Heavy ion reflection and heating by collisionless shocks in polar solar corona

We propose a new model for explaining the observations of preferential heating of heavy ions in the polar solar corona. We consider that a large number of small scale shock waves can be present in the solar corona, as suggested by recent observations of polar coronal jets by the Hinode and STEREO spacecraft. The heavy ion energization mechanism is, essentially, the ion reflection off supercritical quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks in the corona and the subsequent acceleration by the motional electric field E=−(1/c)V ×B. The acceleration due to E is perpendicular to the magnetic field, giving rise to large temperature anisotropy with T_⊥?T_∥, which can excite ion cyclotron waves. Also, heating is more than mass proportional with respect to protons, because the heavy ion orbit is mostly upstream of the quasi-perpendicular shock foot. The observed temperature ratios between O⁵⁺ ions and protons in the polar corona, and between α particles and protons in the solar wind are easily recovered. We also discuss the mechanism of heavy ion reflection, which is based on ion gyration in the magnetic overshoot of the shock.     

Field-aligned currents and parallel electric field potential drops at Mars. Scaling from the Earth’ aurora

The observations of electron inverted ‘V’ structures by the MGS and MEX spacecraft, their resemblance to similar events in the auroral regions of the Earth, and the discovery of strong localized magnetic field sources of the crustal origin on Mars, raised hypotheses on the existence of Martian aurora produced by electron acceleration in parallel electric fields. Following the theory of this type of structures on Earth we perform a scaling analysis to the Martian conditions. Similar to the Earth, upward field-aligned currents necessary for the generation of parallel potential drops and peaked electron distributions can arise, for example, on the boundary between ‘closed’ and ‘open’ crustal field lines due to shears of the flow velocity of the magnetosheath or magnetospheric plasmas. A steady-state configuration assumes a closure of these currents in the Martian ionosphere. Due to much smaller magnetic fields as compared to the Earth case, the ionospheric Pedersen conductivity is much higher on Mars and auroral field tubes with parallel potential drops and relatively small cross scales to be adjusted to the scales of the localized crustal patches may appear only if the magnetosphere and ionosphere are decoupled by a zone with a strong E_∥. Another scenario suggests a periodic short-circuit of the magnetospheric electric fields by a coupling with the conducting ionosphere.     

Basic concepts in the electrodynamics of the auroral ionosphere

Equations governing the large-scale electrodynamic processes in the auroral ionosphere are systematically discussed and the limits to drawing conclusions from incomplete sets of equations are evaluated. The vectors of electic current density,j, and electric field,E, are expressed as explicit functions of the densities, pressures and velocities of the constituents of the ionosphere.The equation div (·E)=0 is an identity satisfied by any solution of the full set of equations governing the problem and cannot be treated as a differential equation forE in which the components of the conductivity tensor are given parameters. The concept of the height-integrated conductivities and the conclusions based on it are inconsistent with the equations of momentum balance for the ionospheric constituents.The global structure of the auroral ionosphere is determined by the state of equilibrium between the pressure gradients, the inertial forces and thej×B-force associated with the auronal electrojets flowing along the auroral oval. The time-averaged, global, electric field is directed across the auroral oval. Its value is substantially affected by the motions of neutral particles. The velocity vector of the neutrals has a substantial component directed across the oval.     

The influence of fluctuation fields on the force-free field

In Paper I (Hu, 1982), we discussed the the influence of fluctuation fields on the force-free field for the case of conventional turbulence and demonstrated the general relationships. In the present paper, by using the approach of local expansion, the equation of average force-free field is obtained as (1+b)?×B ₀=(α#x002B;a)B ₀#x002B;a ⁽¹⁾×B ₀#x002B;K. The average coefficientsa,a ⁽¹⁾,b, andK show the influence of the fluctuation fields in small scale on the configurations of magnetic field in large scale. As the average magnetic field is no longer parallel to the average electric current, the average configurations of force-free fields are more general and complex than the usual ones. From the view point of physics, the energy and momentum of the turbulent structures should have influence on the equilibrium of the average fields. Several examples are discussed, and they show the basic features of the fluctuation fields and the influence of fluctuation fields on the average configurations of magnetic fields. The astrophysical environments are often in the turbulent state, the results of the present paper may be applied to the turbulent plasma where the magnetic field is strong.     

