Statistical average estimates of high latitude field-aligned currents from the STARE and SABRE coherent VHF radar systems

Two bistatic VHF radar systems, STARE and SABRE, have been employed to estimate ionospheric electric fields in the geomagnetic latitude range 61.1 – 69.3° (geographic latitude range 63.8 – 72.6°) over northern Scandinavia. 173 days of good backscatter from all four radars have been analysed during the period 1982 to 1986, from which the average ionospheric divergence electric field versus latitude and time is calculated. The average magnetic field-aligned currents are computed using an AE-dependent empirical model of the ionospheric conductance. Statistical Birkeland current estimates are presented for high and low values of the Kp and AE indices as well as positive and negative orientations of the IMF B_z component. The results compare very favourably to other ground-based and satellite measurements.     

The solar wind control of the equatorial ionosphere dynamics during geomagnetic storms

The interplanetary magnetic field, geomagnetic variations, virtual ionosphere height h′F, and the critical frequency foF2 data during the geomagnetic storms are studied to demonstrate relationships between these phenomena. We study 5-min ionospheric variations using the first Western Pacific Ionosphere Campaign (1998–1999) observations, 5-min interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and 5-min auroral electrojets data during a moderate geomagnetic storm. These data allowed us to demonstrate that the auroral and the equatorial ionospheric phenomena are developed practically simultaneously. Hourly average of the ionospheric foF2 and h′F variations at near equatorial stations during a similar storm show the same behavior. We suppose this is due to interaction between electric fields of the auroral and the equatorial ionosphere during geomagnetic storms. It is shown that the low-latitude ionosphere dynamics during these moderate storms was defined by the southward direction of the B_z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field. A southward IMF produces the Region I and Region II field-aligned currents (FAC) and polar electrojet current systems. We assume that the short-term ionospheric variations during geomagnetic storms can be explained mainly by the electric field of the FAC. The electric fields of the field-aligned currents can penetrate throughout the mid-latitude ionosphere to the equator and may serve as a coupling agent between the auroral and the equatorial ionosphere.     

Multi-point observations and modeling of subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) and double-peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs): A case study

While subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are well recognized as representatively one of the most important features of magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) coupling processes in the subauroral region, the double-peak subauroral ion drifts (DSAIDs) is a newly recognized ionospheric phenomenon, categorized as a subset of subauroral ion drifts (SAIDs). In this study, we investigate both SAPS and DSAIDs that appear during the storm main phase of the 17 March 2015 event through a combination of multi-point observations and numerical simulations. We find that when SAPS/DSAIDs are observed by the DMSP spacecraft near the dusk subauroral region, strong electric fields are detected minutes later by the Van Allen Probes almost in the same conjugate region near the equatorial plane. Numerical simulations are carried out not only to reveal the global context and dynamic evolution of the SAPS in both the magnetospheric and ionospheric systems, but also to aid the understanding of the effect of conductance on the DSAIDs. Our results confirm that SAPS are indeed associated with Region 2 field-aligned currents (FACs) flowing into the low conductance region. On the other hand, the DSAIDs may be related to the double-conductance-trough in the subauroral region.     

On the effect of near-equatorial thunderstorms on the global distribution of ionospheric potential

We develop our earlier attempts to perform an indirect quantitative examination of the hypothesis that electric currents flowing up from thunderstorms to the ionosphere (also known as Wilson currents) charge the ionosphere to a large positive potential with respect to the Earth. First, we take the electrostatic potential arising from the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth’s magnetosphere derived from an experimental data-based model of the high-latitude field-aligned currents. We then obtain the global distribution of ionospheric potential, utilizing a thin shell model, based on integration along field lines of the current continuity equation with a realistic model of ionospheric conductivity. Next, we include additional upward currents to simulate the effect of the three main thunderstorm regions over equatorial Asia/Oceania, Africa and the Americas. We compare the local time variation of the eastward electric field in the ionosphere produced by these three equatorial sources separately, and seek to understand the substantial differences between them. Finally, we examine the variation with local time of the eastward electric field in the ionosphere at low latitudes.     

