Hydromagnetic field line resonances and modulation of particle precipitation

Hydromagnetic wave and modulated particle precipitation data are reported from conjugate areas near the particledrift shell L ～ 4. A modulation of electrons precipitating from the magnetosphere is observed in the conjugate regions when the accompanying hydromagnetic wave period is ~ 90 s and the wave polarization is linear. When the wave period changes abruptly to ~ 30 s and the polarizations at the observing stations are no longer linear, the modulation of the precipitating electrons is no longer observed. The change in hydromagnetic wave characteristics does not appear to be related to interplanetary plasma and magnetic field conditions. Rather, it is proposed to arise from a change in the wave generation mechanism from an internal magnetospheric source near the inner edge of the plasmapause (lower frequency) to an externally driven source outside the magnetosphere (higher frequency). This observation of a change in the wave characteristics (frequency and polarization) associated with modulated electron precipitation appears to be related to two previous examples wherein modulated electron precipitation was reported to be closely associated with the existence of a wave resonance region near the observing site.     

Quasi-periodic VLF emissions and concurrent magnetic pulsations seen at L = 4

The first observations are presented from Halley, Antarctica, of quasi-periodic (QP)_VLF intensity variations modulated at the frequency of concurrent Pc3 magnetic pulsations. Seen on broadband frequency-time plots, the QP emissions are of both the dispersive and non-dispersive types. From the frequency and phase variation with time of the QP emissions and magnetic pulsations, estimates are obtained of the travel times of the ULF waves from the interaction region to the ground. The observations appear consistent with the idea of modulation of a pre-existing VLF hiss source in the magnetosphere by the compressional components of ULF waves. A significant change in the travel time during one event is consistent with a crossing of the plasmapause by the Halley fieldline.     

Radar studies of magnetosphere dynamics

Ionospheric radars are an important tool for studying magnetospheric dynamics. The nature of such instruments is described and their application to a number of important problems is discussed, emphasizing South African work. A study of the theory of reflection from irregularities is discussed. The nature of ULF pulsations of more than one type has been elucidated by radar studies. An improvement of the understanding of magnetospheric convection has been achieved. A new HF radar experiment being developed for operation at SANAE, Antarctica, is described. An HF radar will be operated at SANAE in conjunction with the British radar at Halley to provide vector information about magnetospheric convection within that part of the magnetosphere which maps to a large portion of the Antarctic continent. The radar will be part of the SuperDARN international network of radars.     

PL whistlers

Simultaneous ground and satellite VLF observations together with raytracing studies clearly establishes the existence of ground observed PL whistlers. The dynamic spectrum $\text{(?-ν-t}\text{shape}\text{)}$ of observed PL whistlers may be reproduced exactly by raytracing in TLG magnetospheric models consistent with lower ionosphere, topside ionosphere and equatorial density measurements. The Transition Level Gradient (TLG) model is based on the observation that the transition level altitude increases towards the plasmapause (Titheridge, 1976). PL ground whistlers (i) are observed downgoing over large latitudinal ranges, for up to 2000 km of satellite travel, by ISIS II at 1400 km altitude, (ii) have almost the same dynamic spectrum over the entire latitudinal range observed by ISIS II, (iii) are indistinguishable from ducted whistlers over the observed frequency range (i.e. linear Q for ? < 10 kHz), (iv) have nose frequencies > 16 kHz, (v) at 1400 km altitude have a lower latitudinal cutoff at L ～ 2 and a higher latitudinal cutoff between L ～ 3 and L ～ 4 and (vi) probably only occur at night-time during or immediately following disturbed magnetic activity.     