The evolution of nighttime mid-latitude mesoscale F-region structures: A case study utilizing numerical solution of the Perkins instability equations

In recent years, all-sky camera airglow observations of evolving nighttime F-region structures have raised questions regarding the formation and apparent motion of these often wave-like structures. We address these issues using a pseudo-spectral method code developed to numerically solve the Perkins (1973. Spread F and ionospheric currents. J. Geophys. Res. 78, 218-226) moment equations modeling F-region electrodynamics. To aid in interpretation of the results, we utilize a Gaussian shape initial condition of the (geomagnetic field, B, parallel) integrated conductivity under the homogeneous TEC (B-parallel total electron content) condition and a northeastward DC electric field (E-field). We find that the initial Gaussian shape conductivity structure gradually evolves into banded structures oriented along the northwest-southeast direction while the amplitude of the banded structures continues growing and the peak of the structure moves to the northwest due to the E×B drift. The potential distribution corresponding to the initial Gaussian conductivity distribution is more complex but also becomes banded with the same orientation and growing trend as the conductivity. Wave vector domain plots show structure growth in approximately the first and third quadrants and damping in the second and fourth quadrants for both the conductivity and potential, as Perkins predicts—this leads to the orientation of the structures. We note that the evolved banded structures in conductivity and potential are oriented perpendicular to the direction given by half the angle between the DC E-field and east—the direction of maximum instability growth rate predicted by Perkins. The polarization (perturbation) E-field is seen mainly perpendicular to the long axis of the banded structures—i.e., no obvious structure-parallel E-field is observed in the simulation. By tracking the maximum point of the conductivity as a function of time, it is found that the localized structures move northwestward at a nearly constant speed that corresponds to the E×B drift velocity (to within relative errors on the direction and magnitude of ?4%). We also note that the E×B drift velocity has a dominant effect on the speed and propagation direction of the wave-like bands. The “wave” velocity is the projection of the E×B drift velocity on the line perpendicular to the wave front. Thus, the movement of a northwest-southeast oriented band can be decomposed into two components—parallel (to the band, northwestward) and perpendicular (southwestward) motions. A preliminary comparison of these results with an Arecibo all-sky camera observations shows good agreement.     

Drift theory of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields

In this paper we review the drift theory of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. No new physical interpretations are added to this classical topic, but through an alternative, simplified derivation of the guiding centre velocity, several complexities are eliminated and possible misconceptions of the theory are clarified. It is shown that:

1. The curvature/gradient drift velocity in the magnetic field, averaged over a particle distribution function is to lowest order in the direction of?×B/B ², while the average particle velocity is in the direction ofB×? P withP the scalar particle pressure.
2. These drift directions are correct for first-order expansions of the particle distribution function, and only second-order or higher expansions change these directions.
3. The?×B/B ² drift, which is the standard gradient plus curvature drift, and which is usually considered as a ‘single particle’ drift, need not be ‘reconciled’ with theB×? P, or ‘macroscopic, collective’ drift, as is often asserted in the literature. They are in fact related per definition and we show how.
4. When viewed in fixed momentum intervals (p,p+dp), the so-called Compton-Getting factor enters into the electric field (E×B)/B ² drift term.
5. The results are independent of the scale length of variation ofE andB, in contrast to existing drift theory. We discuss the implications of this result for three important cases.

