On the structure of ducts for mid-latitude whistlers and their ionospheric transmission as deduced from the ground-based direction finding

The ground-based direction finding carried out at Ceduna, Australia (L=1.93) has yielded the structure for mid-latitude whistlers and their duct ionospheric transmission mechanism. It is found that the ducts tend to take place (or be formed) at the same latitudes and that such sheet-shaped duct includes some inhomogeneities within it which act as field-aligned ducts.     

Effects of estimating the ionospheric and thermospheric parameters on electron density forecasts

Based on the thermosphere-Ionosphere-Electrodynamics General Circulation Model (TIEGCM), a thermospheric-ionospheric data assimilation and forecast system is developed. Using this system, we estimated the oxygen ions, neutral temperature, wind, and composition by assimilating the simulated data from Formosa Satellite 3/Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate (COSMIC) occultation electron density profiles to evaluate their effects on the ionospheric forecast. An ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation scheme and combined state and parameter estimation methods are used to estimate the unobserved parameters in the model. The statistical results show that the neutral and ion compositions are more effective than the neutral temperature and wind for improving the forecast of the ionospheric electron density, whose root mean square errors in the assimilation period decreased by approximately 40%, 30%, and 10% due to the estimations of the neutral composition, oxygen ions, and neutral temperature, respectively. Due to the different physical and chemical processes that these parameters primarily affect, their e-folding times differ greatly from longer than 12 h for neutral composition to approximately 6 h for oxygen ions and 3 h for neutral temperature. The effect of estimating the neutral composition on improving the ionospheric forecast is greater than that of estimating the oxygen ions, which can be also be seen in an actual data assimilation experiment. This indicates that the neutral composition is the most important thermospheric parameter in ionospheric data assimilations and forecasts.     

A method of estimating the excess electron density in random irregularities embedded in the ionosphere

Summary Wave propagation through the ionospheric plasma containing irregularities has been studied. The excess electron number density due to the presence of irregularities has been calculated in a way which may be suitably used for practical purposes.     

On the spectrum of mid-latitude sporadic-E irregularities

We discuss the creation of mid-latitude sporadic-E plasma irregularities (with length-scales smaller than sporadic layer thickness) by the neutral atmosphere turbulence. Using fluid equations, the relation between plasma density fluctuations and the velocity field of neutrals is derived. After a brief discussion of the relevant neutral turbulence, the analytical expression for the power spectrum of plasma irregularities is obtained. This expression allows a power-law type of experimental irregularity spectra (the spectral index depends on sporadic-E characteristics) and possible departures in detail of the irregularity spectra from the power-law form to be explained. In addition, it allows us to make estimates of length-scales at which such departures must occur.     

Possibility of estimating the abundance of oxygen atoms and molecules based on electron density measurements in the middle atmosphere

It has been tried to develop the method for estimating the ratio of the densities of oxygen atoms (n ₁) and nitrogen molecules (n ₃) as well as n ₁/n ₂ and n ₂/n ₃ (where n ₂ is the density of oxygen molecules) at the reference level of the upper thermosphere (120 km), using the data on electron density at altitudes of 120–200 km. This approach is based on an analysis of the semiempirical model (SEM) equation describing the dependence of electron density (N) on the characteristics of the thermospheric neutral gas. The series of the SEM versions [Shchepkin et al., 1997, 2004] was previously developed by the authors of this work. The estimates were performed based on the regular N measurements with the help of a digital ionosonde at ISZF SO RAN, Irkutsk, in 2003–2005.     

On the gravity wave-driven instability of E layer at mid-latitude

The plasma instability process during internal gravity wave propagation through the ionospheric E region is considered. The growth rate of the instability has been found and it has been shown that it depends on perturbation wavelength, gravity wave parameters and direction of propagation. The conditions for the instability are favorable when the vorticity of the associated neutral motion becomes antiparallel to the geomagnetic field. In the proposed instability mechanism plasma irregularities could seed the large-scale sporadic E layer structuring because they are generated in situ as a part of the same neutral wind structure that serves to initiate the formation of the layer.     

On the propagation of magneto-elastic waves

Summary The electromagnetic equations of Maxwell, equations of elasticity have been used to solve the problem of propagation of waves for a one-dimensional magneto-elastic problem. The frequency equation has also been set forth.     

