Observations of the upper frequency cutoffs of the auroral kilometric radiation

Intense auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) is being frequently observed with POLRAD from the Auroral Probe (Interball-2). Observations of the abrupt upper frequency cutoffs (UFCs) in the spectra of AKR are reported. The UFCs can be observed at a frequency range from 300 to 700 kHz, corresponding to AKR generation altitudes from approximately 4800 to 2100 km, and are distributed in magnetic local time (MLT) hours similarly to the AKR events, with a maximum at 1 h MLT. The observed frequency extent of the UFCs is 12 kHz, and is often determined by the instrumental resolution (4 kHz). It is suggested that the UFC may be associated with an abrupt switching on of the generation mechanism, when the electron density becomes sufficiently low inside a plasma depletion at an altitude where the ratio of f_pe/f_ce crosses some threshold value. The steepness of the UFCs can imply a non-linear process of generation. The estimated distance of the e-folding field aligned wave amplification is between 3 and 8 km. The UFCs are sometimes, though very seldom (10%), accompanied by narrow band (less than 4 kHz) ridges of radiation observed at the cutoff frequency. They are smoothly drifting in frequncy for several minutes. The power density of radiation in the ridge can be up to 2 orders of magnitude stronger than in the accompanying wide band emission of AKR. The ridge at UFC can imply either energy concentration at the source bottom, or focusing, if specific conditions for the escape of the radiation are assumed.     

Inversion, error analysis, and validation of GPS/MET occultation data

The global positioning system meteorology (GPS/MET) experiment was the first practical demonstration of global navigation satellite system (GNSS)-based active limb sounding employing the radio occultation technique. This method measures, as principal observable and with millimetric accuracy, the excess phase path (relative to propagation in vacuum) of GNSS-transmitted radio waves caused by refraction during passage through the Earth’s neutral atmosphere and ionosphere in limb geometry. It shows great potential utility for weather and climate system studies in providing an unique combination of global coverage, high vertical resolution and accuracy, long-term stability, and all-weather capability. We first describe our GPS/MET data processing scheme from excess phases via bending angles to the neutral atmospheric parameters refractivity, density, pressure and temperature. Special emphasis is given to ionospheric correction methodology and the inversion of bending angles to refractivities, where we introduce a matrix inversion technique (instead of the usual integral inversion). The matrix technique is shown to lead to identical results as integral inversion but is more directly extendable to inversion by optimal estimation. The quality of GPS/MET-derived profiles is analyzed with an error estimation analysis employing a Monte Carlo technique. We consider statistical errors together with systematic errors due to upper-boundary initialization of the retrieval by a priori bending angles. Perfect initialization and properly smoothed statistical errors allow for better than 1 K temperature retrieval accuracy up to the stratopause. No initialization and statistical errors yield better than 1 K accuracy up to 30 km but less than 3 K accuracy above 40 km. Given imperfect initialization, biases ≫ 2 K propagate down to below 30 km height in unfavorable realistic cases. Furthermore, results of a statistical validation of GPS/MET profiles through comparison with atmospheric analyses of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) are presented. The comparisons indicate the high utility of the occultation data in that very good agreement of upper troposphere/lower stratosphere temperature (better than 1.5 K rms, ≪ 0.5 K bias) is found for a region (Europe+USA) where the ECMWF analyses are known to be good, but poorer agreement for a region (Southern Pacific) where the analyses are known to be degraded.     

The spatial structure of the dayside ionospheric trough

Tomographic imaging provides a powerful technique for obtaining images of the spatial distribution of ionospheric electron density at polar latitudes. The method, which involves monitoring radio transmissions from the Navy Navigation Satellite System at a meridional chain of ground receivers, has particular potential for complementing temporal measurements by other observing techniques such as the EISCAT incoherent-scatter radar facility. Tomographic reconstructions are presented here from a two-week campaign in November 1995 that show large-scale structuring of the polar ionosphere. Measurements by the EISCAT radar confirm the authenticity of the technique and provide additional information of the plasma electron and ion temperatures. The dayside trough, persistently observed at high latitudes during a geomagnetically quiet period but migrating to lower latitudes with increasing activity, is discussed in relationship to the pattern of the polarcap convection.     

Geophysical phenomena during an ionospheric modification experiment at Tromsø, Norway

We present an analysis of phenomena observed by HF distance-diagnostic tools located in St. Petersburg combined with multi-instrument observation at Tromsø in the HF modified ionosphere during a magnetospheric substorm. The observed phenomena that occurred during the Tromsø heating experiment in the nightside auroral E_s region of the ionosphere depend on the phase of substorm. The heating excited small-scale field-aligned irregularities in the E region responsible for field-aligned scattering of diagnostic HF waves. The equipment used in the experiment was sensitive to electron density irregularities with wavelengths 12–15 m across the geomagnetic field lines. Analysis of the Doppler measurement data shows the appearance of quasiperiodic variations with a Doppler frequency shift, f_d and periods about 100–120 s during the heating cycle coinciding in time with the first substorm activation and initiation of the upward field-aligned currents. A relationship between wave variations in f_d and magnetic pulsations in the Y-component of the geomagnetic field at Tromsø was detected. The analysis of the magnetic field variations from the IMAGE magnetometer stations shows that ULF waves occurred, not only at Tromsø, but in the adjacent area bounded by geographical latitudes from 70.5° to 68° and longitudes from 16° to 27°. It is suggested that the ULF observed can result from superposition of the natural and heater-induced ULF waves. During the substorm expansion a strong stimulated electromagnetic emission (SEE) at the third harmonic of the downshifted maximum frequency was found. It is believed that SEE is accompanied by excitation of the VLF waves penetrating into magneto-sphere and stimulating the precipitation of the energetic electrons (10–40 keV) of about 1-min duration. This is due to a cyclotron resonant interaction of natural precipitating electrons (1–10 keV) with heater-induced whistler waves in the magnetosphere. It is reasonable to suppose that a new substorm activation, exactly above Tromsø, was closely connected with the heater-induced precipitation of energetic electrons.     

