Auroral Infrasonic Waves and Poleward Expansions of Auroral Substorms at Inuvik, N.W.T., Canada

Summary Observations at Inuvik (70.4° dipole latitude) have shown that supersonic motions of auroral arcs that sweep across the zenith from south to north during poleward expansions of auroral substorms do not generate observable auroral infrasonic waves. This is in contrast to the fact that equator-ward supersonic motions of similar auroral arcs do produce large amplitude infrasonic bow waves. These results imply an asymmetry in the basic generation mechanism of infrasound within the auroral electrojet arcs.     

基于北极黄河站观测的日侧极光研究新进展

回顾了基于中国黄河站全天空极光观测对日侧弥散极光与喉区极光研究的最新进展。首先,利用黄河站极光观测,对日侧弥散极光展开系统性分类与统计研究,对这一重要空间物理现象取得新认识,指出日侧弥散极光对研究日侧外磁层冷等离子体的分布、形成及磁鞘粒子进入磁层都具有重要启示作用;同时发现并定义了一种新型分立极光结构——喉区极光,并推断其可能对应磁层顶的局地变形。喉区极光是指发生在电离层对流喉区附近、从极光卵赤道侧向低纬方向延伸出来的分立极光结构。全天空极光观测表明喉区极光走向大致与电离层对流方向一致。之后,观测验证了喉区极光对应磁层顶局地内陷式变形的推测;统计发现喉区极光是一种非常高发的现象,对应的磁层顶变形尺度可达2—3 Re,并指出这种变形最可能由磁鞘高速流冲击磁层顶产生;发现在喉区极光产生过程中还可能触发磁重联;证实伴随喉区极光的产生,磁鞘粒子会进入磁层并诱发产生一种新型弥散极光。通过喉区极光研究,可以将已有的磁鞘瞬态过程研究和触发式磁重联研究有机地结合在一起,对太阳风-磁层耦合过程形成一种新的认识,即:在磁鞘中局地产生(而不是存在于太阳风中)的瞬态过程可以在日下点附近频繁地导致磁层顶局地变形、触发重联、引发系列地球空间效应,可能对太阳风-磁层耦合具有不可忽略的重要性。以此为基础,讨论了日侧极光研究引出的新课题。     

基于聚类的极光形态分类的探索性研究

极光形态为研究日地物理过程提供了显著、直观和具有可识别性的特征。合理分类对研究各类极光现象与磁层动力学过程之间的关系尤为重要。极光形态分类机制的选择问题是极光有监督分类研究被主要诟病的问题之一。有监督分类实验中人工标记的工作量非常浩大,而且不能保证标记的准确性。更重要的是,高分类正确率只能说明自动分类符合人的认识,有监督分类结果无法验证分类机制的正确性。现有的分类机制是否为极光数据空间的真实划分,是否存在更为合理的分类机制都是我们应该探讨的问题。针对该问题,基于已有的全天空极光图像表征方法,引入聚类算法探究极光特征空间的结构,利用了9种聚类有效性函数选择适合极光数据的聚类个数。实验结果表明,对于从2003—2004年北极黄河站观测的全天空极光数据中随机选取的6 000幅极光图像,两类和四类的划分方式最为合适。两类的划分可以看作是分离度较好的极光类型,并且根据两类分布曲线呈现午前-午后双峰的分布特点,这一类极光可能是弧状极光。对于四类的情况,虽然通过肉眼观察无法用一幅典型的极光图像代表每一类,但是这些由聚类得出的极光类型具有各自的时间分布特点,这一结果从无监督的角度证明了极光类型在形态上是可分的。     

Determination of apparent bulk velocity of auroral images

In this paper we use a correlation analysis technique of random pattern to calculation of shift velocity of auroral image. The velocity thus obtained is a kind of apparent "average" velocity of whole image. instead of the velocity of some certain points or parts in the auroral pattern. The technique is used to an example of aurora australis recorded at Zhongshang Station of Antarctica in 1997. The typical velocity of the auroral pattern for the studied cases is about 3 km/s.     

