Proposal to Use MAGDAS/CPMN to Study the Equatorial Electrojet: A Philippine Contribution to the International Heliophysical Year

As a Philippine contribution to the International Heliophysical Year, we propose to use the MAGnetic Data Acquisition System/Circum Pan-Pacific Magnetometer Network (MAGDAS/CPMN), installed by the Space Environment Research Center (SERC), Kyushu University along the 210° magnetic meridian and the magnetic equator, to study the equatorial electrojet (EEJ) and counter electrojet (CEJ). Through this installation, it is made possible to observe geomagnetic field variations in real time. By utilizing this network of ground-based instruments, we hope to elucidate their regular day-to-day and seasonal variabilities and variations during magnetic storms and substorms. We also want to study the behavior of this ionospheric current system before, during, and after the occurrence of an earthquake.     

Lines of force of the geomagnetic field in space

The lines of force of the geomagnetic field at various latitudes and longitudes in the northern hemisphere are approximately traced to their intersections with the earth's surface in the southern hemisphere, using an electronic computer and the first nine Gauss coefficients. Those lines leaving the average northern auroral zone are traced to their intersection of the geomagnetic field with the earth's surface. These points of intersection are found to be very nearly at the average southern auroral zone deduced from auroral observations and from magnetic measurements of disturbance. It is concluded, therefore, that the geomagnetic field has stability and a simple character even at distances as great as about 6 earth radii above the earth, measured in the equatorial plane, even during auroral displays. It is also concluded that solar streams at such times do not seriously distort the field lines connecting the auroral zones.     

A study of the relationship between geo-magnetic storms and ionospheric disturbances at mid-latitudes

The problem of the ionospheric disturbances associated with geomagnetic storms is examined with the goal of searching for a relationship between the time-developments of the two phenomena. Faraday rotation measurements of total electron content (N_T) are used to monitor the ionospheric F-region at a mid-latitude site, while a variety of geomagnetic parameters are examined as possible ways of following the geomagnetic variations. The ionospheric and geomagnetic data taken during 28 individual storms from 1967 to 1969 are used to search for a predictive scheme which can be tested using data from 17 storms in 1970. The specific aim is to find the geomagnetic parameter whose time-development can best forecast whether or not the ionospheric response will include an initial positive phase prior to the normally extended period of F-region depletions. Correlations between N_T and the geomagnetic indices K_p, and equatorial Dst(H) prove to be wholly inadequate. The local times of main-phase-onset (MPO) determined from the equatorial Dst(H) indices as well as from local horizontal component data, also prove to be unsatisfactory. The best correlations are obtained using local measurements of the total geomagnetic field (F). These results show that a storm commencement (SC) will produce an enhancement in n_t during the afternoon period following the SC unless there is an intervening post-midnight period with a strong depression of the geomagnetic field. Operationally this is taken to be a depression in F of at least 100γ near 03:00 LT     

A Science Mission for QSAT Project: Study of FACs in the Polar and Equatorial Regions

Kyushu University, Kyushu Institute of Technology and Fukuoka Institute of Technology are now designing, developing and building a micro-satellite called “QSAT”. The primary objective of QSAT is understanding the mechanism of spacecraft charging, which can be achieved with the onboard magnetometer, high-frequency probe (HP) and Langmuir probe (LP). The magnetometer measures the magnetic field variations caused by field-aligned currents (FACs) in the polar and equatorial regions. Polar FACs are well understood, while equatorial FACs are not. The science goals are as follows: (1) to better understand FACs in the polar region, (2) to compare the FACs observed in orbit with ground-based MAGDAS observations, (3) to investigate spatial distribution of FACs in the equatorial region. FACs play a crucial role in the coupling between solar wind, magnetosphere and ionosphere in terms of energy transfer. Also if we understand the relationship between the space and ground-based FACs data, then we can conduct long-term study on the solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling in the future by mainly using data from ground-based magnetometer arrays.     

Polar magnetic substorms

From the world distribution of geomagnetic disturbance, the connection between the electric current in the ionosphere, the field-aligned current and asymmetric equatorial ringcurrent in the magnetosphere is discussed. The partial ring-current in the afternoon-evening region, whose intensity is closely correlated with the AE-index, usually develops and decays earlier than the symmetric ring-current in the course of magnetic storms. The partial ringcurrent seems to have a direct connection with the positive geomagnetic bay in high latitudes in the evening hours through the ionizing effect of the particles leaking from the partial ringcurrent. The dawn-to-dusk electric field in the magnetospheric tail is transferred to the polar ionosphere, producing there the twin vortex Hall current responsible for polar cap geomagnetic variation. The magnetic effect of the associated Pedersen current in the ionosphere is shown to be small but still worth considering. The electrojet near midnight along the auroral oval is thought to appear when the electric conductivity of the ionosphere is locally increased under the presence of large scale dawn-to-dusk electric field. The occasional appearance of a localized abnormal geomagnetic disturbance with reversed direction near the geomagnetic pole seems to suggest the occasional reversal of electric field near the outer surface of the magnetospheric tail, especially when the interplanetary magnetic field is northward.     

