Optical observations of large-scale undulations in the 23rd cycle of solar activity

A statistical analysis of observations of large-scale undulations during the 23rd cycle of solar activity was performed using optical data from two stations: Tixie (71.6°N, 128.9°E) and Zhigansk (66.8°N, 123.4°E). The total number of events recorded was 54 (43 events at Tixie and 11 at Zhigansk). The complete list of observed events is presented. The occurrence frequency of eveningside (17–23 LT) undulations during the solar activity growth (1999) and decline (2003–2005) phases tends to increase. Large-scale undulations were shown to be generated both on the equatorward boundary of the diffuse auroral zone and inside the diffuse zone, which does not necessarily occur during magnetic storms.     

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.     

Comparative characteristics of ion and electron precipitation in the dawn and dusk sectors

Characteristics of ion and electron precipitations in the dawn and dusk sectors are investigated by DMSP F6 and F7 satellite observations. It is shown that in the dusk sector the positions of electron and ion precipitation boundaries are nearly coincident for all levels of magnetic activity; however the latitudinal distribution of energy fluxes indicates that the positions of electron and ion precipitation maxima are spatially separated. Maximum energy fluxes of ions is observed at the equatorial precipitation boundary, while those of electrons at the poleward one. In the dawn sector, the electron precipitation region is 3°–4° wider than that of ions. The isotropy boundary in the dusk sector is located in the region of diffuse precipitation (DAZ) near its poleward boundary for all levels of magnetic activity, while in the dawn sector it falls in the region of structured precipitations (AOP). Electron precipitations are dominating in the dawn sector. Here in the region of diffuse precipitation (DAZ), the ion energy fluxes Fi make less than 5% as compared to the electron energy flux Fe. In the region of structured precipitations (AOP), the portion of Fi decreases with increasing magnetic activity from ~10–20% for AL ≈ -100 nT to <5% for AL ≈ -1000 nT. As for the dusk sector, in the AOP region, electron precipitations are dominating as well, while in the DAZ region the ion energy fluxes are significant. In the 1500–1800 MLT sector, the ratio Fi/Fe increases from ~0.7 to ~3.0 with AL changing from -100 nT to -1000 nT.     

Seasonal and UT variations of the position of the auroral precipitation and polar cap boundaries

The data of the DMSP F7 spacecraft are used for studying the influence of the geomagnetic dipole tilt angle on the latitudinal position of auroral precipitation boundaries in the nighttime (2100–2400 MLT) and daytime (0900–1200 MLT) sectors. It is shown that, in the nighttime sector, the high-latitude zone of soft diffuse precipitation (SDP) and the boundary of the polar cap (PC) at all levels of geomagnetic activity are located at higher and lower latitudes relative to the equinox period in winter and summer, respectively. The position of boundaries of the diffuse auroral precipitation zone (DAZ) located equatorward from the auroral oval does not depend on the season. In the daytime sector, the inverse picture is observed: the SDP precipitation zone takes the most low-latitude and high-latitude positions in the winter and summer periods, respectively. The total value of the displacements from winter to summer of both the nighttime and daytime boundaries of the PC is ∼2.5°. A diurnal wave in the latitudinal position of the nighttime precipitation boundaries is detected. The wave is most pronounced in the periods of the winter and fall seasons, is much weaker in the spring period, and is almost absent in summer. The diurnal variations of the position of the boundaries are quasi-sinusoidal oscillations with the latitude maximum and minimum at 0300–0500 and 1700–2100 UT, respectively. The total value of the diurnal displacement of the boundaries is ∼2.5° of latitude. The results obtained show that, undergoing seasonal and diurnal variations, the polar cap is shifted as a whole in the direction opposite to the changes in the tilt angle of the geomagnetic dipole. The seasonal displacements of the polar cap and its diurnal variations in the winter period occur without any substantial changes in its area.     

