Radiation properties of pulsar magnetospheres: observation,theory, and experiment

In the three decades since their discovery, the accumulated body of observational data from pulsar sources puts constraints on models that seek to explain their periodic radiation. This paper reviews this data, reports on a VLA search for haloes predicted by an early model, and reinvestigates a magnetospheric disk-field-aligned-current transmission line system as the origin of the observed radiation, with external wave excitation by as yet an unexplained source. Three dimensional, fully electromagnetic particle-in-cell simulations of the pulsar surface and magnetosphere are used to explore the waveshape and polarization properties of the observed radiation.     

Ion and neutral sources and sinks within Saturn's inner magnetosphere: Cassini results

Using ion-electron fluid parameters derived from Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS) observations within Saturn's inner magnetosphere as presented in Sittler et al. [2006a. Cassini observations of Saturn's inner plasmasphere: Saturn orbit insertion results. Planet. Space Sci., 54, 1197-1210], one can estimate the ion total flux tube content, N_IONL², for protons, H⁺, and water group ions, W⁺, as a function of radial distance or dipole L shell. In Sittler et al. [2005. Preliminary results on Saturn's inner plasmasphere as observed by Cassini: comparison with Voyager. Geophys. Res. Lett. 32(14), L14S04), it was shown that protons and water group ions dominated the plasmasphere composition. Using the ion-electron fluid parameters as boundary condition for each L shell traversed by the Cassini spacecraft, we self-consistently solve for the ambipolar electric field and the ion distribution along each of those field lines. Temperature anisotropies from Voyager plasma observations are used with (T_⊥/T_∥)_W⁺∼5 and (T_⊥/T_∥)_H⁺∼2. The radio and plasma wave science (RPWS) electron density observations from previous publications are used to indirectly confirm usage of the above temperature anisotropies for water group ions and protons. In the case of electrons we assume they are isotropic due to their short scattering time scales. When the above is done, our calculation show N_IONL² for H⁺ and W⁺ peaking near Dione's L shell with values similar to that found from Voyager plasma observations. We are able to show that water molecules are the dominant source of ions within Saturn's inner magnetosphere. We estimate the ion production rate S_ION∼10²⁷ ions/s as function of dipole L using N_H⁺, N_W⁺ and the time scale for ion loss due to radial transport τ_D and ion-electron recombination τ_REC. The ion production shows localized peaks near the L shells of Tethys, Dione and Rhea, but not Enceladus. We then estimate the neutral production rate, S_W, from our ion production rate, S_ION, and the time scale for loss of neutrals by ionization, τ_ION, and charge exchange, τ_CH. The estimated source rate for water molecules shows a pronounced peak near Enceladus’ L shell L∼4, with a value S_W∼2×10²⁸ mol/s.     

Long-Lived Microbursts in the Decimetric Wavelength Range and Their Connection with Noise Storms

In the present work a statistical analysis of long-lived microbursts (MBs) in the decimetric wavelength range was performed for the first time. Long-lived microbursts at decimetric wavelengths were observed with one-dimensional scans on the RATAN-600 radio telescope in intensity and circular polarization with a sensitivity of about 5 – 10 Jy. MBs have fluxes in the range of 0.001 – 0.1 s.f.u. and polarization degrees of 10 – 100%, and the duration of individual bursts is about 1 – 2 s. Microbursts and background sources exist for several days and appear at the sites of prolonged energy release. In this work MBs were compared with noise storms (NSs) in the metric wavelength range. Our analysis shows with high confidence that MBs are manifestation of NSs in the decimetric wavelength range. The reason for the significant difference in flux between MBs and NSs could be because MBs (unlike NSs) are related to incoherent generation of Langmuir waves. The nature of the MB emission is similar to the smoothly varying (background) emission of the NSs, butthe MB emission is impulsive because of the high rate of pitch-angle diffusion.     

亚暴期间等离子体对流速度及热层纬向风速度变化的统计学分析

本文利用2001年至2005年间CHAMP卫星及DMSP(F13,F15)卫星观测数据,对亚暴发生前后,亚暴初始位置所在磁地方时(Magnetic Local Time,MLT)东侧2h(+2h,MLT)至西侧4h(-4h,MLT)范围内等离子体对流速度(Vy)及热层纬向风速度(Uy)的变化进行了统计学分析.研究发现在亚暴发生后的1.5h内,所有MLT区间的Vy均明显增大,且峰值位置的地磁纬度向赤道侧移动,1.5h后,Vy减小,峰值的纬度向极区移动,表明亚暴的发生能显著增强等离子体对流速度;在亚暴发生位置的西侧0~2h内,Vy增幅最大,这表明亚暴对热层的影响主要在西侧,影响最大的区域是西侧0~2hMLT区间;Uy在亚暴发生后3h持续增大,其对亚暴的响应相较于Vy有1.5h的延迟.     

木卫二尾迹的数值模拟

木卫二在木星磁层中运动,与快速共转的木星磁场相互作用形成木星极光中木卫二的尾迹,此尾迹反映了连续扰动的磁通量管对木星电离层电流注入的过程.本文应用细丝理论对此过程进行数值模拟,未扰动的上游磁通量管经过大约720 s的时间与木卫二作用形成角度约为4°且相对于木卫二静止的拉伸磁通量管,随后在磁张力的作用下加速运动.在随后大约2160 s的加速时间内,磁通量管的速度逐渐与背景磁力线接近,向木星电离层注入的电流也由9×10⁵A逐渐衰减至0.以1/e初始电流处认为是可观测的木卫二尾迹限度,则木卫二的尾迹仅大约有一至两个经度,这与哈勃望远镜观测到的木卫二尾迹大小大致相同.木卫二尾迹与木卫一尾迹相比,输送的能量约为2.3×10¹³J,仅有木卫一的1/10,导致尾迹长度远小于木卫一的尾迹长度.此外,模拟过程中发现木卫二下游的压力槽对磁通量管运动的影响很小,可以忽略.     

