北美与东亚中纬地区电离层TEC变化的EOF建模和分析

考察了北美(30°N-50°N, 140°W-50°W)与东亚 (42.5°N-57.5°N, 65°E-140°E) 中纬地区电离层总电子含量 (TEC)的变化. TEC数据来自美国喷气动力实验室(JPL)约15年的全球电离层图 (Global Ionospheric Map, GIM)数据. 利用经验正交函数(Empirical Orthogonal Functions, EOF)得到上述两地区前三阶本征模及相关时间系数, 分别约占TEC 总变化的99.57%和99.79%. 结果表明, 两地区前三阶EOF分量所表现出的TEC变 化基本一致. 第一阶EOF分量表现为受太阳活动调制的半年变化; 第二阶EOF 分量表现为关于零磁偏线的经向电子浓度东西不对称结构, 计算表明该结构 与受地磁偏角控制的热层纬向水平风引起的等离子体向上漂移密切相关; 第三 阶EOF分量表现为磁倾控制的热层子午向风引起的等离子体向上漂移影响.      

低纬(海南)电离层等离子体漂移对地磁活动的响应

利用2003-2016年期间子午工程海南站（19.5°N,109.1°E）数字测高仪观测到的电离层等离子体漂移数据,分析了高低两种太阳活动条件下纬向和垂直向漂移对近磁静、中等磁扰和强磁扰三种地磁活动水平的响应特性.结果表明:日间纬向漂移各季节均以西向为主,随地磁活动无明显变化,白天日出附近和夜间漂移在各季节均以东向为主,随地磁活动增强而减弱,减弱程度在分季最大,在夏季最小;日间垂直漂移在零值附近变化,且不受地磁活动和季节影响,日落附近漂移仅在分季受到地磁活动的抑制,午夜前垂直漂移在分季受到抑制,在冬季因强磁扰而反向,夏季无明显规律,子夜至日出后垂直漂移在各季节随地磁活动增强而减小.与赤道区Jicamarca相比,两地漂移对地磁活动的响应相近,但在幅度和相位上存在差异,这可能是两地区的地理位置、背景电场和风场结构等不同造成的.      

中性风和垂直漂移对低纬F区电离层影响初析

利用二维低纬电离层－等离子体层时变理论模式,模拟太阳活动高年春分条件下垂直漂移和中性风强度改变对低纬F区电离层参量的影响.模式在所考察的磁子午面内求解等离子体输运方程,给出离子浓度和速度随纬度、高度、地方时的变化.模式计算结果显示,调整垂直漂移和中性风强度对低纬F区电离层电子浓度的影响与电离层所处磁纬、垂直漂移和中性风作用时段等有关,呈现出一些新特点.结果对分析不同条件下垂直漂移和中性风对低纬F区电离层影响具有一定的指导意义.      

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。     

顶部电离层总离子密度经度的变化

利用DMSP F13卫星1996-2005年共10年的观测数据,研究地磁中低纬地区黄昏时段(18:00 LT)顶部电离层总离子密度经度变化的季节、地磁纬度和太阳活动变化特征.结果表明总的经度变化在低纬地区与中纬地区具有明显不同特征.不同经度结构的季节变化均以年变化为主,但纬度分布具有明显差异.一波结构主要集中在中纬地区,且南半球明显强于北半球;二波结构南北半球不对称性非常明显;三波结构和四波结构均为低纬地区明显强于中纬地区.通过分析不同波结构对总经度变化的贡献发现,一波结构在南半球中纬地区贡献最大,二波结构在12月前后的15°N附近贡献较大,三波结构和四波结构仅在低纬地区有较强贡献.在不同太阳活动条件下,不同波结构的贡献率有明显变化.      