Extension of a polar ionospheric current to the nightside equator

A detailed analysis of rapid-run magnetograms from Guam (geomagnetic latitude = 4.2°) revealed that there are two kinds of geomagnetic sudden commencement (SC) observed in nighttime. One is the ordinary SC consisting of a main impulse only which has a smooth rise of the H-component. The other is a superposition by a small positive impulse on the very beginning part of the smooth rise of the main impulse and consequently the SC starts with a small stepwise increase of the H-component. The latter type of SC occurs between 20 and 08 h L.T. and its occurrence rate takes the maximum value of about 50% around 03 h L.T. Corresponding magnetograms from a dayside equatorial station (Huancayo, geomagnetic latitude = ?0.7°) were examined and a good correlation was found between the stepwise SC at the nightside (Guam) and SC¹ with a preliminary reverse impulse (PRI) at the dayside (Huancayo). Since PRI observed at the dayside equator may be interpreted as an extension of an ionospheric current due to an dusk-to-dawn electric field impressed on the polar ionosphere, our results show that a polar originating ionospheric current can extend to the nightside equator and produce a small but observable magnetic effect in spite of much reduced nighttime ionospheric conductivity.     

Dissipative structures in the F-region of the equatorial ionosphere generated by Rayleigh-Taylor instability

The non-linear regime of electrostatic perturbations of the equatorial ionospheric F-region generated by Rayleigh-Taylor instability has been discussed, taking into account conductivity along magnetic field lines. A closed non-linear equation has been derived in the stationary limit for the polarization electric field potential. It coincides with the Karman equation of an ideal liquid. To solve the equation, the averaged variational Whitham method has been proposed. Some solutions localized along and across the geomagnetic field, B, as well as quasi-periodic solutions in the transverse direction, have been investigated. Non-linear longitudinal localization of perturbations has been shown to be due to electron-ion collisions.     

Circular symmetry in the geomagnetic plane for auroral phenomena

Published observational data concerning the configuration and location of the northen and southern auroral zones are reviewed and are compared with circles projected from the geomagnetic equatorial plane, outside the earth, on to the earth's surface along the geomagnetic field lines (in an approximation which includes the five first terms of the spherical harmonic development). Other auroral distance parameters are also compared with these circle projections.

Very good agreement has been found for the northern hemisphere. More accurate data are still needed for those parts of the southern auroral zone which lie over the ocean at a great distance from the Antarctic continent. In the author's opinion the new data confirm that the northern and southern auroral zones are geomagnetically conjugated curves and that they correspond to projections of circles in the geomagnetic equatorial plane on to the earth's surface along the real geomagnetic field lines.     

Pc3-4 geomagnetic pulsations at very low latitude in Brazil

In order to investigate Pc3-4 geomagnetic pulsations at very low and equatorial latitudes, L=1.0 to 1.2, we analyzed simultaneous geomagnetic data from Brazilian stations for 26 days during October-November 1994. The multitaper spectral method based on Fourier transform and singular value decomposition was used to obtain pulsation power spectra, polarization parameters and phase. Eighty-one (81) simultaneous highly polarized Pc3-4 events occurring mainly during daytime were selected for the study. The diurnal events showed enhancement in the polarized power density of about 3.2 times for pulsations observed at stations close to the magnetic equator in comparison to the more distant ones. The phase of pulsation observed at stations near the magnetic equator showed a delay of 48-62° in relation to the most distant one. The peculiarities shown by these Pc3-4 pulsations close to the dip equator are attributed to the increase of the ionospheric conductivity and the intensification of the equatorial electrojet during daytime that regulates the propagation of compressional waves generated in the foreshock region and transmitted to the magnetosphere and ionosphere at low latitudes. The source mechanism of these compressional Pc3-4 modes may be the compressional global mode or the trapped fast mode in the plasmasphere driving forced field line oscillations at very low and equatorial latitudes.     