南极中山站极光形态的统计特征

利用极光全天空摄象机１９９５年和１９９７年在南极中山站观测的极光数据,对中山站上空极光的出现情况进行了统计分析。在南极中山站,午后（磁地方时１４００～１８００ＭＬＴ）和子夜前后（２２００～０３００ＭＬＴ）出现极光的情况比较多,在傍晚（１８００～２２００ＭＬＴ）出现极光的情况要少一些;较强的极光主要也出现在午后和子夜附近。冕状极光主要出现在子夜附近和午后的极向侧和天顶,在傍晚出现很少;带状极光主要出现在午后和赤道侧的傍晚与子夜;极光浪涌主要出现在子夜前后;向日极光弧则主要出现在子夜前后,子夜前比子夜后多,极向和天顶比赤道侧多。除向日极光弧外,其它形态的极光在中山站的出现情况与Ｋｐ指数相关。中山站进入极光带的时间通常在午后,具体时间也与Ｋｐ指数有关     

Pulsating aurora - a review

Ｐｕｌｓａｔｉｎｇａｕｒｏｒａ－ａｒｅｖｉｅｗＪｏｒｍａＫａｎｇａｓ（ＤｅｐａｒｔｍｅｎｔｏｆＰｈｙｓｉｃａｌＳｃｉｅｎｃｅｓ，ＵｎｉｖｅｒｓｉｔｙｏｆＯｕｌｕ，ＦＩＮ－９０５７０，Ｏｕｌｕ，Ｆｉｎｌａｎｄ）ＣａｏＣｈｏｎｇ（曹冲）（ＣｈｉｎａＲｅｓ...     

基于卷积神经网络的极光图像分类

极光是由带电粒子经磁层—电离层碰撞大气而产生的。面对形态各异、演变过程复杂的极光图像,对其合理分类为进一步探究日地电磁活动和能量耦合等空间物理问题奠定了基础。针对该问题,引入深度学习的方法,通过卷积神经网络模型自主表征极光特征并实现极光图像分类。该方法对2003年北极黄河站越冬观测的38 044幅和8 001幅典型极光图像分类正确率达93.17%和91.5%;自动识别2004—2009年观测数据的极光形态,4类极光时间分布规律与三波段激发谱能量分布基本一致。实验结果表明,基于卷积神经网络的极光表征方法,能有效实现极光图像的自动分类。     

南极中山站极光电集流分布特征分析

本文通过 1 997年在南极中山站观测的极光和所对应的地磁场扰动 ,利用 AU、AL、AE指数描述极光电集流在南极中山站的分布规律及其强度 ,我们发现东向极光电集流强度是正值 ,西向极光电集流强度是负值 ,从绝对值来说 ,西向极光电集流强度大于东向极光电集流强度。南极中山站夏季的极光电集流强度大于冬季的极光电集流。秋夏冬季节的东向极光电集流在72 0～ 1 44 0分 (世界时 1 2～ 2 4时 )的分布规律的拟合曲线类似口朝上的抛物线形 ;西向极光电集流在 72 0～ 1 44 0分这段时间的分布规律的拟合曲线类似正弦波形。了解了极光电集流在南极中山站的分布特征 ,有利于极区电离层和磁层耦合及极光动力学的研究。     

The auroral occurrence over Zhongshan Station, Antarctica

The auroral data observed by all sky TV camera during 1995 and 1997 at Zhongshan Station of Antarctica are used to analyze the statistic characteristics of the aurora over Zhongshan Station. Around postnoon (1200 - 1600UT ) and midnight (2000 - 0100 UT ), the aurora appears more frequently and stronger than those in evening (1600- 2000UT ). The corona type auroras mainly occur at poleward and overhead of Zhongshan Station during postnoon and around midnight. The hand type auroras mainly appear during postnoon. while during evening and around midnight only appear at equatorward. The active surges mostly appear around midnight,while the transpolar arcs mainly occur after midnight. Except for the transpolar arcs. the occurrences of the other three type auroras are related with Kp index. Usually Zhongshan Station enters the auroral oval at postnoon,the exact time depends on Kp index.     

