Shape of the 11-Year Cycle of Solar Activity and the Evolution of Latitude Characteristics of the Sunspot Distribution

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The solar activity index and parameters of the spatial distribution of sunspots are known to be related. Using these relationships, we propose interrelated...     

Anomalous Heating of the Solar Atmosphere in the Epoch of the Solar Activity Minimum

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The article studies the physical mechanism of the generation of a steady stream of weak shock waves at the photospheric level during the epoch of the solar-activity...     

Galactic Cosmic Ray Intensity in the Upcoming Minimum of the Solar Activity Cycle

During the prolonged and deep minimum of solar activity between cycles 23 and 24, an unusual behavior of the heliospheric characteristics and increased intensity of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) near the Earth’s orbit were observed. The maximum of the current solar cycle 24 is lower than the previous one, and the decline in solar and, therefore, heliospheric activity is expected to continue in the next cycle. In these conditions, it is important for an understanding of the process of GCR modulation in the heliosphere, as well as for applied purposes (evaluation of the radiation safety of planned space flights, etc.), to estimate quantitatively the possible GCR characteristics near the Earth in the upcoming solar minimum (~2019–2020). Our estimation is based on the prediction of the heliospheric characteristics that are important for cosmic ray modulation, as well as on numeric calculations of GCR intensity. Additionally, we consider the distribution of the intensity and other GCR characteristics in the heliosphere and discuss the intercycle variations in the GCR characteristics that are integral for the whole heliosphere (total energy, mean energy, and charge).     

Diurnal Variations in the Statistical Characteristics of the Variability of the Midlatitude NmF2 during Quiet Geomagnetic Conditions at Low Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The work examines diurnal variations in the statistical characteristics of the variability of the electron number density NmF2 of the maximum of the ionspheric F2 layer...     

全球强震活动纬度分布特征及其解释

利用1900年以来全球M_S≥7.0地震目录, 分析了全球强震随纬度分布特征, 得到的结果显示: 全球强震主要分布在35°S~65°N之间, 中心点在15°N附近, 而非以赤道为对称点的分布; 在0°~180°W之间的地震, 主要分布在45°S~15°N之间, 中心点在15°S附近; 在90°W~90°E之间的地震, 主要分布在40°S~40°N之间, 中心点在赤道附近; 在0°~180°E之间的地震, 主要分布在25°S~55°N之间, 中心点在15°N附近。 分析表明, 全球强震的纬度分布特征与潮汐引起的地球自转动能变化随纬度的分布具有很好的一致性, 说明地震的发生与地球自转动能有关。 由于地球自转速率变化, 将引起不同质量的地球岩石圈块体之间产生相互作用(非弹性碰撞), 这种相互作用可能是引起地震的主要成因之一。 非弹性碰撞会造成块体动能的损失, 地震所释放的能量就来自于所损失的动能。     

Dynamic Characteristics of Area Variations of Small and Large Sunspots and Quasi-Biennial Oscillations in Solar Activity

The spatiotemporal and chaotic dynamics of variations in area of sunspot groups related conventionally to small (area <50 Msh) and large (area >50 Msh) populations is analyzed. The Greenwich Observatory–Marshall Space Flight Center data were used. The results show that both sunspot populations have a single initial source, which is a magnetic flux generated by the dynamo process (presumably at the bottom of the convective zone) and is responsible for the 11—22-year periodicity of solar activity. A possible explanation of the revealed different behavior of the considered populations is that the magnetic flux is partially involved in another process responsible for the shaping of primarily very large sunspot groups. This process develops presumably in the upper layer of the convective zone with an unstable amplitude and a period varying within 1–2 years. The analysis of power spectrum of the Wolf number time series has indicated the difference between dynamic characteristics of the two studied processes.     

Solar Activity,Lightning and Climate

The physics of solar forcing of the climate and long term climate change is summarized, and the role of energetic charged particles (including cosmic rays) on cloud formation and their effect on climate is examined. It is considered that the cosmic ray-cloud cover hypothesis is not supported by presently available data and further investigations (during Forbush decreases and at other times) should be analyzed to further examine the hypothesis. Another player in climate is lightning through the production of NO_x; this greenhouse gas, water vapour in the troposphere (and stratosphere) and carbon dioxide influence the global temperature through different processes. The enhancement of aerosol concentrations and their distribution in the troposphere also affect the climate and may result in enhanced lightning activity. Finally, the roles of atmospheric conductivity on the electrical activity of thunderstorms and lightning discharges in relation to climate are discussed.     

Vla and Spacecraft Observations of Solar Activity

We describe the world's largest synthesis radio telescope, the Very Large Array (VLA), and how it can be used to complement observations with the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) and the Yohkoh solar spacecraft. The VLA provides images with high spatial and temporal resolution, often across the visible solar disk. The VLA also detects nonthermal radiation that is not observed with SOHO and Yohkoh, and provides estimates for the coronal magnetic field strengths that are not directly measured by these spacecraft. The VLA data can be combined with SOHO CDS, SOHO EIT, or Yohkoh SXT observations to provide new insights to the compact, variable sources, called blinkers and bright points, in the solar transition region or low corona. A new 400 cm VLA system provides images of nonthermal burst activity associated with Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs), and may detect thermal emission from CMEs, that can be compared with SOHO's LASCO and EIT instruments to obtain new information about the origin and evolution of CMEs.     

