Equatorial and low latitude ionosphere during intense geomagnetic storms

An investigation is made in order to analyse the role of neutral gas composition in the equatorial and low latitude ionosphere during intense geomagnetic storms. To this end data taken by the Dynamic Explorer 2 satellite at 280–300 km (molecular nitrogen N₂ and atomic oxygen O concentrations, electron density and vertical plasma drifts) are used. The sudden commencements of the events considered occurred at 11:38 UT on March 1, 1982, 18:41 UT on November 20, 1982 and 16:14 UT on February 4, 1983. Vertical plasma drifts are the most important contributor to the initial storm time response of the equatorial F region. Neutral composition changes (expressed as an increase in the molecular species, mainly N₂) possibly play a predominant role in the equatorial and low latitude (10–20°) decreases of electron density at heights near F2-region maximum during the main and recovery phases of intense geomagnetic storms. Delayed increases of electron density observed at daytime during the recovery phase may be also attributed to increases in atomic oxygen. At low latitudes possibly a combined effect of O increase and upward plasma drift due to enhanced equatorward winds is the responsible mechanism for the maintenance of enhanced electron density values.     

Thermosphere–ionosphere response at middle and high latitudes during perturbed conditions: A case study

Neutral gas composition and ionospheric measurements taken by the Dynamic Explorer 2 satellite at F2-region heights (280–300 km) during an intense geomagnetic storm (peak Dst=−187 nT) were used to analyze the role of some possible physical mechanisms responsible for the changes of electron density at high and middle latitudes. The storm considered in this study occurred on 26 September 1982. The main features observed were increases of electron density during the initial stages of the storm at middle latitudes; followed by decreases of electron density at high and mid-high latitudes during the main phase of the storm and the first phase of the recovery. Delayed increases of electron density during the recovery phase have also been observed at mid-high latitudes (50–60°). Several mechanisms were discussed in explaining the features observed for the electron density variations.     

Investigation of Ionospheric Response to Geomagnetic Storms over a Low Latitude Station,Ile-Ife,Nigeria

Due to several complexities associated with the equatorial ionosphere, and the significant role which the total electron content (TEC) variability plays in GPS signal transmission, there is the need to monitor irregularities in TEC during storm events. The GPS SCINDA receiver data at Ile-Ife, Nigeria, was analysed with a view to characterizing the ionospheric response to geomagnetic storms on 9 March and 1 October 2012. Presently, positive storm effects, peaks in TEC which were associated with prompt penetration of electric fields and changes in neutral gas composition were observed for the storms. The maximum percentage deviation in TEC of about 120 and 45% were observed for 9 March and 1 October 2012, respectively. An obvious negative percentage TEC deviation subsequent to sudden storm commencement (SSC) was observed and besides a geomagnetic storm does not necessarily suggest a high scintillation intensity (S₄) index. The present results show that magnetic storm events at low latitude regions may have an adverse effect on navigation and communication systems.     

Analysis of the positive ionospheric response to a moderate geomagnetic storm using a global numerical model

Current theories of F-layer storms are discussed using numerical simulations with the Upper Atmosphere Model, a global self-consistent, time dependent numerical model of the thermosphere-ionosphere-plasmasphere-magnetosphere system including electrodynamical coupling effects. A case study of a moderate geomagnetic storm at low solar activity during the northern winter solstice exemplifies the complex storm phenomena. The study focuses on positive ionospheric storm effects in relation to thermospheric disturbances in general and thermospheric composition changes in particular. It investigates the dynamical effects of both neutral meridional winds and electric fields caused by the disturbance dynamo effect. The penetration of short-time electric fields of magnetospheric origin during storm intensification phases is shown for the first time in this model study. Comparisons of the calculated thermospheric composition changes with satellite observations of AE-C and ESRO-4 during storm time show a good agreement. The empirical MSISE90 model, however, is less consistent with the simulations. It does not show the equatorward propagation of the disturbances and predicts that they have a gentler latitudinal gradient. Both theoretical and experimental data reveal that although the ratio of [O]/[N₂] at high latitudes decreases significantly during the magnetic storm compared with the quiet time level, at mid to low latitudes it does not increase (at fixed altitudes) above the quiet reference level. Meanwhile, the ionospheric storm is positive there. We conclude that the positive phase of the ionospheric storm is mainly due to uplifting of ionospheric F2-region plasma at mid latitudes and its equatorward movement at low latitudes along geomagnetic field lines caused by large-scale neutral wind circulation and the passage of travelling atmospheric disturbances (TADs). The calculated zonal electric field disturbances also help to create the positive ionospheric disturbances both at middle and low latitudes. Minor contributions arise from the general density enhancement of all constituents during geomagnetic storms, which favours ion production processes above ion losses at fixed height under day-light conditions.     