应用“八·五”短临预报方法分析福建地区地震

本文利用“八·五”短临预报的地震学攻关成果来分析福建地区的几个震例,检验其在福建地区的适用情况。     

当前欧美海洋科学研究动态评析

重点介绍了当前欧美资助海洋科学研究的基本情况、优先资助领域和重要研究计划等,对欧美当前海洋科学研究的基本特点做了简要分析;并提出了我国下世纪初的海洋科学研究优先发展领域。     

海洋科技在21世纪海上丝绸之路建设中的作用

21世纪海上丝绸之路建设在海洋经济活动、海上综合保障等方面对海洋科技领域提出了新命题。在分析我国海洋技术优势领域的基础上,围绕科技创新政策伙伴关系、培育创新品牌、推进海洋经济和产业发展等方面,深入阐述了海洋科技领域在21世纪海上丝绸之路建设中的支撑作用,同时提出具体工作思路。     

石窟寺文物的数字化保护与利用

随着信息技术的飞速发展,石窟寺文物的数字化保护与利用引起了国内外的广泛关注。文章从石窟寺文物数字化采集、保护和利用等方面进行系统梳理,重点分析石窟寺文物数字化保护中三维信息获取、三维重建评价以及三维打印等相关前沿信息技术的应用现状。并针对石窟寺文物数字化保护和利用工程实践中的难点,给出采用激光脉冲三维采集细部结合多视图重建采集整体形状的三维重建结合三维打印的解决方案。同时,针对摄影测量计算过程中可能出现的整体形状偏差,采用脉冲式激光三维扫描仪在石窟中进行整体扫描来建立石窟三维形状的框架,以对多视图重建计算中的空间解算误差进行约束。其中,提出了基于关键参数一致化的分布式集中约束调整方法,在保障精确度的同时得到更好的计算效率。然后通过云冈石窟和龙门石窟字化保护和利用的经典案例,具体分析工程实践中的难点,并探讨以上解决方案的可行性。综合考虑成本与效果等多种因素,该方案是当前技术条件下性价比相对较高,同时可以兼顾色彩与质感原真再现的解决思路。最后对未来趋势进行展望并给出相关技术和应用建议。     

Scientific field training for human planetary exploration

Forthcoming human planetary exploration will require increased scientific return (both in real time and post-mission), longer surface stays, greater geographical coverage, longer and more frequent EVAs, and more operational complexities than during the Apollo missions. As such, there is a need to shift the nature of astronauts’ scientific capabilities to something akin to an experienced terrestrial field scientist. To achieve this aim, the authors present a case that astronaut training should include an Apollo-style curriculum based on traditional field school experiences, as well as full immersion in field science programs. Herein we propose four Learning Design Principles (LDPs) focused on optimizing astronaut learning in field science settings. The LDPs are as follows:

(1)

LDP#1: Provide multiple experiences: varied field science activities will hone astronauts’ abilities to adapt to novel scientific opportunities

(2)

LDP#2: Focus on the learner: fostering intrinsic motivation will orient astronauts towards continuous informal learning and a quest for mastery

(3)

LDP#3: Provide a relevant experience—the field site: field sites that share features with future planetary missions will increase the likelihood that astronauts will successfully transfer learning

(4)

LDP#4: Provide a social learning experience—the field science team and their activities: ensuring the field team includes members of varying levels of experience engaged in opportunities for discourse and joint problem solving will facilitate astronauts’ abilities to think and perform like a field scientist.

The proposed training program focuses on the intellectual and technical aspects of field science, as well as the cognitive manner in which field scientists experience, observe and synthesize their environment. The goal of the latter is to help astronauts develop the thought patterns and mechanics of an effective field scientist, thereby providing a broader base of experience and expertise than could be achieved from field school alone. This will enhance their ability to execute, explore and adapt as in-field situations require.     

虚拟地理环境研究进展与理论框架

阐述虚拟地理环境的形成、发展与研究现状,并从"虚拟现实技术"与"虚拟现实"的相互关系探讨虚拟地理环境基本概念.从基本思想、系统结构、在线参与者社会组织水平、与GIS/数字地球的关系等角度,分析虚拟地理环境的特征.从数据、模型、表现以及协同4个方面,讨论了虚拟地理环境系统建设的关键技术与研究前沿.尝试建立了一个虚拟地理环境基本理论初步研究框架,认为在地理哲学思想层次应该重点研究复杂性人地系统、地理虚/实关系论、地理/遥感信息本体论,在地理/地理信息科学层次需要重点研究地理认知与思维、地理相似原理、地理计算模拟;同时讨论虚拟地理环境与面向"人"的地理信息科学、基于虚拟地理环境地理科学方法论,以及可计算人地关系的相关理论问题.