Solar cycle variations in the ionospheric Alfven resonator 1985–1995

Based on long-term observations of the resonance structure in the electromagnetic background noise spectrum (resonance spectrum structure, RSS), recorded in the frequency range 0.1–10 Hz over one complete solar cycle (11 years, from 1985 to 1995), it was found that the resonance conditions for Alfven waves in the ionosphere (ionospheric Alfven resonator) are determined at midlatitudes by the level of solar activity. RSS are regularly observed in years of minimum solar activity, and are practically absent in years of maximum solar activity. It is shown that consideration of the ionospheric Alfven resonator explains the dependence of the RSS on solar activity.     

Effects of weak-ends in the ionospheric spread-<Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> over a megapolis

The hourly data of Kokubunji (within the Tokyo megapolis) and Akita (the station located in the rural area at a distance of 450 km from Tokyo) Japan vertical sounding stations for 20 years have been used. The observation probability of spread-F, characterizing the presence of large-scale (to several tens of kilometers) inhomogeneities in the ionospheric F region on nights from Saturday to Sunday and from Sunday to Monday (Saturday and Sunday nights) and the remaining nights, have been compared. It has been indicated that, according to the Kokubunji data, the spread-F observation probability on Saturday and Sunday nights is higher than on the working days with 0.95 reliability. It can be assumed that this effect is caused by an increase in the acoustic noise intensity over industrial regions due to an increase in the production intensity on working days. In this case an anthropogenic heating of the ionosphere increases, and diffusion processes responsible for spreading of inhomogeneities in the ionospheric F region intensify. According to the Akita data, such an effect was not observed.     

Dependence of the Pc4 magnetic pulsation parameters on the radiated power of the EISCAT HF heating facility

The interaction between the Earth’s ionosphere and magnetosphere in a situation when artificial disturbances are generated in the F region of the auroral ionosphere with the EISCAT/Heating facility is studied. An experiment was performed in the daytime when the facility effective radiated power changed in a stepwise manner. Wavelike disturbances with periods of (130–140) s corresponding to Pc4 pulsations were simultaneously registered by the method of bi-static backscatter and with ground magnetometers. The variations in the Doppler frequency shift were correlated with the changes in the facility power. Incoherent scatter radar measurements at a frequency of 930 MHz (Tromsö) and numerical calculations were used in an analysis. It has been indicated that the ionospheric drift of small-scale artificial ionospheric irregularities was modulated by magnetospheric Alfvén waves. The possible effect of powerful HF radioemission on the Alfvén wave amplitude owing to the modification of the magnetospheric resonator ionospheric edge reflectivity and the generation of an outgoing Alfvén wave above the region where the ionospheric conductivity is locally intensified has been considered.     

Variations in the cosmic source intensity during radio astronomical studies of the solar wind

Fluctuations in the intensity of cosmic radiosources, which are slower than interplanetary scintillations and are observed during radio astronomical studies of the solar wind, are discussed. It has been indicated that daytime variations (on average, from 8 to 16 h) are caused by large-scale disturbances in the solar wind rather than are of an ionospheric origin. A conclusion is made that such variations can be used to study the near-solar interplanetary space and predict space weather.     

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.     

Planetary statistics of the critical frequency of the ionospheric F 2 region during catastrophic earthquakes

The statistics of the relative variations (δfoF2) in the critical frequency of the ionospheric F ₂ region during catastrophic earthquakes with magnitude M ≥ 6 at 70 vertical sounding (VS) automatic ionospheric stations (AISs) of the global network is considered. Five-day periods including 70 such situations have been selected for 1981 and 1983–1985. Five sets of 24 foF2 measurements from 3 days before to a day after the earthquake instant are formed for each AIS. The number of AISs, for which the fourth statistical invariant is above the significance level (E ≥ 1), has been analyzed. It has been indicated that the histogram deformation at the set of AISs is substantial a day before earthquakes.     