Evidence of geomagnetic storm effects in the lower atmosphere: A case study

Disturbances produced by geomagnetic storms in the higher regions of the Earth’s atmosphere, such as in the ionospheric F2 region and in the lower ionosphere, are relatively better known than those produced at lower altitudes, where the effects of geomagnetic storms have been little studied. During magnetically perturbed conditions, some changes in pressure and temperature at high latitudes have been observed, from the surface level to heights of around 30 km, but there are no morphological studies and/or patterns of behavior. Moreover, the physical mechanisms are still unknown and what exists is a matter of controversy. Thus, the aim of this paper is to contribute to the vertical profile of the effects of geomagnetic storms as observed in the lower sectors of the atmosphere. For that, we study the variations of two atmospheric parameters (temperature and wind speed) during an intense geomagnetic storm (minimum Dst = −300 nT), at heights between about 6 km and 20 km. The data used were obtained from weather balloon flights carried out at low, mid and mid-high latitudes in different longitudinal sectors of the northern hemisphere, which took place twice per day: 00:00 and 12:00 UT. Small, but statistically significant changes in temperature and in zonal component of the neutral winds are observed at mid-high latitudes, which can be linked to short-term geomagnetic forcing. However, the results show different atmospheric response to the geomagnetic storm in the different longitudinal sectors at tropospheric and stratospheric levels, which suggests a regional character of the geomagnetic storms effects at tropospheric levels.     

欧洲扇区不同纬度电离层暴特征的统计分析

本文利用Madrigal数据库的TEC数据对2001—2010年间的156次单主相型磁暴事件,统计分析了欧洲扇区从赤道到极光带共5个纬度区域的电离层暴特征,结果表明:(1)电离层暴有明显的纬度分布特征,正负暴出现次数的比例随纬度的降低呈现明显的增加趋势,但夏季赤道地区趋势相反,正负暴比例比更高纬度的反而降低;(2)与主相相比,恢复相期间大部分纬度地区正暴数量减少,负暴数量增加,但赤道地区恢复相期间正暴数量反而增加;(3)中低纬地区电离层暴随磁暴MPO地方时分布特征明显,正暴所对应的MPO主要分布在白天,而MPO发生在夜间容易引起负暴;(4)电离层负暴主要发生在夜间,中、高纬地区负暴的开始时间存在‘时间禁区’,但不同纬度‘时间禁区’的地方时分布有一定差异,正暴分布则相对分散.     

磁暴期间热层大气密度变化

基于CHAMP卫星资料,分析了2002—2008年267个磁暴期间400km高度大气密度变化对季节、地方时与区域的依赖以及时延的统计学特征,得到暴时大气密度变化的一些新特点,主要结论如下:1)两半球大气密度绝对变化(δρa)结果在不同强度磁暴、不同地方时不同.受较强的焦耳加热和背景中性风共同作用,在北半球夏季,中等磁暴过程中夜侧和大磁暴中,夏半球的δρa强于冬半球;由于夏季半球盛行风环流造成的扰动传播速度快,北半球夏季日侧30°附近大气,北(夏)半球到达峰值的时间早于南(冬)半球.而可能受半球不对称背景磁场强度所导致的热层能量输送率影响,北半球夏季强磁暴和中磁暴个例的日侧,南半球δρa强于北半球;春秋季个例中日侧30°附近大气,北半球先于南半球1~2h达到峰值.2)受叠加在背景环流上的暴时经向环流影响,春秋季暴时赤道大气密度达到峰值的时间最短,日/夜侧大气分别在Dstmin后1h和2h达到峰值.至点附近夜侧赤道大气达到峰值时间一致,为Dstmin后3h;不同季节日侧结果不同,在北半球冬季时赤道地区经过更长的时间达到峰值.3)日侧赤道峰值时间距离高纬度峰值时间不受季节影响,为3h左右.在春秋季和北半球冬季夜侧,赤道大气密度先于高纬度达到峰值,且不同纬度大气密度的峰值几乎无差别,表明此时低纬度存在其他加热源起着重要作用.     