Discrete VLF emissions (7–9 kHz) displaying unusual banded and periodic structure

Rising frequency VLF emissions having unusually high frequency and exhibiting banded structure were recorded between 14.55 and 15.30 U.T. on 28 June 1972 by the VLF goniometer receiver at Halley, Antarctica. The risers were split into two frequency groups, one with frequencies in the range 6.0–7.7 kHz and the other with frequencies between 7.8 and 9.4 kHz, the former being more numerous. The gap between the lower and upper frequency risers is superficially similar to, though at a higher frequency than, the missing bands in emissions observed by satellites. However, it is found to be unlikely that the risers received at Halley can be explained by any of the mechanisms advanced to explain the banded satellite-observed emissions. Several other explanations are considered and it is shown that the most likely is partial suppression by magnetospheric line radiation propagating in the same duct.The risers are interpreted as being generated via cyclotron resonance with counterstreaming electrons. A computer program based on Helliwell's (1967) phenomenological theory is used to determine the generation region and electron energies involved.Both frequency groups of risers display a 4 min periodicity in occurrence. It is shown that this time period is consistent with that required to replenish the flux of resonant electrons, by eastwards drift into the duct, after the emissions have been quenched due to the reduction of the flux by pitch-angle diffusion into the loss cone.     

Local time asymmetry in the characteristics of Pc5 magnetic pulsations

The wave characteristics of Pc5 magnetic pulsations are analyzed with data of OGO-5, ISEE-1 and -2 satellites. The toroidal modes (δB_D >δB_H) of Pc5 pulsations are observed at a higher magnetic latitude in the dawnside outer magnetosphere. The compressional and poloidal modes (δB_z.dfnc; ～ δB_H >δB_D) of Pc5 pulsations are mostly observed near the magnetic equator in the duskside outer magnetosphere. This L.T. asymmetry in the occurrence of dominant modes of Pc5's in space can be explained by the velocity shear instability (Yumoto and Saito, 1980) in the magnetospheric boundary layer, where Alfvénic signals in the IMF medium are assumed to penetrate into the magnetospheric boundary layer along the Archimedean spiral. The asymmetrical behaviour of Pc5 pulsation activity on the ground across the noon meridian can be also explained by the ionospheric screening effect on the compressional Pc5 magnetic pulsations. The compressional modes with a large horizontal wave number in the duskside magnetosphere are expected to be suppressed on the ground throughout the ionosphere and atmosphere.     

Hydromagnetic waves associated with possible flux transfer events

Magnetic fluctuations in the hydromagnetic frequency band 0 to 0.05 Hz are examined at magnetospheric cusp latitudes during two times when ionospheric signatures of possible flux-transfer events were evident in the data. Ultralow frequency power is found to be very broad band in the range 0.02–0.05 Hz and to be more narrowly confined at a frequency 0.0025 Hz. At lower latitudes, the higher frequency (broad-band) power excites narrower-band field line resonances at the fundamental frequency of the respective field line — a standing Alfvén wave. The narrow-band power in the lower frequency band (period around 400 s) is approximately that expected for a field line resonance on a closed field line near the magnetopause; it also corresponds approximately to the width of the convected field-aligned current filament as observed on the ground. The reconnection process at the dayside magnetopause evidently plays an important role in the generation of low-frequency (0.008 Hz) hydromagnetic energy in the dayside magnetosphere, energy which can produce Alfvén waves deeper in the magnetosphere.Paper dedicated to Professor Hannes Alfvén on the occasion of his 80th birthday, 30 May 1988.     

The behaviour of outer radiation belt electrons (> 1·5 MeV) during a geomagnetically disturbed time on 8 March 1970 and its relationship to magnetospheric processes

Omnidirectional intensities of electrons with energies E_e > 1·5 MeV detected by a low orbiting polar satellite (GRS-A/AZUR) in the outer radiation belt are examined during disturbed times including the main phase of a very strong geomagnetic storm on 8 March 1970. The particle intensity features are discussed in relationship with proposed magnetospheric processes. It is found that a superposition of the two following effects can explain the particle behavior in the trapping region:(A) Radial diffusion. After the southward turning of the interplanetary field an inward motion of both the energetic electron belt and the plasmapause took place. This effect was observed at L > 3 R_E and we attribute it to enhanced magnetospheric electric field fluctuations. Later, a strong interplanetary shock impinged upon the magnetosphere which was related to the triggering of intense magnetospheric substorms; a further inward diffusion occurred at L ? 3 R_E, accompanied by an inward movement of the electron slot. A rough estimation of the diffusion coefficient leads to a power spectrum of the electric field fluctuations which seems to be consistent with experimentally determined power spectra (Mozer, 1971).(B) Adiabatic response to ring current changes. Large energetic electron intensity decreases within the outer radiation belt are shown to be adiabatic changes due to ring current variations. The influence of the inflation of the magnetosphere due to the developing ring current is simultaneously observed by the decrease of the solar proton outoff (1·7-2·5 MeV).     