Features of High-Latitude Ionospheric Irregularities Development as Revealed by Ground-Based GPS Observations,Satellite-Borne GPS Observations and Satellite In Situ Measurements over the Territory of Russia during the Geomagnetic Storm on March 17–18, 2015

The dynamic picture of the response of the high- and mid-latitude ionosphere to the strong geomagnetic disturbances on March 17–18, 2015, has been studied with ground-based and satellite observations, mainly, by transionospheric measurements of delays of GPS (Global Positioning System) signals. The advantages of the joint use of ground-based GPS measurements and GPS measurements on board of the Swarm Low-Earth-Orbit satellite mission for monitoring of the appearance of ionospheric irregularities over the territory of Russia are shown for the first time. The results of analysis of ground-based and space-borne GPS observations, as well as satellite, in situ measurements, revealed large-scale ionospheric plasma irregularities observed over the territory of Russia in the latitude range of 50°–85° N during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm. The most intense ionospheric irregularities were detected in the auroral zone and in the region of the main ionospheric trough (MIT). It has been found that sharp changes in the phase of the carrier frequency of the navigation signal from all tracked satellites were recorded at all GPS stations located to the North from 55° MLAT. The development of a deep MIT was related to dynamic processes in the subauroral ionosphere, in particular, with electric fields of the intense subauroral polarization stream. Analysis of the electron and ion density values obtained by instruments on board of the Swarm and DMSP satellites showed that the zone of highly structured auroral ionosphere extended at least to heights of 850–900 km.     

Plasma density undulations in the nighttime mid-latitude F-region as observed by CHAMP,KOMPSAT-1, and DMSP F15

We investigate plasma density undulations in the nighttime mid-latitude topside F-region. During solar maximum years the undulations are found at CHAMP, KOMPSAT-1, and DMSP F15 altitudes. The occurrence rate is higher at KOMPSAT-1 than at DMSP F15 altitude. The undulations occur infrequently during equinoxes, and the occurrence peaks are in the Asian/Oceanian (eastern Pacific/American) region during June (December) solstice. At CHAMP altitude the undulations are observed all through the night, and the occurrence rate is anti-correlated with the solar cycle. As all these results are in general agreement with known climatology of MSTIDs, we suggest that the undulations are a topside signature of MSTIDs. The undulations are often but not always accompanied by magnetic signatures indicating the presence of field-aligned current (FAC). The partial lack in correspondence might be due to the ionospheric conductivity variation. The similar distribution is, however, in support of a connection between density undulations and FACs.     

Auroral glow equatorward from the auroral oval

On the basis of observations for the IGY period (visoplots) it is shown, that during magnetic storms diffuse glow is detected at all latitudes between the lowest latitude of the visually observed auroral glow at the zenith and the auroral oval. The diffuse glow region spatially coincides with the region of soft electron precipitation extending equatorward from the boundary of the oval to the latitude of the plasmopause projections along the magnetic force lines to the ionosphere. Using published materials on the diffuse glow dynamics and SAR arcs at the Yakutsk meridian, as well as simultaneous measurements of the DMSP F9 satellite, we discuss the contribution from low-energy electron precipitation transfered via convection toward Earth from the magnetosphere’s plasma sheet to excitation of 630.0 nm emission in low-intensity (<1.0 kR) SAR arcs.     

利用DEMETER卫星数据分析汶川地震前的电离层异常

DEMETER卫星由法国于2004年6月发射,高度约为665 km,圆轨道且经过极区,其主要目的是研究与地震有关的电离层异常.2008年5月12日6∶28（世界时）在四川省汶川县（31.02°N, 103.37°E）发生了M_s8.0级的特大地震.本文分析了在震前一周内DEMETER卫星观测到的电离层异常.这些异常主要包括：（1）卫星在震前4天和5天经过震中附近时,记录到电子浓度、电子温度和氧离子浓度出现剧烈变化（变化率均超过20%）;（2）在震前3天和7天,卫星探测到增强的电磁辐射.同时利用ELF频段（0~1250 Hz）的三分量电场和磁场数据,对异常电磁辐射作了进一步的分析（计算了电场功率谱、磁场功率谱、波矢方向和极化特性等）.另外,考查了观测期间的地磁指数,由此得出观测到的异常现象不大可能由地磁活动引起.最后,对震前出现的这些电离层异常的可能的物理机理进行了讨论.     

