Relative concentration of oxygen atoms and molecules at a height of 120 km according to the data of ionospheric measurements

It is convenient to use the semi-empirical model (SEM), developed by the authors earlier and describing the relation of the electron density at heights of the middle ionosphere (120–200 km) to the parameters of the thermosphere and the integral flux of the ionizing solar radiation, to estimate the gas composition characteristics using the data of ionospheric measurements [Shchepkin et al., 2008]. The ratios of the concentrations of oxygen atoms and nitrogen molecules to those of oxygen molecules and atoms at a height of 120 km are compared using two SEM versions. The first version is based on the usage of the coefficients obtained from the measurements of N(h) profiles at Moscow observatory. The electron densities at heights of 120–200 km, obtained at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics in 2003–2006 using the digisonde, were the experimental data for the second version.     

Disturbances in the F1 ionospheric layer in April 2005

Manifestations of ionospheric disturbances at heights from 120 km to the height h _m of the F2-layer maximum are analyzed. The geomagnetic disturbances on April 5, 12, and 13, 2005, are considered. These disturbances are characterized by a pronounced synchronous decrease in the electron concentration over the entire indicated height range. Using the method proposed by the authors, the noontime changes in the relative content of atomic and molecular oxygen at a height of 120 km are estimated. There are a distinct decrease in the ratio of atomic oxygen and molecular nitrogen concentrations and an increase in the ratio of oxygen molecule and atom concentrations.     

Letter to the editor The ionospheric response during an interval of Pc5 ULF wave activity

A preliminary analysis of Pc5, ULF wave activity observed with the IMAGE magnetometer array and the EISCAT UHF radar in the post midnight sector indicates that such waves can be caused by the modulation of the ionospheric conductivity as well as the wave electric field. An observed Pc5 pulsation is divided into three separate intervals based upon the EISCAT data. In the first and third, the Pc5 waves are observed only in the measured electron density between 90 and 112 km and maxima in the electron density at these altitudes are attributed to pulsed precipitation of electrons with energies up to 40 keV which result in the height integrated Hall conductivity being pulsed between 10 and 50 S. In the second interval, the Pc5 wave is observed in the F-region ion temperature, electron density and electron temperature but not in the D and E region electron densities. The analysis suggests that the wave during this interval is a coupled Alfven and compressional mode.     

Nitric oxide density measurements at middle latitudes

Summary The measurements of nitric oxide density were made by the photoionization method at 30–90km in several rocket flights near Volgograd. TheseNO densities are well within the range of other measurements below 60km, but become rather high above 70km. The upper mesosphericNO densities estimated by two different methods from ionospheric data in Central Europe (50 °N) are rather high, as well. The appropriateNO densities in the upper mesosphere still seem to be an open question.     

Reaction of the ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>1 region to disturbances in October and November 2003 (analysis from Irkutsk digisonde measurements)

We consider the ionospheric response at heights of 120–220 km to geomagnetic disturbances in October and November 2003, which caused a strongly pronounced decrease in the electron content in the noted height range. For this disturbance period, using a technique of the authors, midday variations of the relative content of atomic and molecular oxygen at a height of 120 km were estimated. This estimation was performed with the help of ionospheric measurements (by a digital ionosonde) conducted at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics of the Russian Academy of Sciences from 2003 to 2006. Comparison of these values with similar values from the mass spectrometer-incoherent scatter (MSIS)-86 model showed that our estimates during disturbance days were two times less. This study continues research into the field of using ionospheric measurements to estimate the relative gas composition of the thermosphere at heights below the maximum of the F2 layer.     

