Physics of the solar-terrestrial coupling: Results,problems, and new approaches

The results of the works performed in the field of the most actual problems of physics and optics of the solar-terrestrial coupling have been analyzed. This is the problem of energy in the ionospheric physics, considered because space monitoring of the solar irradiance ionizing the upper ionosphere is still absent. These are the problems of transformation of the solar flare energy and corpuscular precipitation into the microwave ionospheric radiation. Finally, this is the main problem of present-day natural science: the physical mechanism of the solar-terrestrial coupling as applied to the explanation of the detected correlations in the Sun-weather and the Sun-biosphere systems. A unified physical (radio-optical) mechanism for controlling the processes in the lower atmosphere and biosphere (including human being), dependent on the level of solar and geomagnetic activity and related to the ionospheric microwave radiation in transitions between the optically highly excited (Rydberg) states of all components of the upper atmosphere, has been considered.     

Increase in the critical frequency of the ionospheric <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis> region prior to the substorm expansion phase

Specific variations in the critical frequency of the ionospheric F ₂ layer during magnetospheric substorms have been found based on the data of vertical sounding stations in Europe and North America. Maximal attention has been paid to the positive peaks of ΔfoF2 with a duration of 6–8 h before the beginning of the substorm expansion phase (T ₀). The possible physical mechanisms by which these peaks are formed (related to the impact of fast particles in the foreshock region of the solar wind on the Earth’s magnetosphere and different for middle and high latitudes) have been considered. The positive peaks of ΔfoF2 can be used in a short-term prediction of the ionospheric disturbance onset and space weather on the whole.     

Studies of X-ray observations from PIXIE

The Polar Ionospheric X-ray Imaging Experiment (PIXIE) on board the NASA/GGS POLAR spacecraft has been making observations of ionospheric X-ray emissions from the vantage of space for more than 3 years. A wide variety of observations have been made by PIXIE, which are detailed in this work. These include the local time distribution of the auroral X-ray intensity as well as the dependence of auroral X-rays on geomagnetic activity and solar wind magnetic field conditions. The auroral X-rays are produced as energetic electrons within the magnetosphere precipitate and are stopped in the ionosphere. Comparisons of the X-ray auroral intensity with other instrument observations have been made, which enables us to distinguish between temporal and spatial processes. In addition, several other X-ray features (not of an auroral nature) have been observed by PIXIE, and are described.     

On conformity of the EEJ based ionospheric model to the fountain effect and resulting improvements

The total electron content (TEC) of the equatorial ionosphere is controlled by photochemical processes as well as the transport of the ionospheric plasma near the magnetic equator. The transport phenomenon is initiated by the vertical drift driven by the eastward electric field, which also drives the Equatorial Electrojet. The empirical relation between the Equatorial Electrojet and the anomaly component of the equatorial TEC has already been established. Taking this relation as a reference, a simplified physical model of the anomaly component of equatorial TEC is obtained as a function of Equatorial Electrojet. Influence of other factors like the solar incidence angle and the solar flux are also considered here and the extent of their influence are also investigated. This has been done using TEC data obtained from dual frequency GPS receivers during the low solar activity period of 2005. The derived model is based on the physics of the underlying fountain effect and matches with the observed empirical relation to a fair extent. Obtained results are found to corroborate with previous findings and these physical model values are found to have improved correlation with the observed data than the reference empirical relation. This establishes the conformity between the EEJ based ionospheric model and the physical phenomenon of the fountain effect.     

中国地区电离层foF2重构方法及其在短期预报中的应用

提出了一种适合于中国地区电离层f_oF₂的重构方法——以中国参考电离层为背景的改进克里格法.该方法把f_oF₂的估计值与中国参考电离层模型值之差值的相对值作为区域化变量,引入电离层距离,采用克里格法实现区域电离层重构.与直接利用f_oF₂进行克里格重构相比,以中国参考电离层为背景场保持了电离层的区域特征,提高了重构的准确性和稳定性.利用我国电离层垂测台站网的数据对该方法应用于中国地区的重构精度进行了评估.该方法与单站预报的自相关分析法相结合可实现中国地区电离层f_oF₂短期预报.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

地球空间环境及预报

地球空间是人类赖以生存、发展的重要保护层．地球空间环境的变化，特别是爆发性活动──空间暴，对输电系统、航天安全、无线电通信、导航、全球定位系统、生产活动及生态环境有很大影响．因此，对地球空间环境变化进行预报有重要意义．这项工作已引起不少国家学者和政府部门的重视，在环境探测和理论研究方面已取得不少成果．中国应抓住机遇，加强组织和规划，加强国际合作，发挥自己的优势，建立和完善地面观测系统，争取在２１世纪初实现准确实时的地球空间环境预报．     