Observations of large-scale plasma convection in the magnetosphere with respect to the geomagnetic activity level

The data of the ionospheric observations (the daily f plots) at the Yakutsk meridional chain of ionosondes (Yakutsk–Zhigansk–Batagai–Tixie Bay) with sharp decreases (breaks) in the critical frequency of the regular ionospheric F2 layer (foF2) are considered. The data for 1968–1983 were analyzed, and the statistics of the foF2 break observations, which indicate that these breaks are mainly registered in equinoctial months and in afternoon and evening hours under moderately disturbed geomagnetic conditions, are presented. Calculations performed using the prognostic model of the high-latitude ionosphere indicate that the critical frequency break position coincides with the equatorial boundary of large-scale plasma convection in the dusk MLT sector.     

Simultaneous observations of the natural electromagnetic emission in the ELF-VLF range at Kamchatka and in Yakutia during the solar eclipse of August 1, 2008

The effect of the solar eclipse that occurred on August 1, 2008, on the level of the natural electro-magnetic emission signals in the ELF-VLF range, simultaneously observed at Kamchatka and in Yakutsk, and the variations in the amplitude and phase of signals from the VLF radiostations, registered in Yakutsk, has been considered. The VLF radiostations in Krasnodar, Novosibirsk, and Khabarovsk successively emitted signals at frequencies of 11 905, 12 649, and 14 880 Hz. Based on the observations of the signals from these radiostations, it has been established that the signal amplitudes and phases increased by 3–5% and 30°–45° when the signals crossed the lunar shadow region. The synchronous registration of the ELF-VLF noise emission indicated that a bay-like increase and the following decrease in the emission to the background level was observed at both receiving points during the eclipse from ∼1000 to 1130 UT. This effect was registered at frequencies of 0.6–5.6 kHz in Yakutsk and at lower (30–200 Hz) and higher (2.5–11 kHz) frequencies at Kamchatka. In this case the noise emission intensity maximum was observed when the lunar shadow maximally approached the registration point. At higher frequencies, the emission maximum was observed simultaneously at both points (at 1100 UT) but with a delay relative to the maximum at lower frequencies. The possible causes of the appearance of the solar eclipse effects in the natural ELF-VLF emission are considered.     

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.     

Ion Pressure at the Auroral Precipitation Boundaries and Its Relationship with the Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The data from the DMSP F7 satellite for 1986 are used to study the behavior of ion pressure at the boundaries of auroral precipitation. The study is based on 7489...     

Validation of the stream function method used for reconstruction of experimental ionospheric convection patterns

In this study we test a stream function method suggested by Israelevich and Ershkovich for instantaneous reconstruction of global, high-latitude ionospheric convection patterns from a limited set of experimental observations, namely, from the electric field or ion drift velocity vector measurements taken along two polar satellite orbits only. These two satellite passes subdivide the polar cap into several adjacent areas. Measured electric fields or ion drifts can be considered as boundary conditions (together with the zero electric potential condition at the low-latitude boundary) for those areas, and the entire ionospheric convection pattern can be reconstructed as a solution of the boundary value problem for the stream function without any preliminary information on ionospheric conductivities. In order to validate the stream function method, we utilized the IZMIRAN electrodynamic model (IZMEM) recently calibrated by the DMSP ionospheric electrostatic potential observations. For the sake of simplicity, we took the modeled electric fields along the noon-midnight and dawn-dusk meridians as the boundary conditions. Then, the solution(s) of the boundary value problem (i.e., a reconstructed potential distribution over the entire polar region) is compared with the original IZMEM/DMSP electric potential distribution(s), as well as with the various cross cuts of the polar cap. It is found that reconstructed convection patterns are in good agreement with the original modeled patterns in both the northern and southern polar caps. The analysis is carried out for the winter and summer conditions, as well as for a number of configurations of the interplanetary magnetic field.     