电导率分布、对流电场转向区与场向电流形态(模式分析)

本文利用一些简单模式讨论对流转向区形态、电离层电导率的分布变化对场向电流形态的影响。结果表明,一区场向电流是最基本的,与对流转向区直接相联。二区场向电流的产生不仅与对流电场的屏蔽相联,也与电导率变化有关。电导率的变化还可产生一区电流高纬侧的零区电流和二区电流低纬侧的反向电流。此外,剪切转向区和旋转转向区所对应的场向电流分布也有所不同。本文结果有助于理解观测的场向电流之复杂形态,也可以解释同样的行星际磁场状况下,场向电流的不同变化。      

非径向地磁力线对计算电离层电场及三维电流系的部分影响

本文对Kamide等人的由地面磁变化计算电离层电场、电流及场向电流的方法做了改进。给出了计入非径向地磁力线对电离层电导率影响下的电位φ的二阶偏微分方程。通过实例计算考查了由地面磁资料计算电离层电场、电流及场向电流中地磁力线非径向性的部分效应。结果表明,即使在高纬极光区,这部分效应也是重要的、不能忽视的;此外,计入这一效应使得计算量明显减少。      

Controlling factors of Region 2 field-aligned current and its relationship to the ring current: Model results

One essential component of magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling is the closure of the ring current through Region 2 field-aligned current (FAC). Using the Comprehensive Ring Current Model (CRCM), which includes magnetosphere and ionosphere coupling by solving the kinetic equation of ring current particles and the closure of the electric currents between the two regions, we have investigated the effects of high latitude potential, ionospheric conductivity, plasma sheet density and different magnetic field models on the development of Region 2 field-aligned currents, and the relationship between R2 FACs and the ring current. It is shown that an increase in high latitude potential, ionospheric conductivity or plasma sheet density generally results in an increase in Region 2 FACs’ intensity, but R2 FACs display different local time and latitudinal distributions for changes in each parameter due to the different mechanisms involved. Our simulation results show that the magnetic field configuration of the inner magnetosphere is also an important factor in the development of Region 2 field-aligned current. More numerical experiments and observational results are needed in further our understanding of the complex relationship of the two current systems.     

用STARE-TRIAD联合观测对磁层-电离层不完全耦合的实例研究

本文用STARE-TRIAD联合观测的一个实例研究磁层-电离层不完全耦合现象.实例中观测的电场、场向电流和推出的Pederson电导率在Harang不连续区的分布与用Kan-Lee磁层-电离层不完全耦合理论的预测值符合得很好.这支持了该理论所说的在电等位U-位形低纬侧有S-位形存在以及与之相应的电离层电导率的第二增强区和电场凹陷区等现象.STARE的其他观测事实说明这些现象具有一定的普遍意义.      

用场向电流的观测结果研究高纬电离层电场

本文从Triad卫星观测到的场向电流日变化的统计结果出发, 利用场向电流日变化的付里叶级数展开和简单模式法分别求出电导率均匀时和极光带电导率增强时高纬电离层电位的分析解.结果表明, 电场集中在极光区是由2区场向电流引起的.在本文所用的场向电流分布形式下, 加上Pederson电导率的升高。极光区Hall电导率的增大反而有助于电场向中纬穿透.|AL|≥100γ时, 场向电流分布对对流圈位置西向旋转起一定作用, 但极光带Hall电导率的变化是造成大角度旋转的主要原因.Perdson电导率的增大, 对旋转角无影响.结果还表明, 在不考虑电导率日夜不均匀时, 由于场向电流复杂的日变化, 也可出现对流圈的晨昏不对称性.以上的电场分布形态, 与观测的电场形态基本相符。      

利用TIE-GCM模式计算电离层电流及夜间电离层磁场

电离层电流产生的磁场是地磁场卫星测绘时需要剔除的干扰源.利用电离层热层模式TIE-GCM计算电离层中的中性风、重力驱动和压强梯度等形成的电离层电流的全球分布,分析电流在特定位置产生的磁场及磁场三分量随纬度的变化规律.结果表明,E层尤其是磁赤道和极区的电流密度较大,可达103nA·m-2量级,F层电流密度量级约为10nA·m-2.在磁静日（Kp≤ 1）夜间22:00LT-04:00LT,电离层电流在中低纬度（南北纬50°之间）产生的磁场量级为几个nT,且磁场的南北向分量和径向分量基本大于东西向分量.通过与CHAMP卫星磁测数据分析比较,发现TIE-GCM模式计算电离层干扰磁场在中低纬度可以取得较好的结果,但在高纬度地区的效果不理想,还需进一步改进模式以提高计算精度.      