Pre-storm electron density enhancements at middle latitudes

Substantial increases of the F2 region peak electron density several hours to a day before the geomagnetic storm onset, the so-called pre-storm enhancements, belong to still not clear and hardly predictable features of the ionospheric disturbances. This paper presents analysis of the pre-storm enhancements observed at middle latitudes for 15 storms out of 65 strong-to-severe geomagnetic storms of the period 1995–2005. All 15 events were accompanied by significant (>20%) increases of foF2 before the storm onset over European area. We focus on the longitudinal extent and height profile of the pre-storm enhancements, particularly on their effects on the F1 and E regions of the ionosphere. Possible origin of such enhancements is also partly discussed. We observe no systematic effect of pre-storm enhancements of foF2 in electron density profiles in the F1 region. The E region (foE) appears to be insensitive to pre-storm enhancements. We find the pre-storm enhancements to be confined to the F2 region. The longitudinal extent of the pre-storm enhancements seems to be 120–240° based on comparison of simultaneous foF2 measurements in Europe, northern USA, and Eastern Asia.     

study of ionospheric response to magnetic superstorms in the East Asian sector

In this paper, we present analyses of the great geomagnetic storms observed during last two cycles of solar activity. This study is based on data from a network of ionosondes located within the longitudinal sector of 80–150°Е. it was found that the superstorms were observed predominantly in equinox. Long-lasting severe decreases of ionization at high and middle latitudes were the most impressive storm effect. A short-time positive phase occurred in response to the onset of both ssc and recovery phases of the magnetic storm in the daytime at high and middle latitudes. Large time-varying rates of foF2 were observed at low latitudes. Modeling results of the ionospheric response to two superstorms are also presented. It is established that the storm effect at middle latitudes was controlled predominantly by disturbed thermospheric composition. At high latitudes, the impact of magnetospheric processes and thermospheric composition on the ionosphere was the same.     

The ionospheric F2-region at low geomagnetic latitudes during the geomagnetic storms of 22–26 April 1990: Comparison of observed and modeled response

A comparison between the modeled NmF2 and hmF2 and NmF2 and hmF2, which were observed by the Kokubunji, Okinawa, Manila, Vanimo, and Darwin ionospheric sounders and by the middle and upper (MU) atmosphere radar, have been used to study the time-dependent response of the low-latitude ionosphere to geomagnetic forcing during a time series of geomagnetic storms from 22 to 26 April 1990. The reasonable agreement between the model results and data requires the modified equatorial meridional E×B plasma drift, the modified HWM90 wind, and the modified NRLMSISE-00 neutral densities. We found that changes in a flux of plasma into the nighttime equatorial F2-region from higher L-shells to lower L-shells caused by the meridional component of the E×B plasma drift lead to enhancements in NmF2 close to the geomagnetic equator. The equatorward wind-induced plasma drift along magnetic field lines, which cross the Earth equatorward of about 20° geomagnetic latitude in the northern hemisphere and about −19° geomagnetic latitude in the southern hemisphere, contributes to the maintenance of the F2-layer close to the geomagnetic equator. The nighttime weakening of the equatorial zonal electric field (in comparison with that produced by the empirical model of Fejer and Scherliess [Fejer, B.G., Scherliess, L., 1997. Empirical models of storm time equatorial zonal electric fields. J. Geophys. Res. 102, 24047–24056] or Scherliess and Fejer [Scherliess, L., Fejer, B.G., 1999. Radar and satellite global equatorial F region vertical drift model. J. Geophys. Res. 104, 6829–6842) in combination with corrected equatorward nighttime wind-induced plasma drift along magnetic field lines in the both geomagnetic hemispheres are found to be the physical mechanism of the nighttime NmF2 enhancement formation close to the geomagnetic equator over Manila during 22–26 April 1990. The model crest-to-trough ratios of the equatorial anomaly are used to study the relative role of the main mechanisms of the equatorial anomaly suppression for the 22–26 April 1990 geomagnetic storms. During the most part of the studied time period, a total contribution from geomagnetic storm disturbances in the neutral temperature and densities to the equatorial anomaly changes is less than that from meridional neutral winds and variations in the E×B plasma drift. It is shown that the latitudinal positions of the crests are determined by the E×B drift velocity and the neutral wind velocity.     

