Asymmetry of the contours of the Fe X 6374-Å coronal line

The east-west asymmetry has been analyzed using the 1946–2000 corona observation data for the green line at the Kislovodsk station. A positive east-west asymmetry has been revealed throughout the entire observation period except for three years, 1994–1996. Time variations of the east-west asymmetry for certain periods coincide with those for flares. Seasonal variations of the east-west asymmetry revealed earlier by other authors are not confirmed. If seasonal variations of the east-west asymmetry in the corona exist, their amplitudes are smaller than or comparable to the instrumental errors, errors caused by atmospheric variations during the observation period and to differences between the corona-intensity measuring systems used at different observatories.     

Long-period variations in the magnetic field of small-scale solar structures

Thirty small-scale structures in the solar atmosphere, i.e., facula nodes at ±(20°–46°) latitudes, have been studied in order to analyze quasi-periodic variations in the magnetic field. SDO/HMI magnetograms have been used for this purpose. Long-period variations in the magnetic field strength of the considered objects in the 60–280 min range have been revealed as a result of data processing. It has been shown that there are no dependences between the magnetic field and period, nor between the magnetic field and object area. It has been assumed that the discovered variations are not natural oscillations of the magnetic field strength.     

Periodic modulation of Pc3 and Pc4 pulsations in the polar cap by interplanetary and atmospheric processes

The variations in the daily average energy of geomagnetic pulsations and noise in the Pc3 (20–60 mHz) and Pc4 (10–19 mHz) frequency bands in the polar cap have been studied based on the data from P5 Antarctic station (corrected geomagnetic latitude ?87°) from November 1998 to November 1999. The daily average pulsation energy has been calculated using the method for detecting the wave packets, the spectral amplitude of which is higher than the threshold level, from the dynamic spectrum. A spectral analysis of the energy of pulsations and noise in the Pc3 and Pc4 bands, performed using the maximal entropy method, has revealed periodicities of 18 days in the local winter and 26, 13, and 7–9 days during the local summer. The simultaneous and coherent variations with periods of 26, 13, and 7–9 days in the solar wind velocity and IMF orientation indicate that the variations in the Pc3–4 wave energy in the polar cap at a sunlit ionosphere are mainly controlled by the parameters of the interplanetary medium. The variations in the Pc3–4 wave energy with a period of 18 days are observed only during the local winter and are supposedly related to the variations in the ionospheric conductivity modulated by planetary waves.     

唐山地震前后北京地区地磁场总强度的变化

为了研究1976年唐山地震的磁效应,本文在文献[1]的基础上,利用北京测区六年(1975——1981)的磁测资料,分析了北京地区地磁场长期变化的局部差异,正常(无强震)时期地磁统计量的变化特性,以及长期变化局部差异对地磁统计量的影响.正常时期与地震前后地磁统计量的对比分析表明,唐山地震对北京地区地磁场总强度统计量的影响是显著的.通过不同区域测点、测线的各种组合,计算了地震前后统计量的空间分布,以确定测区信息最强的区域.唐山地震在北京地区所产生的磁效应的统计性质如下:1.异常信息不是短期的波动,而是呈趋势性变化,其持续时间至少一年;2.离震中较近的 S 区异常显著,其主要根据是,地磁统计量 Smj,bsn和Fk2在 S 区变化显著.特别是统计信息的局部差异与长期变化明显不同,前者呈东西分布,后者主要呈北南走向;3.趋势性异常变化的平均空间差异随时间的变化在测区总体并不显著,但在 S 区这种差异的时间变化,在震前1976年3——6月却是显著的.      

根据宇宙线Forbush下降计算地球轨道附近的耀斑击波

本文根据Forbush下降幅度随源耀斑经度分布的东、西不对称性,得到了有关地球轨道附近的一种由耀斑引起的冲击波模型。发现冲击波各向异性传播且表现出东、西不对称性。击波西部是强磁场区,东部为弱磁场区。与此相反,动力学参数和等离子体参数β则是东部比西部高。耀斑产生的扰动有分别向东、西方向的方位角速度存在。该模型同观测资料和理论推论是一致的。它能对磁扰和宇宙线Forbush下降等东、西不对称效应给出统一而自然的解释。耀斑等离子体流的这种东、西不对称性流动的可能起因也作了讨论。     