磁静日电离层电势分布的形态学研究

利用理论模式GCITEM，在国际地磁参考场（IGRF）下，模拟了地磁平静条件下的电离层发电机主导的中低纬电离层电势分布，研究了太阳活动、季节、世界时和低层大气潮汐对电离层电势的调节作用。结果表明，各种条件下中低纬电势全局分布基本一致，都具有两个正电势峰值（源）和一个负电荷峰值（汇）；电势分布存在明显的季节和世界时差异；中低纬电离层电势峰值差随着太阳活动的增强明显增加，并在一定太阳活动高值后趋于饱和；周日迁移潮主要影响赤道地区，导致电势峰值差增加，而半周日迁移潮主要影响中纬度地区，导致电势峰值差减小。     

极区中层顶区域重力波谱的季节变化

使用MAP/WINE和MAC/SINE两次试验中测量的25m高分辨率水平速度数据和1km低分辨率温度数据,研究极区中层顶区域重力波谱的季节变化.温度的直接测量使计算的谱振幅和Richardson数更接近真实大气.结果显示,极区中层顶区域水平速度垂直波数谱的斜率和振幅存在相当大的变率,这些大的观测变率用各种饱和模式及普适垂直波数谱不能解释.然而平均垂直波数谱显示了明显的季节变化,在夏季,平均谱具有饱和特性;在冬季,平均谱具有非饱和特性.这意味着饱和过程存在于夏季而不是冬季.因此,夏季比冬季应有更强的湍流.这个结果与湍流季节变化的观测大致一致.从Brunt-Vaisala频率N和水平风切变计算的Richardson数Ri剖面也显示出季节差异,Ri<1/4的动力不稳定区出现在夏季,而Ri>0.4的稳定区出现在冬季.这些不稳定区与夏季谱结合很好,而稳定区则与冬季谱结合很好.     

第23太阳活动周武汉站电离层TEC特征分析

利用武汉站(30.5°N, 114.4°E)1997年1月1日至2007年12月31日电离层TEC、太阳黑子数及地磁指数等资料, 分析了第23周武汉站TEC的周日变化、季节变化、半年变化以及与太阳活动的相关性等特征; 以2006年4月13-17日发生的磁暴为例, 讨论了武汉站TEC对磁暴的响应以及可能的机理. 结果表明,武汉站电离层TEC在太阳活动高、低年均呈典型的周日变化特征; 冬季异常和半年异常特征明显, 且受太阳活动强弱影响; TEC和太阳黑子数年均值相关系数为0.9611; TEC对磁暴的响应可能是由磁层穿透电场和中性风共同作用导致的, 具体影响机制有待深入研究.      

武汉突发E层的季节变化及其与中层风的关系

通过对2018年武汉站（114.61°E,30.53°N）数字测高仪记录的数据统计分析,研究武汉地区突发E层的特征。研究发现:2018年武汉地区电离层突发E层的临界频率在夏季最高,在冬季有一个次增强现象,在春秋季较低;在正午前最大,在日落后出现小幅度提升,在日出前最低。利用指定动态全球大气气候扩展模型SD-WACCM-X模拟出2018年武汉上空90～140 km高度的平均风场,探讨突发E层与背景风之间的关系,揭示突发E层的形成机制。结果表明,半日潮汐分量可能诱导突发E层临界频率的半日变化,周日潮汐分量诱导突发E层临界频率的周日变化;突发E层的强度可能与纬向风场120 km高度处的风剪切有关。      

夜间f0F2存在季节异常现象

本文用1975.12—1986.12我国9个电离层站的资料分析得出,在一定的纬度和太阳活动条件下,夜间f_0F_2存在季节异常现象.夜间季节异常现象具有两个明显的特点:只有低纬才具有夜间季节异常特征;太阳活动高年夜间季节异常的程度增加.夜间季节异常是白天f_0F_2季节异常现象的延续,夏半球至冬半球的大气流动造成的中性气体浓度比(O/O_2和O/N_2)的季节变化,是形成f_0F_2季节异常的根本原因.并初步分析了夜间季节异常的低纬局限性及随太阳活动变化的成因.     