Variations in the parameters of VLF signals on the DEMETER satellite during the periods of seismic activity

Two methods for diagnosing ionospheric disturbances using VLF signals received on the DEMETER satellite are considered in connection with two cases of high seismic activity: the method for analyzing a signal reception zone in order to find large-scale spatial variations and the residual signal method used to reveal time variations. Based on an analysis of the VLF signal reception zone, performed in connection with the catastrophic earthquake near Sumatra, it has been found out that the signal amplitude decreased during a month before the earthquake. As a result, it has been concluded that the zone of ionospheric disturbances extends for several thousand kilometers. It has been indicated that the residual signal method showed good agreement between the ground and satellite data when high seismic activity near Japan was analyzed.     

Characteristics of Pc4–5 pulsations obtained using the method of bistatic backscatter of HF radio waves,the EISCAT HF heating facility,and ground-based magnetometers

The results of studying the Pc4–5 pulsation parameters based on the method of bistatic backscatter of radio waves, using the EISCAT/Heating HF facility (Tromsø, Norway) and IMAGE ground-based magnetometers (Scandinavia), are presented. The observations were performed during the morning hours on October 3, 2006, when a substorm developed on the nightside. An analysis of the observational data obtained from 1000 to 1020 UT indicated that wave-like disturbances with periods corresponding to Pc4–5 pulsations (80–240 s) existed at that time. The variations in the full vector of the ionospheric irregularity motion and the electric field strength in an artificially disturbed high-latitude ionospheric F region has been reconstructed based on simultaneous Doppler observations on two paths. A general conformity is observed among the time variations in Pc4–5 pulsations in the magnetic and ionospheric data: between the velocity amplitude (|V|) and the X component of the Earth’s magnetic field and between the irregularity motion azimuth and the Y component. Large-scale waves, corresponding to the natural resonances of magnetic field lines (small values of the azimuthal number |m| ～ 2–4), and small-scale waves (large values |m| ～ 17–20) were simultaneously registered during the experiment based on magnetic data. It has been indicated that the periods of wave-like processes registered using the method of bistatic backscatter and ground-based magnetometers were in agreement with one another. The formation of wave-like processes is explained by the nonstationary impact of the solar wind and IMF on the Earth’s magnetosphere. The variations in the IMF, according to the ACE satellite measurements, were characterized by a sharp increase in the solar wind plasma dynamic pressure that occurred at about 09 UT on October 3, 2006, and was accompanied by rapid polarity reversals of the north-ward-southward (B _z) and transverse (B _y) IMF components.     

Stratospheric aerosol dynamics over Kamchatka and its association with geophysical processes

The dynamics of aerosol layers in comparison with geomagnetic and ionospheric data has been studied based on the nighttime single-frequency lidar sounding of the atmosphere over Kamchatka at altitudes of 10 to 90 km. The relation of the aerosol density to solar, magnetic, and ionospheric activity has been studied, and the stratospheric aerosol formation mechanisms have been considered. It has been indicated that variations in the aerosol density correlate with radiowave absorption, perturbations of the ionospheric parameters, and geomagnetic characteristics. The spatial and time scales of aerosol layers have been estimated. The role of stratospheric aerosol as an indicator of geophysical processes is discussed.     

GPS monitoring of ionospheric disturbances generated during rocket launches at large distances from launch sites

Wave-like disturbances, caused by the launches of the Soyuz and Proton rockets from the Baikonur site, have been studied using the algorithm of the space-time accumulation of variations in the total electron content (TEC). Ionospheric TEC responses, observed on four GPS arrays at a distance of up to 4000 km from the launch site, represent a quasi-periodic oscillation with a period of 15–20 min, duration of 30–40 min, and amplitude of 0.1 TECU. The propagation velocity of wave-like disturbances is 300–1400 m/s, which corresponds to the range of sonic and supersonic velocities at an altitude of the ionospheric ionization maximum. Wave-like disturbances of TEC are caused by acoustic gravity waves (AGWs) propagating in the Earth’s atmosphere over large distances from a source. It has been established that the rocket launch region and rocket trajectory active legs, when a rocket moves under the action of the second and third operating stages of a propulsion device, are responsible for AGW generation.     

