The February 1986 solar activity: A comparison of GIOTTO,VEGA-1, and IMP-8 solar wind measurements with MHD simulations

Large disturbances in the interplanetary medium were observed by several spacecraft during a period of enhanced solar activity in early February 1986. The locations of six solar flares and the spacecraft considered here encompassed more than 100° of heliolongitude. These flares during the minimum of cycle 21 set the stage for an extensive multi-spacecraft comparison performed with a two-dimensional, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) numerical experiment. The plasma instruments on the European Space Agency (ESA)'s GIOTTO spacecraft, on its way to encounter Comet Halley in March 1986, made measurements of the solar wind for up to 8 hours per day during February. We compare solar wind measurements from the Johnstone Plasma Analyzer (JPA) experiment on GIOTTO with the MHD simulation of the interplanetary medium throughout these events. Using plasma data obtained by the IMP-8 satellite in addition, it appears that an extended period of high solar wind speed is required as well as the simulated flares to represent the interplanetary medium in this case. We also compare the plasma and magnetometer data from VEGA-1 with the MHD simulation. This comparison tends to support an interpretation that the major solar wind changes at both GIOTTO and VEGA-1 on 8 February, 1986 were due to a shock from a W05° solar flare on 6 February, 1986 (06:25 UT). The numerical experiment is considered, qualitatively, to resemble the observations at the former spacecraft, but it has less success at the latter one.     

Plasma motions in the flare of 1982 June 6 (X12)

This paper analyzes soft X-ray spectra obtained from the Hinotori spacecraft for the investigation of plasma motions during the initial phase of the great flare, 1982 June 6. The wavelength calibration of the scanning spectrometers is determined from information on the spacecraft attitude and from the position of the Fexxv resonance line during the decay phase. Hard X-ray bursts, nonthermal line broadenings and blueshifted components in X-ray lines are temporally correlated with time differences of 0–30 s. The possible contribution of the blueshifted component to the line width decreases more rapidly than the nonthermal broadening, which suggests dominant plasma motions are taking place at higher and higher altitude in the corona, because of the increase of electron density in flaring loops. The evolution of the input kinetic energy content to the thermal plasma inferred from line broadenings in the impulsive phase resembles that of the thermal energy content in the source of the Fexxvi emission, which is different from that deduced for Fexxv source. This suggests that the origins of the nonthermal line broadening and Fexxvi source are closely coupled.     

Induced magnetic field effects at planet Mercury

At Mercury's surface external magnetic field contributions caused by magnetospheric current systems play a much more important role than at Earth. They are subjected to temporal variations and therefore will induce currents in the large conductive iron core. These currents give rise to an additional magnetic field superposing the planetary field. We present a model to estimate the size of the induced fields using a magnetospheric magnetic field model with time-varying magnetopause position. For the Hermean interior we assume a two-layer conductivity distribution. We found out that about half of the surface magnetic field is due to magnetospheric or induced currents. The induced fields achieve 7-12% of the mean surface magnetic intensity of the internal planetary field, depending on the core size. The magnetic field was also modeled for a satellite moving along a polar orbit in the Hermean magnetosphere, showing the importance of a careful separation of the magnetic field measurements.     

A mathematical magnetospheric field model with independent physical parameters

A quantitative magnetospheric magnetic field model has been calculated in three dimensions. The model is based on an analytical solution of the Chapman-Ferraro problem. For this solution, the magnetopause was assumed to be an infinitesimally thin discontinuity with given geometry. The shape of the dayside magnetopause is in agreement with measurements derived from spacecraft boundary crossings.The magnetic field of the magnetopause currents can be derived from scalar potentials. The scalar potentials result from solutions of Laplace's equation with Neumann's boundary conditions. The boundary values and the magnetic flux through the magnetopause are determined by all magnetic sources which are located inside and outside the magnetospheric cavity. They include the Earth's dipole field, the fields of the equatorial ring current and tail current systems, and the homogeneous interplanetary magnetic field. In addition, the flux through the magnetopause depends on two constants of interconnection which provide the possibility of calculating static interconnection between magnetospheric and interplanetary field lines. Realistic numerical values for both constants have been derived empirically from observed displacements of the polar cusps which are due to changes in the orientation of the interplanetary field. The transition from a closed to an open magnetosphere and vice versa can be computed in terms of a change of the magnetic boundary conditions on the magnetopause. The magnetic field configuration of the closed magnetosphere is independent of the amount and orientation of the interplanetary field. In contrast, the configuration of the open magnetosphere confirms the observational finding that field line interconnection occurs primarily in the polar cusp and high latitude tail regions.The tail current system reflects explicitly the effect of dayside magnetospheric compression which is caused by the solar wind. In addition, the position of the plasma sheet relative to the ecliptic plane depends explicitly on the tilt angle of the Earth's dipole. Near the tail axis, the tail field is approximately in a self-consistent equilibrium with the tail currents and the isotropic thermal plasma.The models for the equatorial ring current depend on the D_st-parameter. They are self-consistent with respect to measured energy distributions of ring current protons and the axially symmetric part of the magnetospheric field.     