     

The westward thermospheric jet-stream of the evening auroral oval

One of the most consistent and often dramatic interactions between the high latitude ionosphere and the thermosphere occurs in the vicinity of the auroral oval in the afternoon and evening period. Ionospheric ions, convected sunward by the influence of the magnetospheric electric field, create a sunward jet-stream in the thermosphere, where wind speeds of up to 1 km s^?1 can occur. This jet-stream is nearly always present in the middle and upper thermosphere (above 200 km altitude), even during periods of very low geomagnetic activity. However, the magnitude of the winds in the jet-stream, as well as its location and range in latitude, each depend on geomagnetic activity. On two occasions, jet-streams of extreme magnitude have been studied using simultaneous ground-based and satellite observations, probing both the latitudinal structure and the local time dependence. The observations have then been evaluated with the aid of simulations using a global, three-dimensional, time-dependent model of thermospheric dynamics including the effects of magnetospheric convection and particle precipitation. The extreme events, where sunward winds of above 800 ms^?1 are generated at relatively low geomagnetic latitudes (60–70°) require a greatly expanded auroral oval and large cross-polar cap electric field ( ~ 150 kV). These in turn are generated by a persistent strong Interplanetary Magnetic Field, with a large southward component. Global indices such as K_p are a relatively poor indicator of the magnitude and extent of the jet-stream winds.     

Dawn-dusk (y) component of the interplanetary magnetic field and the local time of the harang discontinuity

We describe a simple method for determining the time at which the meridian of a sub-auroral magnetic observatory crosses that of the Harang discontinuity—the separation of the eastward and westward electrojets which flow in the evening and morning sectors of the auroral oval. We then consider how this time, determined from examination of magnetograms from sub-auroral observatories varies with the dawn-dusk (y) component of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field. We find that the time at which the Harang discontinuity is identified in the Northern Hemisphere is earlier for B_y > 0 than the occasions when B_y < 0, and that the converse is observed in the Southern Hemisphere. Also we suggest that there is no significant seasonal variation in the relationship between the time of the discontinuity and B_y. The sense of the azimuthal shift of the auroral electrojet currents with changes in B_y is consistent with the theory of Cowley (1981). However, the magnitude of the observed shifts is approximately an order of magnitude greater than the theoretical predictions. We suggest that this difference between observation and theory arises from the use of a dipole magnetic field model at auroral zone latitudes in the theoretical estimation of azimuthal displacement.     

Global Simulation of Magnetospheric Space Weather Effects of the Bastille Day Storm

We present results from a global simulation of the interaction of the solar wind with Earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, and thermosphere for the Bastille Day geomagnetic storm and compare the results with data. We find that during this event the magnetosphere becomes extremely compressed and eroded, causing 3 geosynchronous GOES satellites to enter the magnetosheath for an extended time period. At its extreme, the magnetopause moves at local noon as close as 4.9 R _E to Earth which is interpreted as the consequence of the combined action of enhanced dynamic pressure and strong dayside reconnection due to the strong southward interplanetary magnetic field component B _z, which at one time reaches a value of −60 nT. The lobes bulge sunward and shield the dayside reconnection region, thereby limiting the reconnection rate and thus the cross polar cap potential. Modeled ground magnetic perturbations are compared with data from 37 sub-auroral, auroral, and polar cap magnetometer stations. While the model can not yet predict the perturbations and fluctuations at individual ground stations, its predictions of the fluctuation spectrum in the 0–3 mHz range for the sub-auroral and high-latitude regions are remarkably good. However, at auroral latitudes (63° to 70° magnetic latitude) the predicted fluctuations are slightly too high. Supplementary material to this paper is available in electronic form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1014228230714     

Generation of auroral kilometric radiation and the structure of auroral acceleration region

Generation of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) in the auroral acceleration region is studied. It is shown that auroral kilometric radiation can be generated by the backscattered electrons trapped in the acceleration region via a cyclotron maser process. The parallel electric field in the acceleration region is required to be distributed over 1–2 R_E. The observed AKR frequency spectrum can be used to estimate the altitude range of the auroral acceleration region. The altitudes of the lower and upper boundaries of the acceleration region determined from the AKR data are respectively ～2000 and ～9000 km.     

