Flux Variations in Lines of Solar EUV Radiation beyond Flares in Cycle 24

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Studies in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) and X-ray ranges of the solar spectrum are important due to the active role of radiation of these ranges in the formation of the...     

利用F10.7和Mg II构建太阳极紫外辐射长时间序列

利用SOHO/SEM在1996-2008年的太阳EUV观测数据,比较和评估F10.7和Mg II作为EUV代理参数的代表性,不能支持Viereck等关于Mg II是比F10.7更好的代理参数的结论.通过比较对两种参数的多种回归计算结果,确立双因子极大似然估计方法构建EUV计算模式,通过模型计算结果与SEM观测数据比较,表明该模型能够很好地重建EUV数据系列.利用该模式,构建了1978年11月以来的太阳极紫外辐射数据序列.     

Geomagnetic signatures of sudden ionospheric disturbances during extreme solar radiation events

We performed a comparative study of geomagnetic variations, which are associated with sudden ionospheric disturbances (SIDs) caused by great X-class solar flares on July 14, 2000 (Bastille flare) and on October 28, 2003 (Halloween flare). Intense fluxes of solar X-rays and EUV radiation as well as solar energetic particles (SEP) were considered as sources of abundant ionization of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere. Flare-initiated SIDs are revealed as transient geomagnetic variations, which are generated by enhanced electric currents flowing mainly in the bottom-side ionosphere. Those so-called solar flare effects (SFEs) were studied by using of geomagnetic data from INTERMAGNET worldwide network of ground-based magnetometers. In subsolar region the SFE is mainly controlled by the flare X-rays and/or EUV radiation. We found that in the Halloween flare the contribution of X-rays was comparable with the EUV, but in the Bastille flare the EUV flux was dominant. The ionization at high latitudes is generated by the SEP, which energy flux is comparable and even exceeds the solar electromagnetic radiation in that region. It was shown that in the Halloween event the pattern of SFE is formed by a two-vortex current system, which is similar to the quiet day Sq current system. However, during the Bastille flare, the pattern of induced currents is quite different: the northern vortex shifts westward and southern vortex shifts eastward such that the electroject is substantially tilted relative to the geomagnetic equator. From numerical estimations we found that at middle latitudes the SEP-initiated geomagnetic effect becomes comparable with the effects of solar electromagnetic radiation. It was also shown that the SEP contribute to the SFE in the nightside hemisphere. The revealed features of the SEP impact to the ionosphere were found in a good agreement with the theory of energetic particle penetration to the bottom-side magnetosphere.     

Influence of the solar UV-radiation intensity on the 630-nm nightglow emission in the 23rd solar cycle

It is well known that the 630-nm nightglow emission intensity in midlatitudes increases by more than a factor of 2 during a sunspot maximum. It has been assumed that the phenomenon is caused by variations in solar UV radiation during a solar cycle (Fishkova, 1983). We present the results of photometric measurements of the nightglow 630.0 nm emission intensity at a latitude of 63° E and longitude of 130° E (Yakutsk) in 1990–2007. The dependence of the 630-nm emission intensity on solar activity on magnetically quiet days in the 22nd and 23rd solar cycles is shown. The close relationship between the 630-nm nightglow intensity and the intensity of extreme UV (EUV) with a correlation coefficient of 0.8–0.9 in 1997–2007 is ascertained from the SOHO/SEM data. The dominance of solar EUV in the excitation of nightglow 630-nm emission has thus been experimentally proved.     

