First results of simultaneous recording of VLF emissions at two closely located points at auroral latitudes

For the first time, simultaneous observations of very low frequency (VLF) emissions at auroral latitudes (L = 5.3) are carried out at two points located at close geomagnetic latitudes and spaced in longitude by 400 km: the Finnish Kannuslehto station (Φ = 64.2°) and the Russian Lovozero observatory (Φ = 64.1°). A recording equipment with similar frequency responses was used. The first results of a comparison of simultaneous observations showed that, in the overwhelming majority of cases, bursts of VLF emission appeared at both points synchronously with an identical (more often right-handed) polarization of the magnetic field of VLF waves, which can be evidence in favor of large dimensions of the ionosphere exit region of VLF waves. A simultaneous burst of quasi-periodic VLF emissions that occurred on February 02, 2013, during a substorm at 23–24 UT is discussed in detail. Additionally, VLF bursts were recorded which were observed only at one point, e.g., the appearance of left-hand polarized periodic emissions (PEs) in band 2.5–4.0 kHz with a repetition period of 3–4 s.     

Patterns of simultaneous observations of high-latitude magnetic impulses (MIEs) and impulsive bursts in the Pc1–2 band

The analysis of simultaneous observations of 128 cases of high-latitude magnetic impulse events (MIEs), as well as geomagnetic pulsations in the Pc1–2 band observed in the area of the dayside cusp, was carried out. We investigated magnetograms from the Mirny Observatory, Antarctica. As a result of the examination, three groups of impulses were identified: (1) impulses accompanied by impulsive bursts of intervals of pulsations with rising periods (IPRPs)-type geomagnetic pulsations—16% of all events, (2) impulses accompanied by impulsive bursts of the Pi1B type (bursts of irregular magnetic pulsations)—48% of all events, and (3) impulses which were not accompanied by geomagnetic pulsations within a high-frequency band—36% of all events.It was found that the maximum frequency of occurrence of the impulses accompanied by impulsive bursts of the IPRP and Pi1B types was observed between 1200 and 1300 MLT. The events of the first two groups were observed predominantly when Bz>0. It was shown that the filling frequency of impulsive bursts that accompany the occurrence of impulses depends on the amplitude of the bursts. The maximum frequency of the occurrence of impulses which were not accompanied by impulsive bursts is between 1000 and 1100 MLT. The events of the third group were observed predominantly when Bz<0. In most cases, the occurrence of impulsive bursts coincided with the leading edge of the MIE.It is supposed that the MIE generation is stimulated by intensification of the plasma turbulence level at the dayside magnetopause in consequence of modulation instability development or reconnection processes.     

Studies on the shift in the frequency of the first Schumann resonance mode during a solar proton event

The variation of the first Schumann resonance (SR) frequency spectra observed from the recorded data over Kolkata (22.56°N, 88.5°E) during a solar proton event (SPE) on July 14, 2000 has been presented. It shows increase in frequency during X-ray bursts and decrease during the period of occurrence of an SPE. The results from some other locations for the same event are also reported. The severe X-ray bursts recorded just before the proton event exhibit enhancement in frequency of the first mode due to enhancement of ionization in the D-region of the ionosphere. Some attempts are made to explain the observed variation during solar proton events in terms of the perturbations within the Earth–ionosphere waveguide on the basis of two-layer-model.     

Coordinated optical and radar image measurements of noctilucent clouds and polar mesospheric summer echoes