The consequences of high latitude particle precipitation on global thermospheric dynamics

A previous comparison of experimental measurements of thermospheric winds with simulations using a global self-consistent three-dimensional time-dependent model confirmed a necessity for a high latitude source of energy and momentum acting in addition to solar u.v. and e.u.v. heating. During quiet geomagnetic conditions, the convective electric field over the polar cap and auroral oval seemed able to provide adequate momentum input to explain the thermospheric wind distribution observed in these locations. However, it seems unable to provide adequate heating, by the Joule mechanism, to complete the energy budget of the thermosphere and, more importantly, unable to provide the high latitude input required to explain mean meridional winds at mid-latitudes. In this paper we examine the effects of low energy particle precipitation on thermospheric dynamics and energy budget. Modest fluxes over the polar cap and auroral oval, of the order of 0.4 erg cm ⁻²/s, are consistent with satellite observations of the particles themselves and with photometer observations of the OI and OII airglow emissions. Such particle fluxes, originating in the dayside magnetosheath cusp region and in the nightside central plasma sheet, heat the thermosphere and modify mean meridional winds at mid-latitudes without enhancing the OI 557.7 line, or the ionization of the lower thermosphere (and thus enhancing the auroral electrojets), neither of which would be consistent with observations during quiet geomagnetic conditions.     

Atmospheric expansion from Joule heating

An expression for the vertical velocity of the neutral atmosphere in the F-region is derived for Joule heating by the electric field that drives the auroral electrojet. When only vertical expansion is allowed, it is found that the vertical wind must always increase monotonically with altitude. The heating rate is proportional to the F-region ion density, so that appreciable heating, even during high electric fields, requires some production mechanism of ionization such as auroral secondary ionization or solar photoionization, in the lower F-region. Once started at night, when an ionizing source is present in the lower F-region, the expansion of the atmosphere transports ionization upward, thereby increasing the heating rate, and hence the expansion rate, i.e. positive feedback. Electric field strengths and F-region ion densities of 50 mV/m and 2 × 10¹¹e/m³, respectively, will produce vertal neutral wind speeds of several tens of m/sec in the 300–500 km altitude range. During periods of high magnetic activity, i.e. high electric field, Joule heating can produce large increases in the relative N₂ concentration in the upper F-region; computations made with a simple model suggest that tenfold increases can occur at 400 km altitude $\text{1}\text{2?1}\text{hr}$ after the onset of magnetic activity, a result in agreement with satellite observations. When the Joule heating theory is applied to incoherent scatter data taken during one period of high heating, the horizontal electric field in the F-region is found to decrease markedly, possibly approaching zero as the field penetrates a weak, discrete auroral arc; the decrease began 10–20 km from the arc.     

Spectra of radiation from a strongly magnetized plasma

Radiation from an optically thick, tenuous, isothermal and magnetized plasma is considered under conditions typical for X-ray pulsars, in the approximation of coupled diffusion of normal modes. The spectra are calculated of the fluxes and specific intensities of outgoing radiation, their dependences on the plasma densityN, temperatureT and magnetic fieldB are analysed with due regard to the vacuum polarization by a strong magnetic field. Simple analytical expressions are obtained in the limiting cases for the fluxes and intensities. It is shown that atE _B »E _a (E _B =11.6B ₁₂ keV,E _a ?0.1N ₂₂ ^1/2 T ₁ ^?3/4 keV,B ₁₂=B/10¹² G,N ₂₂=N/10²² cm^?3,T ₁=T/10 keV) the magnetic field strongly intensifies the flux and changes its spectrum in the regionE _a ?E ?E _B . AtE ?T the spectrum of the energy flux is almost flat in the region \(\sqrt {E_a E_B } \lesssim E \lesssim E_B \) . For homogeneous plasma without Comptonization the cyclotron line atE?=E _B appears in emission, though in many other cases it may appear in absorption. The vacuum polarization may produce the ‘vacuum feature’ atE?E _W ?13N ₂₂ ^1/2 B ₁₂ ^?1 keV, which, as a rule, appears in absorption. The intensity spectra vary noticeably with the direction of radiation, in particular, at some directions nearB, the spectra become harder than in other directions. Quantization of the magnetic field (E _B >T) strongly increases the plasma luminosity (∝E _B /T for homogeneous plasma). The results obtained explain a number of basic features in the observed X-ray pulsar spectra.     