Changed relation between sunspot numbers,solar UV/EUV radiation and TSI during the declining phase of solar cycle 23

We study the mutual relation of sunspot numbers and several proxies of solar UV/EUV radiation, such as the F10.7 radio flux, the HeI 1083 nm equivalent width and the solar MgII core-to-wing ratio. It has been noted earlier that the relation between these solar activity parameters changed in 2001/2002, during a large enhancement of solar activity in the early declining phase of solar cycle 23. This enhancement (the secondary peak after the Gnevyshev gap) forms the maximum of solar UV/EUV parameters during solar cycle 23. We note that the changed mutual relation between sunspot numbers and UV/EUV proxies continues systematically during the whole declining phase of solar cycle 23, with the UV/EUV proxies attaining relatively larger values for the same sunspot number than during the several decennia prior to this time. We have also verified this evolution using the indirect solar UV/EUV proxy given by a globally averaged f₀(F2) frequency of the ionospheric F2 layer. We also note of a simultaneous, systematic change in the relation between the sunspot numbers and the total solar irradiance, which follow an exceptionally steep relation leading to a new minimum. Our results suggest that the reduction of sunspot magnetic fields (probably photospheric fields in general), started quite abruptly in 2001/2002. While these changes do not similarly affect the chromospheric UV/EUV emissions, the TSI suffers an even more dramatic reduction, which cannot be understood in terms of the photospheric field reduction only. However, the changes in TSI are seen to be simultaneous to those in sunspots, so most likely being due to the same ultimate cause.     

Using the nonlinear geometrical acoustics method in the problem of moreton and EUV wave propagation in the solar corona

Propagation of shock related Moreton and EUV waves in the solar atmosphere is simulated by the nonlinear geometrical acoustics method. This method is based on the ray approximation and takes account of nonlinear wave features: dependence of the wave velocity on its amplitude, nonlinear dissipation of wave energy in the shock front, and the increase in its duration with time. The paper describes ways of applying this method to solve the propagation problem of a blast magnetohydrodynamic shock wave. Results of analytical modeling of EUV and Moreton waves in the spherically symmetric and isothermal solar corona are also presented. The calculations demonstrate deceleration of these waves and an increase in their duration. The calculation results of the kinematics of the EUV wave observed on the Sun on January 17, 2010 are presented as an example.     

Two-dimensional drift velocities from the IMAGE EUV plasmaspheric imager

The Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) Mission extreme ultraviolet (EUV) imager observes He⁺ plasmaspheric ions throughout the inner magnetosphere. Limited by ionizing radiation and viewing close to the sun, images of the He⁺ distribution are available every 10 min for many hours as the spacecraft passes through apogee in its highly elliptical orbit. As a consistent constituent at about 15%, He⁺ is an excellent surrogate for monitoring all of the processes that control the dynamics of plasmaspheric plasma. In particular, the motion of He⁺ transverse to the ambient magnetic field is a direct indication of convective electric fields. The analysis of boundary motions has already achieved new insights into the electrodynamic coupling processes taking place between energetic magnetospheric plasmas and the ionosphere. Yet to be fulfilled, however, is the original promise that global EUV images of the plasmasphere might yield two-dimensional pictures of mesoscale to macroscale electric fields in the inner magnetosphere. This work details the technique and initial application of an IMAGE EUV analysis that appears capable of following thermal plasma motion on a global basis.     

Characteristics and mechanisms of the annual asymmetry of thermospheric mass density

In this paper, globally-averaged, thermospheric total mass density, derived from the orbits of ~5000 objects at 250, 400, and 550 km that were tracked from 1967 to 2006, has been used to quantitatively study the annual asymmetry of thermospheric mass density and its mechanism(s). The results show that thermospheric mass density had a significant annual asymmetry, which changed from year to year. The annual asymmetry at the three altitudes varied synchronously and its absolute value increased with altitudes. The results suggest that there is an annual asymmetry in solar EUV radiation that is caused by the difference in the Sun-Earth distance between the two solstices and the random variation of solar activity within a year. This change in radiation results in an annual change in the thermospheric temperature and thus the scale height of the neutral gas, and is the main cause of the annual asymmetry of thermospheric mass density. The annual asymmetry of mass density increases with altitude because of the accumulating effect of the changes in neutral temperature and scale height in the vertical direction.     

