中近磁尾等离子体片统计特性研究

本文使用Cluster-C1卫星的CIS仪器和FGM仪器测量得到的质子通量数据和计算的β数据,判断Cluster卫星在地球磁尾不同位置位于等离子体片内的概率.使用2001—2004年7—11月的Cluster-C1数据,分别在行星际磁场南向和北向时,得出X-10RE区域内卫星位于等离子体片的概率在Y-Dz平面的分布图(Dz是卫星到中性片的距离).通过对比行星际磁场南向和北向时的卫星位于等离子体片的概率的分布图,我们发现等离子体片在行星际磁场南向时比在行星际磁场北向时要薄,并且这个效应在磁尾晨昏两侧比在午夜附近明显,同时我们还发现等离子体片在晨侧比在昏侧厚.     

K-H不稳定性在多电流片系统磁场重联中的效应

等离子体系统中存在两个或多个电流片时，电流片中发生的不稳定性可能会相互作用．行星际磁场北向时，背阳面碰层顶电流片与磁尾等离子体片之间可能发生相互作用，高纬边界层强烈的流场剪切可能促进磁场重联，产生磁层亚暴．本文运用二维可压缩磁流体模拟研究具有强流场剪切的多个电流片系统中磁场重联的演化．结果表明，Kelvin－Helmholtz不稳定性使多电流片系统的磁场重联过程明显加快；相邻电流片之间的距离越近，两者相互作用越强，重联增长率越大；在三电流片系统中，超Alfven速度强流场导致外侧两个电流片中出现强烈的磁场重联，并引发中心电流片的磁场重联．行星际磁场北向时，也可能发生磁层亚暴．     

Contributions to the Ring Current Energy During Geomagnetic Storms

The purpose of this research was to study the complexity of the energization of the ring current during a geomagnetic storm, produced during southern Bz(IMF) by the injection of plasma sheet ions, accelerated by enhanced convective electric fields. This model assumes that the plasma sheet is continuously populated by H⁺ from the sun and the ionosphere, and sporadically by ionospheric O⁺, making the ring current a coupled system whose energy can hardly be expressed analytically. When Bz(IMF) turns north, the ring current becomes uncoupled, and the energy decays exponentially if the storm is weak, or can be expressed as a combination of exponentials during strong storms representing the quick decay of O⁺ and the slower decay of H⁺, as has been shown.     

阿尔文涨落与地球磁层亚暴

本文讨论了一种地球磁层的亚暴机制。当行星际磁场有大的南向分量时,磁层的位形可由基本闭式转变为开式。磁鞘中的阿尔文波可以携带超过10~(18)尔格/秒的能流传入磁层尾部,并将能量耗散于等离子体片中。等离子体片中的粒子被加热和加速后,注入近地空间,产生环电流和极区亚暴。计算了剪切流场中阿尔文波的传播过程,以及磁层中阿尔文波的耗散。将本文的结算与[4]中的结果合在一起,可以说明当行星际磁场转向南时,容易发生地球磁层亚暴,但这两者并非一一对应的关系,行星际磁场没有南向分量时也可以发生地球磁层亚暴。     

The effects of IMF and convection on thermal ion outflow in magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling

We study the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and convection electric field on the rate and destination of polar wind and other thermal (low-energy) ion outflows, and its resulting effects on magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling, using single-particle trajectory simulations in conjunction with ion velocity distribution measurements on Akebono and IMF and ionospheric convection data. We find that the ions preferentially feed the dusk sector of the plasma sheet when the IMF is duskward (B_y>0), and are more evenly distributed in the plasma sheet when the IMF is dawnward. The flow of oxygen ions originating from the noon or dusk sectors of the polar cap has a higher probability of reaching the magnetosphere and beyond compared with that from the dawn or midnight sectors, due to the increased centrifugal acceleration associated with the larger magnetic field curvature near noon and the increased convection electric field in the dusk sector. The flow is enhanced and confined to lower L-shells at times of strongly southward IMF, compared with that at times of northward IMF. The outflow rate to both the plasma sheet and the magnetotail correlates strongly with the ion temperature. As a result, the IMF and the convection electric fields affect both the overall magnitude and the detailed distribution of mass transfer from the ionosphere to the magnetosphere in magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling.     

Secular Variations of a Shift of the Heliospheric Current Sheet

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The shift of the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) can be judged by the correlation between polarities of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) observed near the Earth....     

