Simultaneous radio and optical observations of the mid-latitude atmospheric response to a major geomagnetic storm of 6–8 April 2000

Basic properties of the mid-latitude traveling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs) during the maximum phase of a major magnetic storm of 6–8 April 2000 are shown. Total electron content (TEC) variations were studied by using data from GPS receivers located in Russia and Central Asia. The nightglow response to this storm at mesopause and termospheric altitudes was also measured by optical instruments FENIX located at the observatory of the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics (51.9°N,103.0°E), and MORTI located at the observatory of the Institute of Ionosphere (43.2°N, 77.0°E). Observations of the O (557.7 and 630.0 nm) emissions originating from atmospheric layers centered at altitudes of 90 and 250 km were carried out at Irkutsk and of the O₂(b¹∑_g⁺−X³∑_g⁻) (0-1) emission originating from an atmospheric layer centered at altitude of 94 km was carried out at Almaty. Our radio and optical measurement network observed a storm-induced solitary large-scale wave with duration of 1 h and a wave front width of no less than 5000 km, while it traveled equatorward with a velocity of 200 m/s from 62°N to 38°N geographic latitude. The TEC disturbance, basically displaying an electron content depression in the maximum of the F2 region, reveals a good correlation with growing nightglow emission, the temporal shift between the TEC and emission variation maxima being different for different altitudes. A comparison of the auroral oval parameters with dynamic spectra of TEC variations and optical 630 nm emissions in the frequency range 0.4–4 mHz (250–2500 s periods) showed that as the auroral oval expands into mid-latitudes, also does the region with a developed medium-sale and small-scale TEC structure.     

The design and flight performance of the PoGOLite Pathfinder balloon-borne hard X-ray polarimeter

In the 50 years since the advent of X-ray astronomy there have been many scientific advances due to the development of new experimental techniques for detecting and characterising X-rays. Observations of X-ray polarisation have, however, not undergone a similar development. This is a shortcoming since a plethora of open questions related to the nature of X-ray sources could be resolved through measurements of the linear polarisation of emitted X-rays. The PoGOLite Pathfinder is a balloon-borne hard X-ray polarimeter operating in the 25-240 keV energy band from a stabilised observation platform. Polarisation is determined using coincident energy deposits in a segmented array of plastic scintillators surrounded by a BGO anticoincidence system and a polyethylene neutron shield. The PoGOLite Pathfinder was launched from the SSC Esrange Space Centre in July 2013. A near-circumpolar flight was achieved with a duration of approximately two weeks. The flight performance of the Pathfinder design is discussed for the three Crab observations conducted. The signal-to-background ratio for the observations is shown to be 0.25 ±0.03 and the Minimum Detectable Polarisation (99 % C.L.) is (28.4 ±2.2) %. A strategy for the continuation of the PoGOLite programme is outlined based on experience gained during the 2013 maiden flight.     

Evolutionary stages of the karst-anthropogenic system of the Yucatán Peninsula

An analysis is made of the karst geomorphosystems of the Yucatán Peninsula. It is found that the main factors influencing its formation were climate and ocean level oscillations, tectonic movements, and impact effects. It is established that as a result of an active influence of the Maya civilization on the karst landscape of the peninsula, the geomorphosystems was transformed to the karst-anthropogenic system. The karstic landforms, and also the underground caverns experienced the anthropogenic impact, and the subsurface waters were particularly heavily influenced, which, on the one hand, determined the places of concentration of settlements and were actively consumed by the population, and, on the other, their reserves were replenished at regular intervals as a result of the creation of artificial subsurface water storages. In a further transformation of the karst-anthropogenic system, two stages were additionally identified: dominated by natural karstic processes (after the decline of the Maya civilization), and with a renewed intensification of anthropogenic pressure (1980s–current period). The last transformation stage is distinguished by an extension of the impact to the surface karst as well as to the underground caverns: they are subjected to mechanical destruction with an enhancement in the chemical impact as a result of inputs of polluted runoffs to encompass ever deeper horizons of subsurface waters. It is established that the rates of transformation processes of anthropogenic objects created of limestone are, in general, comparable with the mean rates of natural karstic processes on the neighboring territories: the formation of karrens on Maya steles is generally proceeding at the rate of 0.04 mm/year, while the growth rates of flowstones within urban structures of limestone vary from 0.03 to 0.6 mm/year.     

Effects of a Short-Term Increase in the Intensity of 630.0-nm Emissions of Atomic Oxygen [OI] at Lower Thermospheric Altitudes due to Anthropogenic Activity

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy - The paper examines the results of optical observations obtained during Radar Progress experiments to study the effects (the occurrence of extensive, faintly luminous...     

A computer-aided framework for subsurface identification of white shark pigment patterns

Subsurface video footage can be used as a successful identification tool for various marine organisms; however, processing of such information has proven challenging. This study tests the use of automated software to assist with photo-identification of the great white shark Carcharodon carcharias in the region of Gansbaai, on the south coast of South Africa. A subsurface photo catalogue was created from underwater video footage. Single individuals were identified by using pigmentation patterns. From this catalogue, two images of the head for each individual were inserted into automated contour-recognition software (Interactive Individual Identification System Beta Contour 3.0). One image was used to search the database, the other served as a reference image. Identification was made by means of a contour, assigned using the software to the irregular border of grey and white on the shark's head. In total, 90 different contours were processed. The output provided ranks, where the first match would be a direct identification of the individual. The method proved to be accurate, in particular for high-quality images where 88.24% and 94.12%, respectively, were identified by two independent analysts as first match, and with all individuals identified within the top 10 matches. The inclusion of metadata improved accuracy and precision, allowing identification of even low-quality images.     

Seasonal and year-to-year variability of the 557.7 nm atomic oxygen atmospheric emission

Seasonal and year-to-year variability in the intensity of the 557.7 nm line of atomic oxygen atmospheric emission and its dependence on solar activity in the 23rd solar cycle is considered. The experimental data of the 557.7 nm emission observations in Eastern Siberia obtained in 1997–2008 and the NRLMSIS-00 atmospheric model are used. For particular considered characteristics of the 557.7 nm emission, differences between the experimental data and model approximations for the 23rd solar cycle are noted. Possible causes of the discovered discrepancies are discussed.     

Mid-latitude airglow during heliogeophysical disturbances

This is a brief review of the results of studies on mid-latitude airglow of the Earth’s upper atmosphere carried out at the Institute of Solar-Terrestrial Physics in recent years.     

Variability of the 557-nm atmospheric emission

The variability of diurnal, day-to-day, and monthly average rates of the 557.7-nm atmospheric emission (I _557.7) is considered. We use 1997–2010 airglow observation data obtained for the upper atmosphere over Eastern Siberia (52°N, 103°E). The variation coefficient K_V of corresponding quantities is taken as the variability index. For the 23rd solar cycle, we examine the resulting seasonal variation of K_V of monthly averaged I _557.7, the dependence of monthly averaged I _557.7 on solar activity for each month, the variation coefficient of diurnal values of I _557.7 for different seasons of the year, the variability of I _557.7 during some geophysical events, and the correlation of I _557.7 variations with global climatic indices.