The Dicke cycle: A ∼27-day solar oscillation

Measurements of solar EUV irradiance show, besides the ～11-year Schwabe cycle, a series of oscillations with a ～27-day period. They are generally explained by the passage of active regions across the solar surface resulting from the Sun's rotation, but the calculated amplitude underestimates the observed long-term variation in irradiance (Lean 1991). The variant of this model proposed here is modulation of EUV emission from the corona by rotation of the Sun's radiative zone. The response would be immediate, raising the prospect of short-term forecasting of EUV effects on space weather and on the Earth's atmospheric circulation.     

第24太阳活动周中纬度电离层低电离水平的观测研究

延续2008-2009年的太阳极低活动期,第24太阳活动周开始后太阳活动性上升缓慢,即使在趋近峰年时太阳极紫外(EUV)辐射通量的水平仍显著低于前几个活动周.比较第23、24周的太阳辐射水平,及日本国分寺和子午工程武汉站的电离层测高仪观测,发现第24周的太阳EUV辐射、电离层F区临界频率(f_oF₂)和峰值高度(h_mF₂)都显著低于第23周的同期水平;在较低高度上,偏低的EUV辐射带来的电子密度变化不明显,而峰值电子密度(N_mF₂)和0.1~50 nm太阳EUV辐射通量在多数时候都同步的偏低25%~50%;但是在夏季N_mF₂与EUV辐射的关联性较差,即N_mF₂的偏低在夏季较少.分析认为这与热层中性风的季节特点有关:在夏季午后,吹向极区的子午向风总是较弱,在第24周偏低的EUV辐射背景下,减弱的离子曳力使其他季节的极区向风得到增强,进一步促进了N_mF₂和h_mF₂的降低,使这一机制的效果非常显著.基于上述结论,在对第24周电离层进行预测预报时,需更多地考虑非直接电离机制的影响.总体而言,第24周的热层和电离层变化特征可能将有别于之前几个活动周的观测,并偏离人们在此基础上所形成的认识.     

Solar Flares in Extreme Ultraviolet and X-Ray Bands Based on SDO and TIMED Satellite Data

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - Fluxes in flares are studied in soft X-ray (SXR) and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) bands based on data from GOES, the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), and the Thermosphere,...     

Solar activity dependence of ionospheric electron content and slab thickness using different solar indices

Ionospheric electron content (IEC) and slab thickness () data for the period 1977 to 1980 from Lunping (23.03°N; 121.90°E subionospheric) have been examined for their solar activity dependence. Local noontime monthly means as well as values for the 5 QQ days in a month have been examined separately with different solar indices, namely: solar EUV flux (170–190 Å),S _{10.7 cm} flux and sun spot number (SSN) on a seasonal basis. Both IEC and parameters exhibit better correlation with solar EUV andS _{10.7 cm} fluxes than with SSN for all seasons. IEC increases linearly with both EUV andS _{10.7 cm} flux whereas with SSN it shows a distinct nonlinear relationship during all seasons in both monthly mean and 5 QQ days' values. This study indicates that for correlating and predicting the variations (especially the medium term) in the ionospheric parameters, both EUV andS _{10.7 cm} fluxes have an advantage over SSN.     