The effect of the atmosphere and ionosphere on long period magnetospheric micropulsations

A study is made of the screening effect of the atmosphere and ionosphere which lets only part of a magnetospheric micropulsation signal reach the ground. We obtain analytical expressions relating the magnetic field in the magnetosphere to that on the ground, which are confirmed by computing a full solution. Only the part of the signal with no vertical current will be seen on the ground; this agrees with previous work. Using this result, we find that the reflection condition of a transverse hydromagnetic wave incident on the top of the ionosphere indicates a ‘fixed-end’ boundary condition for the field line. To a first approximation, micropulsation polarisations observed on the ground must be rotated through a right angle to obtain those in the magnetosphere. The strength of the electric field predicted in the ionosphere agrees with radio aurorae observations.     

Radiation properties of pulsar magnetospheres: observation,theory, and experiment

In the three decades since their discovery, the accumulated body of observational data from pulsar sources puts constraints on models that seek to explain their periodic radiation. This paper reviews this data, reports on a VLA search for haloes predicted by an early model, and reinvestigates a magnetospheric disk-field-aligned-current transmission line system as the origin of the observed radiation, with external wave excitation by as yet an unexplained source. Three dimensional, fully electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations of the pulsar surface and magnetosphere are used to explore the waveshape and polarization properties of the observed radiation.     

A Comparative Analysis of Ground, Magnetospheric and Interplanetary Observations of Long Period Magnetic Oscillations

Continuous measurements of the geomagnetic field variations at ground stations are important to investigate several aspects of magnetospheric dynamics related to variations in the solar wind conditions which, ultimately, originate from the Sun. We present a comparative analysis of geomagnetic field measurements at several ground stations with simultaneous magnetospheric and interplanetary observations in order to understand the origin and characteristics of the observed fluctuations. The results suggest that long period geomagnetic field fluctuations can be directly driven by solar wind density fluctuations at the same frequencies via the modulation of the magnetopause current. We also discuss the possible occurrence of additional contributions related with cavity/waveguide resonances of the entire magnetosphere as well as those of resonance processes of the geomagnetic field lines.     

Open and closed magnetospheric tail configurations and their stability

The asymptotic theory valid for magnetospheric tail configurations that vary only weakly in the antisolar direction is used to derive a number of explicit properties. The conditions under which the magnetopause converges to form a closed magnetosphere or diverges (open magnetosphere) are identified and discussed. It is shown that the presence of the high latitude low pressure tail lobes guarantees the open solution. The large value of the Mach-number of the unperturbed solar wind is the reason for the slow variation of the plasma and field quantities along the tail. Criteria for (two-dimensional) stability are discussed and it is shown that they can be expressed in terms of simple topological properties of the equilibria. Closed magnetopheres turn out to be stable, open magnetospheres with sufficiently stretched field lines are subject to an instability which — as shown earlier —may be the cause of magnetospheric substorms.     

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.     