Localization of VLF ionospheric exit point by comparison of multipoint ground-based observation with full-wave analysis

In order to estimate the dynamic structure of the VLF ionospheric exit point, we conducted multipoint ground-based observation of the natural VLF emissions at three unmanned sites: West Ongul (69°01′ S, 39°30′ E), Skallen (69°40′ S, 39°24′ E), and H100 (69°18′ S, 41°19′ E) around Japanese Syowa station, Antarctica, during a whole year of 2006. In this observation, we developed three sets of unmanned autonomous observation systems for natural VLF emissions. Each observation system consists of two crossed vertical loop antennas to pick-up North–South (NS) and East–West (EW) magnetic components, a multi-channel analyzer, and a data logger. The intensity and polarization of NS and EW magnetic components are obtained in 4 spaced frequency (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 6.0 kHz) channels by the multi-channel analyzer.The VLF emissions observed at the three sites exhibit an interesting difference in the wave intensity as well as the polarization that allows important information about the locations of their ionospheric exit point to be determined. Firstly, to find the distinct exit point, we have theoretically calculated the spatial distributions of the wave intensity and the polarization on the Earth for VLF whistler mode waves coming down from the magnetized ionosphere, by using the full-wave analysis. Then, we have compared the calculated results with the observed data, to evaluate the possible locations of the ionospheric exit point for the auroral hiss events.As an example, the direction of the estimated ionospheric exit point for the auroral hiss event at 31 March 2006 was found to be consistent with a bright aurora region. However, in this case, the estimated ionospheric exit point was located a few hundred kilometers equatorward of the associated aurora. This would suggest that the ray paths for the auroral hiss could be different from the directions of the geomagnetic field lines for auroral precipitation.     

东南极内陆地区和乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川表层雪内NO^—3沉积后过程差异

酸性气体成分（如ＮＯ－３）的强挥发性导致其在雪面沉降后,具有沉积后气／雪交换作用,即其在表层雪内是“可逆”沉降的。通过比较东南极内陆雪坑的ＮＯ－３剖面和乌鲁木齐河源１号冰川表层雪内ＮＯ－３的浓度变化,认为沉积后气／雪交换作用在东南极内陆较显著,而在乌鲁木齐河源１号冰川则不然。表层雪内ＮＯ－３存在方式的不同和沉降机制的差异应是导致两地ＮＯ－３沉积后过程差异的原因所在。     

南极中山站极区空间环境观测系统

中国南极中山站位于极隙区纬度,可以观测到丰富的日地能量传输过程的电离层征兆和极光现象,非常适合开展极区空间环境观测研究。自1989年开始建设以来,中山站极区空间环境观测系统经历了观测设备的不断完善和发展,现已建立了涵盖地面极光、电离层和地磁观测多要素、多手段的自主观测体系,实现了极区空间环境的连续监测并建立了数据库。所有观测设备的运行状态可实时监控,地磁、宇宙噪声吸收等数据实现了准实时远程传输。最后展望中国极区空间环境观测研究的发展前景。     

