Day time observations of precursors at low latitude

Whistler precursors observed during day time at low latitude ground station Gulmarg (Geomag. Lat. 24 10 N) and their morphological features are reported. Transverse resonance interaction between whistler mode wave and counter streaming energetic electrons as the probable generation mechanism has been worked out. Minimum anisotropy required for wave amplification, parallel energy of resonating electrons and wave growth rate relevant to generation mechanism is studied.     

Whistler observations of magnetospheric electric field in the night side plasma-sphere at low latitude

Whistlers recorded at low latitude ground stations of Gulmarg, Nainital and Varanasi were used to infer the east-west component of electric field on the nightside plasmasphere atL=1.2, 1.12, and 1.07 during magnetic storm periods. The method of measuring electric field from the observed cross-L motions of whistler ducts within the plasma-sphere, indicated by changes in nose frequency of whistlers has been outlined. The nose frequencies of the non-nose whistlers under consideration have been deduced from Dowden-Allocock linear Q-technique. The results show eastward electric fields of 0.7 mVm^–1 in the equatorial plane of Gulmarg and 0.3 mVm^–1 in the equatorial plane of Nainital in the premidnight local time sector. Near midnight, there is a sharp transition from eastward field to a westward electric field of 0.2–0.7 mV m^–1 for Gulmarg, 0.3–0.5 mV m^–1 for Nainital and 0.1–0.3 mVm^–1 for Varanasi.     

An estimate of the duct life time from low latitude ground observations of whistlers at Varanasi

The observed periodicity in the whistler occurrence rate recorded at our low latitude ground station at Varanasi (geomagnetic latitude, 14°55'N) is interpreted in terms of duct life time at lowL values. Power spectrum analysis of the whistler data yields a period of about 50 min for the growth and decay of ducts. Further dispersion analysis of the whistlers has qualitatively confirmed the existence of separate ducts during the period of observations.     

Early latitude observations at the Pulkovo observatory

Pulkovo astrometric observations began in the 1840s using the Repsold transit instrument in the prime vertical and Ertel vertical circle. The first observers on these instruments were W.I. Struve, 1840–1856, and Kh.I. Peters, 1842–1849. In the present work, we collected and analyzed different series of latitude variations from observations made by M.O. Nuren, B. Wanach, A.A. Ivanov, I.N. Bonsdorf, and A.Ya. Orlov. In addition, results are given of investigations of a specific behavior of the Chandler polar motion in this interval, obtained by C. Chandler, Ivanov, Kh. Kimura, Orlov, and N. Sekiguchi. The aim of this paper is to search for and analyze the earliest series of Pulkovo latitudes, in order to evaluate the possibility of their use to study the motion of the pole at the maximum available range of observations. Different methods were used to isolate and analyze the sum of Chandler and annual latitude variations. The annex provides a series of Pulkovo latitude variations for 1840–1848, which may be used to extend latitude variation back to 1840.     

Effect of magnetic activity on ionospheric time delay at low latitude

The purpose of this work is to investigate the effect of magnetic activity on ionospheric time delay at low latitude Station Bhopal (geom. lat. 23.2°N, geom. long. 77.6°E) using dual frequency (1575.42 and 1227.60 MHz) GPS measurements. Data from GSV4004A GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC monitor (GISTM) have been chosen to study these effects. This paper presents the results of ionospheric time delay during quiet and disturbed days for the year 2005. Results show that maximum delay is observed during quiet days in equinoxial month while the delays of disturbed period are observed during the months of winter. We also study the ionospheric time delay during magnetic storm conditions for the same period. Results do not show any clear relationship either with the magnitude of the geomagnetic storm or with the main phase onset (MPO) of the storm. But most of the maximum ionospheric time delay variations are observed before the main phase onset (MPO) or sudden storm commencement (SSC) as compared to storm days.     