Ionospheric effects near the magnetic equator and the anomaly crest of the Indian longitude zone during a large number of intense geomagnetic storms

Ionospheric effects of a large number (51) of severe geomagnetic storms are studied using total electron content (TEC) and VHF/UHF scintillation data from Calcutta, situated near the northern crest of equatorial ionization anomaly and equatorial spread-F (ESF) data from Kodaikanal. The susceptibility of the equatorial ionosphere to develop storm time plasma density irregularities responsible for ESF and scintillation is found to be largely modulated by the local times of occurrences of main and recovery phases as seen in the D_st index. While inhibition of premidnight scintillation for lower TEC values compared to the quiet day averages is omnipresent, occurrence of scintillation for enhancements of TEC is largely dependent on initiation time and amplitude of the said deviations. An overall reduction in threshold values of h′F for observing storm induced ESF and scintillation compared to reported quiet time values is noted. The results are discussed in terms of storm time variabilities in electric fields, neutral wind system and composition changes.     

大磁暴期间TIEGCM模式和CHAMP卫星热层大气密度扰动特性的统计研究

本文统计分析了2001—2005年的39次大磁暴事件(Dst-100nT)期间TIEGCM模式和CHAMP卫星大气密度数据.研究结果表明,模式结果与实测数据具有较好的一致性,但仍存在一定的偏差.大气密度及增量与SYM-H指数相关性较好,并且随纬度、光照条件和地磁活动水平变化.模式低估了磁暴期间大气密度的增幅,特别是在地磁活动水平较强时模式与实测的偏差较大.模式的偏差在高纬地区高于低纬地区,日侧高于夜侧.Dst指数越低,偏差越大,而当Dst指数低于-150nT以后,绝对偏差和相对偏差变化不明显.     

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

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

The recovery phase of the superstrong magnetic storm of July 15–17, 2000: Substorms and ULF pulsations

The geomagnetic observations, performed at the global network of ground-based observatories during the recovery phase of the superstrong magnetic storm of July 15–17, 2000 (Bastille Day Event, Dst = ?301 nT), have been analyzed. It has been indicated that magnetic activity did not cease at the beginning of the storm recovery phase but abruptly shifted to polar latitudes. Polar cap substorms were accompanied by the development of intense geomagnetic pulsations in the morning sector of auroral latitudes. In this case oscillations at frequencies of 1–2 and 3–4 mHz were observed at geomagnetic latitudes higher and lower than ～62°, respectively. It has been detected that the spectra of variations in the solar wind dynamic pressure and the amplitude spectra of geomagnetic pulsations on the Earth’s surface were similar. Wave activity unexpectedly appeared in the evening sector of auroral latitudes after the development of near-midnight polar substorms. It has been established that the generation of Pc5 pulsations (in this case at frequencies of 3–4 mHz) was spatially asymmetric about noon during the late stage of the recovery phase of the discussed storm as took place during the recovery phase of the superstrong storms of October and November 2003. Intense oscillations were generated in the morning sector at the auroral latitudes and in the postnoon sector at the subauroral and middle latitudes. The cause of such an asymmetry, typical of the recovery phase of superstrong magnetic storms, remains unknown.     