冕洞的地磁效应

分析了２２太阳活动周（１９８６．１—１９９５．６；ＣＲ１７７１—ＣＲ１８９８）冕洞对地磁扰动的长期效应和短期效应。作为长期效应，赤道冕洞数和面积指数随太阳活动周的演化与同期的地磁Ａｐ指数的长期变化基本一致，二者在α＝０．０１的信度水平上密切相关，表明赤道冕洞不仅对低年的磁扰有贡献，而且对峰年期间地磁扰动的贡献也是不可忽视的。对冕洞的短期地磁效应的研究表明，不论哪种类型的冕洞，在它们过中经后的１—４天，地磁Ａｐ指数都有不同程度的增长；大冕洞比小冕洞引起的地磁效应较强烈；跨越赤道的冕洞比未跨越赤道的同级冕洞引起的地磁效应较强烈     

Magnetic field inclination angle at geosynchronous orbit

Simultaneous magnetic field data from the geostationary satellites GOES 2 and GOES 3 have shown significant differences between the inclination angles measured at these two satellites. The relationship between the two inclination angles is examined for three magnetic activity groups and eight local time sectors by using data from GOES 2 and GOES 3 for the 12-month period from March 1979 to February 1980. During this time GOES 2 was 1.09 R_E off the geomagnetic equator in the northern geomagnetic hemisphere, while GOES 3 was separated from GOES 2 by 2 h L.T. and 0.47 R_E off the geomagnetic equator, also in the northern geomagnetic hemisphere. The average inclination angle is found to differ substantially from the predictions based on the previously published magnetic field models. The relationship between the two inclination angles is fitted by a simple model of magnetic field perturbation that varies as a power of distance from the Equator. During magnetic disturbances, the spatial variation of magnetic field perturbation on the nightside suggests that the ring current density increases with distance from the geomagnetic equator.     

A theoretical study of the ionospheric F region equatorial anomaly—II. results in the American and Asian sectors

When observed noontime values of the maximum electron density, NMAX(F2), in the ionospheric F2 region are plotted as a function of magnetic latitude, a curve is produced which has two peaks, one on either side of the dip equator at ±16° dip latitude. This paper theoretically investigates the daily variation of this latitudinal distribution in NMAX(F2) (the so-called Appleton or equatorial anomaly) and specifically attempts to account for the longitudinal differences observed between the American and Asian sectors.In Part II, models of the neutral atmosphere, production, loss and diffusion rates, neutral wind, and electric field are described and the electron densities obtained by solving the continuity equation utilizing these models are presented. In each sector, the extent to which the equatorial anomaly's daily variation is affected by changes in the geomagnetic field configuration, neutral wind, and $\text{E}\text{×}\text{B}$ drift is examined. It is found that development of the anomaly is most sensitive to the electric field model assumed, and that the observed differences at the magnetic equator between the American and Asian sectors could be accounted for by an upward $\text{E}\text{×}\text{B}$ drift which commences an hour or two earlier in the Asian sector.     

Detemination of the ring current radii from cosmic ray neutron monitor data for the 17 December 1971 magnetic storm

Variations of the cosmic ray cut-off rigidities have been observed at mid latitudes during the magnetic storm period 16–18 December 1971. In the present paper the cut-off changes over Europe are determined on an hourly basis from the registrations of 10 European neutron monitor stations. As a first order approximation it is assumed that the observed cut-off variations originate from a spherical current sheet concentric with the Earth and with a current density proportional to the cosine of the geomagnetic latitude. Applying results obtained by Treiman (1953), the radii of the current sphere can then be deduced from the dependences of the relative cut-off rigidity variations on geomagnetic latitude. The sphere is found to be located between 4 and 6 Earth radii during the main phase of the magnetic storm on 17 December 1971. A comparison of these results with in situ measurements carried out in the equatorial plane by Explorer 45 shows good agreement.     

A non-linear study of the possible effects of electron-ion collisions on the diffusion of a cylindrical column of ionisation in the Earth's ionosphere

The possible effects of electron—ion collisions on the diffusion of a cylindrical plasma irregularity orientated at right angles to the geomagnetic field lines, at altitude 300 km, are discussed. The results obtained indicate that the diffusion may proceed at a rate rather greater than for a case for which the effects of collisions of electrons with ions are assumed to be negligible. Furthermore, it is suggested that if the plasma density is great enough, the production of a 'fin' of ionisation along the magnetic field direction may be inhibited by the action of electron—ion collisions.     

