Polar regionSq

Geomagnetically quiet day variations in the polar region are reviewed with respect to geomagnetic field variation, ionospheric plasma convection, electric field and current. Persistently existing field-aligned currents are the main source of the polar regionSq. Consequently, the morphology and variability of the polar regionSq largely depend upon both field-aligned currents and ionospheric conductivity. Since field-aligned currents are the major linkage between the ionosphere and the magnetosphere, the latter is controlled by solar wind state, in particular, the interplanetary magnetic field, the polar regionSq exhibits remarkable IMF dependence.     

Transition current systems in the Earth’s and Saturn’s magnetospheres

Transition current systems can be generated in the Earth’s magnetosphere at a simultaneous sudden change in the solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF northward turning from an almost horizontal direction. The distribution of the field-aligned currents in the transition current system depending on the IMF components has been calculated. The conditions of formation of transition current systems in the Saturn’s magnetosphere and possible manifestations of these systems in the high-latitude ionosphere have been considered. The obtained results have been compared with observations.     

Simulation of variations in the polar atmospheric electric field related to the magnetospheric field-aligned currents

The distribution of the electric potential, generated by the magnetospheric field-aligned currents flowing along the auroral oval and in the dayside cusp region at the upper atmospheric boundary in the polar ionosphere, is calculated. The obtained electric potential distributions are used to calculate the electric field strength near the Earth’s surface. The results of the model calculations are in good agreement with the electric field measurements at Vostok Antarctic station. It has been indicated that large-scale magnetospheric fieldaligned currents, related to IMF variations, can affect variations in the electric field strength in the polar regions via changes in the electric potential in the polar ionosphere, associated with these currents.     

Spontaneous substorms and ordered type of magnetospheric disturbances during the superstorm of November 20, 2003

The interval 0000-1400 UT of the superstorm of November 20, 2003, has been studies based on the ACE/WIND data and the MIT2 magnetogram inversion technique. The distributions of the electric potential and currents, field-aligned currents, and Joule heat in the ionosphere have been calculated. The variable magnetotail length and powers coming into the magnetosphere, ionosphere and ring current have been estimated. The selected superstorm intervals, when it became possible to identify the disturbance mode produced by the interaction between the variable solar wind dynamic pressure and IMF effects, have been described. Spontaneous substorms, two types of driven responses to changes in IMF or in the solar wind dynamic pressure (P _d ), zero events at simultaneous jumps of IMF and P _d , and a previously unknown mode of saturation of the ionospheric electric field at a redistribution of the energy coming into the magnetosphere between the ionosphere and ring current are among the selected modes.     

地面Sq磁场的分析和场向电流

地面Ｓｑ磁场的分析在一定程度上可揭示场向电流的存在。本文将Ｓｑ资料按１／２（夏－冬）的方法定性地显示了空间等效电流的分布。结果表明：在夏、冬季清晨由夏季半球流向冬季半球的场向电流特别明显，可是黄昏时的场向电流似乎不存在，踵时由冬季半球流向夏季半球的场向电流强度反而比清晨场向电流弱一些。     

Interplanetary magnetic field By control of dayside auroras

The effect of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component on the dayside auroral oval from Viking UV measurements for March–November 1986 is studied. Observations of dayside auroras from Viking UV images for large positive (15 cases) and negative (22 cases) IMF By (∣By∣>4 nT), suggest that: (1) the intensity of dayside auroras tends to increase for negative IMF By and to decrease for positive By, so that negative IMF By conditions seem preferable for observations of dayside auroras; (2) for negative IMF By, the auroral oval tends to be narrow and continuous throughout the noon meridian without any noon gap or any strong undulation in the auroral distribution. For positive IMF By, a sharp decrease and spreading of auroral activity is frequently observed in the post-noon sector, a strong undulation in the poleward boundary of the auroral oval around noon, and the formation of auroral forms poleward of the oval; and (3) the observed features of dayside auroras are in reasonable agreement with the expected distribution of upward field-aligned currents associated with the IMF By in the noon sector.     

磁暴期间极尖区场向电子事件研究

根据Cluster卫星在中高度极尖区的观测数据,分析研究了两次连续磁暴期间极尖区场向电子事件的持续时间以及与Dst值和Dst时间变化率之间的关系.结果表明,磁暴期间场向电子事件的持续时间的范围为6~54 s,大多数场向事件的持续时间小于34 s;极尖区场向电子事件的最大密度和最大场向通量与Dst值没有明显的相关关系;而随着Dst变化率的增加,场向电子最大密度和最大通量也随之增加,场向电子最大密度与Dst变化率之间的相关系数为0.81,场向电子最大通量与Dst变化率之间的相关系数为0.56,下行电子最大通量与Dst变化率之间的相关系数为0.85.经讨论认为行星际磁场持续南向、太阳风速度和动压的急剧增加是引起场向电子通量增加的主要原因.     