Ionospheric response to the partial solar eclipse of March 29, 2006, according to the observations at Nizhni Novgorod and Murmansk

The results of observations of the solar eclipse ionospheric effects on March 29, 2006, are presented. The observations were conducted using the partial reflection method near Nizhni Novgorod and the vertical sounding method at the automatic ionospheric station near Murmansk. It has been obtained that the electron density at altitudes of 77 and 91 km decreases by a factor of more than 4; in this case the response of the ionosphere at an altitude of 91 km lags behind the eclipse maximum phase on the Earth by approximately 20 min. It has been established that the eclipse in the E and F1 regions of the polar ionosphere causes a change in the electron density by 15–20%. The delay time of this effect varies from 12 to 24 min depending on the altitude. It has been registered that the reflection virtual altitude at altitudes of the ionospheric F region increases in Murmansk and Nizhni Novgorod.     

LEO GPS接收机仪器偏差估计

LEO GPS观测已成为空间电离层研究重要手段之一,通过GPS双频观测值获取的TEC则是电离层探测的一个重要参量,为获取高精度TEC需估计和消除GPS接收机仪器偏差（DCB）.本文旨在探索一种全新的LEO GPS接收机仪器偏差的估计方法：基于电离层球对称的假设,利用CHAMP和COSMIC原始GPS观测数据,采用几何映射函数,通过最小二乘解算出GPS接收机仪器偏差.结果表明：(1)2008年1月份期间,通过上述方法解算的仪器偏差都较稳定,相比COSMIC网上发布结果,标准偏差都在0.6 ns以内;（2）COSMIC（轨道高度大约800 km）仪器偏差估计结果优于CHAMP（轨道高度大约400 km）的结果,原因为：对于不同轨道高度LEO GPS仪器偏差估计,其较高轨道高度的电离层球对称假设影响较小.     

Stratospheric aerosol dynamics over Kamchatka and its association with geophysical processes

The dynamics of aerosol layers in comparison with geomagnetic and ionospheric data has been studied based on the nighttime single-frequency lidar sounding of the atmosphere over Kamchatka at altitudes of 10 to 90 km. The relation of the aerosol density to solar, magnetic, and ionospheric activity has been studied, and the stratospheric aerosol formation mechanisms have been considered. It has been indicated that variations in the aerosol density correlate with radiowave absorption, perturbations of the ionospheric parameters, and geomagnetic characteristics. The spatial and time scales of aerosol layers have been estimated. The role of stratospheric aerosol as an indicator of geophysical processes is discussed.     

Experimental study of the response of the midlatitude ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis> region to the solar eclipse of March 29, 2006

The observations of the state of the midlatitude ionospheric D region during the March 29, 2006, solar eclipse, based on the measurements of the characteristics of partially reflected HF signals and radio noise at a frequency of f = 2.31 MHz, are considered. It has been established that the characteristic processes continued for 2–4 h and were caused mainly by atmospheric gas cooling, decrease in the ionization rate, and the following decrease in the electron density. An increase in the electron density on average by 200–250% approximately 70–80 min after the eclipse beginning at altitudes of 90–93 km and approximately 240 min after the end of the solar eclipse at altitudes of 81–84 km, which lasted about 3–4 h, has been detected experimentally. This behavior of N is apparently caused by electron precipitation from the magnetosphere into the atmosphere during and after the solar eclipse. Based on this hypothesis, the fluxes of precipitating electrons (about 10⁷–10⁸ m^?2s^?1) have been estimated using the experimental data.     

Possibility of estimating the abundance of oxygen atoms and molecules based on electron density measurements in the middle atmosphere

It has been tried to develop the method for estimating the ratio of the densities of oxygen atoms (n ₁) and nitrogen molecules (n ₃) as well as n ₁/n ₂ and n ₂/n ₃ (where n ₂ is the density of oxygen molecules) at the reference level of the upper thermosphere (120 km), using the data on electron density at altitudes of 120–200 km. This approach is based on an analysis of the semiempirical model (SEM) equation describing the dependence of electron density (N) on the characteristics of the thermospheric neutral gas. The series of the SEM versions [Shchepkin et al., 1997, 2004] was previously developed by the authors of this work. The estimates were performed based on the regular N measurements with the help of a digital ionosonde at ISZF SO RAN, Irkutsk, in 2003–2005.     

