The size of the auroral belt during magnetic storms

Using the auroral boundary index derived from DMSP electron precipitation data and the Dst index, changes in the size of the auroral belt during magnetic storms are studied. It is found that the equatorward boundary of the belt at midnight expands equatorward, reaching its lowest latitude about one hour before Dst peaks. This time lag depends very little on storm intensity. It is also shown that during magnetic storms, the energy of the ring current quantified with Dst increases in proportion to L_e^–3, where L_e is the L-value corresponding to the equatorward boundary of the auroral belt designated by the auroral boundary index. This means that the ring current energy is proportional to the ion energy obtained from the earthward shift of the plasma sheet under the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant. The ring current energy is also pronortional to E_mag, the total magnetic field energy contained in the spherical shell bounded by L_e and L_eq, where L_eq corresponds to the quiet-time location of the auroral precipitation boundary. The ratio of the ring current energy E_R to the dipole energy E_mag is typically 10%. The ring current leads to magnetosphere inflation as a result of an increase in the equivalent dipole moment.     

Dynamics of the ionospheric electric currents and auroral luminosity boundaries during strong magnetic storms

The regularities in the southward drift of the ionospheric current centers and luminosity boundaries during strong magnetic storms of November 2003 and 2004 (with Dst ≈ ?400 and ?470 nT, respectively) are studied based on the global geomagnetic observations and TV measurements of auroras. It has been indicated that the eastward and westward electrojets in the dayside and nightside sectors simultaneously shift equatorward to minimal latitudes of Φ _min ^° ～53°–55°. It has been obtained that the Φ _min ^° latitude decreases with increasing negative values of Dst, IMF B _z component, and westward electric field strength in the solar wind. The dependence of the electrojet equatorward shift velocity (V _av) on the rate of IMF B _z variations (ΔB _z /Δt) has been determined. It is assumed that the electrojet dynamics along the meridian is caused by a change in the structure of the magnetosphere and electric fields in the solar wind and the Earth’s magnetosphere.     

The average electric current system for the sudden commencements of magnetic storms

Summary A statistical investigation of the world-wide electric current-systems corresponding to s.c's has been carried out. The storm-time variationDst and the disturbance diurnal variationDs of s.c's are derived separately from the results of the average local-time variations in the magnetic field at different latitudes.A conspicuousDs current-system is found in the inner polar regions, and a concentrated current-flow is also confirmed along the geomagnetic equator resembling the current-system of an enhancedSq-field. The inner polar region currents flow towards the meridian at about 9h local-time and are supposed to complete their path along the outer auroral zone in opposite directions in the forenoon and afternoon hemispheres. It is of interest that the pattern of this atmospheric electric current-system is very similar to that caused by an electric doublet centred on the highiy conducting region near the pole.Some observed facts concerning the statistical nature of s.c's can be explained by these current-systems.     

基于地磁水平分量序列的磁暴自动识别

应用小波包分析技术提取了地磁水平分量序列的能量特征,用Fisher方法进行识别,研究了磁暴与非磁暴的识别率在不同时间长度t下的变化规律.当t=1h时,对磁暴与非磁暴的平均识别率达到83.8%;在确定为磁暴的前提下,进一步将磁暴按强度分为强磁暴(磁情指数K≥8)和非强磁暴(K≤7),平均识别率为72.9%.在对地磁水平分量进行连续实时监测的情况下,用这种方法可实现对磁暴的自动识别.     

Effect of magnetic storms in variations in the atmospheric electric field at midlatitudes

The observations of the variations in the vertical component of the atmospheric electric field (E _z ) at Swider midlatitude Poland observatory (geomagnetic latitude 47.8°) under the conditions of fair weather during 14 magnetic storms have been analyzed. The effect of the magnetic storm main phase in the daytime midlatitude variations in E _z in the absence of local geomagnetic disturbances has been detected for the first time. Considerable (～100–300 V m^?1) decreases in the electric field strength (E _z ) at Swider observatory were observed in daytime simultaneously with the substorm onset in the nighttime sector of auroral latitudes (College observatory). The detected effects indicate that an intensification of the interplanetary electric field during the magnetic storm main phase, the development of magnetospheric substorms, and precipitation of energetic electrons into the nighttime auroral ionosphere can result in considerable disturbances in the midlatitude atmospheric electric field.     