Properties of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">F</Emphasis>2-layer critical frequency median in the nocturnal subauroral ionosphere during low and moderate solar activity

Based on an analysis of data from the European ionospheric stations at subauroral latitudes, it has been found that the main ionospheric trough (MIT) is not characteristic for the monthly median of the F2-layer critical frequency (foF2), at least for low and moderate solar activity. In order to explain this effect, the properties of foF2 in the nocturnal subauroral ionosphere have been additionally studied for low geomagnetic activity, when the MIT localization is known quite reliably. It has been found that at low and moderate solar activity during night hours in winter, the foF2 data from ionospheric stations are often absent in the MIT area. For this reason, a model of the foF2 monthly median, which was constructed from the remaining data of these stations, contains no MIT or a very weakly pronounced MIT.     

The Ionospheric foF2 Data over Istanbul and their Response to Solar Activity for the Years 1964–1969 and 1993

A Polish-made vertical ionosonde (VI) has been operated at the Kandilli Observatory in Istanbul, for almost one year (May 1993 - April 1994) as part of the COST 238, PRIME Project, The critical frequencies were obtained for every half-hour interval. The data obtained during this campaign, on the descending branch of solar cycle 22, and the data measured earlier in Istanbul for cycle 20 were analysed and the characteristic behaviour of the F2 region ionosphere over Istanbul has been determined. This is a unique data set for this area. Several markers of the solar cycle activities in terms of the daily relative sunspot numbers, F10.7 cm solar radio flux and solar flare index, and the magnetic daily index of Ap were then used to seek the possible influence of the solar and ionospheric activities on the critical frequencies observed in Istanbul. It was found that the solar flare index, as a solar activity index, was more reliable in determining quiet ionospheric days. It is shown that the minimum and maximum time values of the solar activity are more convenient for ionospheric prediction and modelling.     

中低纬地区电离层对CIR和CME响应的统计分析

本文利用中低纬日本地区(131°E,35°N)GPS-TEC格点化数据,分析了2001—2009年间109个共转相互作用区(CIR)事件、45个日冕物质抛射(CME)事件引起的地磁扰动期间电离层的响应.结果表明,电离层暴的类型随太阳活动的变化而有不同的变化,CIR事件引发的电离层正相暴、正负双相暴多发生在太阳活动下降年,负相暴多发生在高年,负正双相暴多发生在低年;CME事件引发的电离层正相暴和负相暴多发生在高年.CIR和CME引发的不同类型的电离层暴的季节性差异不大,在夏季多发生正负双相暴.电离层暴发生时间相对地磁暴的时延大部分在-6~6h之间,但CIR引发的电离层暴时延范围更广,在-12~24h之间,而CME引发的电离层暴时延主要在-6~6h之间.中低纬的电离层暴多发生在主相阶段,其中CIR引发的双相暴也会发生在初相阶段.电离层负暴多发生在AE最大值为800~1200nT之间.CIR引起的电离层扰动持续时间较长,一般在1~6天左右,而CME引起的电离层扰动持续时间一般在1~4天左右.     

欧洲地区电离层峰值电子密度逐日变化的相关距离研究

本文采用欧洲22个台站的电离层F^₂层峰值电子密度N_mF^₂,分析了其逐日变化分量的相关距离S,着重研究了S的周日变化、季节变化及其随太阳活动和地磁活动的变化.首先用指数型函数模式来拟合任意两站间电离层逐日变化的相关系数R随间距d的变化,由此估算出逐日变化的相关距离S.详细研究了S在不同的季节（春季、夏季、秋季和冬季）,不同的地磁活动（平静和扰动）及不同的太阳活动（低、中和高）随世界时的变化（周日变化）.结果表明：（１）S的范围一般为400～1600 km;（２）S值在白天比夜间大;（３）S值具有季节变化,夏季最大,冬季最小,春秋季差异不大;（４）S值在地磁扰动时比平静时大;（５）当太阳活动低时,S值在日落到正午间要比太阳活动中或高时明显偏小,而在正午到日落间则与太阳活动中或高时差异不大.根据以上结果,我们认为：（１） 太阳辐射对电离层逐日变化的影响是大尺度的,并在白天和太阳活动高时大于晚上和太阳活动低时;（２） 地磁活动的影响也是大尺度的;（３）气象活动的影响是相对小尺度的,且逐日变化具有季节性.本文从相关尺度分析的角度,证实了电离层逐日变化来源于太阳辐射、地磁活动和气象活动因素的论断.     