Seasonal effects in the ionosphere-thermosphere response to the precipitation and field-aligned current variations in the cusp region

The seasonal effects in the thermosphere and ionosphere responses to the precipitating electron flux and field-aligned current variations, of the order of an hour in duration, in the summer and winter cusp regions have been investigated using the global numerical model of the Earths upper atmosphere. Two variants of the calculations have been performed both for the IMF B_y < 0. In the first variant, the model input data for the summer and winter precipitating fluxes and field-aligned currents have been taken as geomagnetically symmetric and equal to those used earlier in the calculations for the equinoctial conditions. It has been found that both ionospheric and thermospheric disturbances are more intensive in the winter cusp region due to the lower conductivity of the winter polar cap ionosphere and correspondingly larger electric field variations leading to the larger Joule heating effects in the ion and neutral gas temperature, ion drag effects in the thermospheric winds and ion drift effects in the F2-region electron concentration. In the second variant, the calculations have been performed for the events of 28–29 January, 1992 when precipitations were weaker but the magnetospheric convection was stronger than in the first variant. Geomagnetically asymmetric input data for the summer and winter precipitating fluxes and field-aligned currents have been taken from the patterns derived by combining data obtained from the satellite, radar and ground magnetometer observations for these events. Calculated patterns of the ionospheric convection and thermospheric circulation have been compared with observations and it has been established that calculated patterns of the ionospheric convection for both winter and summer hemispheres are in a good agreement with the observations. Calculated patterns of the thermospheric circulation are in a good agreement with the average circulation for the Southern (summer) Hemisphere obtained from DE-2 data for IMF B_y < 0 but for the Northern (winter) Hemisphere there is a disagreement at high latitudes in the afternoon sector of the cusp region. At the same time, the model results for this sector agree with other DE-2 data and with the ground-based FPI data. All ionospheric and thermospheric disturbances in the second variant of the calculations are more intensive in the winter cusp region in comparison with the summer one and this seasonal difference is larger than in the first variant of the calculations, especially in the electron density and all temperature variations. The means that the seasonal effects in the cusp region are stronger in the thermospheric and ionospheric responses to the FAC variations than to the precipitation disturbances.     

Dynamics of field-aligned currents reconstructed by the ground-based and satellite data

Parameters of field-aligned currents reconstructed by ground-based measurements of magnetic field in the Scandinavian countries (IMAGE) and ionospheric conductivity for specific events of the 6 and 8 December 2004 are represented here. Ionospheric conductivity was calculated from precipitating electron flux measured at DMSP-13 satellite and electron density EISCAT incoherent scattering radar direct measurements. There is a high correlation between field-aligned currents, calculated from DMSP-13 satellite data and field-aligned currents calculated from radar measurements for the December 6, 2004 in the presence of developed ionospheric current system. The comparison of field-aligned currents, reconstructed by the proposed method, with the currents calculated by the variation of magnetic field on the DMSP satellites, confirms correctness of the offered algorithm.     

Relationships between field-aligned currents and convection observed by EISCAT and implications concerning the mechanism that produces region-2 currents: Statistical study

Fluid theories explain the origin of region-2 field-aligned currents as the closure of the ring current, driven itself by the azimuthal pressure gradients generated in the magnetospheric ring plasma by the sunward convection. Although the structure of pressure gradients appears experimentally complex, observations confirm that a close connection exists between the region-2 field-aligned currents and the ring current. The fluid linear theory of the adiabatic transport by convection of the ring plasma gives a first estimate of this process, and leads ultimately to phase quadrature (in terms of magnetic local time) between the region-2 field-aligned currents and the convection potential. When significant non-adiabatic processes are taken into account, such as precipitations at auroral latitudes, the theoretical phase difference rotates toward opposition. We determine experimentally the phase relationship between the region-2 field-aligned currents and the convection potential from recent statistics, depending on the magnetic activity index K_p, and performed from the EISCAT data base. For geometrical reasons of sufficient probing of region 2, it is only computed in the case of a moderate magnetic activity corresponding to 2\leqK_p<4. Region-2 field-aligned currents are found to be in phase opposition with the convection electrostatic potential at auroral latitudes. This confirms the importance of non adiabatic processes, especially ion losses, in the generation of region-2 field-aligned currents, as theoretically suggested.     