Novel coincident 3-D radar, lidar and optical image measurements of dynamical structures in polar mesosphere summer echoes (PMSE) and noctilucent clouds (NLC) are presented. Common volume mesospheric measurements were made over central Alaska using the new Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR), a co-located Rayleigh lidar and remote, two-station digital image observations, enabling the first detailed investigation of the horizontal and vertical structures of NLC and PMSE. Coincident measurements were made of an unusual NLC display recorded on 10–11 August 2007, characterized by a broad luminous band that contained several prominent wave forms. Concurrent lidar and image measurements established the presence of NLC within the radar volume from ～09:00 UT (01:00 LT), when the solar depression angle was 10.4°, until dawn. Strong but intermittent PMSE were detected by PFISR, with distinct patchy structures that exhibited a similar southward motion as the NLC. Detailed comparison of the 3-D PMSE structures and the NLC lidar and image data have revealed striking similarities when account was taken of the NLC layer altitude, suggesting a direct link between their small-scale spatial signatures (within the current resolution of the radar measurements). At the same time, the lidar detected a sustained increase in the backscatter signal, while the imagers revealed the development of copious short horizontal wavelength (4.9 km) billow waves. We conclude that strong wind shears associated with the Kelvin–Helmholtz billow instabilities played a key role in the development of a neutral turbulence layer in close proximity to the NLC layer resulting in the strong but intermittent PMSE detected at 450 MHz on this occasion.     

Ionospheric response to the geomagnetic storm on 13–17 April 2006 in the West Pacific region

This paper presents an investigation of geomagnetic storm effects in the equatorial and middle-low latitude F-region in the West Pacific sector during the intense geomagnetic storm on 13–17 April, 2006. The event, preceded by a minor storm, started at 2130 UT on April 13 while interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) B_z component was ready to turn southward. From 14–17 the ionosphere was characterized by a large scale enhancement in critical frequency, foF2 (4～6 MHz) and total electron content (TEC) (～30TECU, 1TECU=1×10¹⁶el/m²) followed by a long-duration negative phase observed through the simultaneous ionospheric sounding measurements from 14 stations and GPS network along the meridian 120°E. A periodic wave structure, known as traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) was observed in the morning sector during the initial phase of the storm which should be associated with the impulsive magnetospheric energy injection to the auroral. In the afternoon and nighttime, the positive phase should be caused by the combination of equatorward winds and disturbed electric fields verified through the equatorial F-layer peak height variation and modeled upward drift of Fejer and Scherliess [1997. Empirical models of storm time equatorial electric fields. Journal of Geophysical Research 102, 24,047–24,056]. It is shown that the large positive storm effect was more pronounced in the Southern Hemisphere during the morning-noon sector on April 15 and negative phase reached to lower magnetic latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere which may be related to the asymmetry of the thermospheric condition during the storm.     

Analysis of latitudinal distribution of Pi2 geomagnetic pulsations using the generalized variance method

The spatial dynamics of bursts of geomagnetic Pi2-type pulsations during a typical event of a magnetospheric substorm (April 13, 2010) drifting to the pole was investigated using the method of generalized variance characterizing the integral time increment of the total horizontal amplitude of the wave at a given point in the selected time interval. The digital data of Scandinavian profile observations from IMAGE magnetometers with 10-second sampling and data of the INTERMAGNET project observations at the equatorial, middle-latitude and subauroral latitudes with a 1-second sampling were used in the analysis. It was shown that Pi2 pulsation bursts in a frequency band of 8–20 mHz appear simultaneously on a global scale: from the polar to equatorial latitudes with maximum amplitudes at latitudes of the maximum intensity of the auroral electrojet and with a maximum amplitude of geomagnetic pulsations Pi3 within a band of 1.5–6 mHz. The first (left-polarized) intensive Pi2 burst appeared at auroral latitudes several minutes after breakup, while the second (right-polarized) burst occurred 15 min after breakup but at higher (polar) latitudes where the substorm had displaced by that time. The direction of wave-polarization vector rotation was opposite for auroral and subauroral latitudes, but it was identical at the equator and in the subauroral zone. The pulsation amplitude at the equator was maximal in the night sector.     