Manifestation of gravitational tides and planetary waves in long-term variations in geophysical parameters

Long-term variations in the parameters of the Earth’s upper atmosphere and geophysical activity have been studied based on the current spectra. The main sources of quasiperiodic oscillations in the atmosphere (including variations in the solar radiation, geomagnetic activity, and gravity) have been considered. It was shown that the most stable quasiharmonic variations are related to tidal gravitational oscillations and Rossby planetary waves with stable spectra. These oscillatory processes substantially contribute to the dynamics of the middle and upper atmosphere and manifest themselves in ionospheric parameters.     

基于陆态网络GPS数据的电离层空间天气监测与研究

中国大陆构造环境监测网络(简称陆态网络)是以全球卫星导航定位系统(GNSS)为主,辅以多种空间观测技术,实时动态监测大陆构造环境变化,探求其对资源、环境和灾害的影响的地球科学综合观测网络.基于陆态网络约200个基准站的GPS观测数据,本文探讨了其在电离层空间天气监测与研究方面的应用.包括磁暴期间电离层暴扰动形态,大尺度电离层行进式扰动,太阳耀斑引起的电离层骚扰和低纬电离层不规则体结构等.研究结果表明:陆态网络布局合理,观测数据质量良好,完全可用于中国及周边地区电离层空间天气监测与研究,为进一步开展我国电离层空间天气预警和预报奠定了观测基础.     

Meridional thermospheric neutral wind at high latitude over a full solar cycle

EISCAT radar experiments over a full solar cycle between January 1984 and March 1995 have been used to construct meridional neutral wind patterns in the ionospheric F region. For locally geomagnetically quiet periods the neutral winds have been binned according to season, solar activity, and universal time. The diurnal and seasonal behaviors and the effect of the solar flux are described. An empirical model of the meridional neutral wind for the high latitudes at eight altitudes in the ionospheric F region over a full solar cycle is presented. Results are compared with other recent empirical models.     

日食电离层效应

本文分析了1987年9月23日日环食期间,我国14个电离层站和1988年3月18日日全食期间两个站的垂测仪和偏振仪记录,并综合50年代以来历次日食电离层效应的观测结果,证实:1.E层和F₁层光食效应明显,F₂层动力学效应显著;2.f₀F₂存在日食日值大于、小于或等于控制日值三种典型情况;3.TEC食变曲线有凹陷和不凹陷两种典型情况,甚至出现日食日值大于控制日值的异常现象. 本文对F₂层和外电离层的动力学特征作了定性讨论,认为:空间等离子体温度急剧下降和沿场扩散是F₂层和外电离层日食效应的最主要因素;而磁赤道上空等离子体的沿场扩散、“喷泉”效应,热层风和全（环）食带方位是影响位于磁赤道异常区各电离层站日食电离层效应的主要因素.     

磁偏角和热层风对中纬电离层TEC经度分布的影响

本文利用北美、南美和大洋洲三个地区的电离层TEC数据,分析了磁偏角为零的经度线两侧中纬电离层TEC的差异.结果表明,在2001年至2010年的几乎所有季节,在磁偏角为零的经度东西两侧,北美、南美和大洋洲中纬电离层TEC都存在规则性的差异;中纬电离层TEC的这种经度差异显著地依赖地方时,对季节和太阳活动水平也有不同程度的依赖.地磁场影响下电离层与热层动力学耦合的分析表明,磁偏角的经度变化和热层风的地方时变化两者的共同作用是引起磁偏角为零的经度两侧中纬电离层TEC差异的重要原因之一.     

Unusual sudden ionospheric disturbance from solar flare of 4 November 2003

An interpretation of the nature of the sudden ionospheric disturbance in terms of response to X-ray flux enhancement in the band 1–20 Å has been made by many authors. Last decades investigations revealed presence of important qualitative distinctions in spatially temporal pattern of geomagnetic response to solar flares featuring harder radiation spectra (with quanta energies above 100 keV). These distinctions can not be adequately described by classical theory implying ionization growing on E and D ionosperic layers and intensification of Sq-current system. In this respect, solar flare on 4 November 2003 characterizing by existence of two separate (time lag ~45 min) spectral maximums in X-rays range (average quantum energy <100 keV) and in γ-rays range (average quantum energy >100 keV), represents convenient proving ground for study of specifics the geomagnetic response to bursts marked by different hardness. In current article, we show that this flare has a number of unusual features including specific variation of accompanying current system and magnetospheric manifestation that is observed in trapped radiation fluxes and magnetic field on geosynchronous orbit. Possible physical mechanism leading to intensification of magnetospheric–ionospheric current system is discussed.