On the Dynamics of the Jovian Ionosphere and Thermosphere: II. The Measurement of H3 Vibrational Temperature, Column Density, and Total Emission

We present the first reported measurements of the intensity of a “hotband” transition for the H₃⁺ molecular ion in the northern auroral/polar region of Jupiter. This transition is identified as the R(3, 4⁺) line of the (2v₂(l=0)→v₂) hotband, with a wavelength of 3.94895 μm. This is the first time such a transition has been measured outside the laboratory, and the wavelength as measured on Jupiter is within the experimental accuracy of the lab measurement. This detection makes it possible to investigate H₃⁺ transitions that simultaneously originate from different vibrational levels. We use the intensity ratio between this line and the Q(1, 0⁻) fundamental transition to derive effective vibrational temperatures, column densities, and total emission parameters as a function of position across the auroral/polar region. Effective temperatures range from ∼900 to ∼1250 K; an increase in average temperature during our observing run of ∼100 K is noted. The derived temperatures are toward the high end or in excess of the auroral temperature range that has been reported in the literature to date. The relationship among emission intensity, temperature, and density is shown to be complex. This may reflect the nonthermalization of the vibrational levels at the gas densities prevailing in the jovian thermosphere. An alternative analysis allowing for this effect is presented. But this approach requires thermospheric temperatures to be ∼1500 K at the level that the majority of H₃⁺ is being produced, higher than has previously been proposed.     

Mid-latitude horizontal electric fields in the stratosphere during magnetically disturbed periods

The horizontal electric field has been measured with balloons over the Pacific Ocean near the Sanriku Coast in Japan. By comparing the electric-field data obtained during magnetically disturbed periods, 16–17 October 1973, 6–7 October 1975 and 3–4 October 1977, with IMF B_z, auroral zone AU and AL, equatorial Dst and $\text{Δ(Dst)}\text{Δt}$, mid-latitude magnetic fields (H, D, Z at Kakioka), and the ionospheric electron density (?₀F2 at Kokubunji), it is found that the observed electric fields of about 9 mVm^?1 made the clockwise rotation during the growth and recovery stages of the magnetospheric substorms. Relations between high and middle latitude ionospheres and between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere are discussed in relation to the origin and propagation of these electric fields.     

On high-latitude convection field inhomogeneities,parallel electric fields and inverted-V precipitation events

Assuming a certain horizontal distribution of the convection field at a certain altitude above the ionosphere, the associated electric field and current distributions in a vertical plane are calculated using a model with finite current-dependent conductivity along the magnetic field lines. It is seen that given the kind of horizontal distribution of E₆ commonly observed by polar-orbiting satellites at inverted-V electron precipitation events, the calculated distribution of E_∥ is able to reproduce the basic spatial structure of the precipitation. It is also seen that the combined effect of a locally increased ionization within auroral forms and a large potential difference (ΔV)_∥ along the magnetic field lines at higher altitudes is a strong reduction of E₆ within the auroral forms. From the basic features of the electric field, it is concluded that an interpretation of auroral precipitation in terms of a static E_∥ may require a mechanism that can support a large (ΔV)_∥ even at relatively weak current densities and at the same time allow local enhancements of the parallel conductivity within the region of non-zero E_∥. It is suggested that the magnetic mirroring combined with gyro-resonant wave-particle interactions may be a suitable mechanism.     