Variations of the upper atmosphere air density and electron density during geomagnetic disturbances

The variations of the upper atmosphere air density during geomagnetic disturbances have been investigated by many authors. According to the analysis of satellite orbits, in most cases an increase in the air density may be observed when the indexA _phas a maximum. Having ionospheric data from stations in Europe, Asia and Australia we might be able to study the global behaviour of the electron density in theF ₂ region during such geomagnetic disturbances when an increase of the air density had been observed. In these cases we found, that at the peak of the ionospheric layer, the electron density decreased 0–3 days later than theA _pmaximum.     

Effect of uncertainties of coefficients in steady-state equations for Ca II on temperature and electron density determination: A model problem

It is difficult to numerically solve steady-state equations for calcium, which are used to determine temperature and electron density in a sunspot umbra chromosphere. As a result, the coefficients of equations, obtained using inversion of the measured profiles of five Ca II lines, are to a certain degree uncertain. Never-theless, these insignificant uncertainties do not make it possible to consider that a unique solution of the set of equations, found using classical methods, is sufficiently reliable. Reasonable restrictions on desired variables are presented, which makes it possible to sufficiently accurately restore temperature variations in the specified (test) model of a sunspot umbra. Temperature variations in the studied region of the chromosphere are restored to an average relative error of ±14%.     

On estimating the hydraulic properties of soil,Part 2. A new empirical equation for estimating hydraulic conductivity for sands

A new empirical equation to estimate hydraulic conductivity is proposed, based on a large set of measured data for hydraulic properties of soil. The equation is simpler and more accurate than the series-parallel model. Under conditions of insufficient data, the new equation provides a good estimation of hydraulic conductivity for sands. For the same class of soils, another empirical equation is proposed to estimate the power N in the Averjanov-Irmay function.     

On the propagation of finite Love Waves

Summary The problem of the propagation of finite Love Waves in a heterogeneous elastic half space lying over a homogeneous elastic half space, using the quasilinear stress-strain relation due toS. Ferhst [4] is considered in detail. The variations of the parameter in the layer assumed to be of the form 1= 0e ^z, 0e ^z where is a constant andz is distance measured from the surface into the layer.     

On the propagation of topographically trapped waves

Abstract

In the context of ageostrophic theory in a homogeneous ocean, a nondimensional number is determined which corresponds to the Ursell number for long gravity waves. It is defined as Q = NL ²/h ³, where N is the amplitude of the wave travelling along the long length-scale direction, L is its length and h (which for gravity waves is the water depth) is given by h=(l ⁴ f ²/g)^1/3. where l is the short length-scale, f the Coriolis parameter and g the acceleration due to gravity. The physical meaning of Q is as follows: if Q? O(1) the free evolution of the wave is linear and weakly dispersive, if Q = O(1) nonlinear and dispersive effects balance out and finally if Q ?O(1) the evolution is nonlinear and non-dispersive. Expressions for the time scales for the development of dispersive and nonlinear effects are also determined. These results apply to topographically trapped waves, namely barotropic continental shelf and double Kelvin waves travelling along a rectilinear topographic variation.     

On the propagation of Love type waves in an infinite cylinder with rigidity and density varying linearly with the radial distance

Summary The propagation of Love type waves in an infinite non-homogeneous circular cylinder with a central core is investigated here. The rigidity and density of the outer mentle are supposed to vary linearly with the radial distance, while those of the inner core are taken to be constant. Phase velocity curve against wave number is drawn.     

On the use of the autocorrelation method for estimating the depth to the magnetic basement

The depth to the top of magnetic dykes can be estimated from total field aeromagnetic data using the relation between the depth to magnetic sources and the autocorrelation function of magnetic data. By using synthetic anomalies we show that in the ideal case, depth can be determined to an accuracy of 10% or better, when the anomaly sources are two-dimensional dykes. However, the estimated depths depend on the width of the dykes. The estimated depth is about 0.6 times the actual depth to the top of thin dykes, and around the true depth for thick dykes having width-to-depth ratio around 3. The depth is considerably overestimated for very thick dykes (e.g., contacts, which is a special case of the thick dyke). Thus, the autocorrelation method requires that the width-to-depth ratio of the dyke is estimated independently to correctly estimate the depths. Alternatively, it must be assumed that the width-to-depth ratio for the two-dimensional source body is between 1.5 and 4.     