由磁层整体电场模型得到的场向电流分布

本文概述了用GEOS-2号卫星等实测资料所修正的Volland大尺度对流电场模型, 并用该模型来计算场向电流.文中给出了由势函数计算场向电流的表达式, 并对弱磁活动下的电流分布进行了计算.结果与Iijima和Potemra的观测较吻合.这说明修正后的Volland电场模型是合理的, 从而进一步肯定了由GEOS-2号的观测结果所导出的若干磁层动力学特性的可靠性.      

由电离层电位所建立的大气电状态

本文在已知电离层电位分布下, 解析地计算了大气电位, 电场和电流强度的全球分布.结果表明, 在大气导电率随高度呈指数增加的情况下, 100km高度上的电离层电位, 几乎无衰减地扫到25km以下.大气电场较强的区域主要在20km以下的低层大气区, 其垂直分量比水平分量大4个数量级.而中高层大气电场较弱, 且两分量量级相当.本文还提出了一种考虑地面形状对大气电场影响的解析方法.      

Laboratory investigation of physical mechanisms of auroral charged particle acceleration in the field-aligned current layers

One of the major topics of space weather research is to understand auroral structure and the processes that guide, accelerate, and otherwise control particle precipitation and during substorms. The problem is that it is not clear the structure of the magnetic field-aligned electric fields and how they are supported in the magnetospheric plasma. The objective of this research is to study the physical mechanisms of these phenomena in a laboratory experiment. It should be achieved by simulating the charged particle acceleration due to field-aligned electrical field generation in all totality of the interconnected events: generation of a plasma flow, its evolution in the magnetic field, polarization of plasma, generation of the field-aligned currents, development of instabilities in the plasma and current layers, double layers or anomalous resistance regions appearance, electron acceleration. Parameters of the laboratory simulation and preliminary results of the experiment are discussed.     

Sq（Y）的季节变化和场向电流

本文对中国东部地磁台站链地磁静日变化东向分量进行了分析,有结果表明,在冬、夏季清晨,南北半球之间存在着电离层发电机驱动的场向电流,其方向是从夏季半球到冬季半球;在黄昏,也可能存在方向相反的电流。     

Occurrence of medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbances identified in the Tasman international geospace environment radar observations

The occurrence characteristics of medium-scale travelling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) were investigated using the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER). From the occurrence study of sea echoes, we found two maxima, one pre-noon and the other after noon. They are less obvious with increase of magnetic activities, and more obvious when B_z is northwards. It is suggested that this maxima were related to fore- and after-noon maxima in the distribution of net field-aligned currents flowing from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere, and that these two regions were sources of atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) due to enhancement of Hall conductivities in the ionosphere. The Lorentz force is suggested to be a possible mechanism for the excitation of MSTIDs in the dayside ionosphere.     

On high-altitude electric fields in the auroral downward current region and their coupling to ionospheric electric fields

The downward field-aligned current region plays an active role in magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling processes associated with aurora. A quasi-static electric field structure with a downward parallel electric field forms at altitudes between 800 km and 5000 km, accelerating ionospheric electrons upward, away from the auroral ionosphere. Other phenomena including energetic ion conics, electron solitary waves, low-frequency wave activity, and plasma density cavities occur in this region, which also acts as a source region for VLF saucers. Results are presented from high-altitude Cluster observations with particular emphasis on the characteristics and dynamics of quasi-static electric field structures. These, extending up to altitudes of at least 4–5 Earth radii, appear commonly as monopolar or bipolar electric fields. The former occur at sharp boundaries, such as the polar cap boundary whereas the bipolar fields occur at softer boundaries within the plasma sheet. The temporal evolution of quasi-static electric field structures, as captured by the pearls-on-a-string configuration of the Cluster spacecraft, indicates that the formation of electric field structures and of ionospheric plasma density cavities are closely coupled processes. A related feature of the downward current is a broadening of the current sheet with time, possibly related to the depletion process. Preliminary studies of the coupling of electric fields in the downward current region, show that small-scale structures are typically decoupled from the ionosphere, similar to what has been found for the upward current region. However, exceptions are also found where small-scale electric fields couple perfectly between the ionosphere and Cluster altitudes. Recent FAST results indicate that the degree of coupling differs between sheet-like and curved structures, and that it is typically partial. The electric field coupling further depends on the current–voltage relationship, which is highly non-linear in the downward current region, and still unrevealed, as to its specific form.     