Lofted charged dust distribution above the Moon surface

We developed kinetic theory for the charging processes of small dust grains near the lunar surface due to interaction with the anisotropic solar wind plasma. Once charged, these dust grains, which are exposed to the electric field in the sheath region near the lunar surface, could loft and distribute around such heights off the surface where they reach equilibrium with the local gravitational force. Analytical solutions were derived for the charging time, grain floating potential, and grain charge, characterizing the charging processes of small dust grains in a two-component and in a multi-component solar wind plasma, and further highlighting the unique features presented by the high streaming plasma velocity. We have also formulated a novel kinetic theory of sheath formation around an absorbing planar surface immersed in the anisotropic solar wind plasma in the case of a negligible photoelectric effect and presented solutions for the sheath structure. In this study we combined the results from these analyses and provided estimates for the size distribution function of dust that is expected to be lofted in regions dominated by the solar wind plasma, such as near the terminator and in nearby shadowed craters. Corresponding to the two dominant streaming velocity peaks of 300 and 800 km/s, mean dust diameters of 500 and 350 nm, respectively, are expected to be found at equilibrium at heights of relevance to exploration operations, e.g., around 1.5 m height off the lunar surface. In shadowed craters near the terminator region, where isotropic plasma should be dominating, we estimate mean lofted dust diameter of 800 nm around the same 1.5 m height off the lunar surface. The generally applicable solutions could be used to readily calculate the expected lofted size distribution near the lunar surface as a function of plasma parameters, dust grain composition, and other parameters of interest.     

The dayside magnetospheric boundary layer at Mercury

Magnetic field and plasma data from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft on the outbound portions of the first (M1) and second (M2) flybys of Mercury reveal a region of depressed magnetic field magnitude and enhanced proton fluxes adjacent to but within the magnetopause, which we denote as a dayside boundary layer. The layer was present during both encounters despite the contrasting dayside magnetic reconnection, which was minimal during M1 and strong during M2. The overall width of the layer is estimated to be between 1000 and 1400 km, spanning most of the distance from the dayside planetary surface to the magnetopause in the mid-morning. During both flybys the magnetic pressure decrease was ∼1.6 nPa, and the width of the inner edge was comparable to proton gyro-kinetic scales. The maximum variance in the magnetic field across the inner edge was aligned with the magnetic field vector, and the magnetic field direction did not change markedly, indicating that the change in field intensity was consistent with an outward plasma-pressure gradient perpendicular to the magnetic field. Proton pressures in the layer inferred from reduced distribution observations were 0.4 nPa during M1 and 1.0 nPa during M2, indicating either that the proton pressure estimates are low or that heavy ions contribute substantially to the boundary-layer plasma pressure. If the layer is formed by protons drifting westward from the cusp, there should be a strong morning–afternoon asymmetry that is independent of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction. Conversely, if heavy ions play a major role, the layer should be strong in the morning (afternoon) for northward (southward) IMF. Future MESSENGER observations from orbit about Mercury should distinguish between these two possibilities.     

Dipolarization fronts in the magnetotail plasma sheet

We present a THEMIS study of a dipolarization front associated with a bursty bulk flow (BBF) that was observed in the central plasma sheet sequentially at X=−20.1, −16.7, and −11.0R_E. Simultaneously, the THEMIS ground network observed the formation of a north-south auroral form and intensification of westward auroral zone currents. Timing of the signatures in space suggests earthward propagation of the front at a velocity of 300 km/s. Spatial profiles of current and electron density on the front reveal a spatial scale of 500 km, comparable to an ion inertial length and an ion thermal gyroradius. This kinetic-scale structure traveled a macroscale distance of 10R_E in about 4 min without loss of coherence. The dipolarization front, therefore, is an example of space plasma cross-scale coupling. THEMIS observations at different geocentric distances are similar to recent particle-in-cell simulations demonstrating the appearance of dipolarization fronts on the leading edge of plasma fast flows in the vicinity of a reconnection site. Dipolarization fronts, therefore, may be interpreted as remote signatures of transient reconnection.     

急性盐度胁迫对卵形鲳鲹幼鱼Na~+-K~+-ATP酶活性和渗透压的影响

研究了水环境急性盐度胁迫对卵形鲳鲹(Trachinotus ovatus)幼鱼鳃Na+-K+-ATP(NKA)酶活力,血清、鳃丝和肾脏渗透压的影响.结果表明:将幼鱼从盐度30(对照)中直接转移至盐度5、10、15、20、25、35水体中,96 h后无死亡.各盐度处理组的鳃NKA酶活性和血清渗透压在最初72 h内出现一定波动,随后变化平稳.试验结束时(96 h),NKA活性随盐度梯度呈"U"型分布,盐度35处理的酶活高于其他处理,盐度20处理活性最低.各处理的血清渗透压大小在96 h时,随着盐度的变化,以盐度15、20为中心,呈对称变化,在盐度20后随盐度上升呈先上升后下降的趋势.相同盐度的鳃渗透压随时间变化呈先上升后下降逐渐稳定的趋势.肾渗透压除盐度5、10处理外,其他盐度组随时间没有显著变化,维持一定的稳定性.说明卵形鲳鲹幼鱼在生理上具有广盐性鱼类的"高渗环境高NKA活性"特征,有较强的渗透压调节与平衡能力.