A space-based decametric wavelength radio telescope concept

This paper reports a design study for a space-based decametric wavelength telescope. While not a new concept, this design study focused on many of the operational aspects that would be required for an actual mission. This design optimized the number of spacecraft to insure good visibility of approx. 80% of the radio galaxies– the primary science target for the mission. A 5,000 km lunar orbit was selected to guarantee minimal gravitational perturbations from Earth and lower radio interference. Optimal schemes for data downlink, spacecraft ranging, and power consumption were identified. An optimal mission duration of 1 year was chosen based on science goals, payload complexity, and other factors. Finally, preliminary simulations showing image reconstruction were conducted to confirm viability of the mission. This work is intended to show the viability and science benefits of conducting multi-spacecraft networked radio astronomy missions in the next few years.     

On the direct observation of cosmic-ray energy losses

During the decay of solar cosmic-ray events cosmic-rays with kinetic energies of about 1 MeV are convected outward with the solar wind. It is shown that, with currently available observations it should be possible to demonstrate directly the energy losses which are occurring. Observations from two spacecraft on the same heliocentric radial line are required. In this paper observations from Venera-4 and Imp-F have been used. A simple and direct demonstration would be provided by the observation of nearly mono-energetic pulses convected between the two spacecraft, but no such pulses were found to be present. A second method depends upon observing the ratio of the integral fluxes at the two spacecraft and comparing this with the value predicted by theory. The relevant theoretical analysis has been given. It is shown that in order to discriminate between energy-loss processes the spacecraft must be well separated. For spacecraft at Earth's orbit and the orbit of Venus the integral-flux ratio predicted with energy loss due to adiabatic deceleration is a factor of three higher than that predicted with no energy loss. Comparisons of integral-flux ratios for two events observed on spacecraft separated by approximately 0.1 AU gave inconclusive results. In view of the importance of energy-loss processes in the propagation of cosmic rays it is suggested that others with access to relevant data might continue this investigation.     

Multi-Spacecraft Study of the 21 January 2005 ICME

We examine the near-Earth Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejection (ICME) apparently related to the intense Solar Energetic Particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Our purpose is to contribute to the understanding of the macroscopic structure, evolution and dynamics of the solar corona and heliosphere. Using Cluster, ACE and Wind data in the solar wind, and Geotail data in the magnetosheath, we perform a multi-spacecraft analysis of the ICME-driven shock, post-shock magnetic discontinuities and ejecta. Traversals by the well-separated near-Earth spacecraft provide a coherent picture of the ICME geometry. Following the shock, the ICME sequence starts with a hot pileup, i.e.,? a sheath, followed by a fast ejecta characterised by a non-compressive density enhancement (NCDE), which is caused essentially by an enrichment in helium. The plasma and magnetic observations of the ejecta are consistent with the outskirts of a structure in strong expansion, consisting of nested magnetic loops still connected to the Sun. Within the leading edge of the ejecta, we establish the presence of a tilted current sheet substructure. An analysis of the observations suggests that the tilted current sheet is draped within the overlying cloud canopy, ahead of a magnetic cloud-like structure. The flux rope interpretation of this structure near L1, confirmed by observations of the corresponding magnetic cloud, provided by Ulysses at 5.3 AU and away from the Sun?–?Earth line, indicates that the bulk of the cloud is in the northwest sector as seen from the Earth, with its axis nearly perpendicular to the ecliptic. This is consistent with the primary direction of travel of the fast halo CME observed at the Sun. Moreover, the NCDE and helium enrichment are consistent with the position near the streamer belt of the flaring active region NOAA 10720 associated with the CME. However, differences between interplanetary and solar observations indicate a large rotation of the erupting filament and overlying arcade, which can be attributed to the flux rope being subject to the helical kink instability.     