Synchrotron emission of weakly-relativistic electron beams at midlatitude ionospheric altitudes

Results of the spectral measurements of ionospheric noise in the meter band are presented. The events lasting several milliseconds (the emission maximum of which drifts upward (in frequency), is reflected (stops), and drifts downward) have been distinguished. Moreover, multiple harmonics are observed. The frequency-time structure of such events have been considered from the viewpoint of registration of the electron beam synchrotron emission harmonics at ionospheric altitudes in the geomagnetic field. The model calculations of the frequency-time structure of ionospheric radio noise bursts drifting in frequency have been performed taking into account the measurement conditions. It has been indicated that the model electron radio noise bursts agree with the measured bursts reflecting from the ionosphere at altitudes of 100–180 km. The model of the monoenergetic beam of electrons precipitating from the radiation belt (L ～ 2.0–2.8) into the ionosphere has been proposed.     

Amplitude–frequency characteristics of ion–cyclotron and whistler-mode waves from Van Allen Probes data

Using two-hour (from 2300 UT January 25, 2013 to 0100 UT January 26, 2013) measurement data from Van Allen Probes on fluxes of energetic particles, cold plasma density, and magnetic field magnitude, we have calculated the local growth rate of electromagnetic ion–cyclotron and whistler-mode waves for field-aligned propagation. The results of these calculations have been compared with wave spectra observed by the same Van Allen Probe spacecraft. The time intervals when the calculated wave increments are sufficiently large, and the frequency ranges corresponding to the enhancement peak agree with the frequency–time characteristics of observed electromagnetic waves. We have analyzed the influence of variations in the density and ionic composition of cold plasma, fluxes of energetic particles, and their pitch-angle distribution on the wave generation. The ducted propagation of waves plays an important role in their generation during the given event. The chorus VLF emissions observed in this event cannot be explained by kinetic cyclotron instability, and their generation requires much sharper changes (“steps”) for velocity distributions than those measured by energetic particle detectors on Van Allen Probes satellites.     

大尺度电离层行扰的GPS观测

利用日本境内的高空间分辨率的双频GPS台站资料,观测研究了发生于2000年7月中旬太阳强活动期间的一次大尺度电离层行扰. 结果表明:在7月15日11:00UT-1:00UT期间观测区域的电离层中出现了大尺度电离层行扰. 在15:00UT之前,扰动周期为2h左右,在15:00UT以后,扰动周期为1h左右;总电子含量扰动幅度的变化范围约为1-2TECU;通过对15:00-17:00UT之间总电子含量扰动曲线同相位点的分析,发现这期间的电离层行扰的扰动速度约为600-700m/s,扰动波长在2200km左右,扰动传播的方向几乎沿着经线从高纬向低纬传播. 该行扰与此次强太阳活动有直接的关系,因其发生在7月15日的磁暴急始之前数小时,因此与磁暴本身没有因果关系,应与磁暴之前先期到达地球空间的高能质子流有关.     

Features of morning-time auroras during SC

The optical observations on Heiss Island and the ion drift measurements on the DMSP F8 satellite were used to study the aurora characteristics and ionospheric convection before and after SC registered at 2330 UT on January 13, 1988. It has been indicated that two zones of luminosity can be distinguished in morning-time auroras during the quiet period before SC: the soft zone with auroral arcs and the harder diffuse auroral zone (equatorward of the first zone). After SC, a gradual smooth activation of auroras in both zones was followed (4–5 min later) by a more abrupt intensification of diffuse luminosity and by the appearance of numerous bright discrete auroras throughout the sky. In the diffuse auroral zone, the variations in the luminosity intensity with a period of 6–7 min were observed after SC. Auroral and geomagnetic field pulsations are closely correlated. During the quiet period before SC, sunward convection was concentrated in the soft precipitation region in the form of jets located in the vicinity of auroral arcs. After SC, considerable sunward convection was observed in the diffuse auroral zone. Peaks of the upward ion drift velocity were registered in the vicinity of auroral arcs.     