Propagational features of higher harmonic tweeks at low latitudes

Higher harmonic tweeks observed for the first time at the low latitude station Varanasi (geomag. lat. 14 55 N) are reported. The analysis of data shows that higher harmonic tweeks are usually not associated with whistlers and occur when the ionization in the lower ionosphere would not increases with height. The Earth-ionosphere waveguide dispersion features play an important role in the propagation of broad band lightning generated signals and their occasional observation as higher harmonic tweeks. It is shown that the conductivity of ground and sea mixed path, forming the lower surface of the waveguide, provide an estimate of the travelled distances of higher harmonic tweeks in the waveguide. The attenuation factors are computed which shows that as the harmonic number increases their probability of observation decreases. The attenuation increases as the frequencies approach the cut-off frequencies and also as the layer height falls. The tweek activity is found to increase during periods of magnetic disturbances.     

An evaluation of duct-life times from low latitude ground observations of whistlers

On certain occasions, whistler rate occurrences at Gulmarg (24°N geomagnetic) and Naini Tal (19°N geomagnetic) are found to exhibit some periodicity. Power spectrum analyses of the occurrence rates yield a dominant period of about 1 hr. It is suggested that this period is an indication of the duct-life times at low L-values. Dispersion analyses of the whistlers have qualitatively confirmed the existence of separate ducts during the period of observation. It is pointed out that power spectrum analyses may not be applicable to whistler data corresponding to high L-values.     

Multipoint observations of low latitude ULF Pc3 waves in south-east Australia

Geomagnetic pulsations recorded on the ground are the signatures of the integrated signals from the magnetosphere. Pc3 geomagnetic pulsations are quasi-sinusoidal variations in the earth’s magnetic field in the period range 10–45 seconds. The magnitude of these pulsations ranges from fraction of a nT (nano Tesla) to several nT. These pulsations can be observed in a number of ways. However, the application of ground-based magnetometer arrays has proven to be one of the most successful methods of studying the spatial structure of hydromagnetic waves in the earth’s magnetosphere. The solar wind provides the energy for the earth’s magnetospheric processes. Pc3–5 geomagnetic pulsations can be generated either externally or internally with respect to the magnetosphere. The Pc3 studies undertaken in the past have been confined to middle and high latitudes. The spatial and temporal variations observed in Pc3 occurrence are of vital importance because they provide evidence which can be directly related to wave generation mechanisms both inside and external to the magnetosphere. At low latitudes (L < 3) wave energy predominates in the Pc3 band and the spatial characteristics of these pulsations have received little attention in the past. An array of four low latitude induction coil magnetometers were established in south-east Australia over a longitudinal range of 17 degrees at L = 1.8 to 2.7 for carrying out the study of the effect of the solar wind velocity on these pulsations. Digital dynamic spectra showing Pc3 pulsation activity over a period of about six months have been used to evaluate Pc3 pulsation occurrence. Pc3 occurrence probability at low latitudes has been found to be dominant for the solar wind velocity in the range 400–700 km/s. The results suggest that solar wind controls Pc3 occurrence through a mechanism in which Pc3 wave energy is convected through the magnetosheath and coupled to the standing oscillations of magnetospheric field lines.     

On the solutions of the Earth rotation parameters from classical observations of time and latitude

We compare the Earth's rotation parameters claculated from various input sets and conclude 1) A reference system comparable to the BIH sustem can be set up using just a few high-precision, evenly-distributed instruments. 2) Chinese instruments for time and latitude determination play an important role in the setting up and maintenance of a global reference system. 3) There seem to be no systematic differences, of an annual or a semi-annual character between the observations by the classical methods and the newer techniques. The difference BIH (1979) – BIH (1968) is probably what has remained of the station errors when the BIH (1968) system was set up. 4) It is possible that some unknown common source of error may exist over a large geographical region, hence, to set up a good reference system, the observing insrtuments should be distributed as evenly as possible over the globe.     