不同行星际磁场条件下极向运动极光结构的多手段联合观测

本文利用北极黄河站三波段全天空成像仪（ASI）的高分辨率的地面极光观测数据,联合欧洲非相干散射雷达（EISCAT）Svalbard雷达（ESR）,超级双子极光雷达网（SuperDARN）雷达等观测,研究了发生在2003年12月22日0900-1010 UT时间段内极区电离层极光和等离子体的变化特征。研究发现在不同行星际磁场（IMF）条件下,黄河站极光ASI均观测到了一系列极向运动极光结构（PMAFs）,其特征为极光在赤道向一侧点亮后向高纬扩展。这些PMAFs都伴随有明显的粒子沉降特征,且在IMF北向时该粒子沉降能达到更低的电离层E层区域,而此时这些PMAFs相应位置的高纬电离层出现了一个典型反向对流涡,这是高纬（尾瓣）重联的典型特征之一。这些结果表明北向IMF条件下的这些PMAFs是由高纬重联所产生。在IMF南向时,黄河站观测到的PMAFs可跨越更广的地磁纬度,表明其演化时间亦较长,其相应区域的电离层特征也表明该PMAFs由日侧磁层顶低纬磁重联所产生。     

基于局部运动向量时空统计的极光事件检测

极光动态过程的分析与理解对极光发生机制研究具有重要意义。本文提出了一种基于动态过程的极光事件检测方法。首先利用多尺度流体光流的方法提取出极光的局部运动场信息,然后基于局部运动场时空统计特性表征极光视频序列,最后实现对特殊极光事件的检测。实验结果表明,本文方法能够高效、准确地检索到特殊极光事件,并且检测结果不依赖于目标事件的选择。这一成果为开展基于大量连续观测的极光视频对极光动态过程进行统计分析的研究奠定了基础。     

日侧弥散极光对太阳风动压增强的响应

太阳风动压的显著变化能导致沉降进入极区电离层的能量粒子通量以及磁层-电离层电流系发生扰动。磁层高能粒子沉降到极区上层大气并与中性气体碰撞所激发的弥散极光,能够对这种扰动做出相应的响应。基于斯瓦尔巴特（Svalbard）群岛新奥尔松（Ny-?lesund）地区北极黄河站优越的地理优势,我们利用安装在黄河站的极光全天空成像仪观测到了日侧弥散极光对太阳风动压增强的响应。通过2006年1月2日事件观测显示,随着太阳风动压的增强,日侧弥散极光在极光卵赤道向部分首先点亮并逐渐向高纬扩展,同时地磁环境也受到相应扰动影响。我们认为,随着太阳风动压的增强,日侧磁层顶受到压缩,磁层内波粒相互作用导致投掷角散射增强,使得沉降进入极光卵赤道侧电离层的高能粒子数密度增大,进而导致日侧弥散极光强度增强。     

日侧极光卵的可见光多波段观测特征——中国北极黄河站首次极光观测初步分析

中国在斯瓦尔巴特(Svalbard)群岛新奥尔松(Ny-Alesund)地区建立了一个永久性科学考察站--北极黄河站。北极黄河站(78．92°N,11．93 °E)的修正磁纬为76．24°。2003年11月黄河站建立了一套多波段(427．8nm,557．7nm,630．0nm)单色极光全天空CCD成像观测系统,并于2003年12月11日-2004年2月25日极夜期开展了首次极光越冬观测,获得了1200多小时的连续观测数据。利用这1200多小时观测数据制作了以时间为横轴的南北向极光活动图,对日侧极光卵的极光活动特征进行了研究。初步分析发现,沿日侧极光卵不论磁静日还是磁扰日,在三个波段上都同时观测到了四个重复出现的极光活动区,即0900MLT(磁地方时)附近的 A区、1330MLT的B区和1630MLT的C区以及1200MLT附近的G区。A区内的极光活动由低纬向高纬运动,强度逐渐变弱,形态由较宽的弧状极光向冕状极光演变;B区内的极光活动由高纬向低纬方向运动,形态呈现为冕状极光向较窄的极光弧的演变,极光强度逐渐增强;C区极光活动向高纬方向展宽,强度逐渐变弱,极光由单弧向多重弧演化;而在A与B之间存在一个纬度范围相对较窄的极光活动区G区,该区的极光呈现暗弱的冕状极光。日侧极光活动随时间从午前、正午到午后呈现出一个系统的光谱变化:绿色-红色-绿色。A区的位置出现在卫星探测的午前极光峰之中;而正午附近极光强度暗弱的G区,可部分地解释卫星观测的所谓“正午极光空白区”;卫星观测到的1500MLT附近的“极光热点”区在地面观测中可以区分为以红色极光为主的B区和以绿色极光为主的C区。     