A search for north-south asymmetry of interplanetary magnetic field and solar plasma

An analysis of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and plasma data taken near 1 AU during solar activity cycle 21 reveals the following. 1. The yearly averaged spiral angle shows a solar cycle dependence. 2. The spiral angle north of the current sheet is 2.4○ higher than south of it during both epochs of positive and negative polarities. 3. The included angle is 4.8○ higher during the epoch of positive polarity than during the epoch of negative polarity. 4. The asymmetries in the number of away and toward IMF days are correlated with the asymmetries in solar activity. 5. The solar plasma north of the current sheet is hotter, faster and less dense than south of it during the epoch of negative polarity. 6. An asymmetry in the averaged filed magnitude is absent for solar cycle 21.     

A new framework for studying the relationship of aurora and plasma sheet dynamics

Auroras have been extensively studied using images obtained by space-borne experiments. We use global UVI images obtained from Polar and simultaneous plasma data obtained by the 3D instrument on Wind from the near-earth plasma sheet to study the dynamics of auroras with different size and intensity. Unstable phase space ion distributions are detected in the plasma sheet under diverse geomagnetic and solar wind IMF conditions (positive and negative B_z) and at all phases of a substorm. These results indicate that plasma instability processes with different disturbance levels operate in the plasma sheet and produce a continuum of auroral size and intensity. The criteria for triggering an instability are dependent on the local properties of the plasma distributions. These observations suggest a new framework to integrate previous and current results and a new way to examine the causal relationships of auroral and plasma sheet dynamics.     

A comparison of solar wind and ionospheric plasma contributions to the September 24–25, 1998 magnetic storm

We have used a global time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation of the magnetosphere and particle tracing calculations to determine the access of solar wind ions to the magnetosphere and the access of ionospheric O⁺ ions to the storm-time near-Earth plasma sheet and ring current during the September 24–25, 1998 magnetic storm. We found that both sources have access to the plasma sheet and ring current throughout the initial phase of the storm. Notably, the dawnside magnetosphere is magnetically open to the solar wind, allowing solar wind H⁺ ions direct access to the near-Earth plasma sheet and ring current. The supply of O⁺ ions from the dayside cusp to the plasma sheet varies because of changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure and in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Most significantly, ionospheric O⁺ from the dayside cusp loses access to the plasma sheet and ring current soon after the southward turning of the IMF, but recovers after the reconfiguration of the magnetosphere following the passage of the magnetic cloud. On average, during the first 3 h after the sudden storm commencement (SSC), the number density of solar wind H⁺ ions is a factor of 2–5 larger than the number density of ionospheric O⁺ ions in the plasma sheet and ring current. However, by 04:00 UT, ∼4 h after the SSC, O⁺ becomes the dominant species in the ring current and carries more energy density than H⁺ ions in both the plasma sheet and ring current.     

Long-period variations in the amplitude-phase interrelation of the first cosmic ray anisotropy harmonic

The distinguished directions, dependent on the solar wind velocity and IMF line position, exist in the interplanetary space, which results in the nonuniform distribution of phases and the amplitude-phase interrelation of the first cosmic ray anisotropy harmonic. The characteristics of the first anisotropy harmonics, determined for each hour using the global survey method based on the worldwide neutron monitor network from 1957 to 2010, were used to study long-period variations in the cosmic ray anisotropy. The longitudinal distributions of the cosmic ray vector anisotropy and the interrelation between the anisotropy amplitude and phase have been obtained for each year in this time interval. The results evidently demonstrate the anisotropy variations caused by the solar magnetic and activity cycles. The anisotropy distributions at different solar wind velocities have also been studied. Periods with a specific cosmic ray anisotropy behavior are distinguished and discussed. The obtained cosmic ray anisotropy variations agree with the convection-diffusion anisotropy model.     

Transition current systems in the Earth’s and Saturn’s magnetospheres

Transition current systems can be generated in the Earth’s magnetosphere at a simultaneous sudden change in the solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF northward turning from an almost horizontal direction. The distribution of the field-aligned currents in the transition current system depending on the IMF components has been calculated. The conditions of formation of transition current systems in the Saturn’s magnetosphere and possible manifestations of these systems in the high-latitude ionosphere have been considered. The obtained results have been compared with observations.     