Molecular oxygen concentration at altitudes of 90–120 km according to the CORONAS-F solar UV measurements

The molecular oxygen concentration at altitudes of 90–120 km has been estimated, using the CORONAS-F/VUSS-L data on the extreme UV absorption in the Earth’s atmosphere. It has been indicated that the concentration at these altitudes is a factor of 1.3 as high as the concentration according to the Jacchia-77 model. It has been revealed that the level of solar activity slightly affects the molecular oxygen concentration at these altitudes.     

The use of GPS arrays in detecting shock-acoustic waves generated during rocket launchings

This paper is concerned with the parameters of shock-acoustic waves (SAW) generated during rocket launchings. We have developed the interferometric method for determining SAW parameters (including angular characteristics of the wave vector, and the SAW phase velocity, as well as the direction towards the source) using GPS-arrays. Contrary to the conventional radio-probing techniques, the proposed method provides an estimate of SAW parameters without a priori information about the site and time of a rocket launching. The application of the method is illustrated by a case study of ionospheric effects from launchings of rockets PROTON, SOYUZ and SPACE SHUTTLE from Baikonur and Kennedy Space Center cosmodromes in 1998–2000. In spite of a difference of rocket characteristics, the ionospheric response for all launchings had the character of an N-wave corresponding to the form of a shock wave. The SAW period T is 270–360 s, and the amplitude exceeds the standard deviation of total electron content background fluctuations in this range of periods under quiet and moderate geomagnetic conditions by factors of 2–5 as a minimum. The angle of elevation of the SAW wave vector varies from 30° to 60°, and the SAW phase velocity (900–1200 m/s) approaches the sound velocity at heights of the ionospheric F-region maximum. The position of the SAW source, inferred by neglecting refraction corrections, corresponds to the segment of the rockets path at a distance no less than 200–900 km from the launch pad, and to the rocket flying altitude no less than 100 km. Our data are consistent with the existing view that SAW are generated during a nearly horizontal flight of the rocket with its engine in operation in the acceleration segment of the path at 100–130 km altitudes in the lower atmosphere.     

Subauroral red arcs as a conjugate phenomenon: comparison of OV1-10 satellite data with numerical calculations

This study compares the OV1-10 satellite measurements of the integral airglow intensities at 630 nm in the SAR arc regions observed in the northern and southern hemisphere as a conjugate phenomenon, with the model results obtained using the time-dependent one-dimensional mathematical model of the Earth ionosphere and plasmasphere (the IZMIRAN model) during the geomagnetic storm of the period 15–17 February 1967. The major enhancements to the IZMIRAN model developed in this study are the inclusion of He+ ions (three major ions: O⁺ H⁺ and He⁺ and three ion temperatures), the updated photochemistry and energy balance equations for ions and electrons, the diffusion of NO⁺ and O⁺₂ ions and O(¹D) and the revised electron cooling rates arising from their collisions with unexcited N₂, O₂ molecules and N₂ molecules at the first vibrational level. The updated model includes the option to use the models of the Boltzmann or non-Boltzmann distributions of vibrationally excited molecular nitrogen. Deviations from the Boltzmann distribution for the first five vibrational levels of N₂ were calculated. The calculated distribution is highly non-Boltzmann at vibrational levels v > 2 and leads to a decrease in the calculated electron density and integral intensity at 630 nm in the northern and southern hemispheres in comparison with the electron density and integral intensity calculated using the Boltzmann vibrational distribution of N₂. It is found that the intensity at 630 nm is very sensitive to the oxygen number densities. Good agreement between the modeled and measured intensities is obtained provided that at all altitudes of the southern hemisphere a reduction of about factor 1.35 in MSIS-86 atomic oxygen densities is included in the IZMIRAN model with the non-Boltzm-ann vibrational distribution of N². The effect of using of the O(¹D) diffusion results in the decrease of 4–6% in the calculated integral intensity of the northern hemisphere and 7–13% in the calculated integral intensity of the southern hemisphere. It is found that the modeled intensities of the southern hemisphere are more sensitive to the assumed values of the rate coefficients of O⁺(⁴S) ions with vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules and quenching of O⁺(²D) by atomic oxygen than the modeled intensities of the northern hemisphere.     