Localized auroral disturbance in the morning sector of topside ionosphere as a standing electromagnetic wave

An intense, localized auroral disturbance observed by Intercosmos-Bulgaria-1300 satellite in the morning sector at the altitude 850 km is analyzed in detail. The disturbance is characterized by strong “jumps” of electric and magnetic fields reaching ～ 80 mV/m and ～ 100 nT, fluctuations of ion density (Δn/n ～ 70%) and bursts of downward and upward energetic electron fluxes. Electric and magnetic disturbances display a distinct spatial-temporal relationship typical for the standing quasi-monochromatic wave ($\text{? ～ 1}\text{Hz}\text{, λ}{}_{\mathrm{x}}\text{～ 10}\text{km}$). The ratio of amplitudes of electric and magnetic fluctuations is equal to Alfvén velocity (ΔE/ΔB ～ v_A/c). However, a strong parallel component of the electric field (～ 30 mV/m) and large ion density fluctuations indicate significant changes of plasma properties (the effects of anomalous resistivity are possible).     

A global circulation model of Saturn's thermosphere

We present the first 3-dimensional self-consistent calculations of the response of Saturn's global thermosphere to different sources of external heating, giving local time and latitudinal changes of temperatures, winds and composition at equinox and solstice. Our calculations confirm the well-known finding that solar EUV heating alone is insufficient to produce Saturn's observed low latitude thermospheric temperatures of 420 K. We therefore carry out a sensitivity study to investigate the thermosphere's response to two additional external sources of energy, (1) auroral Joule heating and (2) empirical wave heating in the lower thermosphere. Solar EUV heating alone produces horizontal temperature variations of below 20 K, which drive horizontal winds of less than 20 m/s and negligible horizontal changes in composition. In contrast, Joule heating produces a strong dynamical response with westward winds comparable to the sound speed on Saturn. Joule heating alone, at a total rate of 9.8 TW, raises polar temperatures to around 1200 K, but values equatorward of 30° latitude, where observations were made, remain below 200 K due to inefficient meridional energy transport in a fast rotating atmosphere. The primarily zonal wind flow driven by strong Coriolis forces implies that energy from high latitudes is transported equatorward mainly by vertical winds through adiabatic processes, and an additional 0.29-0.44 mW/m² thermal energy are needed at low latitudes to obtain the observed temperature values. Strong upwelling increases the H₂ abundances at high latitudes, which in turn affects the H⁺₃ densities. Downwelling at low latitudes helps increase atomic hydrogen abundances there.     

A theoretical and empirical study of the response of the high latitude thermosphere to the sense of the “Y” component of the interplanetary magnetic field

The strength and direction of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) controls the transfer of solar wind momentum and energy to the high latitude thermosphere in a direct fashion. The sense of “ Y” component of the IMF (BY) creates a significant asymmetry of the magnetospheric convection pattern as mapped onto the high latitude thermosphere and ionosphere. The resulting response of the polar thermospheric winds during periods when BY is either positive or negative is quite distinct, with pronounced changes in the relative strength of thermospheric winds in the dusk-dawn parts of the polar cap and in the dawn part of the auroral oval. In a study of four periods when there was a clear signature of BY, observed by the ISEE-3 satellite, with observations of polar winds and electric fields from the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite and with wind observations by a ground-based Fabry-Perot interferometer located in Kiruna, Northern Sweden, it is possible to explain features of the high latitude thermospheric circulation using three dimensional global models including BY dependent, asymmetric, polar convection fields. Ground-based Fabry-Perot interferometers often observe anomalously low zonal wind velocities in the (Northern) dawn auroral oval during periods of extremely high geomagnetic activity when BY is positive. Conversely, for BY negative, there is an early transition from westward to southward and eastward winds in the evening auroral oval (excluding the effects of auroral substorms), and extremely large eastward (sunward) winds may be driven in the auroral oval after magnetic midnight. These observations are matched by the observation of strong anti-sunward polar-cap wind jets from the DE-2 satellite, on the dusk side with BY negative, and on the dawn side with BY positive.