Specific features of resonance structures in spectra of ULF electromagnetic noise at high latitudes (Barentsburg observatory)

Results of studying resonance spectral structures (RSSs) of the noise background in the frequency range 0.1–5 Hz at Barentsburg high-latitude observatory (Spitsbergen) are presented. It has been indicated that the diurnal variations in the observation probability and the long-term variations in the RSS observation cannot be explained by variations in the illumination of the ionosphere by the Sun. Based on an analysis of the magnetic measurements, the conclusion is drawn that a decrease in the RSS registration probability in daytime hours and in winter months are related to an increase in the variability of ionospheric parameters. It has been indicated that the RSS source is located in the region above an observation point, and the horizontal scale of this source is 100–200 km, which agrees with the concepts of the role of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator in the formation of RSS.     

Spectrum of quasi-wave disturbances in the topside daytime ionosphere according to the data of radiosounding onboard the Intercosmos-19 satellite

Quasi-wave disturbances in the topside daytime ionosphere, related to auroral activity, have been detected using the data of radiosounding onboard the Intercosmos-19 satellite on April 28, 1979. A disturbance was caused by an abrupt enhancement of the eastward electrojet, which was not reflected in the variations in the AE and AU indices. According to the estimates, the period of electron density disturbances was about 0.5 h, the velocity was 350 m/s, and the length along the meridian was several hundreds of kilometers, which corresponds to medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs). The disturbance amplitude was only 30 km in the hmF2 variations and 0.20–0.25 MHz in the foF2 variations but increased to 0.25–0.30 MHz in the plasma frequency variations at satellite altitudes of 520–580 km with increasing altitude. It is impossible to register so weak short-period variations during ground-based sounding. The method for detecting disturbance spatial characteristics has been proposed. The disturbance spectrum including three quasiperiodic structures has been revealed using this method. The optimal estimates have been made for the trend, described by the polynomial of the third degree, and for the expansion of the residuals in terms of three harmonics.     

Yearly variations in the low-latitude topside ionosphere

Observations made by the Hinotori satellite have been analysed to determine the yearly variations of the electron density and electron temperature in the low-latitude topside ionosphere. The observations reveal the existence of an equinoctial asymmetry in the topside electron density at low latitudes, i.e. the density is higher at one equinox than at the other. The asymmetry is hemisphere-dependent with the higher electron density occurring at the March equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and at the September equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The asymmetry becomes stronger with increasing latitude in both hemispheres. The behaviour of the asymmetry has no significant longitudinal and magnetic activity variations. A mechanism for the equinoctial asymmetry has been investigated using CTIP (coupled thermosphere ionosphere plasmasphere model). The model results reproduce the observed equinoctial asymmetry and suggest that the asymmetry is caused by the north-south imbalance of the thermosphere and ionosphere at the equinoxes due to the slow response of the thermosphere arising from the effects of the global thermospheric circulation. The observations also show that the relationship between the electron density and electron temperature is different for daytime and nighttime. During daytime the yearly variation of the electron temperature has negative correlation with the electron density, except at magnetic latitudes lower than 10°. At night, the correlation is positive.     

A longitudinal seismic reflection profile of the Reykjanes Ridge: Part I — Evidence for west-flowing bottom water

A longitudinal seismic reflection profile along the east flank of Reykjanes Ridge, from Charlie fracture zone to the vicinity of Iceland, has important implications both for bottom water movement and for hypotheses of crustal generation at the axis of the mid-oceanic ridge. In this paper bottom water movement is considered. Between 52°N and 57°N Reykjanes Ridge is cut by about 12 fractures whose trend, inferred from other data, is approximately east-west. North of 57° there is little or no indication of east-west fracturing. Fracture valley bottoms are typically 1 km below the surrounding basement level; sediment fills are about 0.5 km; present bottoms are 2.1 to 2.8 km below sea level. Depositional asymmetry is apparent in 9 cases, 7 of which have the deepest and generally least reflective bottom at the northern edge. This suggests predominately west-flowing bottom currents, carrying Norwegian Sea overflow water through the fracture valleys, a result consistent with previously published data.     