Multi-Spacecraft Observations: Stream Interactions and Associated Structures

The stream interaction region (SIR), formed when a fast stream overtakes a preceding slow stream, is the predominant large-scale solar wind structure at this early phase of the STEREO mission. Using multi-spacecraft observations from STEREO A and B, ACE, Wind, and Ulysses in 2007, we analyze three stream interaction events in depth in May, August, and November of 2007, respectively, when the spacecraft had quite different spatial separations. We attempt to determine the causes of the differences in the SIR properties, whether they are spatial or temporal variations, and also to examine the steepening or widening of the SIR during its radial evolution. The presence and characteristics of associated shocks, the relation to the heliospheric current sheet, and other structures are also studied.     

Multipoint Observations of Solar Type III Radio Bursts from STEREO and Wind

The twin STEREO and the Wind spacecraft make remote multipoint measurements of interplanetary radio sources of solar origin from widely separated vantage points. One year after launch, the angular separation between the STEREO spacecraft reached 45°, which was ideal for locating solar type III radio sources in the heliosphere by three-spacecraft triangulation measurements from STEREO and Wind. These triangulated source locations enable intrinsic properties of the radio source, such as its beaming characteristics, to be deduced. We present the first three-point measurements of the beaming characteristics for two solar type III radio bursts that were simultaneously observed by the three spacecraft in December of 2007 and in January of 2008. These analyses suggest that individual type III bursts exhibit a wide beaming pattern that is approximately beamed along the direction tangent to the Parker spiral magnetic field line at the source location.     

Electrolytic currents in Europa

Electrical currents should flow in Europa because of its presence in Jupiter's corotating magnetosphere. The possible magnitudes of these currents are calculated assuming that Europa is a differentiated body consisting of an outer H₂O layer and a silicate core. Two types of models are considered here: one in which the water is completely frozen and a second in which there is an intermediate liquid layer. For the transverse electric mode (eddy currents), the calculated current density in a liquid layer is approximately 10^?5 A m^?2. For the transverse magnetic mode (unipolar generator), the calculated current density in the liquid is severely constrained by the ice layer to only 10^?10 to 10^?11 A m^?2, for a total H₂O thickness of 100 km, provided that neither layer is less than 4 km thick. The current density is less for a completely frozen H₂O layer. If transient cracks were to appear in the ice layer, exposing liquid, the calculated current density could rise to a range of 10^?6 to 10^?5 A m^?2, depending on layer thicknesses, requiring an exposed area of 10^?9 to 10^?8 of the Europa surface. Electrical heating would be significant only if the ice layer thickness were on the order of 1 m, such as might occur if an exposed liquid surface were to freeze over; the heating under this condition could hinder the thickening of the ice layer.     

Studies of granular velocities

The process of measuring granular velocity fields with an instrument having finite spectral and spatial resolution is investigated for the case that (1) a weak Fraunhofer line is used, (2) the velocity is constant with height in the solar atmosphere, (3) the original Doppler shifts are of the same order of magnitude as the intrinsic width of the line (width observed with infinitely high spectral and spatial resolution), (4) continuum brightness and line strength fluctuations are superimposed onto the velocity field.It is shown that using a spectral instrumental profile which is large compared to both the intrinsic line width and the rms Doppler shifts (as in the case of filtergrammes), the shift-induced brightness signal is always a linear function of the shift and corrections for finite spatial resolution can be applied to the measured shifts in the usual straightforward way.If the spectral instrumental profile is not large (as in the case of slit-spectrogrammes), the observed line profile is shown to depend upon the spatial resolution as well. It is altered (broadened, made asymmetric) by (1) spatially unresolved Doppler shifts and higher moments of the Doppler shift amplitude distribution, (2) by local correlation between continuum brightness, line strength, and velocity fluctuation. A value of the Doppler shift which is unaffected by nonlinearities, can be measured at a certain position in the line wing. Knowledge of the intrinsic line width is necessary, however, to determine this position, as well as the order of magnitude of the nonlinearity effects producing asymmetries in the observed line profile. Finally, the conditions are discussed under which a complete deconvolution of a spectrum could be accomplished.On leave from Fraunhofer Institut, Freiburg.     

Modulation of Jovian middle magnetosphere currents and auroral precipitation by solar wind-induced compressions and expansions of the magnetosphere: initial response and steady state