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.     

Wave-like processes in the ionosphere under quiet and disturbed conditions. 1. Kharkov incoherent scatter radar observations

Wave-like disturbances (WDs) with periods of 30–120 min at altitudes of 125–500 km (100–1000 km in individual experiments) have been studied. The measurements of total duration more than 400 h have been performed under the conditions of a quiet ionosphere as well as during magnetic and ionospheric storms and two solar eclipses. It has been indicated that WDs exist almost permanently in the ionosphere. The effect of powerful energy sources leads to a change in the WD character and to variations in the WD spectral composition and amplitudes. The latter substantially vary during a day and depending on the disturbance of the ionosphere. The WD relative amplitudes vary from several percent to several tens of percent.     

Ionospheric response to the entry and explosion of the South Ural superbolide

The South Ural meteoroid (February 15, 2013; near the city of Chelyabinsk) is undoubtedly the best documented meteoroid in history. Its passage through the atmosphere has been recorded on videos and photographs, visually by observers, with ground-based infrasound microphones and seismographs, and by satellites in orbit. In this work, the results are presented of an analysis of the transionospheric GPS sounding data collected in the vicinity of the South Ural meteoroid site, which show a weak ionospheric effect. The ionospheric disturbances are found to be asymmetric about the explosion epicenter. The received signals are compared, both in shape and amplitude, with the reported ionospheric effects of ground level explosions with radio diagnostics. It is shown that the confident registration of ionospheric effects as acoustic gravity waves (AGWs) by means of vertical sounding and GPS technologies for ground explosions in the range of 0.26–0.6 kt casts doubt on the existing TNT equivalent estimates (up to 500 kt) for the Chelyabinsk event. The absence of effects in the magnetic field and in the ionosphere far zone at distances of 1500–2000 km from the superbolide explosion epicenter also raises a question about the possibility of an overestimated TNT equivalent. An alternative explanation is to consider the superposition of a cylindrical ballistic wave (due to the hypersonic motion of the meteoroid) with spherical shock waves caused by the multiple time points of fragmentation (multiple explosions) of the superbolide as a resulting source of the AGW impact on ionospheric layers.     

Studying long-term trends of heliogeophysical factors using the method of cumulative indices

It has been proposed to use the cumulative indices, applicable when macroeconomic processes are analyzed, to study long-term trends in different heliogeophysical factor, which vary under the action of cyclic changes in solar activity. It has been indicated that trends of the UV intensity in the Lyman-α line (reconstructed based on the ionospheric data) are almost absent for the period 1957–2004.     

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.     

Relation of long-period variations in the critical frequencies of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis><Subscript>2</Subscript> layer to geomagnetic activity

The relation of the long-period variations in the midnight and noon values of the critical frequency of the ionospheric F ₂ layer at three midlatitude stations (Irkutsk, Moscow, and Boulder) to the daily mean index of geomagnetic activity in years of different solar activity has been studied. It has been found that the correlation coefficients between the above parameters depend on time of day, season, and solar activity level. The correlation coefficients are higher at night than in the daytime, especially at low solar activity. The highest absolute values of the correlation coefficient most often appear during equinoxes: April–May and September–October. It has been shown that the variability of the critical frequencies of the midlatitude ionospheric F ₂ layer depends not only on geomagnetic activity but also (to a considerable degree) on the effect of the lower atmosphere.     