Observations of discrete emissions at the low latitude ground station Gulmarg

This paper presents discrete chorus type emissions observed in January/July, 1970 during the routine recording of whistlers and VLF emissions at our low latitude ground station Gulmarg (geomag. lat., 24°26N; geomag. long., 147°09 E). The chorus type emissions are comprised of discrete, sometimes overlapping, tones of one or more spectral shapes (risers, falling tones, hooks, etc.). It is shown that these emissions are generated in the equatorial plane (L1.2) by cyclotron resonance between the propagating wave and gyrating electrons.     

Initial Venus Express magnetic field observations of the magnetic barrier at solar minimum

Although there is no intrinsic magnetic field at Venus, the convected interplanetary magnetic field piles up to form a magnetic barrier in the dayside inner magnetosheath. In analogy to the Earth's magnetosphere, the magnetic barrier acts as an induced magnetosphere on the dayside and hence as the obstacle to the solar wind. It consists of regions near the planet and its wake for which the magnetic pressure dominates all other pressure contributions. The initial survey performed with the Venus Express magnetic field data indicates a well-defined boundary at the top of the magnetic barrier region. It is clearly identified by a sudden drop in magnetosheath wave activity, and an abrupt and pronounced field draping. It marks the outer boundary of the induced magnetosphere at Venus, and we adopt the name “magnetopause” to address it. The magnitude of the draped field in the inner magnetosheath gradually increases and the magnetopause appears to show no signature in the field strength. This is consistent with PVO observations at solar maximum. A preliminary survey of the 2006 magnetic field data confirms the early PVO radio occultation observations that the ionopause stands at ∼250 km altitude across the entire dayside at solar minimum. The altitude of the magnetopause is much lower than at solar maximum, due to the reduced altitude of the ionopause at large solar zenith angles and the magnetization of the ionosphere. The position of the magnetopause at solar minimum is coincident with the ionopause in the subsolar region. This indicates a sinking of the magnetic barrier into the ionosphere. Nevertheless, it appears that the thickness of the magnetic barrier remains the same at both solar minimum and maximum. We have found that the ionosphere is magnetized ∼95% of the time at solar minimum, compared with 15% at solar maximum. For the 5% when the ionosphere is un-magnetized at solar minimum, the ionopause occurs at a higher location typically only seen during solar maximum conditions. These have all occurred during extreme solar conditions.     

A possible warning sign of major earthquake through observations of astronomical time and latitude

On July 28, 1976, a major earthquake (M=7.9) occurred in the Tangshan region of China. After the earthquake, it was found that astronomical time-latitude anomalies were observed preceeding the occurrence of the earthquake. These observations had been obtained on the Astrolabe of the Beijing Astronomical Observatory and the VZT of Tianjin Latitide Station, which are just located around the epicentre. The anomalies were in the analyses of the time and latitude residuals, and there are more examples verifying these phenomena. However, all those examples were found in post-earthquake analyses. In this paper we discuss the possibility of earthquake prediction and forecast from the rediduals of astronomical time-latitude. For example, series of the five-day means are analyzed. The observations were supposed to be terminated two weeks before the earthquake, and the data are then analyzed a year backward. After removing their averages, the standard deviations are calculated of these series are calculation. Eight earthquakes were chosen as the events to be examined, (see Table). Most of the related instruments obtained excellent observations. The results are shown in the Figure. It is evident that abnormal peaks of RT and RF appeared before each earthquake. Thus we may conclude the followings:

1. Under the normal observation conditions, one high predision instruments could inform about a major earthquake a few weeks or a few days before it occurrs.
2. The astronomical observations are seriously affected by the weather and observers and so they are some what uncertain.