Modeling the Dst variation during magnetic storms

A unified method for calculating the Dst index and its components using models of the magnetospheric magnetic field is proposed. The method is consistent with the procedure for calculating Dst from the ground-based magnetometer data. When calculating Dst, the quiet-day magnetic variation is subtracted from the model variation of the magnetic field of magnetospheric sources. The effect of induced currents flowing in the surface layer of the Earth’s crust is taken into account. The dynamics of the magnetospheric current systems during a storm is studied based on an analysis of the Dst components. The magnetic field components for a “quiet” day in June 1998 are studied. The calculations of the Dst components in the parabolid and T01 models demonstrate that the maximum contributions of the ring current and magnetotail current system to the Dst variation are comparable for the magnetic storm of June 25–26, 1998.     

On the problem of sudden commencements of geomagnetic storms as manifestations of shock waves

nma nu SS u nmau u nau a¶rt;a ¶rt;u nma u u a au 11-mu ua. u ¶rt; nm ¶rt; n. a¶rt;am nuu nu SS u.     

Relationships between magnetic storms and the Pc1 micropulsations

Using Pc1 data gathered at Ottawa (45.4°N, 75.6°W; L = 3.5) during the International Magnetospheric Study (IMS) period, relationships between ssc, Dst, and the occurrence of Pc1 pulsations are examined. It is found that the sudden compressions of the magnetoshere that took place in the postnoon period (13–22 hLT) frequently produced Pc1 pulsations at Ottawa. This pulsational activity took place about 25 to 125 hours after the occurrence of ssc’s of amplitude 5–25 nT and duration 2–6 min. Pc1’s also occur 20 to 40 hours after maximum Dst deviations in the range 50–110 nT, when the ring current has decayed to a considerable extent (5 nT < Dst < 25 nT). In agreement withHeacock andKivinen (1972), it appears that during the storm recovery phase energetic particles of the ring current with anisotropic pitch angle distribution interact with the surrounding cold plasma of the plasmasphere. When stable trapping limit is reached, proton cyclotron instability is triggered and pulsations in the Pc1 period range are generated.     

磁暴主相多阶发展行星际起因的初步分析

本文利用1998~2006年与磁云有关的80起中强磁暴(Dst*≤-50 nT),对其主相期间不同发展阶数磁暴的行星际起因进行了统计分析.重点研究了鞘区磁场单独作用、磁云本体单独作用、鞘区与磁云共同作用以及其他复杂行星际结构在磁暴主相多阶发展中的相对重要性,并对导致磁暴主相增加一阶的行星际起因做了初步分析.统计结果表明:(1)有一半以上的中强磁暴主相具有多个发展阶段,其中一阶磁暴和多阶磁暴(包括二阶和二阶以上磁暴)在中等磁暴(-100 nTDst*≤-50 nT)中所占比例分别为53.8%和46.2%,在强磁暴(Dst*≤-100 nT)中所占比例分别为42.6%和57.4%;(2)随着磁暴主相发展阶数的增加,磁暴主相的平均持续时间也随之延长;(3)鞘区磁场单独作用、磁云本体单独作用、鞘区与磁云共同作用、磁云与其他行星际结构共同作用都可能引起磁暴主相的多阶发展;(4)有46.5%的多阶磁暴是由鞘区磁场与磁云本体共同作用引起,有34.9%的多阶磁暴是由鞘区磁场单独作用和磁云本体单独作用引起,其余的多阶磁暴是由其他复杂行星际结构引起;(5)在鞘区磁场单独作用的事件中,鞘区磁场结构是影响磁暴主相多阶发展的重要因素之一;(6)磁暴主相的多阶发展与晨昏电场Ey、行星际磁场Bz南向分量的发展密切相关,随着Ey和Bz阶段性的发展,磁暴主相也呈现多阶发展的趋势,且每阶Dst*极小值与该阶Eymax和Bzmin有很好的线性相关性,线性耦合方程分别为Dstmin* =-34.62-11.89×Eymax 和Dstmin* =-5.90+8.50×Bzmin.     