GPS-based ionospheric corrections for single frequency radar altimetry

The global ionospheric total electron content maps (GIMs) provide integrated electron densities between the ground and the GPS satellite altitude (20,200 km). Satellite altimeter ionospheric delay corrections require integrated electron densities between the ground and altimeter satellite altitude. In the case of the Geosat Follow-On (GFO) spacecraft, flying at 800 km, we estimated that using GIM TEC data alone, up to a 2 cm path delay can be introduced into the GFO measurements for high solar activity period by not taking into account the electron content above this altitude. Furthermore, the GIMs can have errors of 20–30 TECU in low latitudes for high solar activity in areas where there is little GPS data (such as over the oceans). In this paper, we describe the results of ingesting GIM TEC data into the International Reference Ionosphere model (IRI-95) to mitigate these two effects.     

The formation of electron-temperature hot spots in the main ionospheric trough by the internal processes

A mathematical model of the convecting high-latitude ionosphere is described which produces three-dimensional distributions of electron density, positive-ion velocity and electron and ion temperatures at the F-layer altitudes. The results of simulation of the behaviour of the high-latitude ionosphere, in particular, the heat regime of the F-layer, are presented and analysed. From our study, it was found that electron-temperature hot spots in the main ionospheric trough can arise owing to internal ionospheric processes, and not due to effects of any external causes. Three conditions, to be satisfied simultaneously, are necessary for the formation of the considered electron-temperature hot spots: first, low values of electron density; second, solar illumination of the upper F region and darkness of the lower F region; third, low values of neutral-component densities. These conditions are valid in the main ionospheric trough near the terminator on the nightside when the density of the neutral atmosphere is not high. The physical processes which lead to the formation of the electron-temperature hot spots are the heat transfer from the upper into the lower F region, the reduced heat capacity of electron gas and the weakened cooling of electron gas due to inelastic collisions with neutral atoms and molecules. Also investigated is the influence of seasonal and solar-activity variations on the efficiency of the identified mechanism responsible for the formation of the electron temperature peaks in the main ionospheric trough by the internal processes.     

Ionospheric effects of ground motion: The roles of magnetic field and nonlinearity

Transformation of infrasound to magnetic sound upon propagation from ground level up to the ionosphere is considered. It is shown that upon entering the ionospheric layers at altitudes of order 150–170 km, the wave dynamics changes sharply. Nonlinear effects, including shock formation, are also considered. The shocks are typically formed in a relatively narrow range of altitudes, or not formed at all. Generalization of the model to a case of oblique propagation is briefly considered, and the effects of atmospheric profile variation and of finite plasma conductivity are estimated. Along with providing qualitative insight, the model gives some realistic estimates for waves generated by earthquakes.     

The JB2006 empirical thermospheric density model

A new empirical atmospheric density model is developed using the CIRA72 (Jacchia 71) model as the basis for the diffusion equations. New solar indices based on orbit-based sensor data are used for the solar irradiances in the extreme and far ultraviolet wavelengths. New exospheric temperature and semiannual density equations are employed to represent the major thermospheric density variations. Temperature correction equations are also developed for diurnal and latitudinal effects, and finally density correction factors are used for model corrections required at high altitude (1500–4000 km). The new model, Jacchia–Bowman 2006, is validated through comparisons of accurate daily density drag data previously computed for numerous satellites. For 400 km altitude the standard deviation of 16% for the standard Jacchia model is reduced to 10% for the new JB2006 model for periods of low geomagnetic storm activity.