基于地磁台站数据对磁暴期间环电流和场向电流的分布特征研究

磁暴的发生与环电流的变化密切相关.除了对称环电流外,部分环电流在磁暴的发展过程中也起到了重要的作用,同时部分环电流通过场向电流与极区电离层中的电流形成回路.本文应用INTERMAGNET地磁台网北半球中低纬区域地磁台站数据,对不同强度4个磁暴事件主相和恢复相期间部分环电流和场向电流的磁地方时分布进行了分析和讨论.对于每一个磁暴事件,在低纬地区（地磁纬度约0°—40°N）选用地磁经度上大致均匀的8个台站,通过坐标转换计算平行于磁偶极轴的地磁场水平分量H来分析磁暴期间环电流所引起的磁场扰动;在低纬地区8个台站的基础上增加中纬地区（地磁纬度约40°N—60°N）地磁经度上大致均匀的6个台站,计算地磁坐标系下地磁场东西分量Y来分析磁暴期间场向电流在中低纬地区引起的磁场扰动.结果表明,磁暴主相期间的部分环电流主要作用于磁地方时昏侧和夜侧扇区,并且主相和恢复相期间部分环电流引起的磁场变化随着磁暴级别的增大而增大;磁暴主相期间向下的场向电流多出现在夜侧至晨侧扇区,向上的场向电流多出现在昏侧至午后扇区,且中纬地区向下和向上场向电流的展布范围明显大于低纬地区;恢复相期间弱、中磁暴事件的场向电流呈现与部分环电流相同的减弱趋势,而强、大磁暴事件在恢复相末期场向电流引起的磁场变化明显不同于恢复相的其他时刻,这可能与高纬较强的亚暴活动有关.     

Field-aligned currents in the winter and summer hemispheres caused by IMF <Emphasis Type="Italic">By</Emphasis>

Structures controlled by the IMF By sign and season of the year have been detected based on the decomposition of field-aligned current maps constructed using magnetic field measurements on polar low-orbiting satellites. It has been indicated that field-aligned currents have identical structures, composed of the main polar circular current and the return current at the polar cap dayside boundary, at any By sign in the summer hemisphere. Two different types of structures are implemented under winter conditions depending on the By sign. For the northern winter, it is the polar circular current and the return current at the polar cap nightside boundary at By < 0; current sheets are strongly stretched along latitudes below 80° MLat, and only small part of the current is in the noon sector of the polar cap. For the summer winter, the corresponding structures are implemented at opposite By signs. The intensities of the field-aligned currents, originating as a result of the interhemispheric asymmetry and flowing along closed geomagnetic field lines near the polar cap boundary, have been estimated. The maximum of the interhemispheric current density is 0.25 μA m⁻² in the summer and 0.1 μA m⁻² in the winter; the total current is 5 × 10⁵ and 5 × 10⁴ A, respectively.     

Asymmetric distribution of the ionospheric electric potential in the opposite hemispheres as inferred from the SuperDARN observations and FAC-based convection model

We compare the SuperDARN convection patterns with the predictions of a new numerical model of the global distribution of ionospheric electric potentials. The model utilizes high-precision statistical maps of field-aligned currents (FAC) derived from measurements made by polar-orbiting low-altitude satellites. Both the solar and auroral precipitation contributions are included in order to derive the ionospheric conductance. Taking into account the electrodynamic coupling of the opposite hemispheres, the model allows one to obtain the convection patterns developed simultaneously in both hemispheres for given input parameters. SuperDARN, with its database containing global northern and southern convection maps, provides the unique opportunity to compare the model predictions of electric fields with observations. In the present study we focus on the effect of significant interhemispheric asymmetry governed by the IMF clock angle and solar zenith angle. We calculate the convection patterns for specific cases caused by the sign of B_Y and season and demonstrate the capability of the FAC-based model reproduce the radar observations. The simulation confirms that the solar zenith angle should be linked to the IMF clock angle to fully characterize the convection patterns. The model predicts that the cross-polar cap potential drop is regularly larger in the winter hemisphere than in the summer hemisphere.     

磁暴期内夜间h’F的突增现象

用3个经度链上电离层垂测站资料分析磁暴时夜间h＇F的同时突增现象提出了电动耦合在夜间出现东向电场从而使F层抬升的物理机制同时也解释了突增现象在午夜后更多,且增幅更强的事实．     

Electrodynamic coupling between ionospheric convection patterns in the northern and southern hemispheres

A numerical model of the high-latitude ionospheric electric field is presented. To perform the calculations, a model of the field-aligned current source is proposed. The electric field patterns are calculated consistently both in the northern and southern hemispheres. Effects of season, universal time, solar and geomagnetic activity, the neutral atmosphere winds, and of the IMF sector structure are considered. In particular, dynamics of the parameters of convection cells are investigated that depend on the action of these factors. Comparison of the results with experimental data is carried out.     