PFISR observations of strong azimuthal flow bursts in the ionosphere and their relation to nightside aurora

Flow bursts within the ionosphere are the ionospheric signatures of flow bursts in the plasma sheet and have been associated with poleward boundary intensifications (PBIs). Some PBIs extend equatorward from the polar cap boundary, where they can be roughly divided into north–south-aligned and east–west-aligned structures. In this paper, we present two flow burst events observed by the new Poker Flat Advanced Modular Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) in the pre-midnight auroral zone on 28 April 2007, one towards the west and the other towards the east. In both cases, enhanced flows lasted for about 8–10 min with peak velocities exceeding 1500 m/s. The concurrently measured electron density showed that the flow bursts occurred in low conductivity regions. However, near the poleward (equatorward) edge of the westward (eastward) flow burst, strong electron density enhancements were observed in the E region, indicating the presence of discrete auroral arcs. Auroral images from the Polar spacecraft were available at the time of the eastward flow burst and they indicate that this burst was associated with an east–west-aligned auroral structure that connected at later MLT to a north–south structure. In addition, simultaneous precipitating particle energy spectrum measured by the the Defense Meteorological Satellites Program (DMSP) F13 satellite reveals that this auroral structure resulted from mono-energetic electron precipitation associated with a significant field-aligned potential drop. These observations show direct evidence of the relationship between flow bursts, field-aligned currents and auroral intensifications, and suggest that eastward/westward flow bursts are associated with east–west-oriented PBI structures that have extended well within the plasma sheet. This is in contrast to the equatorward-directed flow that has been previously inferred for PBIs near the polar cap boundary and for north–south auroral structures. This paper illustrates the use of the PFISR radar for studying the magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling of flow bursts.     

EISCAT observations of unusual flows in the morning sector associated with weak substorm activity

A discussion is given of plasma flows in the dawn and nightside high-latitude ionospheric regions during substorms occurring on a contracted auroral oval, as observed using the EISCAT CP-4-A experiment. Supporting data from the PACE radar, Greenland magnetometer chain, SAMNET magnetometers and geostationary satellites are compared to the EISCAT observations. On 4 October 1989 a weak substorm with initial expansion phase onset signatures at 0030 UT, resulted in the convection reversal boundary observed by EISCAT (at \sim0415 MLT) contracting rapidly poleward, causing a band of elevated ionospheric ion temperatures and a localised plasma density depletion. This polar cap contraction event is shown to be associated with various substorm signatures; Pi2 pulsations at mid-latitudes, magnetic bays in the midnight sector and particle injections at geosynchronous orbit. A similar event was observed on the following day around 0230 UT (\sim0515 MLT) with the unusual and significant difference that two convection reversals were observed, both contracting poleward. We show that this feature is not an ionospheric signature of two active reconnection neutral lines as predicted by the near-Earth neutral model before the plasmoid is “pinched off”, and present two alternative explanations in terms of (1) viscous and lobe circulation cells and (2) polar cap contraction during northward IMF. The voltage associated with the anti-sunward flow between the reversals reaches a maximum of 13 kV during the substorm expansion phase. This suggests it to be associated with the polar cap contraction and caused by the reconnection of open flux in the geomagnetic tail which has mimicked “viscous-like” momentum transfer across the magnetopause.     

Localization of the sources of narrow-band noise VLF emissions in the range 4–10 kHz from simultaneous ground-based and Van Allen Probes satellite observations

This paper presents the results of simultaneous observations of narrow-band noise VLF emissions in the frequency range 4–10 kHz at Kannuslehto ground station in Northern Finland and by Van Allen Probes (previously RBSP) in the equatorial part of the magnetosphere. The event of December 25, 2015, is considered. During the event, narrow-band noise VLF emissions were detected on the Earth in two frequency ranges, f = 3.5–6 kHz and f = 8–10 kHz, between 1100 and 1300 UT. Narrow-band VLF emissions in the equatorial zone were also observed during that time by the RBSP-B satellite; their frequency was close to the electron equatorial half-gyrofrequency and gradually increased from 3 to 11 kHz during the satellite motion from L = 5.0 to L = 3.0. Analysis of the fine structure of the emissions on the ground showed that their spectral and temporal characteristics corresponded to emissions by the satellites in localized zones at different L-shells. The ground-based observations at lower frequencies correlated with the satellite observations at larger L-shells. In order to localize the regions of the generation of the VLF emissions observed at Kannuslehto auroral station at different frequencies, we calculated the ray trajectories of waves from the equator for the plasma density distributions detected by Van Allen Probes. The calculations of the trajectories showed that the VLF waves detected at Kannuslehto station could travel to the ground only if they propagated in the large-scale density ducts (700–900 km) observed by Van Allen Probes.     