Specific features of VLF wave propagation in the earth’s inner magnetosphere

The ray trajectories of waves in the very low frequency (VLF) range in the case of nonducted propagation in the earth’s inner magnetosphere are studied as functions of location of their source region, frequency, and initial angle between the vector of wave normal and intensity vector of external magnetic field. Simulation is performed on the basis of geometric ray tracing approach in multicomponent plasma. The parameters of the magnetospheric medium were calculated using a diffusion model of the concentration distribution of plasma components and the International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) model. It is shown that the magnetospheric wave reflection can occur if the lower hybrid resonance frequency is greater than its own wave frequency (ω _LHF > ω), i.e., at the latitudes λ ≈ 50°. The simulation results confirm that the quasi-longitudinal approximation cannot be used to describe the magnetospheric whistler propagation. We present simulations of propagation of chorus-type wave magnetospheric emissions that were performed using realistic wave distributions over initial parameters. In particular, we present distributions of chorus waves over directions of wave vector as functions of geomagnetic latitude; these distributions are required to study the particle scattering and acceleration processes in the radiation belts. Our results well agree with CLUSTER satellite measurements.     

Magnetic pulsation behaviour in the magnetosphere inferred from whistler mode signals

During a long series of recordings of the Doppler shift of signals from NLK, Seattle, which have propagated in ducts in the whistler mode, a number of occasions have been noted where the duct has been acted on by the electric field of micropulsation events in the Pc4–5 range. Large oscillations are produced in the Doppler shift of the received VLF signal.It is shown that the field line has an antinode of motion in the equatorial plane, and that the Doppler shift is responding almost entirely to the radial component of the duct motion. The latter enables a comparison to be made between the magnetic disturbance in the magnetosphere and that seen on the ground. Some support is given to the prediction of Hughes (1974) and Inoue (1973) that the magnetospheric disturbance vector when seen on the ground is rotated 90° by the currents induced in the ionosphere. Models of the oscillating field line enable an estimate to be made of the azimuthal component of the electric field in the equatorial plane. This is typically $\text{1}\text{mV}\text{m}$. The model also predicts the north-south magnetic field strength of the transverse standing wave at the base of the magnetosphere, and this value may be compared with that seen on the ground. Values of the order 1–2 times the ground H-component or 5–10 times the ground D-component were found.     

Implications of a steady-state magnetospheric convection

Fundamental to the development of many magnetospheric theories is the assumption of a steady-state magnetospheric convection. It is shown for the first time that this basic assumption is implicitly related to the source of magnetospheric plasma. The existence of a steady-state electric field is consistent with plasma entry into the magnetosphere from the North—South direction. If plasma entry is through the flanks of the magnetosphere, the large-scale magnetospheric electric field is intrinsically time-dependent. Thus, magnetospheric theories with the underlying assumption that the large-scale electric field is derivable from a scalar potential cannot deal with such a situation. Therefore, the origin of magnetospheric plasma and the time-variability of magnetospheric convection are directly related.     

VLF goniometer observations at halley bay,Antarctica—II. Magnetospheric structure deduced from whistler observations

On 26 July 1967, a magnetically quiet day (ΣK_p = 12?) with high whistler activity at Halley Bay, it was found possible, by measurement of whistler nose-frequency and dispersion and the bearings of the whistler exit points, to make a detailed study of the magnetospheric structure associated with the whistler ducts.During the period 0509–2305 UT most of the exit points of whistlers inside the plasmasphere were situated along a strip about 100km wide passing through Halley Bay in an azimuthal direction 30°E of N between 57° and 62° invariant latitude. A mechanism which can give rise to such a well-defined locus which co-rotates with the Earth is not clear. Nevertheless, it does appear that the locus coincides with the contour of solar zenith angle 102° at 1800 UT 25 July. This was also the time of occurrence of a sub-storm and it is suggested that the magnetospheric structure was initiated by proton precipitation along the solar zenith angle 102° contour.At mid-day knee-whistlers observed outside the plasmapause had exit points which were closely aligned along an L-shell at an invariant latitude of 62.5°. They exhibited a marked variation (~ 3:1) in electron tube content over about 12° of invariant longitude and a drift of about 8 msec^?1 to lower L-shells.Throughout the period of observation the plasmapause lay about 2° polewards of the mean position found by Carpenter (1968) for moderately disturbed days.     