Behavior of the equivalent slab thickness over three European stations

The total electron content (TEC) derived from the global positioning system (GPS) and the F2-layer peak electron density obtained from Digisonde data have been used to study the diurnal, seasonal and solar activity variations of the ionospheric equivalent slab thickness (τ) over three European stations located at Pruhonice (50.0°N, 15.0°E), Ebro (40.8°N, 0.5°E) and El Arenosillo (37.1°N, 353.3°E). The diurnal variation of the τ is characterized by daytime values lower than nighttime ones for all seasons at low solar activity while daytime values larger than nighttime characterizes the diurnal variation for summer at high solar activity. A double peak is noticeable at dusk and at dawn, better expressed for winter at low solar activity. The seasonal variations of τ depend on local time and solar activity, the daytime values of τ increases from winter to summer whereas nighttime values of τ show the opposite. The effect of the solar activity on τ depends on local time and season, there being very sensitive for winter nighttime values of τ. The results of this study are compared with those presented by other authors.     

Responses of ionospheric foF2 to geomagnetic activities in Hainan

Responses of low-latitude ionospheric critical frequency of F2 layer to geomagnetic activities in different seasons and under different levels of solar activity are investigated by analyzing the ionospheric foF2 data from DPS-4 Digisonde in Hainan Observatory during 2002–2005. The results are as follows: (1) the response of foF2 to geomagnetic activity in Hainan shows obvious diurnal variation except for the summer in low solar activity period. Generally, geomagnetic activity will cause foF2 to increase at daytime and decrease at nighttime. The intensity of response of foF2 is stronger at nighttime than that at daytime; (2) seasonal dependence of the response of foF2 to geomagnetic activity is very obvious. The negative ionospheric storm effect is the strongest in summer and the positive ionospheric storm effect is the strongest in winter; (3) the solar cycle has important effect on the response of foF2 to geomagnetic activity in Hainan. In high solar activity period, the diurnal variation of the response of foF2 is very pronounced in each season, and the strong ionospheric response can last several days. In low solar activity period, ionospheric response has very pronounced diurnal variation in winter only; (4) the local time of geomagnetic activities occurring also has important effect on the responses of foF2 in Hainan. Generally, geomagnetic activities occurred at nighttime can cause stronger and longer responses of foF2 in Hainan.     

Neutral temperatures from Thomson scatter measurements: Comparisons with the CIRA(1972)

Neutral exospheric and lower thermospheric (100–130 km) temperatures from Thomson scatter measurements at Millstone Hill (42°N) are compared with CIRA temperatures with a view towards identifying deficiencies in the CIRA and recommending revisions. CIRA models the observed diurnal mean temperatures (T₀) to within 10% over a wide range of solar conditions (75? F_10.7 ? 250), but consistently underestimates the diurnal temperatures with maximum deviations approaching 50% of observed amplitudes (180–240 K) at solar maximum (1200 K ? T₀ ? 1400 K). The observed semidiurnal amplitudes, which lie in the range of 20K–80K, are always underestimated and frequently by more than 50%. In the lower thermosphere, tidal oscillations of temperature of order 20K–40K occur which are not modelled by CIRA. In addition, an analysis of exospheric temperatures at Millstone Hill during a magnetic disturbance indicates a response within 1–2 hours from storm onset, whereas CIRA assumes a 6.7 hour delay. Although some of these deficiences are addressed by the more recent MSIS model, there exists a sufficient data base to recommend several additional revisions to the CIRA temperatures at this time.     

Comparison between the IRI ion composition and incoherent scatter measurement and theoretical values

Comparisons have been made between the percentage of light ions in the upper ionosphere as predicted by the IRI model and as found in incoherent scatter (ICS) measurements at the stations Millstone Hill, Arecibo and Jicamarca. Major discrepancies are observed in both day and night. The IRI values are always considerably larger than the ICS measurements. Theoretical values are calculated as well, assuming chemical equilibrium and using the MSIS neutral density model /1/. In most cases these theoretical values favour the ICS values; only for the daytime ion composition above Millstone Hill has better agreement with the IRI model been found.     