Daytime VLF emissions at the Sodankyla Observatory (L ∼ 5.3) at the front of high-speed solar wind streams

We discuss the results of an analysis of digital high-sensitivity ground-based observations of very low frequency (VLF) emissions, carried out in Northern Finland (L = 5.3) in May–June 2012. During this period of time, we found that three high-speed solar wind streams approached the Earth’s magnetosphere and at the front of these fluxes long-lasting intense daytime bursts of VLF emissions were generated in two frequency bands: above and below ～2.5 kHz. At frequencies above ～2.5–3.0 kHz, there were VLF hiss waves, the temporal structure of which consisted of a quasi-periodic sequence of separate stronger spots of noise signals. The low-frequency band was represented by chorus waves, superimposed on intense hiss emissions at frequencies below ～1.5 kHz. The high-frequency (f > 2.5 kHz) waves were elliptic and, predominately, left-hand polarized and the low-frequency waves were right-hand polarized. It was supposed that high-frequency VLF hiss waves were generated at L < 5 and VLF chorus waves were generated at L > 5. We discuss a possible scenario of the generation and propagation of the VLF emissions observed.     

磁暴期间亚极光区极化流（SAPS）的DMSP观测与RAM模拟的比较研究

亚极光区极化流（Subauroral Polarization Streams, SAPS）为快速流动的西向等离子体流,位于昏侧-子夜前亚极光区,是磁层-电离层-热层耦合的重要过程之一.本文利用密西根大学的RAM （Ring current-Atmosphere Interaction Model）模型对一次典型磁暴期间发生的SAPS事件进行了模拟,并与DMSP卫星观测值进行了比较.结果表明：模拟结果能大致反映观测现象;模拟得到的SAPS峰值速度所在纬度随磁暴时间的变化与观测值有较大差别;SAPS速度观测值在约18∶00 UT和约20∶00 UT左右出现两个峰值,而模拟值只有一个峰值,出现在约18∶00 UT,主要原因是模型对亚暴过程的模拟存在不足.     

Observations of ionospheric flows and particle precipitation following a Sudden Commencement

On May 4, 1998, at 0227 UT an interplanetary shock crossed the WIND spacecraft, and half an hour later a Sudden Commencement occurred. Coinciding with the Sudden Commencement a rapid intensification of the flux of particle precipitation into the ionosphere was observed. Evidence is presented that the ionospheric electric fields were influenced by the associated dynamic variations of the ionospheric conductivities. Following the initial phase the ionospheric flow speeds increased rapidly over the next 20 min to more than 2000 m/s, in agreement with an increased effective coupling of the solar wind energy to the magnetosphere following the interplanetary shock that caused the Sudden Commencement. These strong flows were meandering in latitude, a type of plasma flow modulation that has been reported before to occur during Omega band events: a string of alternating field-aligned currents propagating eastward. The riometer absorption was found to be at a minimum in regions associated with outward directed field aligned currents. The riometer absorption regions (the regions of particle precipitation) were drifting with E × B drift speed of the ionospheric electrons.     

Two-stage acceleration of solar cosmic rays

On the basis of data from the Radio Solar Telescope Network (RSTN), as well as the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) and the WIND spacecraft, for the period from 1989 to 2006 covering 107 flare events, we investigated the relationship between the intensity of solar cosmic rays and parameters of continuum radio bursts (25?C15400 MHz), as well as type II radio bursts in the meter and decahectometer wavelength ranges. Proton fluxes with energies E _p > 1?100 MeV were calculated with regard to a reduced heliolongitude. The maximum correlation between solar cosmic rays and solar parameters of microwave bursts was 0.80. Its value was no more than 0.40 for the drift rate of type II bursts and 0.70 for the compression rate of coronal shock waves. Based on linear regression equations, we estimated the contribution of coronal shock waves to the acceleration of protons. We found that major acceleration processes occur in the area of burst energy release and complimentary processes occur at the fronts of coronal shock waves. The contribution of the latter to the acceleration process increases significantly with proton energy.     