The geomagnetic and cosmic-ray storm of May 25/26, 1967

A series of geomagnetic disturbances and cosmic ray variations caused by the McMath plage region 8818 in the latter half of May 1967 were examined. The systematic changes of the geomagnetic disturbances were observed as the relative location between the responsible flares and the earth changed during the half solar rotation period.The storm of May 25/26, 1967 was then studied in great detail on the basis of records from a number of magnetic and cosmic ray observatories. A large asymmetric main phase field in mid-and low-latitude regions (and thus an asymmetric ring current belt) grew rapidly during the first three successive polar magnetic substorms. The cosmic ray intensity variations during the storm consisted of the Forbush decrease and the ring current effect. The Forbush decrease had a marked north-south asymmetry during its developing phase.     

Magnetic field variations of the SI in the magnetosphere and correlated effects in interplanetary space

Explorer 26 magnetic field data in the magnetospheric region of L=3?6 and LT 1100–1500 hr with geomagnetic latitude range ?6° to 27° have been analyzed for studying nineteen SI and SC events. Most of the SI events observed in the magnetosphere at less than 15° geomagnetic latitude are compressional with magnetic perturbations along the ambient field. Elliptic polarizations with magnetic field variations in all three components have been observed between 10° and 27° geomagnetic latitude. Polarization directions have been shown to have similar patterns to those observed in the surface magnetic field data. Afternoon LT zone data in the magnetosphere indicate polarization patterns in general agreement with the results of Wilson and Sugiura (1961) obtained earlier from surface observations. The SI/SC perturbations are also qualitatively shown to be related to changes in the interplanetary magnetic field observed beyond 1 a.u.     

Extreme ultraviolet observations of coronal holes

Extreme-ultraviolet Skylab and ground-based solar magnetic field data have been combined to study the origin and evolution of coronal holes. It is shown that holes exist only within the large-scale unipolar magnetic cells into which the solar surface is divided at any given time. A well-defined boundary zone usually exists between the edge of a hole and the neutral line which marks the edge of its magnetic cell. This boundary zone is the region across which a cell is connected by magnetic arcades with adjacent cells of opposite polarity. Three pieces of observational evidence are offered to support the hypothesis that the magnetic lines of force from a hole are open. Kitt Peak magnetograms are used to show that, at least on a relative scale, the average field strengths within holes are quite variable, but indistinguishable from the field strengths in other quiet parts of the Sun's surface.Finally it is shown that the large, equatorial holes characteristic of the declining phase of the last solar cycle during Skylab (1973–74) were all formed as a result of the mergence of bipolar magnetic regions (BMR's), confirming an earlier hypothesis by Timothy et al. (1975). Systematic application of this model to the different aspects of the solar cycle correctly predicts the occurrence of both large, equatorial coronal holes (the M-regions which cause recurrent geomagnetic storms) and the polar cap holes.     

On the effects of geomagnetic storms and pre storm phenomena on low and middle latitude ionospheric F2

This paper presents some features of the ionospheric response observed in equatorial and mid-latitudes region to two strong geomagnetic storms, occurring during Oct. 19–23, 2001 and May 13–17, 2005 and to understand the phenomena of pre-storm that lead to very intense geomagnetic storms. The result point to the fact that pre-storm phenomena that leads to intense ionospheric storm are; large southward turning of interplanetary magnetic field Bz, high electric field, increase in flow speed stream, increase in proton number density, high pressure ram and high plasma beta. The magnitude of Bz turning into southward direction from northward highly depends upon the severity of the storm and the variation in F2 layer parameter at the time of geomagnetic storm are strongly dependent upon the storm intensity. A detailed analysis of the responses of the ionosphere shows that during the storm periods, foF2 values depleted simultaneously both in the equatorial and mid latitude. Observation also shows that low to moderate variations in ionospheric F2 at the pre-storm period may signal the upcoming of large ionospheric disturbances at the main phase. The ionospheric F2response for low and mid latitude does not show any significant differences during the storm main phase and the pre-storm period. The ionospheric response during the pre-storm period is thought very puzzling. The period is observed to be depleted throughout with low-moderate effect across all the stations in the low and mid latitude.     

Earth's equatorial ionosphere and the heliospheric current sheet

Evidence is presented to show that during epochs of high sunspot activity, the duration of manifestation of equatorial spread-F (ESF) irregularities in the Earth's equatorial ionosphere undergoes a systematic modulation around the times of crossing of the heliospheric current sheet by the Earth. The modulation which is assessed as an indirect and geomagnetic activity-associated effect, is characterised by an enhancement in the duration of ESF conditions prior to the current sheet crossing and a reduction thereafter. It is suggested that the observed response of the equatorial ionosphere to the current sheet passage is primarily a manifestation of the geomagnetic activity related modifications in the equatorial east-west electric field in the post-sunset period.