Monitoring temporal variations in instrument responses in regional broadband seismic network using ambient seismic noise

High‐quality broadband data are required to promote the development of seismology research. Instrument response errors that affect data quality are often difficult to detect from visual waveform inspection alone. Here, we propose a method that uses ambient noise data in the period range of 5?25 s to monitor instrument performance and check data quality in situ. Amplitude information of coda waves and travel time of surface waves extracted from cross‐correlations of ambient noise are used to assess temporal variations in the sensitivity and poles–zeros of instrument responses. The method is based on an analysis of amplitude and phase index parameters calculated from pairwise cross‐correlations of three stations, which provides multiple references for reliable error estimates. Index parameters calculated daily during a two‐year observation period are evaluated to identify stations with instrument response errors in real time. During data processing, initial instrument responses are used in place of available instrument responses to simulate instrument response errors, which are then used to verify our results. The coda waves of noise cross‐correlations help mitigate the effects of a non‐isotropic field and make the amplitude measurements quite stable. Additionally, effects of instrument response errors that experience pole–zero variations on monitoring temporal variations in crustal properties appear statistically significant of velocity perturbation and larger than the standard deviation. Monitoring seismic instrument performance helps eliminate data pollution before analysis begins.     

Diurnal variations of the total electron content under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions

The morphology of averaged diurnal variations of total electron content (TEC) under quiet helio-geomagnetic conditions for all latitudinal bands and various longitudes has been studied using Global Ionospheric Maps (GIMs) datasets. The diurnal TEC variation maximum is generally registered at 14–15 LT. The maximum is 38±5, 14±2, 10±2 TECU (TECU is generally accepted TEC unit) at the equatorial, middle and high latitudes. The nighttime TEC minimum is within 5–7 TECU regardless of a season, latitude and longitude. At the equatorial latitudes TEC exhibits the most significant daily/season variations and the asymmetry of its behavior in the hemispheres near the equinox. Abnormal diurnal TEC variations (evening maximum, near-noon minimum) are observed at middle and high latitudes in summer due to atmospheric wind effects. The comparison of the averaged diurnal TEC variations with the behavior of the ionospheric F2-layer critical frequency indicated that GIMs describe daily/annual TEC variations reasonably well.     

甘肃省东部地区短周期地磁变化异常及其与地震的关系

本文研究甘肃省东部地区的短周期地磁变化的特点,由此推测地下存在东西方向的一条电导率异常带.结合地热和地震活动现象,对高电导率异常的成因提出了初步解释,最后,试图探索电导率异常与地磁发生的关系.     

Spectral composition of the cyclic aperiodic (quasibiennial) variations in solar activity and the Earth’s atmosphere

Based on the published analysis of the average monthly variations in solar activity and temperature of the upper atmosphere in the region of the mesopause and lower thermosphere (after elimination of the average long-term variations during different 11-year cycles), it was indicated that the periods and amplitudes of the observed quasibiennial variations monotonically decrease in the course of time. The regularity of these variations is described by the Airy function, which represents a wave train with decreasing amplitude and period and reflects cyclic hydrodynamic processes in the Sun’s interior. A spectral analysis of the quasibiennial variations modelly described by the Airy function has been performed. It has been revealed that the period amplitudes near the average value for 2.25 years (27 months) are distributed normally with a dispersion of ～0.5 years. According to several publications, similar periods are obtained by analyzing measurements of long-term variations in solar activity and parameters of the lower and middle atmosphere. This indicates that the values of the periods are obtained randomly. Therefore, a standard Fourier analysis does not make it possible to determine a real character of the quasibiennial variations since a real physical process is not revealed in the course of this analysis.     

Results of dipole electric sounding in the area of the Chirkey water reservoir after its filling

The analysis of the data of variations of the apparent electric resistivity of rocks (AR) in the area of the Chirkey HES has been carried out for the period after the water reservoir was filled. For measurements the method of dipole electric sounding has been used with location of potential dipoles around the water reservoir with a distance between them of 5.2–11.3km. The analysis of the data obtained for the period of observations (1976–1988) has shown that the filling of the water reservoir affected the environment for a long time. After it was filled (1975), at different observation points located around the water reservoir a decrease of 1.6–2.4 times was registered in the AR over the period from 1976–1988. This is connected with the process of inundation of the rock mass, which continued for more than 14 years. The process of water filtering into the surrounding rock mass was complicated; that is, it varied in time and space. At the initial stage of the reservoir filling the AR variations of a high amplitude (30–40%) were observed. These variations are considered to be connected with the seismic regime of the area of the water reservoir. A synchronous decrease in the AR, registered at the receiver points was followed by an increase of the number of the earthquakes of energetic class (K = 10). The given anomalous data are connected by an increase in the water filtration into fractured zones, whose filtration features change on being affected by tectonic stresses.     