Descriptive study of solar activity sudden increase and Halloween storms of 2003

During the declining phase of the last three solar cycles, secondary peaks have been detected 2–3 years after the main peak of sunspot number. The main peak of cycle 23 was in 2001, but a sudden increase of the solar activity occurred during the period October 17 to November 10, 2003 (the so-called Halloween storms). A similar storm occurred 1 year later, during the period October 3 to November 13, 2004. These events are considered as secondary peaks during the declining phase of cycle 23. Secondary peaks during declining phase of the last 10 solar cycles were detected by Gonzalez and Tsurutani [1990. Planetary and Space Science 38, 181–187]. During Halloween storm period, the sunspot area increased up to 1.11×10^?9 hemisphere on October 19, and grow up to 5.69×10^?9 hemisphere on October 30, 2003. Then it decreased to 1.11×10^?9 hemisphere on November 4, 2003. Also, the radio flux of λ=10.7 cm increased from 120 sfu on October 19, to 298 sfu on October 26, 2003, then decreased to 168 sfu on November 4, 2003. Two eruptive solar proton flares were released on 26 and 28 October 2003, the latter being the most eruptive flare recorded since 1976 (values reaching X17/4B).The aim of this study is to follow the morphological and magnetic changes of the active region before, during, and after the production of high-energy flares. Furthermore, the causes of release of these eruptive storms have been discussed for the period, October–November 2003, during the declining phase of the solar cycle 23.     

Upper-atmospheric effects of magnetic storms: a brief tutorial

The physical processes underlying several phenomena of upper-atmospheric storms are described: magnetospherically driven ion convection and Joule heating and their impact on the high-latitude thermosphere and ionosphere; global changes in thermospheric circulation and composition; traveling atmospheric disturbances; and effects of electric-field penetration to middle and low latitudes. Examples from the 1997 January 10–11 storm are used to illustrate some of these features. It is pointed out that not only the magnitude, but also the sign of many storm-time changes at any given location depend sensitively on the temporal and spatial variations of auroral particle precipitation and high-latitude electric fields. In order for simulation models to be able to predict upper-atmospheric storm effects accurately, improved determination of the high-latitude inputs will be required.     

Interplanetary control of thermospheric densities during large magnetic storms

During the main phase of large magnetic storms significant energy can be deposited in the ionosphere but produce no commensurate magnetic perturbations on the ground. Consequently, models designed to predict and specify thermospheric energy budgets based on ground magnetic data are negatively impacted. To quantify these effects we compare thermospheric densities predicted by the MSIS model with those inferred from accelerometer measurements by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites during two magnetic storm periods in 2004. Although predictions and measurements are in substantial agreement during quiet times, the model significantly underpredicts densities during storms. Also, the model's maxima occur several hours after observed stormtime peaks. We show that polar cap potentials and magnetospheric electric fields derived from interplanetary parameters measured by the Advanced Composition Explorer satellite are roughly proportional to neutral densities observed by GRACE with lead times of ∼4 h. Finally, ion drift meter data from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft suggest that unpredicted positive and negative spikes found in high latitude accelerometer data reflect encounters with strong head and tail thermospheric winds driven by anti-sunward convecting plasma.     

Extended main phase of some sudden commencement great geomagnetic storms with double SSCs

Hourly equatorial Dst (H) values for a few sudden commencement great geomagnetic storms recorded during the solar cycle 22 are plotted for 72 h of storm time and critically examined. Magnetic records taken at selected low latitude Indian stations are also scrutinised for finer details like SSCs, SIs and other fluctuations. Unusually prolonged main phases lasting more than 20 h characterize the two great storms of 13 March 1989 and 24 March 1991. A second SSC/SI pair, occurring some hours after the first main SSC, has also been identified in these storms. Only the great storm of 28 October 1991, with two SSCs and a main phase duration of 21 h, could be studied in conjunction with simultaneous interplanetary data, including Bz changes. Double negative Bz changes correlate well with the extended and enhanced main phase of this storm. Successive magnetic clouds preceded by interplanetary shock waves could generate such great magnetic storms in association with southward IMF changes.     