We present results from a theoretical model which has been used to investigate the modulation of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling currents in the Jovian middle magnetosphere by solar wind-induced compressions and expansions of the magnetosphere. We consider an initial system in which the current sheet field lines extend to 50R_J in the equatorial plane, and where the iogenic plasma in the current sheet undergoes steady outward radial diffusion under the influence of the ionospheric torque which tends to maintain corotation with the planet. We show using typical Jovian parameters that the upward-directed field-aligned currents flowing throughout the middle magnetosphere region in this system peak at values requiring the existence of significant field-aligned voltages to drive them, resulting in large precipitating energy fluxes of accelerated electrons and bright ‘main oval’ UV auroras. We then consider the changes in these parameters which take place due to sudden expansions or compressions of the magnetosphere, resulting from changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure. Two cases are considered and compared, these being first the initial response of the system to the change, determined approximately from conservation of angular momentum of the radially displaced plasma and frozen-in field lines, and second the subsequent steady state of steady outward radial diffusion applied to the compressed or expanded system. We show that moderate inward compressions of the outer boundary of the current sheet field lines, e.g. from 50 to 40R_J, are effective in significantly reducing the coupling currents and precipitation in the initial state, the latter then recovering, but only partly so, during the evolution to the steady state. Strong inward compressions, e.g. to 30R_J cause significant super-corotation of the plasma and a reversal in sense of the current system in the initial state, such that bright auroras may then be formed poleward of the usual ‘main auroral oval’ due to the ‘return’ currents. The sense of the currents subsequently reverts back to the usual direction as steady-state conditions are restored, but they are weak, and so is the consequent electron precipitation. For outward expansions of the current sheet, however, the field-aligned currents and electron precipitation are strongly enhanced, particularly at the poleward border mapping to the outer weak field region of the current sheet. In this case there is little evolution of the parameters between the initial expansion and the subsequent steady state. Overall, the results suggest that the Jovian middle magnetosphere coupling currents and resulting ‘main oval’ auroral acceleration and precipitation will be strongly modulated by the solar wind dynamic pressure in the sense of anti-correlation, through the resulting compressions and expansions in the size of the magnetosphere.     

Meteor head echo radar data: Mass-velocity selection effects

High-power, large-aperture (HPLA) radars detect the plasma that forms in the vicinity of a meteoroid and moves approximately at its velocity; reflections from these plasmas are called head echoes. For over a decade, HPLA radars have been detecting head echoes with peak velocity distributions >50 km/s. These results have created some controversy within the field of meteor physics because previous data, including spacecraft impact cratering studies, optical and specular meteor data, indicate that the peak of the velocity distribution to a set limiting mass should be <20 km/s [Love, S.G., Brownlee, D.E., 1993. Science 262, 550-553]. Thus the question of whether HPLA radars are preferentially detecting high-velocity meteors arises. In this paper we attempt to address this question by examining both modeled and measured head echo data using the ALTAIR radar, collected during the Leonid 1998 and 1999 showers. These data comprise meteors originating primarily from the North Apex sporadic meteor source. First, we use our scattering theory to convert measured radar-cross-section (RCS) to electron line density and mass, as well as to convert modeled electron line density and mass to RCS. We subsequently compare the dependence between mass, velocity, mean-free-path, RCS and line density using both the measured and modeled data by performing a multiple, linear regression fit. We find a strong correlation between derived mass and velocity and show that line density is approximately proportional to mass times velocity^3.1. Next, we determine the cumulative mass index using subsets of our data and use this mass index, along with the results of our regression fit, to weight the velocity distribution. Our results show that while there does indeed exist a bias in the measured head echo velocity distribution, it is smaller than those calculated using traditional specular trail data due to the different scattering mechanism, and also includes a bias against the low-mass, very high-velocity meteoroids.     

A three-ring circuit model of the magnetosphere

We have modeled the magnetosphere by superimposing a dipole field, a uniform field and a perturbation field due to a simple current system. This current system consists of a ring current in the neutral line of the dipole plus uniform fields, together with vertical currents representing field-aligned currents to the neutral line. The current circuit is closed by two additional ring currents above and below the equatorial plane representing distributed adiabatic perpendicular currents. This system produces many magnetospheric features including a magnetopause, bending of magnetic field lines in the anti-solar direction, a magnetotail, and cusps on the day-side of the Earth. Our aim is to demonstrate that it is not necessary to think of the magnetic field topology as being caused by the flowing plasma carrying field lines. The fundamental physical problem is to derive the current system from the self-consistent interaction of the solar-wind and magnetospheric plasmas and fields.     

An upper limit on the aperture separation of ion drift meters

An upper limit has been calculated on the effective aperture separation or detector thickness of ion drift meters of two fundamental types. The limit applies to meters which compare currents collected by detectors with different view directions at the same retarding potential and to meters which measure the entire thermal ion distribution function. For both types, a single scanned detector may be employed instead of multiple detectors, in which case the limit applies to twice the radius of curvature of the path followed by the detector aperture during a scan, (i.e. the diameter of a spinning payload). The limit was found to be important in two cases. First, in the F region on spacecraft with stringent electrostatic cleanliness requirements, the 10% error limit was found to be 40 cm. Second, in the E region, the limit was found to be 1 cm.Originally submitted to the journalSpace Science Instrumentation.Deceased.     