磁尾地向传播等离子体团的模拟研究

卫星观测证实了磁尾等离子体团与亚暴活动的相关性,除了具有北-南双极特征的尾向传播等离子体团外,还发现地向传播等离子体团,它们表现为南-北双极中性片事件和南-北双极瓣区讯号. 资料分析表明:南-北双极讯号的出现几率远低于北-南双极讯号,并且南-北双极事件主要发生于行星际磁场北向和地磁宁静条件,它们往往与小的孤立的地磁亚暴相关. 本文根据地磁宁静时期(IMF Bz北向且By≥Bz)越尾电场Ey分量的分布特点,对地向传播等离子体团作模拟研究. 两类算例的数值结果展示了通量绳磁结构及具有复杂闭合磁力线位形的等离子体团的基本特征,上述特征与尾向传播的等离子体团类似,与IMP 8卫星关于地向传播南-北中性片事件的观测特征大致相符. 数值结果还展示了与Schindler示意图相类似的磁力线拓扑位形,在一定程度上为南-北事件出现几率低作出了解释;并且揭示了磁尾中性片内越尾磁场分量By对磁重联发展的抑制作用. 本文的模拟研究说明:无论磁尾处于活动时期(IMF Bz为南向),还是宁静时期(IMF Bz为北向且By≥Bz),磁场重联均是磁尾等离子体加速和加热的通用机制.     

Poker flat radar observations of the magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling electrodynamics of the earthward penetrating plasma sheet following convection enhancements

The plasma sheet moves earthward (equatorward in the ionosphere) after enhancements in convection, and the electrodynamics of this response is strongly influenced by Region 2 magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling. We have used Poker Flat Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) observations associated with two relatively abrupt southward turnings of the IMF to provide an initial evaluation of aspects of this response. The observations show that strong westward sub-auroral polarization streams (SAPS) flow regions moved equatorward as the plasma sheet electron precipitation (the diffuse aurora) penetrated equatorward following the IMF southward turnings. Consistent with our identification of these flows as SAPS, concurrent DMSP particle precipitation measurements show the equatorial boundary of ion precipitation equatorward of the electron precipitation boundary and that westward flows lie within the low-conductivity region between the two boundaries where the plasma sheet ion pressure gradient is expected to drive downward R2 currents. Evidence for these downward currents is seen in the DMSP magnetometer observations. Preliminary examination indicates that the SAPS response seen in the examples presented here may be common. However, detailed analysis will be required for many more events to reliably determine if this is the case. If so, it would imply that SAPS are frequently an important aspect of the inner magnetospheric electric field distribution, and that they are critical for understanding the response of the magnetosphere–ionosphere system to enhancements in convection, including understanding the earthward penetration of the plasma sheet. This earthward penetration is critical to geomagnetic disturbance phenomena such as the substorm growth phase and the formation of the stormtime ring current. Additionally, for one example, a prompt electric field response to the IMF southward turnings is seen within the inner plasma sheet.     

Three-dimensional MHD simulation of interplanetary magnetic field changes at 1 AU as a consequence of simulated solar flares

A fully three-dimensional (3D), time-dependent, MHD interplanetary global model (3D IGM) has been used, for the first time, to study the relationship between different forms of solar activity and transient variations of the north-south component, B_z, of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) at 1 AU. One form of solar activity, the flare, is simulated by using a pressure pulse at different locations near the solar surface and observing the simulated IMF evolution of B (=-B_z) at 1 AU. Results show that, for a given pressure pulse, the orientation of the corresponding transient variation of B_z has a strong relationship to the location of the pressure pulse and the initial conditions of the IMF. Two initial IMF conditions are considered: a unipolar Archimedean spiral with outward polarity and a flat heliospheric current sheet (HCS) with outward polarity in the northern hemisphere and which gradually reverses polarity in the solar equatorial plane to inward polarity in the southern heliospheric hemisphere. The wave guide effect of the HCS is also demonstrated.     

IMF-associated cloudiness above near-pole station Vostok: Impact on wind regime in winter Antarctica

Changes in the cloudiness above the Antarctic station Vostok during the winter season were examined in relation to strong disturbances in the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). A reliable relationship between cloud formation and IMF has been found: cloudiness increased under the influence of a strong southward IMF and decreased under the northward IMF. The surface temperature at Vostok station, which is derivative of the constant radiation cooling of air situated at the ice sheet and adiabatic warming of the air masses, incoming into the central Antarctica from the middle and upper troposphere, is enhanced or reduced. Quite opposite regularity in the temperature changes is typical of altitudes higher than the suggested cloud layer position (5–8 km). The processes occurring on the Antarctic ridge leads to anomalous winds at the ice dome and decay of the circumpolar vortex at the periphery of the Antarctic continent. As a result, the surface easterlies at the coast stations are replaced by southerlies, and the cold air masses flow from Antarctica out over the Southern Ocean.     

Asymmetry effect on the development of instabilities in current sheets

The possibility of the development of tearing and kink instabilities (with symmetric and asymmetric modes) in anisotropic thin current sheets (CSs) is investigated. The profiles of perturbed vector potentials and the instability growth rates have been found for the Vlasov equations in the approximation of a linear perturbation theory. The effect of plasma anisotropy and CS asymmetry on the development of these instabilities in the sheet is investigated.     