太阳活动低年时太阳同步轨道电场高频(HF)波的观测特性研究

文章使用搭载在DEMETER卫星上的电场探测仪器(Instrument Champ Electrique,ICE)在太阳活动低年(2007年2月4日到2008年2月3日)所探测的数据,研究频率从10 kHz到3.33 MHz宽频段的高频(HF)电场波功率谱的空间分布特征.地磁宁静期间,从2.08 MHz到3.33 MH...     

基于经验正交分析法的暴时热层大气密度时空分布规律

本文选取2002-2006年期间的36个强磁暴为研究对象,对CHAMP卫星加速度仪反演的实测大气密度进行经验正交分解,研究暴时热层大气密度的纬度分布特征,以及大气密度与ap指数、Dst指数的关系.结果表明,大气密度的纬度分布与季节相关,夏季半球的密度大于冬季半球,春秋季节南北半球的大气密度几乎对称分布;春秋季节白天大气密度在低纬地区呈现出赤道密度异常结构,在中高纬地区密度随纬度增加而减小,夜间则呈现抛物线的形状,赤道附近密度值最小.大气密度的纬度分布特征在若干天内具有良好的稳定性,发生时间相近的磁暴事件,纬度分布曲线非常相似,并且暴前与暴时的纬度分布变化不大.相关性分析表明,大气密度滞后ap指数2~6 h,相对Dst指数平均提前0~1 h,对磁暴的响应速度在日照区比在阴影区快,大气密度与ap指数、Dst指数具有较好的相关性.     

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

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

Geomagnetic variations and their time derivatives during geomagnetic storms at different levels of intensity

The latitudinal distributions of horizontal geomagnetic variations, ΔH, and their time derivatives, ∂H/∂t, were analysed statistically over the three-year period 2003–2005. It appears that the amplitude distributions of horizontal geomagnetic variations and their time derivatives differ systematically between different geomagnetic latitudes and storm intensity levels. We show that the magnetic field variations observed at auroral and polar cap latitudes are under all geomagnetic storm levels comparable in amplitude (in a statistical sense) while they are smaller at subauroral latitudes. In contrast, their time derivatives are clearly the largest at auroral latitudes at all storm levels. These distributions determine in a general sense where and with which probability technological systems and operational procedures may be affected by geomagnetic storms. However, one observes in individual cases that the peak ∂H/∂t (the largest in all horizontal directions) is not necessarily the one which triggers a power system blackout.     

Ionospheric and Solar Wind Variation during Magnetic Storm Onset and Main Phase at Low- and Mid-latitudes

The relationship between the F2-layer critical frequency and solar wind parameters during magnetic storm sudden commencement (SSC) and main phase periods for intense (IS) and very intense (VIS) class of storms is investigated. The analysis covers low- and mid-latitude stations. The effects of ionospheric storm during SSC period is insignificant compared to the main phase, but can trigger the latter. The main phase is characterized by severe negative storm effect at both latitudes during VIS periods while it is latitudinal symmetric for IS observations. The IS reveal positive/negative storm phase in the low-/mid-latitudes, respectively. Ionization density effect is more prominent during VIS events, and is attributed to large energetic particle and solar activity input into the earth magnetosphere. However, ionospheric effect is more significant at the low-latitude than at the mid-latitude. Lastly, ionospheric storm effect during a geomagnetic storm may be related to the combinational effect of interplanetary and geomagnetic parameters and internal ionospheric effect, not necessarily the solar wind alone.     

利用地磁脉动预报地球同步轨道相对论电子通量的方法研究

本文利用低纬地磁台站的Pi1、Pi2地磁脉动（Pi1-2）资料和地球同步轨道的Pc5地磁脉动资料,对2004年1月到2006年12月38个磁暴事件的地磁脉动参数进行了统计分析.在此基础上,考虑相对论电子的局部加速机制,并加入损失机制,建立了一个初步的磁暴期间地球同步轨道相对论电子通量对数值的预报模型.利用该模型,我们对上述38个磁暴事件进行预报试验,最优化结果是：相对论电子通量对数值的预测值和观测值之间的线性相关系数为0.82,预报效率为0.67.这说明该模式具有较好的预报效果,也表明利用地磁脉动参数进行相对论电子通量预报是可行的.