Variations in the geomagnetic field and auroras during the main phase of a large magnetic storm of November 20, 2003

The substorm characteristics during the main phase of a large magnetic storm of November 20, 2003, are studied based on the data of TV observations of auroras and auroral absorption at Tixie Bay station and at the global network of magnetic stations. The contribution of auroral particles, responsible for the emission of discrete auroras, has been estimated based on an analysis of the spatial-time variations in the auroral luminosity intensity. This contribution accounted for ～40% of the total luminous flux, which is approximately twice as large as was previously observed in substorm disturbances. Responses of the solar wind and IMF parameters in substorms and variations in the magnetic indices, characterizing geomagnetic activity in the northern polar cap and ring current (PCN, ASY-H and SYM-H), have been detected. The spatial-time distribution of the equivalent ionospheric currents has been constructed, and the total value of these currents along the meridian has been determined based on the [Popov et al., 2001] method and using the IMAGE magnetic data. It has been obtained that the maximal total equivalent ionospheric current in the premidnight sector (～2000 MLT) leads the minimal value of the SYM-H index by ～1.5 h.     

Auroral electrojet dynamics during magnetic storms, connection with plasma precipitation and large-scale structure of the magnetospheric magnetic field

Effect of the equatorward shift of the eastward and westward electrojets during magnetic storms main phase is analyzed based on the meridional chains of magnetic observatories EISCAT and IMAGE and several Russian observatories (geomagnetic longitude ≈110°, corrected geomagnetic latitudes 74°>φ>51°.) Magnetic storms of various Dst index intensity where the main phase falls on 1000 UT - 2400 UT interval were selected so that one of the observatory chains was located in the afternoon - near midnight sector of MLT. The eastward electrojet center shifts equatorward with Dst intensity increase: when Dst ≈ −50 nT the electrojet center is located at φ ≈ 62°, when Dst ≈ −300 nT it is placed at φ ≈ 54°. The westward electrojet center during magnetic storms main phase for intervals between substorms shifts equatorward with Dst increase: at φ ≈ 62° when Dst ≈ −100 nT and at φ ≈ 55° when Dst ≈ −300 nT. During substorms within the magnetic storms intervals the westward electrojet widens poleward covering latitudes φ ≈ 64°–65°. DMSP (F08, F10 and F11) satellite observations of auroral energy plasma precipitations at upper atmosphere altitudes were used to determine precipitation region structure and location of boundaries of various plasma domains during magnetic storms on May 10–11, 1992, February 5–7 and February 21–22, 1994. Interrelationships between center location, poleward and equatorward boundaries of electrojets and characteristic plasma regions are discussed. The electrojet center, poleward and equatorward boundaries along the magnetic observatories meridional chain were mapped to the magnetosphere using the geomagnetic field paraboloid model. The location of auroral energy oxygen ion regions in the night and evening magnetosphere is determined. Considerations are presented on the mechanism causing the appearance in the inner magnetosphere during active intervals of magnetic storms of ions with energy of tens KeV. In the framework of the magnetospheric magnetic field paraboloid model the influence of the ring current and magnetospheric tail plasma sheet currents on large-scale magnetosphere structure is considered.     

磁暴期间高纬顶部电离层离子上行特征——DMSP卫星观测

本文利用DMSP F13和F15卫星观测数据,对2001—2005年58个磁暴(-472 nT≤Min.Dst≤-71 nT)期间高纬顶部电离层离子整体上行特征进行了统计研究.观测表明,磁暴期间,顶部电离层离子上行主要发生在极尖区和夜间极光椭圆区.在北半球,磁正午前,高速的离子上行(≥500 m·s^-1)多集中在65° MLat以上;午后,高速离子上行区向低纬度扩展,上行速度要略高于午前;在南半球,磁午夜前,DMSP卫星在考察区域内几乎所有的纬度上都观测到了高速上行的离子;午夜后,各纬度上观测到上行离子的速度明显降低.离子上行期间,DMSP卫星在极区顶部电离层高度上也频繁地观测到电子/离子增温,且电子增温发生的频率要远高于离子增温.O⁺密度变化分析显示,DMSP卫星磁暴期间观测到的上行离子更多地源于顶部电离层高度.这些结果表明电子增温在驱动暴时电离层离子整体上行过程中起着重要作用.     