Properties of the Variability of the Solar Constant as an Index of Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The properties of the solar constant variability are considered according to the results of satellite observations ( http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/sorce/data/tsi-data/...     

Solar Activity and Cosmic Ray Influence on the Climate

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The solar activity cycles affect various parameters of surface areas, including rains, snow covers, river streamflows and other hydrological cycles. These processes are...     

Frequency Dependence of the Wave Field Power Parameters for Limiting Single-Hop Radio Paths in Low Solar Activity Conditions

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - This paper considers the possibility of the deep trough formation in the integral amplitude–frequency dependence of the wave field at the classical limiting paths...     

Geomagnetic activity and wind velocity during the Maunder minimum

Following a given classification of geomagnetic activity, we obtained aa index values for the Maunder minimum (1645–1715). It is found that the recurrent and fluctuating activities were not appreciable and that the shock activity levels were very low. The aa index level was due almost entirely to the quiet days. Calculated average solar-wind velocities were 194.3 km s^–1 from 1657 to 1700 and 218.7 km s^–1 from 1700 onwards. Also, the coronal magnetic field magnitude and southward interplanetary magnetic field component Bz were lower. It is concluded that the nearly absent levels of geomagnetic activity during this period were due to lower coronal and Bz magnetic field magnitudes as well as to the continuous impinging on the Earth of a slow wind.     

Reconstruction of Centennial Series of Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The results of the digitalization of the centennial series of solar activity are considered. The data contain information on sunspots since 1918, sunspot umbra since...     

苏北—滨海断裂北段最新活动时代研究

苏北—滨海断裂在江苏以北的存在与活动性长期以来存在争议。本研究通过小多道地震探测技术,对苏北—滨海断裂北段及附近海域进行探测,识别出4个反射界面,将研究区第四纪地层划分为4个地震层序,分别对应全新世、晚更新世、中更新世和早更新世4个地质时期。对照区域地质构造,对地震剖面断点进行分析,认为断点F1、F2、F3、F4、F8、F9、F10对应为苏北—滨海断裂,断裂错动的最新地层为晚更新世,因此推断苏北—滨海断裂为晚更新世活动断裂。     

Versions of Time Series for Classical Solar Indices and an Adequate Description of Solar Activity

This article discusses issues relevant to the 2015 recalibration of the time series of classical solar indices. It shows that the Wolf numbers WN and the group numbers GN are sensitive to the quality of the observations underpinning the reconstructions of the relevant time series, given the intermittent recordings in the 17th and 18th centuries. The authors suggest that research efforts should focus on the compilation of a long series of total sunspot areas (absolute sunspot magnetic flux), because, on the one hand, this series is less sensitive to poor-quality observations, while, on the other hand, it reflects a clear physical index.     

Some Features of the Present-day Transition Period in Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Various geophysical indices and their prognostic value were analyzed in (Obridko et al., 2013; Kirov et al., 2013, 2015, 2017; Georgieva et al., 2015, 2018). Two indices...     

Climate Oscillations in the Arctic Region in the Holocene and Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - A global problem facing humanity today is the changing planetary climate. The Earth’s northern regions play an important role in processes that affect the...     

Estimation of Solar Activity Impact on the Outgoing Infrared-Radiation Flux

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - A parameterization of the mechanism of solar activity impact on the Earth’s troposphere developed by the authors is proposed for a model of outgoing longwave...     

New Data about Long-Term Changes of Solar Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The double Hale cycle (about 44 years) was found in changes of power-law index for integral distributions of equivalent diameters of large groups of sunspots having...     

Dependence of Atmospheric Transparency Variations on Solar Activity

The atmospheric spectral transparency variations at 344 nm and 369 nm, averaged at eight Soviet stations between 69°N and 55°N, have been compared with sunspot numbers, or Wolf numbers (WN). The data were taken for the seasonal interval May-August during the period 1972 – 1989. Good negative correlations –0.76 and –0.82 have been found. The correlation coefficient between aerosol extinction at 344 nm and WN is equal to +0.75. Insignificant correlation is found for the transparency variations at 344 nm for stations situated to the south of latitude 50°. The best correlation with WN for both transparency and aerosol extinction at northern stations occurs for the shift of WN ahead of the optical parameters by 6 months. The connection of transparency with cosmic rays in Apatity is also examined. It displays a sign opposite to that for WN, smaller values of the correlation coefficient, and an improbable shift of transparency ahead of cosmic ray intensity. The relative changes of the transparency during a solar cycle can be evaluated at 10% in the ozone-free UVA region