, events that have been associated with bursts in the rate of magnetopause reconnection generating new open flux. The combined observations at this time have strong similarities to predictions of the effects of soft electron precipitation modulated by pulsed reconnection, as made by Davis and Lockwood (1996); however, the effects of rapid zonal flow in the ionosphere, caused by the magnetic curvature force on the newly opened field lines, are found to be a significant additional factor. In particular, it is shown how enhanced plasma loss rates induced by the rapid convection can explain two outstanding anomalies of the 630 nm transients, namely how minima in luminosity form between the poleward-moving events and how events can re-brighten as they move poleward. The observations show how cusp/cleft aurora and transient poleward-moving auroral forms appear in the ESR data and the conditions which cause enhanced 630 nm emission in the transients: they are an important first step in enabling the ESR to identify these features away from the winter solstice when supporting auroral observations are not available.     

Investigation of the relationship between optical auroral forms and HF radar E region backscatter

The SuperDARN HF radars have been employed in the past to investigate the spectral characteristics of coherent backscatter from L-shell aligned features in the auroral E region. The present study employs all-sky camera observations of the aurora from Husafell, Iceland, and the two SuperDARN radars located on Iceland, Þykkvibær and Stokkseyri, to determine the optical signature of such backscatter features. It is shown that, especially during quiet geomagnetic conditions, the backscatter region is closely associated with east-west aligned diffuse auroral features, and that the two move in tandem with each other. This association between optical and radar aurora has repercussions for the instability mechanisms responsible for generating the E region irregularities from which radars scatter. This is discussed and compared with previous studies investigating the relationship between optical and VHF radar aurora. In addition, although it is known that E region backscatter is commonly observed by SuperDARN radars, the present study demonstrates for the first time that multiple radars can observe the same feature to extend over at least 3 h of magnetic local time, allowing precipitation features to be mapped over large portions of the auroral zone.     

Seasonal variations in the parameters of the effects of noon absorption recovery during PCA

During many PCAs at auroral zone stations in the daytime, a smooth decrease in the absorption, called the noon recovery effect, is observed. The manifestation of this effect in PCA events registered at various seasons of the year (in spring, summer, and fall under a completely illuminated ionosphere and in winter under a completely (or partially) dark ionosphere) is analyzed in this paper. In the summer PCA, the amplitude of the noon recovery (the strongest decrease in the absorption in the hours close to the noon) and the frequency of occurrence of this effect are lower than in equinox conditions. A decrease in temperature and the enhanced content of water vapor in the upper mesosphere in summer as compared to the equinox seasons are the main factors governing the small amplitude of the noon recovery in summer PCA. Using experimental and calculated data, the presence of the noon recovery effect in winter PCA is found for the first time. In winter PCA, the absorption variation during noon recovery has a complicated shape: a smooth decrease in the daytime hours and a short-term (pulse-type) increase in the absorption in the local noon. This increase is caused by the fact that the ionosphere over auroral stations in the winter season is illuminated for a short time interval (around the local noon), which causes a sharp increase in the absorption. The amplitude of the noon recovery in winter PCA is higher than in equinox and summer PCA.     

Athens地区电离层TEC、NmF2以及板厚

本文使用Athens站2001—2005年间电离层GPS/TEC和f_oF₂数据,分析了TEC、N_mF₂和电离层板厚τ日变化、季节变化特征以及与太阳活动的统计关系,得到以下结论:电离层TEC和N_mF₂具有相似的日变化特征,最大值出现在14∶00LT;TEC在2001和2002年白天出现"冬季异常"现象,N_mF₂在2001—2005年白天均出现该现象;电离层板厚τ主要分布在200~600 km,存在黎明峰和日落峰双峰结构,黎明峰一般出现在5∶00—6∶00LT,日落峰结构一般从日落后开始出现,在午夜前达到极大值;14∶00LT和2∶00LT时刻TEC、N_mF₂同太阳活动的关系呈现"线性"、"饱和"以及"放大"趋势,而τ则出现正、负及不明显的线性关系;最后,我们分析认为黎明峰归因于电离层TEC增加以及N_mF₂的减少,而日落峰主要是由TEC减少速度低于N_mF₂造成的.     