Mechanisms of the electron density depletion in the SAR arc region

This study compares the measurements of electron density and temperature and the integral airglow intensity at 630 nm in the SAR arc region and slightly south of this (obtained by the Isis 2 spacecraft during the 18 December 1971 magnetic storm), with the model results obtained using the time dependent one-dimensional mathematical model of the Earth’s ionosphere and plasmasphere. The explicit expression in the third Enskog approximation for the electron thermal conductivity coefficient in the multicomponent mixture of ionized gases and a simplified calculation method for this coefficient presents an opportunity to calculate more exactly the electron temperature and density and 630 nm emission within SAR arc region are used in the model. Collisions between N₂ and hot thermal electrons in the SAR arc region produce vibrationally excited nitrogen molecules. It appears that the loss rate of O⁺(⁴S) due to reactions with the vibrationally excited nitrogen is enough to explain electron density depression by a factor of two at F-region heights and the topside ionosphere density variations within the SAR arc if the erosion of plasma within geomagnetic field tubes, during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm and subsequent filling of geomagnetic tubes during the recovery phase, are considered. To explain the disagreement by a factor 1.5 between the observed and modeled SAR arc electron densities an additional plasma drift velocity \sim-30 m s⁻¹ in the ion continuity equations is needed during the recovery phase. This additional plasma drift velocity is likely caused by the transition from convecting to corotating flux tubes on the equatorward wall of the trough. The electron densities and temperatures and 630 nm integral intensity at the SAR arc and slightly south of this region as measured for the 18 December 1971 magnetic storm were correctly described by the model without perpendicular electric fields. Within this model framework the effect of the perpendicular electric field \sim100 mv m⁻¹ with a duration \sim1 h on the SAR arc electron density profiles was found to be large. However, this effect is small if \sim1-2 h have passed after the electric field was set equal to zero.     

On propagation of love-type waves on a spherical model with rigidity and density both varying exponentially with the radial distance

Summary The propagation of Love type waves on a spherical model' in the mantle of which the rigidity and density vary exponentially with the radial distance while in the core they remain constant — has been investigated. The frequency equation that has been worked out has been examined in detail for the existence of root in the particular cases when they involve Bessel Functions of smallest and largest orders.     

Analytical study of the energy rate balance equation for the magnetospheric storm-ring current

We present some results of the analytical integration of the energy rate balance equation, assuming that the input energy rate is proportional to the azimuthal interplanetary electric field, E_y, and can be described by simple rectangular or triangular functions, as approximations to the frequently observed shapes of E_y, especially during the passage of magnetic clouds. The input function is also parametrized by a reconnection-transfer efficiency factor (which is assumed to vary between 0.1 and 1). Our aim is to solve the balance equation and derive values for the decay parameter compatible with the observed Dst peak values. To facilitate the analytical integration we assume a constant value for through the main phase of the storm. The model is tested for two isolated and well-monitored intense storms. For these storms the analytical results are compared to those obtained by the numerical integration of the balance equation, based on the interplanetary data collected by the ISEE-3 satellite, with the values parametrized close to those obtained by the analytical study. From the best fit between this numerical integration and the observed Dst the most appropriate values of are then determined. Although we specifically focus on the main phase of the storms, this numerical integration has been also extended to the recovery phase by an independent adjust. The results of the best fit for the recovery phase show that the values of may differ drastically from those corresponding to the main phase. The values of the decay parameter for the main phase of each event, _m, are found to be very sensitive to the adopted efficiency factor, , decreasing as this factor increases. For the recovery phase, which is characterized by very low values of the power input, the response function becomes almost independent of the value of and the resulting values for the decay time parameter, _r, do not vary greatly as varies. As a consequence, the relative values of between the main and the recovery phase, _m/_r, can be greater or smaller than one as varies from 0.1 to 1.     

On the propagation of pressure-patterns: Part II

Summary The theory of Part I is extended to take account of vertical motion and frictional drag. Surface friction is found not to affect appreciably the propagation speed of troughs and wedges. It is found, further, that the speed of a disturbance at the surface is not appreciably affected by the pattern of vertical motion. However, if the upper part of the perturbation moves at the same speed as the surface wave, a certain pattern of vertical motion is necessary, depending on the morphology of the perturbation, and of the mean flow.