The generator system of field-aligned currents during the April 06, 2000, superstorm

Using ground-based magnetometer data of the April 6–7, 2000, superstorm, we obtained maps of ionospheric and field-aligned currents (FACs). Based on these, we deduced the electrical circuit of the disturbed magnetosphere/ionosphere and a conceptual model of its magnetospheric generators, which supply both hemispheres. This model implies that the generator system creates primarily the Region-1 FACs of Iijima and Potemra at both hemispheres, while the Region-2 and Region-0 FACs form by spreading of the Region-1 currents through the ionosphere. This conclusion is supported by observations.     

用电离层特性参量提取等效风场信息

导出了利用中低纬电离层特性参量获取电离层F层峰区高度上等效风场（包含电场和风场信息在内）的基本方程，并尝试用该方法从电离层特性参量（峰高和临频）提取等效风场信息，利用武汉站DGS-256电离层数字测高仪数据及由美国Massachusetts Lowell大学最新版的剖面反演程序换算得到F层峰高，获得了武汉地区夏季至日点附近，冬季至日点附近，冬季地磁特别宁静的九天和冬季平均等效风场的初步特征，并利用Fejer经验电场模式计算冬季电场引起的垂直漂移，估计电场和风场对武汉地区的垂直等效风场的贡献大小，结果表明：等效风场呈现出白天与夜晚幅度和方向的差异。至日点附近冬季与夏季白天的幅度差异以及明显的凌晨凹陷现象；平均情况下，垂直等效风场幅度和方向的变化主要是由中性风引起，受电场的影响不大。     

A model for the propagation of the westward traveling surge

A unified model is developed for the propagation of the Westward Traveling Surge (WTS) which can explain the diversity in the observed surge characteristics. The direction of the surge motion depends on the presence of polarization charges on the poleward boundary. This is related to the efficiency with which the poleward ionospheric currents are closed off into the magnetosphere by the field-aligned currents. Inclusion of the electron-ion recombination rate modifies the surge propagation velocity and leads to explicit expressions for the conductivity profile. Sufficient precipitation current is required to overcome electron-ion recombination in order for the surge to expand. When the precipitating current is less than this threshold the WTS retreats. Therefore, the model describes the ionospheric response to both the expansion and recovery phases of the magnetic substorm.     

Variations of quasi-electrostatic fields and ionosphere potential above lightning discharge at equatorial latitudes

Lightning discharges by thunderstorms cause generation of electromagnetic pulses and of quasi-electrostatic fields (QESF) in the atmosphere above, which occur in different time-scales. QESF penetrate into the mesosphere and the lower ionosphere where they are big enough to generate considerable electric charge transfer there and, in some cases, to cause red sprites. These processes may have an important contribution to the global atmospheric electric circuit. Significant transient variations of the ionospheric potential above the thunderstorm take place as well. QESF depend on the atmospheric conductivity and in the ionosphere they are affected also by its anisotropy determined by geomagnetic field orientation. QESF after a lightning discharge are investigated theoretically in this work in the case of equatorial latitudes (by horizontal geomagnetic field), where thunderstorms are important contributors to the global circuit. Results for DC electric fields in the lower equatorial ionosphere above a thundercloud obtained by earlier models demonstrate some specific features of the spatial distribution of these fields, which appear due to geomagnetic field orientation. Thus, the electric fields can be shifted by tens or more kilometers to east of the cloud charge region; also their horizontal scale is much bigger than in the case of middle latitudes. Here, a presence of similar specific features of quasi-electrostatic field distributions and ionospheric potential variations caused by a lightning stroke is studied. A situation when no secondary ionization is generated is considered. A model based on the Maxwell equations for potential electric fields is proposed. Computations of QESF in the middle atmosphere and of the ionospheric potential variations are provided as dependent on conductivity and its anisotropy in D-region. The obtained results for the ionosphere show that the electric fields in the equatorial lower ionosphere are comparable to these formed in the case of middle latitudes. However, their horizontal scales are much bigger and depend on conductivity profiles. Similar features are valid also for the ionospheric potential variations and for their horizontal scales.