Effect of parallel electric fields on whistler mode waves in an anisotropic Jovian magnetospheric plasma

The effect of parallel electrostatic field on the amplification of whistler mode waves in an anisotropic bi-Maxwellian weakly ionized plasma for Jovian magnetospheric conditions has been carried out. The growth rate for different Jovian magnetospheric plasma parameters forL = 5.6R _j has been computed with the help of general dispersion relation for the whistler mode electromagnetic wave of a drifted bi-Maxwellian distribution function. It is observed that the growth or damping of whistler mode waves in Jovian magnetosphere is possible when the wave vector is parallel or antiparallel to the static magnetic field and the effect of this field is more pronounced at low frequency wave spectrum.     

Effect of finite parallel conductivity on the magnetospheric convection

The magnetospheric plasma convection is studied, taking into account the finite conductivity along magnetic field lines. Field-aligned currents flowing at the inner boundary of the magnetospheric plasma sheet give rise to parallel electric fields which insignificantly affect the convection on the ionospheric level but change drastically the convection system in the magnetosphere. Intense azimuthal convective streams arise along both sides of the plasma sheet boundary. A part of convection lines appears to be completely closed in the inner magnetosphere.     

Magnetospheric chorus: Occurrence patterns and normalized frequency

New characteristics of VLF chorus in the outer magnetosphere are reported. The study is based on more than 400 hours of broadband (0.3–12.5 kHz) data collected by the Stanford University/Stanford Research Institute VLF experiment on OGO 3 during 1966–1967. Bandlimited emissions constitute the dominant form of whistler-mode radiation in the region $\text{4? L? 10}$. Magnetospheric chorus occurs mainly from 0300 to 1500 LT, at higher L at noon than at dawn, and moves to lower L during geomagnetic disturbance, in accord with ground observations of VLF chorus. Occurrence is moderate near the equator, lower near 15°, and maximum at high latitudes (far down the field lines). The centre frequency ? of the chorus band varies as L^?3> and at low latitudes is closely related to the electron gyrofrequency on the dipole field line through the satellite. Based on the measured local gyrofrequency $\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{H}}$, the normalized frequency distribution of chorus observed within 10° of the dipole equator shows two peaks, at $\text{?}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{? 0.53}$ and $\text{?}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{? 0.34}$. This bimodal distribution is a persistent statistical feature of near equatorial chorus, independent of L, LT and K_p. However there is considerable variability in individual events, with chorus often observed above, below, and between these statistical peaks; in particular, it is not unusual for single emissions to cross $\text{?}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{= 0.50}$. When two bands are simultaneously present individual emission elements only rarely show one-to-one correlation between bands. For low K_p the median bandwidth of the upper band, gap and lower band are all ～16% of their centre frequencies, independent of L; for higher K_p the bandwidth of the lower band increases. Bandwidth also increases with latitude beyond ~10°. Starting frequencies of narrowband emissions range throughout the band. The majority of the emissions rise in frequency at a rate between 0.2 and 2.0 kHz/sec; this rate increases with K_p and decreases with L. Falling tones are rarely observed at dipole latitudes <2.5°. The observations are interpreted in terms of whistler-mode propagation theory and a gyroresonant feedback interaction model. An exact expression is derived for the critical frequency, $\text{?}\text{?}{}_{\mathrm{H}}\text{? 0.5}$, at which the curvature of the refractive index surface vanishes at zero wave normal angle. Near this frequency rays with initial wave normal angles between 0° and ?20° are focused along the initial field line for thousands of km, enhancing the phase-bunching of incoming gyroresonant electrons. The upper peak in the bimodal normalized frequency distribution is attributed to this enhancement near the critical frequency, at latitudes of ~5°. Slightly below the critical frequency interference between modes with different ray velocities may contribute to the dip in the bimodal distribution. The lower peak may reflect a corresponding peak in the resonant electron distribution, or guiding in field-aligned density irregularities. The observations are consistent with gyroresonant generation of emissions near the equator, followed by spreading of the radiation over a range of L shells farther down the field lines.