NOAA系列卫星高能粒子数据一致性统计分析

顶部电离层是低轨道卫星的运行空间,是能量粒子沉降的重要区域,认识这个空间的能量粒子分布特征对研究各种空间天气事件、地震、火山以及其他人类活动引起的扰动具有重要的现实意义.本文利用位于顶部电离层的5颗NOAA系列卫星数据,统计研究了100～300keV的电子和80～2500keV的质子的全球分布特征.研究发现:高能电子和质子主要分布在两极辐射带和南大西洋异常区,两极辐射带观测到的高能电子通量比南大西洋异常区高几倍到一个数量级,而质子则相反;高能电子在两极辐射带地区通量分布具有不对称性,主要表现为在北辐射带西经75°到东经90°存在低值区,相对应的是粒子主要聚集在其磁共轭区,且其边界和南大西洋异常区相交;高能质子两极辐射带对称分布,在南半球东经0°至东经50°存在高值区.利用概率密度统计分析发现,各颗卫星在南大西洋异常区和两极辐射带的高能电子和高能质子通量总体上均呈正态分布.在南大西洋异常区,NOAA-15观测到的高能电子通量比其他卫星的低,NOAA-16观测的高能电子通量比其他卫星的高,各卫星的高能质子观测结果基本相同.在两极辐射带,各卫星观测的高能电子通量结果基本相同,NOAA-18和...     

Anomalous behaviour of plasma parameters as observed by the intercosmos 24 satellite prior to the iranian earthquake of 20 June 1990

Summary Measurements of plasma parameters were made by the Intercosmos 24 satellite at altitudes between 2300 km and 2500 km in the interval of 16 to 12 hours prior to the initial shock of the destructive Iranian earthquake of 20 June 1990 (210009 UT, 37° N, 49·4° E, M=6·4), and before the strong aftershock of 21 June 1990 (090214 UT, M=5·8). The anomalous behaviour of the light ionospheric ions H⁺ and He⁺ and the cold electron temperature was observed over a wide region of the Northern Hemisphere before the earthquake. Sudden increases of energetic electron fluxes were observed over the Asian zone near the epicentre. These changes appear to be a part of the solid Earth — near space interaction occurring during the preparatory stage of the great seismic event.     

利用卫星和GPS观测研究低纬局部等离子体浓度增强现象

本文同时利用DMSP、ROCSAT-1卫星数据和地基的GPS观测数据,研究一种与低纬等离子体泡相伴随的局部等离子体浓度增强现象.地基GPS的观测表明电离层总电子含量(TEC)也能反映这种等离子体浓度增强.通过4个观测事例的详细分析表明:这种等离子体浓度增强主要出现在磁纬±10°～±20°的局部区域,有时在近磁赤道区和中纬地区的电离层顶部也能观测到;与等离子体泡的出现规律相似,这种等离子体浓度增强主要出现在地方时21∶00以后,并在午夜后也能观测到.当等离子体浓度增强和等离子体泡发生时,在午夜前一般对应着背景垂直速度明显向上的扰动,在午夜后一般处于等离子体垂直速度下降至反向前的时间段,表明东向电场对于低纬不规则体的产生有非常重要的作用.     

2014年美国加州纳帕M_W6.1地震断层参数的Sentinel-1A InSAR反演

2014年8月24日,在美国加州旧金山海湾北部的纳帕地区发生了MW6.1地震.发震断层是西纳帕断裂系统中的一部分,但是该断层之前并未被足够重视.本文利用欧洲空间局最近发射成功并刚刚投入使用的Sentinel-1A卫星获取的第一对同震干涉像对(20140807-20140831),得到了该地震的地表同震形变场,结合震后24h内区域GPS同震形变资料作为约束条件,反演了纳帕地震的断层几何参数以及滑动分布.Sentinel-1A干涉结果表明,此次地震造成了明显的地面形变,视线向最大抬升和最大沉降量均达到了10cm.联合反演结果表明,该发震断层的走向为344°,倾角为80°.主要破裂以右旋走滑为主,平均倾滑角为-146.5°,最大倾滑量达到了1.1m,位于地表下约4km,存在明显的滑动亏损现象.此次地震,累计释放地震矩达1.5×1018 N·m,约合矩震级MW6.1.该结果略小于InSAR单独约束结果,可能与Sentinel-1A像对中包含的快速震后形变分量有关.