Combined CUTLASS, EISCAT and ESR observations of ionospheric plasma flows at the onset of an isolated substorm

On August 21st 1998, a sharp southward turning of the IMF, following on from a 20 h period of northward directed magnetic field, resulted in an isolated substorm over northern Scandinavia and Svalbard. A combination of high time resolution and large spatial scale measurements from an array of coherent scatter and incoherent scatter ionospheric radars, ground magnetometers and the Polar UVI imager has allowed the electrodynamics of the impulsive substorm electrojet region during its first few minutes of evolution at the expansion phase onset to be studied in great detail. At the expansion phase onset the substorm onset region is characterised by a strong enhancement of the electron temperature and UV aurora. This poleward expanding auroral structure moves initially at 0.9 km s^-1 poleward, finally reaching a latitude of 72.5°. The optical signature expands rapidly westwards at ~6 km s^-1, whilst the eastward edge also expands eastward at ~0.6 km s^-1. Typical flows of 600 m s^-1 and conductances of 2 S were measured before the auroral activation, which rapidly changed to ~100 m s^-1 and 10–20 S respectively at activation. The initial flow response to the substorm expansion phase onset is a flow suppression, observed up to some 300 km poleward of the initial region of auroral luminosity, imposed over a time scale of less than 10 s. The high conductivity region of the electrojet acts as an obstacle to the flow, resulting in a region of low-electric field, but also low conductivity poleward of the high-conductivity region. Rapid flows are observed at the edge of the high-conductivity region, and subsequently the high flow region develops, flowing around the expanding auroral feature in a direction determined by the flow pattern prevailing before the substorm intensification. The enhanced electron temperatures associated with the substorm-disturbed region extended some 2° further poleward than the UV auroral signature associated with it.     

On the diurnal variation of the E-region coherent HF echo occurrence

We present a statistical study of the diurnal variations of the E-region backscatter occurrence observed by 15 SuperDARN radars over 3 years. The diurnal variation of echo occurrence observed by each radar is examined for three levels of geomagnetic activity. It is found that the E-region echo occurrence for individual radars exhibits very similar diurnal variations for low geomagnetic activity, with the differences between radars increasing with activity. This indicates that local processes become more important in the generation of the E-region echoes during disturbed periods. It is also shown that the majority of E-region backscatter structures take the form of diffuse echo bands rather than discrete echo patches, with the dominance of diffuse echoes increasing with activity. Finally, a hypothesis that the echo occurrence is controlled by the radar's coverage of the auroral oval is tested using the electron and ion oval models derived from the DMSP satellite observations.     

中国区域电离层垂测仪探测参量与COSMIC掩星反演结果比较研究

利用漠河站、左岭站、富克站垂测仪数据和COSMIC反演的电离层资料,分析比较了太阳活动高年两种探测手段获取的电离层特征参量(N_mF₂、h_mF₂)的相关性.结果表明,两种方式获取的电离层对应特征参量相关性较高,且N_mF₂的相关性好于h_mF₂,同时相关性与纬度和季节有关.在地磁中纬度地区对应参量相关性较好,而在地磁低纬度受北驼峰控制区域相关性降低;在电离层赤道异常区域,春秋季、夏季对应特征参量相关性好于冬季.造成冬季相关性低的可能原因是,在跨越赤道中性风作用下,冬季电离层赤道异常区电子浓度梯度较大,造成掩星反演误差增大,致使两种探测手段获取的电离层特征参量相关性降低.     

利用COSMIC掩星探测分析120°E经线附近电离层E层闪烁指数变化

利用气象、电离层和气候卫.星联合观测系统COSMIC掩星2007-2013年探测资料,分析了120°E经线附近电离层E层区域(70~140km)闪烁指数的季节、地方时和空间变化.结果表明强电离层闪烁主要集中在磁纬度±30°内,夏季达到最大,冬季其次,春季最小.闪烁峰值大小与太阳辐射有关,但北半球夏冬季闪烁峰值大于南半球观测结果,秋半球闪烁峰值大于春半球观测结果.地磁高纬地区较强闪烁现象出现在地方时傍晚之后,午夜前后达到最大值.地磁中纬和低纬区域日出后即出现较为明显的闪烁现象,一直持续至夜间甚至凌晨,分别约在中午和傍晚前达到最大值.磁赤道区闪烁现象通常始于地方时日出后,最大值发生在傍晚1800LT左右.电离层E区的闪烁峰值大都集中110km高度,但高纬地区的峰值高度略有降低.此外,太阳和地磁活动的增强一定程度上会抑制E层闪烁现象.相关研究结果有利于分析E层不规则结构及物理形成机制,同时为电离层区域闪烁模型的建立提供有用的信息.