地震与磁暴主相最低点时刻的相关性

利用磁暴研究地震,特别是预测大地震的报道经常见诸公共媒体,引发诸多质疑.本研究以地震和磁暴(主相最低点)时刻的先后关系为研究对象,在不同时间窗、不同磁暴大小条件下,统计不同震级的地震与磁暴发生之间的时差及对应的地震比例,发现该比例随震前时间窗的增加或磁暴强度的减弱而不断增大,与起始震级基本无关.讨论磁暴对后续地震的"预...     

Generation of VLF emissions during the substorm preliminary phase and the auroral dynamics at the auroral oval northern edge

About 100 breakups of different types and intensities are studied on the basis of Lovozero Observatory data. Magnetic pulsations in different frequency ranges, VLF emissions, and auroral activity are analyzed using the TV data. It is found that magnetic pulsations in all frequency ranges lag behind the moment of breakup by 0.5–2.0 min, and bursts of low-intensity broadband VLF emission hiss are observed 3–10 min before breakup. Hiss leading breakup corresponds to feeble auroras located northward of a pre-breakup arc.     

Dynamics of the radiation belt formed by solar protons during magnetic storms

Experimental proofs of the existence of the formation and destruction mechanisms of solar proton belts in the inner magnetosphere at a rapid change in the penetration boundary of solar protons are presented. An analysis of the measurements of solar protons and alpha-particles on board the Coronas-F low-altitude polar satellite during the magnetic storms in October–November 2003 is performed. During this period, formation and destruction of the belts of solar cosmic rays was observed several times. The compression of the magnetosphere during a storm makes possible the direct penetration of solar protons deep into the inner magnetosphere. The proton trajectories outside the penetration boundary are open, and the preliminary captured particles can easily leave the magnetosphere. During the recovery of the magnetospheric configuration, when the penetration boundary goes away from the Earth, the solar protons and alpha-particles with relatively low velocity of the magnetic drift remain stably captured, whereas the particles of higher energies follow the motion of the penetration boundary. That is why the energy range of the captured protons is limited from above in contrast to the effect of injection during ineffective SC in the low-energy region.     

Effect of the ns component of the interplanetary magnetic field on geomagnetic storms

Summary The individual storm-time variations of the geomagnetic field were compared with the variations of the B_z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field over 24 and 48-hour intervals of storm time. Good correlation between B_z and Dst was observed in about one half of the 166 cases analysed (1965–72), the time lag of the manifestations of the interplanetary field at the Earth's surface having been taken into account. The effect of the B_z-field is reflected to a considerably larger extent in intense storms (Dst –80 nT). Good correlation was observed in 80% of the total number of 35 intense storms. Preliminary investigations have shown that Dst-variations, constructed from B_z-data using the relations derived herein, are quite close to the observed, particularly as regards the main phase (3 examples are given).     

Supply of energy to the magnetosphere during the main phase of magnetic storms

au u¶rt;um u mu ¶rt; umu u amu, aa aum, u nuu anmuaum n mu , a ma u n¶rt;nu, m amau uu aum mu u( a a) nnua nu u nam nmama aum mu, aa naam uu . au mmuu mu u a auu ¶rt;a aaua a ¶rt;am a mum uumuu naam ¶rt;a na u ama, n¶rt; a¶rt; uu nu aua ¶rt;nuuaum n mu u. mu ¶rt; num uu, a mmmuu namu naamau , ¶rt; m¶rt; u aua nuu anmuaum n, auam mn uu, a m naama .     

Variations in the ULF index of geomagnetic pulsations during strong magnetic storms

The level of wave geomagnetic activity in the morning, afternoon, and nighttime sectors during strong magnetic storms with Dst varying from ?100 to ?150 nT has been statistically studied based on a new ULF wave index. It has been found out that the intensity of geomagnetic pulsations at frequencies of 2–7 mHz during the magnetic storm initial phase is maximal in the morning and nighttime sectors at polar and auroral latitudes, respectively. During the magnetic storm main phase, wave activity is maximal in the morning sector of the auroral zone, and the pulsation intensity in the nighttime sector is twice as low as in the morning sector. It has been indicated that geomagnetic pulsations excited after substorms mainly contribute to a morning wave disturbance during the magnetic storm main phase. During the storm recovery phase, wave activity develops in the morning and nighttime sectors of the auroral zone; in this case nighttime activity is also observed in the subauroral zone.