     

Fine structure and time variation of the quiet Sun at 1.3 cm

The Hat Creek two-element interferometer has been used to study the quiet Sun at 22 GHz. A statistical analysis of output of the interferometer clearly shows the existence of time variations on the quiet Sun with time scales 180 s. The observations suggest that the fine structure on the quiet Sun might consist of two components - one which varies with the time scales 3 min and the other being relatively stable. The average visibility amplitude indicates that the fine structure on the Sun has a typical angular size of 6. The observation that the variance and the mean of the visibility amplitudes depend in the same way on the projected baseline suggests that the transient sources have angular size similar to the average size of the fine structure on the quiet Sun. Power spectra of the output of the interferometer show no significant periodicity.On leave of absence from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bombay, India.     

Storm time response of GPS-derived total electron content (TEC) during low solar active period at Indian low latitude station Varanasi

The present paper analyzes the dual frequency signals from GPS satellites recorded at Varanasi (Geographic latitude 25°, 16′ N, longitude 82°, 59′ E) near the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) crest in India, to study the effect of geomagnetic storm on the variation of TEC, during the low solar active period of May 2007 to April 2008. Three most intense—but still moderate class—storms having a rapid decrease of Dst-index observed during the GPS recorded data have been analyzed, which occurred on 20 November 2007, 9 March 2008 and 11 October 2008 were selected and storm induced features in the vertical TEC (VTEC) have been studied considering the mean VTEC value of quiet days as reference level. The possible reasons for storm time effects on VTEC have been discussed in terms of local time dependence, storm wind effect as well as dawn-dusk component of interplanetary electric field (IEF) Ey intensity dependence.     

Effect of Cold Plasma Injection on Whistler Mode Instability Triggered by Perpendicular Ac Electric Field at Uranus

The effect of cold plasma injection on whistler mode instability has been studied separately for a bi-Maxwellian and a loss-cone hackground plasma with perpendicular AC electric field. The cold plasma is described by a simple Maxwellian distribution, whereas a generalized distribution function with index j that reduces to a bi-Maxwellian for j = 0 and to a loss-cone for j = 1 has been derived for a plasma in the presence of a perpendicular AC electric field, to form a hot/warm background. The dispersion relation is obtained using the method of characteristic solutions and kinetic approach. An expression for the growth rate of a system with added cold plasma injection has been calculated. Results of sample theoretical calculations for representative values of parameters suited to the magnetosphere of Uranus has been obtained. The salient features of the analysis and the results obtained in both cases have been compared and discussed. It is inferred that it is not the magnitude but the frequency of the AC field which influences the growth rate and a loss-cone background plasma has a triggering effect on the growth rate, increasing the value of the real frequency and maximum growth rate by an order of magnitude. These results may go a long way to enable one to get a better understanding of whistlers and diagnostics of plasma parameters in the Uranian magnetosphere.     

Role of geomagnetic disturbance on whistler occurrence at a low latitude station

In this paper, we report the results derived from a statistical analysis of whistlers recorded at Varanasi during the period January 1990–December 1999. The monthly occurrence rate shows a maximum during January to March. In order to study the role of geomagnetic disturbance on the whistler occurrence rate, we have used the K_P index and its variation. It is found that the occurrence probability monotonically increases with ∑K_P (daily sum) values. It is found that, when ∑K_P>20, the occurrence rate is greater than the average value, in good agreement with results reported by other workers. In addition, we also present the probability of the observation of whistlers during weak/intense geomagnetic storms and also during the main phase and recovery phase of geomagnetic storms.     