Fine structure of microwave emission in the 25 August 1999 event and its association with the magnetic field fine structure

A study is made of the initial stage of the 25 August 1999, event using high time-resolution microwave observations, as well as the data from the Siberian Solar Radio Telescope and Yohkoh/SXT/HXT. Microwave emission revealed fine structures with a typical time scale of about 1 s with a frequency drift 1 GHz/s, and structures with a typical time scale of less than 0.1 s with a frequency drift 10 GHz/s. Emission bands with a slower frequency drift are generated by energetic electrons subjected to the cyclotron resonance condition. This slower frequency drift is a consequence of a change in plasma density caused by the coalescence of magnetic structures with a typical size of the order of 10⁸ cm, while the emission with a faster drift is generated by beams of energetic electrons generating Cherenkov resonance emission. The energetic electron beams are produced as a result of the interaction of magnetic structures 10⁶–10⁷ cm in size.     

Specific features of variations in the characteristics of VLF signals when the lunar shadow propagated along the path during the solar eclipse of March 29, 2006

The effects of the solar eclipse of March 29, 2006, in the signals of ULF radio stations, in the intensity of regular radio noise at frequencies of 0.3–10 kHz, and in the number of atmospherics received in Yakutsk mostly from the west have been considered. The observations were performed using a multichannel parallel analyzer-recorder (11 channels in the frequency band 0.47–8.7 kHz), one-point lightning direction and range finder (0.3–100 kHz), narrow-sector radio noise direction-finder (0.3–10 kHz), recorder of signals from VLF radio stations, and broadband radio noise recorder (0.3–100 kHz). A GPS clock was used to synchronize a recorder of signals from VLF radio stations. The effect was observed in radio signals, radio noise, and number of atmospherics from the direction 270° ± 20° counted off clockwise from the north during the last stage of the eclipse (～ 1100–1200 UT), when the lunar shadow approached the line of the nighttime terminator and obscured part of the signal propagation path. The effect was observed as an enhancement of the received signals by a factor of ～1.2, a factor of ～1.4 increase in the number of atmospherics, and a change in the radio station phase values.     

一次磁层亚暴期间磁场偶极化的尾向传播

利用TC1、Cluster和Polar结合极光和同步高度及地磁的观测,研究了2004年9月14日1730～1930 UT时间段的亚暴偶极化过程.此前行星际磁场持续南向几个小时.亚暴初发(Onset)开始于1823 UT.2 min之后,同步高度的LANL 02A在子夜附近观测到了明显的能量电子增强（Injection）事件,而TC1在1827UT左右在磁尾(-10,-2, 0)RE (GSE)观测到了磁场BX的突然下降,伴随着等离子体压强和温度的突然增加及磁场的强烈扰动.在(-16, 1, 3)RE (GSE) 的Cluster上相同的仪器观测到相同的现象,只是比TC1观测到的晚大约23 min,在1850 UT左右.虽然Polar在更靠近地球的较高纬度(-75, 35, -40)RE (GSE)附近,也在1855 UT左右观测到了这种磁场偶极化现象.以上的观测时序表明TC1、Cluster观测到的磁场偶极化比亚暴偶极化初始发生分别晚4 min和27 min.说明偶极化由近磁尾向中磁尾传播.详细计算表明偶极化源区的位置大约在X=-77RE～-86RE,而传播速度大约为70 km·s-1.在这个事件中亚暴的物理图像可能是中磁尾的近地重联产生的地向高速流到达近磁尾,为近磁尾的亚暴触发创造了条件;亚暴在近磁尾触发之后,磁场偶极化峰面向中磁尾传播.