电离层高频多普勒记录在扩展-F研究中的应用

本文通过观测实例探讨并论证了电离层高频多普勒观测在扩展-F研究中的应用.实例和相应分析表明:首先,由于高频多普勒记录的时间连续性,有利于从观测角度了解扩展-F的时间演化过程;其次,高频多普勒偏移对不规则结构造成的回波弥散、对不同尺度行进电离层扰动(TID)以及耀斑引起的突然频率偏移(SFD)效应都很敏感,这些现象在记录上出现的时间关系有利于了解扩展-F的触发因素或扩展-F与其他电离层背景扰动之间的联系或相互作用;最后,高频多普勒记录对于持续时间较长(几小时以上)或很短(小于1小时)的扩展-F都能够完整地反映,不会产生因为观测间歇形成的缺失,也可以有效区分究竟是连续一次还是一段时间内断续的扩展-F现象.高频多普勒观测有其自身的优点同时也具有一定的局限性,本文对其局限性诸如缺乏空间分辨率等也做了分析.指出发挥高频多普勒观测的优势,综合应用多种资料,通过不同手段的数据分析和比较,可以更好地为电离层扰动的物理机制和预报研究提供正确的观测依据.     

Detection of ionospheric scintillation effects using LMD–DFA

The performance and measurement accuracy of global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receivers is greatly affected by ionospheric scintillations. Rapid amplitude and phase variations in the received GPS signal, known as ionospheric scintillation, affects the tracking of signals by GNSS receivers. Hence, there is a need to investigate the monitoring of various activities of the ionosphere and to develop a novel approach for mitigation of ionospheric scintillation effects. A method based on Local Mean Decomposition (LMD)–Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (DFA) has been proposed. The GNSS data recorded at Koneru Lakshmaiah (K L) University, Guntur, India were considered for analysis. The carrier to noise ratio (C/N₀) of GNSS satellite vehicles were decomposed into several product functions (PF) using LMD to extract the intrinsic features in the signal. Scintillation noise was removed by the DFA algorithm by selecting a suitable threshold. It was observed that the performance of the proposed LMD–DFA was better than that of empirical mode decomposition (EMD)–DFA.     

Variations in the fractal dimension of fluctuations of the ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>2 layer critical frequency

The 40-year period of observations of short-term variations (with characteristic times of up to 1–2 days) in the critical frequency of the ionospheric F2 layer (foF2) is analyzed. The continuous (with a step of 1 h) series of fluctuations (F) of the foF2 critical frequency (with eliminated daily variations) has been calculated using the hourly variations in foF2 at Moscow stations. The fractal dimension (FRH) of the fluctuations, characterizing short-term variations in foF2, has been determined and analyzed on a 30-day interval, using the Higuchi method. It has been established that FRH estimates substantially change in time. The 11-year cycle, which is in antiphase with the solar cycle, and the total annual and semiannual variations, similar to the variations observed in the normalized critical frequency of the E region and in the electron density of the D region, are clearly defined in these changes. Thus, the parameters of fast variations in the ionospheric F2 layer are affected by the phase of the 11-year solar cycle and by the position of the Earth in the orbit or seasonal variations in the atmosphere.     

中纬度电离层foF2潮汐的变化特性

本文通过对1960年以来全球磁纬度40°N至50°N内测高仪台站的观测数据进行研究,提取了电离层F₂层临界频率（f_oF₂）的潮汐,揭示了其变化特征及可能的形成原因.研究发现,周日和半日的迁移潮汐分量（即DW1和SW2）强度最大,并且显示出明显的年变化和半年变化.周日潮汐的3波分量（即DE3）作为典型的非迁移潮汐分量,相对较弱,显示出微弱的半年变化.在冬季,DW1和SW2与太阳活动指数（F₁₀₇）呈现正相关性,其相关系数分别大于0.88和0.65.相反,在夏季,DW1和SW2与太阳活动指数呈现负相关性,特别是SW2,其相关系数在6月份达到-0.72.在相对于纬向均值的归一化处理之后,上述潮汐强度和太阳活动指数之间的正/负相关性被显著增强/削弱.其中,归一化后的夏季DW1和SW2与太阳活动指数的相关系数达到-0.8.更加深入的讨论显示出上传的大气潮汐波动可能是电离层潮汐除了太阳辐射之外的重要驱动源,并且这种驱动机制在SW2中更加强烈.