Data modeling and assimilation studies with the MU radar

We report initial results of data modeling and assimilation studies for several MU radar experiments. Various inputs to a one-dimensional ionospheric model are adjusted to provide agreement with observation and also to learn the sensitivity of the model to their variations. Certain observations are also used directly in the model to anchor or constrain its behavior. In particular, studies of the electron density from 100 to 500 km altitude in the ionosphere are carried out with the help of a theoretical model of O⁺, NO⁺, O⁺₂ and N⁺₂ densities and MU radar observations of the power, ion-drift and plasma-temperature profiles. Four typical cases are selected to study quantitatively the effects of the (A) perpendicular-north component of the plasma drift (15 December 1986), (B) atmospheric composition (7 October 1986), (C) solar EUV flux (2 August 1989) and (D) upper-boundary O⁺ density (5 October 1989) on the model N_mF2, h_mF2 and N_e profile, as well as on the neutral wind calculation from h_mF2 and drift data. It is found that the measured vertical ion drift explains quantitatively well the measured h_mF2 (particularly at low solar activity) while the model gives a better match with the measured N_e when it uses the h_mF2-based wind rather than the measured plasma drift. Different model values of the atmospheric O/N₂ ratio and EUV flux and different values of the upper-bound O⁺ density may modify not only N_mF2 markedly but also h_mF2: a lower O/N₂ ratio results in higher h_mF2; the EUVAC model gives higher h_mF2 at high solar activity than does the EUV91 model; with a smaller upper-bound O⁺ density, h_mF2 is lower by day but little changed by night. We specifically note that the meridional wind needed by the model to reproduce the observed h_mF2 differed according to how well the model reproduced the observed N_mF2. The uncertainties in the MSIS86 and EUV model predictions are also discussed. It is found that if the MSIS and EUV91 models are used together, the model gives an N_mF2 higher than that measured at high solar activity. Thus the O/N₂ ratio needs to be reduced from the MSIS value if EUV91 is used. If EUVAC is used, no large modification is required. At equinox for low solar activity, modeling with either EUV model produces N_mF2 values lower than those measured, and so the true O/N₂ ratio may be higher than that given by MSIS model.     

A self-consistent estimate of O+ + N2– rate coefficient and total EUV solar flux with λ < 1050 Å using EISCAT observations

There are differences between existing models of solar EUV with < 1050 Å and between laboratory measurements of the O⁺ + N₂ – reaction rate coefficient, both parameters being crucial for the F2-region modeling. Therefore, indirect aeronomic estimates of these parameters may be useful for qualifying the existing EUV models and the laboratory measured O⁺ + N₂ – rate coefficient. A modified self-consistent method for daytime F2-region modeling developed by Mikhailov and Schlegel was applied to EISCAT observations (32 quiet summer and equinoctial days) to estimate the set of main aeronomic parameters. Three laboratory measured temperature dependencies for the O⁺ + N₂ – rate coefficient were used in our calculations to find self-consistent factors both for this rate coefficient and for the solar EUV flux model from Nusinov. Independent of the rate coefficient used, the calculated values group around the temperature dependence recently measured by Hierl et al. in the 850–1400 K temperature range. Therefore, this rate coefficient may be considered as the most preferable and is recommended for aeronomic calculations. The calculated EUV flux shows a somewhat steeper dependence on solar activity than both, the Nusinov and the EUVAC models predict. In practice both EUV models may be recommended for the F2-region electron density calculations with the total EUV flux shifted by ±25% for the EUVAC and Nusinov models, correspondingly.     

利用IMAGE卫星观测数据重建地球等离子体层的磁赤道面分布

美国利用IMAGE卫星的极紫外辐射（EUV）探测器对地球等离子体层进行了连续5年的遥感成像观测。由于IMAGE卫星数据是沿观测路径上的积分投影数据,并且存在地球“遮挡”、“阴影”、“数据缺失”等问题,无法直接利用传统的CT方法对等离子体层进行三维重建。本文利用地球磁场模型,基于地球等离子体层的物理性质,建立一个联系地球磁赤道面密度与投影数据的EUV成像模型,实现了从单个角度的EUV观测图像进行地球等离子层三维重构的方法。      

Sigmoid CME source regions at the Sun: some recent results

Identifying coronal mass ejection (CME) precursors in the solar corona would be an important step in space weather forecasting, as well as a vital key to understanding the physics of CMEs. Twisted magnetic field structures are suspected of being the source of at least some CMEs. These features can appear sigmoid (S or inverse-S) shaped in soft X-ray (SXR) images. We review recent observations of these structures and their relation to CMEs, using SXR data from the Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) on the Yohkoh satellite, and EUV data from the EUV Imaging Telescope (EIT) on the SOHO satellite. These observations indicate that the pre-eruption sigmoid patterns are more prominent in SXRs than in EUV, and that sigmoid precursors are present in over 50% of CMEs. These findings are important for CME research, and may potentially be a major component to space weather forecasting. So far, however, the studies have been subject to restrictions that will have to be relaxed before sigmoid morphology can be used as a reliable predictive tool. Moreover, some CMEs do not display a SXR sigmoid structure prior to eruption, and some others show no prominent SXR signature of any kind before or during eruption.     