Pc3-4 geomagnetic pulsations at very low latitude in Brazil

In order to investigate Pc3-4 geomagnetic pulsations at very low and equatorial latitudes, L=1.0 to 1.2, we analyzed simultaneous geomagnetic data from Brazilian stations for 26 days during October-November 1994. The multitaper spectral method based on Fourier transform and singular value decomposition was used to obtain pulsation power spectra, polarization parameters and phase. Eighty-one (81) simultaneous highly polarized Pc3-4 events occurring mainly during daytime were selected for the study. The diurnal events showed enhancement in the polarized power density of about 3.2 times for pulsations observed at stations close to the magnetic equator in comparison to the more distant ones. The phase of pulsation observed at stations near the magnetic equator showed a delay of 48-62° in relation to the most distant one. The peculiarities shown by these Pc3-4 pulsations close to the dip equator are attributed to the increase of the ionospheric conductivity and the intensification of the equatorial electrojet during daytime that regulates the propagation of compressional waves generated in the foreshock region and transmitted to the magnetosphere and ionosphere at low latitudes. The source mechanism of these compressional Pc3-4 modes may be the compressional global mode or the trapped fast mode in the plasmasphere driving forced field line oscillations at very low and equatorial latitudes.     

Zw 1718.10108: a highly disturbed galaxy cluster at low Galactic latitude

We report the discovery of highly distorted X-ray emission associated with the nearby cluster Zw 1718.10108, one of the dominant members of which is the powerful radio galaxy 3C353. This cluster has been missed by previous X-ray cluster surveys because of its low Galactic latitude ( b =19.5°), despite its brightness in the hard X-ray band (210 keV flux of 1.210¹¹ erg cm² s¹). Our optical charge-coupled device image of the central part of the cluster reveals many member galaxies which are dimmed substantially by heavy Galactic extinction. We have measured redshifts of three bright galaxies near the X-ray emission peak and they are all found to be around z =0.028. The ASCA gas imaging spectrometer and ROSAT high-resolution imager images show three aligned X-ray clumps embedded in low surface-brightness X-ray emission extended by 30 arcmin. The averaged temperature measured with ASCA is kT =4.3±0.2 keV, which appears to be hot for the bolometric luminosity when compared with the temperatureluminosity correlation of galaxy clusters. The irregular X-ray morphology and evidence for a non-uniform temperature distribution suggest that the system is undergoing a merger of substructures. Since the sizes and luminosities of the individual clumps are consistent with those of galaxy groups, Zw 1718.10108 is interpreted as an on-going merger of galaxy groups in a dark matter halo forming a cluster of galaxies and thus is in a transition phase of cluster formation.     

On the effects of lunar tides in the Tianjin latitude observations

In this paper we have analysed the effect of the lunar tide on the latitude observations of 25260 star-pairs with the zenith telescope, ZTL-180 of Tianjin Latitude Station during 1960–1966. For the M₂ wave, we found an amplitude of 0.0108 and hence a value of 1 + k − 1 = 1.34. When the effect of the ocean tide is subtracted, the value of 1 + k − 1 is reduced to 1.315. This is in very good agreement with the value 1.31, deduced by geophysicists for the Asia region.     

Low‐frequency heliographic observations of the quiet Sun corona

We present new results of heliographic observations of quiet‐Sun radio emission fulfilled by the UTR‐2 radio telescope. The solar corona investigations have been made close to the last solar minimum (Cycle 23) in the late August and early September of 2010 by means of the two‐dimensional heliograph within 16.5–33 MHz. Moreover, the UTR‐2 radio telescope was used also as an 1‐D heliograph for one‐dimensional scanning of the Sun at the beginning of September 2010 as well as in short‐time observational campaigns in April and August of 2012. The average values of integral flux density of the undisturbed Sun continuum emission at different frequencies have been found. Using the data, we have determined the spectral index of quiet‐Sun radio emission in the range 16.5–200 MHz. It is equal to –2.1±0.1. The brightness distribution maps of outer solar corona at frequencies 20.0 MHz and 26.0 MHz have been obtained. The angular sizes of radio Sun were estimated. It is found that the solar corona at these frequencies is stretched‐out along equatorial direction. The coefficient of corona ellipticity varies slightly during above period. Its mean magnitudes are equal to ≈ 0.75 and ≈ 0.73 at 20.0 MHz and 26.0 MHz, respectively. The presented results for continuum emission of solar corona conform with being ones at higher frequencies. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)