Power spectra of thermal tidal and planetary waves in the near-Earth atmosphere and in the ionospheric D region at Kamchatka

Spectral analysis of the diurnal variations in the quasi-static electric field in the near-Earth atmosphere and VLF atmospheric radio noise at a frequency of 5.3 kHz, simultaneously observed in September–October 1999 at Paratunka observatory of the Institute of Cosmophysical Research and Radiowave Propagation, has been performed. The variations in the intensities of the spectral power density and the period durations of the variations in the T ～ 8–24 h band and higher as functions of geomagnetic and seismic activities have been studied.     

Cosmic ray modulation during the solar activity growth phase of cycle 24

Recent years allowed us to study long-term variations in the cosmic ray (CR) intensity at an unusually deep solar activity (SA) minimum between cycles 23 and 24 and during the SA growth phase in cycle 24, which was the cycle when SA was the lowest for the epoch of regular ground-based CR observations since 1951. The intensity maximum, the value of which depends on the particle energy, was observed in CR variations during the period of an unusually prolonged SA minimum: the CR density during the aformentioned period (2009) is higher than this density at previous CR maxima in cycles 19–23 for low-energy particles (observed on spacecraft and in the stratosphere) and medium-energy particles (observed with neutron monitors). After 2009 CR modulation at the SA growth phase was much weaker over three years (2010–2012) than during the corresponding SA growth periods in the previous cycles. The possible causes of this anomaly in CR variations, which are related to the CR residual modulation value at a minimum between cycles 23 and 24 and to variations in SA characteristics during this period, were examined. The contribution of different solar magnetic field characteristics and indices, taking into account sporadic solar activity, has been estimated.     

Complex diagnostics of disturbances in the ionospheric plasma parameters far from the trajectories of launched rockets

Large-scale disturbances in the ionospheric plasma, caused by the spacecraft launches from the Baikonur site, have been analyzed based on the incoherent scatter radar measurements. The altitude-time dependences of the main plasma parameters (electron density and electron and ion temperatures at altitudes of ～100–600 km) have been analyzed. It has been indicated that spacecraft launches and flights are accompanied by the generation of wave-like disturbances in all considered parameters. It has been obtained that the relative amplitudes of these wave-like disturbances were usually 0.03–0.10, and the variation period was 20–60 min. The variations were shifted in phase relative to each other. The propagation velocities of wave-like disturbances were ～0.5–0.6 and 1.5–2 km/s. The up-to-date methods of spectral analysis, including the wavelet analysis, were used to estimate the parameters of the wave-like disturbances.     

Nature of the sunrise effect in daily electric field variations at Kamchatka: 2. Electric field frequency variations

The power spectra of time variations in the electric field strength in the near-Earth’s atmosphere and in the geomagnetic field horizontal component, which were simultaneously observed at the Paratunka observatory (φ = 52°58.3′ N; λ = 158°14.9′ E) in September 1999, have been studied. The periods of the day (including sunrise, sunset, and night) have been considered. It has been indicated that oscillations with periods T ～ 2.0–2.5 h are present in the power spectra of these parameters during the day. The intensity of these oscillations increases noticeably and the oscillations in the band of periods T < 1 h increase simultaneously in the field strength power spectra at sunrise. The variations in the argument of the cross-spectrum of these parameters indicated that oscillations in the 2.0–2.5 h period band are caused by sources that are located above the ionospheric dynamo region; at the same time, oscillations in the 0.5–1 h period band are caused by sources in the lower atmosphere. A possible mechanism by which these oscillations are generated, related to the vortex motion of convective cells that originate at sunrise in the boundary atmospheric layer, is proposed.     

Empirical model of the OI 630 nm emission variations. 3. Emitting layer height

The empirical model of variations in the emitting layer height and parameters has been developed based on an analysis of the rocket measurements of the vertical distributions in the 630 nm intensity. The dependences on the solar zenith angle during a day are most substantial. This dependence is responsible for the character of seasonal variations at different latitudes. The height of the emitting layer increases with increasing solar activity, reflecting a temperature rise in the upper atmosphere. The negative trend—0.35 km yr^?1 in the interval 1964–1990—has been revealed.