The D-region ion composition

In this paper it is attempted to evaluate the relative importance of Lyman , EUV, solar X-rays and the secondary cosmic rays in producing ionization in the D-region below 90 km. The resulting ionization is studied in reference to its variations with the solar zenith angle and the solar activity. The currently available absorption and ionization cross-sections and the radiation fluxes have been used. The computed production rates and the currently accepted positive and negative ion reaction schemes are used to compute the positive and negative ion composition. The resulting electron density profiles are compared with the rocket and the theoretical profiles obtained by other workers. The agreement with the rocket results (Mechtly and Smith) appears to be satisfactory whereas the theoretical profiles given by others differ considerably below 70 and 80 km respectively for the solar minimum and maximum conditions.     

高压输电系统引起的空间电磁扰动

随着全球工业化进程的大力推进,高压输电系统逐渐成为电磁环境监测的主要人为干扰源之一。本文总结了以法国DEMETER卫星电磁场数据为主开展的高压电力线辐射研究的最新成果,对电力线产生的各类空间电磁扰动现象及其时空分布特征进行了归纳分析,其中包括电力线谐振辐射(PLHR)、磁层线辐射(MLR)、ELF/VLF辐射、高能粒子沉降等,并对与其耦合机制相关的电磁波传播及波粒相互作用模型进行了总结讨论,旨在对中国电磁监测试验卫星(CSES-1)数据处理方法、干扰识别和地震弱信号提取分析提供更多的参考信息。     

Destabilization, interaction, and eruption of filaments on the sun and associated phenomena

A brief overview of the observation results of filament interactions on the Sun both from the Earth and from space at the TRACE, SOHO, STEREO, Hinode, and Yohkoh stations in white light, Hα, extreme UV (EUV), X rays, and a radio range is presented. Various filament collision cases, where filaments merge (or do not merge) or change their forms as a result of reconnection, are considered. Filament interactions are associated with flares, filament eruptions, and coronal mass ejections. The theoretical aspects of the observed phenomena are also considered.     

Effect of suprathermal electrons on the intensity and Doppler frequency of electron plasma lines

In an incoherent scattering radar experiment, the spectral measurement of the so-called up- and downshifted electron plasma lines provides information about their intensity and their Doppler frequency. These two spectral lines correspond, in the backscatter geometry, to two Langmuir waves travelling towards and away from the radar. In the daytime ionosphere, the presence of a small percentage of photoelectrons produced by the solar EUV of the total electron population can excite or damp these Langmuir waves above the thermal equilibrium, resulting in an enhancement of the intensity of the lines above the thermal level. The presence of photo-electrons also modifies the dielectric response function of the plasma from the Maxwellian and thus influences the Doppler frequency of the plasma lines. In this paper, we present a high time-resolution plasma-line data set collected on the EISCAT VHF radar. The analysed data are compared with a model that includes the effect of a suprathermal electron population calculated by a transport code. By comparing the intensity of the analysed plasma lines data to our model, we show that two sharp peaks in the electron suprathermal distribution in the energy range 20–30 eV causes an increased Landau damping around 24.25 eV and 26.25 eV. We have identified these two sharp peaks as the effect of the photoionisation of N2 and O by the intense flux of monochromatic HeII radiation of wavelength 30.378 nm (40.812 eV) created in the chromospheric network and coronal holes. Furthermore, we see that what would have been interpreted as a mean Doppler drift veloCity for a Maxwellian plasma is actually a shift of the Doppler frequency of the plasma lines due to suprathermal electrons.