Spectroscopic observations of the exoplanet WASP-32b transit

We present first results of spectroscopic observations of transiting exoplanets in the Special Astrophysical Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences with the Main Stellar Spectrograph of the 6-m BTA telescope. For the exoplanetWASP-32b, we detected a significant variation of intensity and equivalent width in the Hα spectral line of the parent star at the time of a transit. The equivalent width of the line during transit is by 8–10% larger than outside the planet passage. Residual intensity in the core of the line reveals the following tendency: the line is by 10–15% deeper inside transit than outside it. Observations with the long-slit spectrograph of the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory at the 2.6-m ZTSh telescope also showed a transit event in the Hα line, although, with a smaller amplitude and shape inverted in relation to the data from the 6-m telescope. While in the observations with the BTA the Hα line becomes deeper during the transit, in the ZTSh observations, the residual intensity of the Hα line decreases during the transit. Reducing and analysis of the archive data of WASP-32b observations with the HARPS spectrograph also confirm the Hα line modulation at the time of the transit. The observed data give evidence of the envelope in WASP-32b filling the Roche lobe and a comet-like tail of changing geometry and orientation relative to the observer. These changes determine different depths and shapes of the Hα spectral line at the time of transits.     

Observed nonpotential magnetic fields and the inferred flow of electric currents at a location of repeated flaring

We have analyzed the vector magnetic field of an active region at a location of repeated flaring to determine the nature of the currents flowing in the areas where the flares initiated. The component of electric current density crossing the photosphere along the line-of-sight was derived from the observed transverse component of the magnetic field. The maximum concentrations of these currents occurred exactly at the sites of flare initiation and where the photospheric field was sheared the most. The calculated distribution of current density at the flare sites suggested that currents were flowing out of an area of positive magnetic polarity and across the magnetic inversion line into two areas of negative polarity. This interpretation was reinforced by a calculation of the source field, the magnetic field produced in the photosphere by the electric currents above the photosphere. In the vicinity of the flare sites, the calculated source field exhibited three particular characteristics: (1) maximum magnitudes at the sites of flare initiation, (2) a rotational direction where the vertical current density was concentrated, and (3) a fairly constant angular orientation with the magnetic inversion line. The source field was thus very similar to the field produced by two arcades of currents crossing the inversion line at the locations of greatest magnetic shear with orientations of about 60° to the inversion line. With this orientation, the inferred arcades would be aligned with the observed chromospheric fibrils seen in the H data so that the currents were field-aligned above the photosphere. The field thus exhibited a vertical gradient of magnetic shear with the shear decreasing upward from the photosphere. We estimated the currents in the two arcades by matching the source field derived from observations with that produced by a model of parallel loops of currents. We found that the loops of the model would each have a radius of 4500 km, a separation of 1830 km, and carry a current of 0.15 × 10¹² A. Values of vertical current densities and source fields appearing in the umbrae of the two large sunspots away from the flare sites were shown to lie at or below the level of uncertainty in the data. The main source of this uncertainty lay in the method by which the 180° ambiguity in the azimuth of the transverse field is resolved in umbral areas. We thus concluded that these quantities in large umbrae should be treated with a healthy skepticism. Finally, we found that the source field at the flare sites was produced almost entirely by the angular difference between the observed and potential field and not by the difference in field intensity.     

Empirical constraints on the salinity of the europan ocean and implications for a thin ice shell

Induced electrical currents within Europa inferred from Galileo spacecraft magnetometer instrument data have been interpreted as due to a salty europan ocean. Published compositional models for Europa's ocean, based on aqueous leaching of carbonaceous chondrites, range over five orders of magnitude in predicted magnesium sulfate concentrations. We combine the Galileo spacecraft magnetometer-derived oceanic conductivities and radio Doppler data-derived interior models with laboratory conductivity vs concentration data for both magnesium sulfate solutions and terrestrial seawater to determine empirically the range of salt concentrations permitted for Europa's ocean. Solutions for both a three-layer spherical model, and a five-layer half-space model, that satisfy current preferred best fits to magnetometer data imply high, near-saturation salt concentrations and require a europan ice shell of less than 15 km thick, with a best fit at 4 km ice thickness. Adding a conductive core and mantle has a negligible effect on the amplitude when ocean conductivities are greater than a few Siemens per meter. Similarly, we find that including a realistic ionosphere has a negligible effect. We examine the implications of these results for the subsurface habitability of Europa.