Low-latitude infrasonics associated with geomagnetic activity

Summary. Certain associated fluctuations in geomagnetic records and infrasonic pressure variations at ground level noted at Hyderabad and Delhi are discussed with the help of simultaneous records taken during 1980. Typical infrasound signals are noted, apparently generated by the magnetic substorms in the auroral zones and travelling down to near tropical latitudes with speeds in the range of 400–500m s^-1. Characteristic signatures in infrasound records, corresponding to SSCs and storm time fluctuations are also noted, but only when substorms are associated with the storms.     

Prospect of China' s Auroral Fine-structure Imaging System(CAFIS) at Zhongshan station in Antarctica

A new auroral imaging system is reported which is planned to be deployed at Zhongshan Station in Antarctica in the end of 2009.The system will focus on study of optical auroras in small scales and be called China' s Auroral Fine-structure Imaging System(CAFIS).The project of CAFIS is carried out by support of 'the tenth five-year plan for capacity building' of China.CAFIS will be a powerful ground-based platform for aurora observational experiments.Composing and advantages of CAFIS are introduced in this brief report.Some potential study topics involved CAFIS are also considered.     

南极中山站的f_0F2特征

本文利用电离层数字测高仪 (DPS - 4)所测的f0 F2和从美国NOAA和DMSP卫星观测估算的半球功率指数和午夜极光区赤道侧边界纬度等资料 ,考察中山站电离层的极区特征。结果表明 ,冬季中山站电离层内的电离生成主要取决于从磁层沉降的粒子。在太阳活动和地磁变化宁静环境下 ,磁正午极隙区内的软粒子是最主要的电离源 ,它能使f0 F2达全天的最大值 ;上、下午各有数小时处于极光带内时 ,高能粒子的电离作用也很重要 ;夜间进入极盖区后 ,电子密度则很低。夏季太阳辐射电离效应使f0 F2值比冬季增加 1- 1 .5MHz,而其日变化的最大值时间也提前了 1- 2hr。发生很大扰动时 ,极隙区和极光带的位置均向低纬方向移动。若中山站日间也处于极盖区内时 ,电子密度会大幅度下降 ,并常接收不到电离层回波的信号。在中等扰动环境下情况更加复杂。由于高纬电离层对流速度很高 ,离子 /中性分子间的碰撞复合系数就很大。热层中性大气全球经向环流对高纬电离层电子密度的增加无显著作用。磁暴期间中午从极隙区向南的等离子体对流对中山站f0 F2的增高也无明显影响。     

Unmanned magnetometer network observation in the 44th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition: Initial results and an event study on auroral substorm evolution

In the 44th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-44) during 2003 to 2004, four unmanned magnetometers were deployed in Antarctica to establish a observation network for studying ionospheric and magnetospheric phenomena. Three of them were set about 80 km from Syowa Station, and the fourth was set at Dome Fuji Camp, about 800 km from Syowa. Observations were carried out continuously with a maximum sampling rate of 1 Hz. The purpose of the close network around Syowa was to observe the two-dimensional distribution of the ionospheric equivalent current in a localized area within the field-of-view of the all-sky auroral imager operated at Syowa. Dome Fuji is located at the higher-latitude edge of the auroral zone, while Syowa is located in the middle of it. Auroral observations using the all-sky imager were also carried out at Dome Fuji in 2003. The simultaneous auroral and magnetic observations both at Dome Fuji and Syowa enabled us to study auroral activities in a larger area. This paper describes, the deployment and performance of the unmanned magnetometers in the JARE-44. One auroral substorm event is analyzed in detail to show the usefulness the unmanned magnetometer network.