Asymmetric structures of field-aligned currents and convection of ionospheric plasma controlled by the IMF azimuthal component and season of year

We present the results of using the statistical model of field-aligned currents (FACs) based on satellite data and the numerical model of the electric potential distribution in order to detect the asymmetric part in FAC structures and ionospheric plasma convection controlled by the IMF azimuthal (B _y ) component at different seasons of the year. These structures can be identified by plotting diagrams, which represent differences in corresponding maps for opposite signs of IMF B _y . Circular near-pole current symmetric about the noon meridian and corresponding convection vortices around the pole have been obtained for the summer and equinox periods. It is difficult to detect distinct structures under winter conditions, and the current is most intense on the morning side. A two-cell convection system with the foci in the afternoon and postmid-night sectors is created in the electric potential difference diagrams. Thus, qualitatively different FAC and convection patterns exist during the solstice in opposite hemispheres. The value of the electric potential originating in the near-pole region under the action of the B _y component and a change in the potential under the action of additional factors have been estimated.     

Complex study of the auroral arc dynamics and ionospheric plasma convection in prenoon hours

The dynamics of auroral arcs, observed in the prenoon sector during the 2-h period, has been studied in the context of ionospheric convection. The appearance of an isolated arc, the poleward drift velocity of which pronouncedly exceeded the plasma drift velocity, accompanied the IMF impulse and could result from the Alfvén resonance oscillations of the magnetosphere. Arcs that appeared after the northward turning of the IMF vertical component drifted poleward at a velocity close to the convection velocity. The mechanism of arc generation is related to the flute instability which develops in the region of the large-scale field-aligned current. Flute instability indications are found out in the POLAR satellite data. The study confirms the previously proposed classification criterion for dayside arcs with the source on closed field lines, based on the character of arc drift as compared to convection.     

On the importance of auroral processes in the Universe

Acceleration of charged particles in magnetic field-aligned electric potential differences at Earth and at the outer planets in the solar system is summarized and its general importance in the Universe is briefly discussed.The role of field-aligned currents, driven by parallel electric fields, in causing filamentary structure in stellar atmospheres is briefly reviewed.The differences between auroral optical emissions at various planets are summarized.The important role of field-aligned potential differences in the generation of AKR and corresponding emissions from other objects is discussed.Finally, aurora-associated processes for ejection of planetary plasma into space are briefly reviewed.     

Models of field-aligned currents needful to simulate the substorm variations of the electric field and other parameters observed by EISCAT

We have used the global numerical model of the coupled ionosphere-thermosphere-protonosphere system to simulate the electric-field, ion- and electron-temperature and -concentration variations observed by EISCAT during the substorm event of 25 March 1987. In our previous studies we adopted the model input data for field-aligned currents and precipitating electron fluxes to obtain an agreement between observed and modelled ionospheric variations. Now, we have calculated the field-aligned currents needful to simulate the substrom variations of the electric field and other parameters observed by EISCAT. The calculations of the field-aligned currents have been performed by means of numerical integration of the time-dependent continuity equation for the cold mag-netospheric electrons. This equation was added to the system of the modelling equations including the equation for the electric-field potential to be solved jointly. In this case the inputs of the model are the spatial and time variations of the electric-field potential at the polar-cap boundaries and those of the cold magnetospheric electron concentration which have been adopted to obtain the agreement between the observed and modelled ionospheric variations for the substorm event of 25 March 1987. By this means it has been found that during the active phase of the substorm the current wedge is formed. It is connected with the region of the decreased cold magnetospheric electron content travelling westwards with a velocity of about 1 km s^–1 at ionospheric levels.     

用简单模式法对高纬电离层电场的进一步研究

本文采用的是有二区场向电流但无电导率时角变化的简单模式。文章通过模式计算,系统讨论了在恒稳条件下二区场向电流强度及位相和Hall与Pederson电导率在极光带升高等因素对高纬电场分布的影响。模式说明,二区场向电流的存在使二区电流圈以内电场加强,其外电场大大削弱。这种加强与削弱作用与二区电流的强度与位相均有关。Hall电导率在极光区升高会加强上述作用,Pederson电导率的升高则对其有所削弱。一般说来,极盖区外电场分布的位相与极盖区边界的驱动势不同,一、二区场向电流的位相与驱动势也有差异。这些现象都是场向电流与电导率共同影响的结果。以下结果初步解释了近年来的某些观测现象。最后,本文对简单模式法的应用及今后的某些方向作了探讨。