Specific features of the characteristics of midlatitude substorm and nonsubstorm Pi2 geomagnetic pulsations and their generation conditions

The specific features of the diurnal and seasonal variations in different characteristics of two Pi2 geomagnetic pulsation groups (observed during magnetospheric substorms and when these substorms are absent) and the pulsation generation geophysical conditions have been experimentally studied based on observations at the Borok midlatitude observatory. It has been indicated that the dynamics of the occurrence frequency of Pi2 substorm and nonsubstorm bursts and their amplitude, duration, and intervals between peaks depending on the local time and season is identical in many respects. It has been found that substorm Pi2 bursts are mostly observed when the IMF is sunward and the solar wind electric field (Ey) is positive, whereas nonsubstorm bursts are observed when the IMF is antisunward and Ey is negative. The fundamental differences in the diurnal and seasonal variations in index α, which characterizes the slope of the distribution function of the two-group Pi2 burst amplitudes, have been revealed. It has been found that the index α value substantially depends on Ey and the IMF longitude (ψ). It has been assumed that the plasma sheet turbulence of the metastable magnetotail is responsible for reconnection and the generation of substorm and nonsub-storm Pi2 pulsation bursts.     

Obtaining of information about the IMF evolution from an analysis of the geomagnetic field data

A comparison of the time variations in the geomagnetic field characteristics (the u and aa indices of geomagnetic activity) with the variation in the solar magnetic dipole inclination shows close agreement between these variations. The linear correlation coefficients between the u and aa indices, the u index and solar magnetic dipole inclination, and the aa index and solar magnetic dipole inclination are 0.93, 0.45, and 0.49, respectively. This makes it possible to extend studying the IMF evolution in the 11-year cycle of solar activity to the 170-year period beginning from 1835. It has been indicated that the time variation in the heliospheric current sheet (HCS) surface deviation from the solar magnetic equator plane, calculated based on the actual HCS configuration, is in good agreement with the time variation in the amplitude of the Fourier series second harmonics in a harmonic analysis of the series of daily data on the IMF sign in the vicinity of the Earth. The linear correlation coefficient is 0.9 in this case.     

Scales of the field-aligned current structures in the high-latitude magnetosphere according to the Intercosmos-Bulgaria-1300 satellite data

The results of the field-aligned current observations on the Intercosmos-Bulgaria-1300 satellite have been statistically analyzed taking into account the final dimensions of the observed current structures. It has been indicated that the application of the traditional technique for restoring current sheet characteristics, based on measurement of the magnetic field component tangential to the current sheet, results in the underestimation of the current value in the sheet. The dependences of the observation probability of the current sheet with fixed thickness and the current density in the sheet on the sheet thickness have been determined.     

Statistical relations between the probability of occurrence of Pc3-4 pulsations at high latitudes in the antarctic regions and the solar wind and IMF parameters

Geomagnetic pulsation in the Pc3-4 bands have been studied at high Antarctic latitudes during the local summer. The statistical relation between the occurrence probability of Pc3 and Pc4 pulsations and the solar wind (SW) and IMF parameters has been revealed by verifying the hypothesis that an indication is identical in two distributions. Different dependences of the occurrence probability of high-latitude Pc3 and Pc4 pulsations on the IMF value and orientation and SW density and velocity have been found out. It has been indicated that these dependences remain unchanged in the range of geomagnetic latitudes from 66° to 87°. It has been established that the Pc3 observation probability at small (20°–50°) IMF cone angles (θ = cos^?1(B _x/|B|)) is a factor of 1.5 higher than the average statistical probability and depends on the IMF value, which confirms the hypothesis that the Pc3 source is the turbulent region upstream of the magnetospheric quasiparallel low shock. On the contrary, the probability of occurrence of Pc4 weakly depends on the IMF cone angle and is maximal at θ ～ 0° and ～90°. With increasing negative B _z values, the generation probability increases in the Pc4 band and tends to decrease in the Pc3 band. It has been found out for the first time that the dependence of the Pc4 occurrence probability on the IMF clock angle (? = tan^?2 (B/B _z) is identical in the regions of projections of closed and open field lines, whereas this dependence is different for Pc3. In the region of projections of closed field lines, the Pc3 occurrence probability increases at B _z < 0 and B _y > 0 (the condition under which the cusp shifts on the dawn side) and at B _y < 0 and B _z > 0 (which is typical of the formation of the low-latitude boundary plasma sheet). In the region of projections of open field lines such a probability increases at B _y < 0 and B _z < 0 (which results in the formation of the high-latitude boundary plasma sheet). Based on the discovered regularities, the conclusion has been made that the sources of generation of high-latitude Pc3 and Pc4 pulsations are different.