Longitudinal variations of the ionospheric trough position

For the first time a comprehensive pattern of the longitudinal effect of the ionospheric trough position was obtained. We present new results with longitudinal variations of the winter trough position as a function of geomagnetic latitude for both hemispheres and conditions of high and low solar activity and all local time hours. We used a large observational data set obtained onboard the Kosmos-900, Interkosmos-19 and CHAMP satellites for quiet geomagnetic conditions. We found that a magnitude of the trough position longitudinal effect averaged for a fixed local time is greater in the daytime (6–8°) than in the nighttime (3–5°). The longitudinal effect magnitude reaches its maximum (16°) in the morning (at 08 LT) in the Southern hemisphere at high solar activity. But on certain days at any solar activity the longitudinal effect magnitude can reach 9–10° even at night. The shape of the longitudinal effect was found to differ significantly in two hemispheres. In the Northern hemisphere the trough is usually closest to the pole in the eastern (American) longitudinal sector, and in the Southern hemisphere the trough is closest in the western (Eurasian) longitudinal sector. The magnitude and shape of the longitudinal effect is also different during low and high solar activity. The Global Self-consistent Model of the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Protonosphere (GSM TIP) simulations demonstrate that during low solar activity, the longitudinal variations of the daytime trough position is mainly determined by longitudinal variations of the ionization function, formed due to the longitudinal variations in the solar zenith angle and the atomic oxygen density distribution. The longitudinal variations of the nighttime trough position is formed by the longitudinal variations in ionization of precipitating auroral particles, neutral atmosphere composition, and electric field.     

Properties of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

The variability and systematic variations of the properties of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere are probably the least well known aspects of the terrestrial atmosphere. Satellite measurements of this region are very limited and rocket and remote sounding techniques do not provide comprehensive coverage. Progress is being made in theoretical studies of this region, primarily with regard to tidal effects, and some progress is being made in analyzing the relatively sparse experimental data that are available. Turbulence dynamics of the region has been studied by analyzing structure measurements at Kwajalein, wind data from Natal and systematic variations of the turbopause altitude determined from measurements of the diffusive separation of argon. One question that is being raised at this time, and it is appropriate at a time near solar maximum, is the extent of solar activity control of the properties of this region of the atmosphere. The occurrence rates and magnitudes of the turbulent diffusivity in the 70 to 90 km altitude region appear to correlate with solar activity with a time lag, as do also the incidence of aurora and the atomic oxygen green line intensity. Solar cycle dependence has been identified in mean zonal wind speeds in the 65 to 110 km altitude region above Saskatoon and in lower thermosphere temperatures measured at Heiss Island and at St. Santin. Millstone Hill data show that the mean meridional wind changes during a solar cycle. Solar cycle variations have also been detected in the stratosphere and troposphere.     

Comparison of diurnal,seasonal and latitudinal effect of MUF VR and NmF2 VR during some solar cycle epochs

The diurnal and seasonal changes of the variability (VR) of Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF) are compared with those of peak electron density (NmF2) at Ibadan (7.4°N, 3.9°E, 6°S dip) in the African sector. Also compared is the latitudinal effect on both characteristics by combining data from Singapore (1.3°N, 103.8°E, 17.6°S dip) in the East Asian sector and Slough (51.5°N, 359.4°E, 66.5°S dip) in the European sector. MUF VR is found to be about half of NmF2 VR at all the hours and seasons and during the solar cycle epochs considered for the three stations. While nighttime MUF VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during both low and moderate solar activities and in September Equinox and December Solstice during high solar activity, nighttime NmF2 VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during high solar activity and greater at the equinoxes during low and moderate solar activities. This signifies a shift in nighttime MUF peak VR from the middle six months during low and moderate solar activities to the last half of the year during high solar activity. Daytime VR of both characteristics are not observed to show any seasonal variation. MUF VR and that of NmF2 are found to increase and decrease alternately with the Zurich sunspot number (Rz) for Ibadan and Singapore. For Slough, the VR of both characteristics increases with Rz during the first half of the day. It then increases and decreases alternately with Rz during the remaining hours of the day. While nighttime MUF VR decreases with latitude, just like nighttime NmF2 VR, no latitudinal effect is found for daytime VR of both characteristics.     

Equatorial total electron content (TEC) at low and high solar activity

Total electron content (TEC) derived from ionosonde data recorded at the station of Korhogo (Lat = 9.33°N, Long = 5.43°W, Dip = 0.67°S) are compared to the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model predicted TEC for high (1999) and low (1994) solar activity conditions. The results show that the model represents the diurnal variation of the TEC as well as a solar activity and seasonal dependence. This variation is closer to that of the ionosonde-inferred TEC at high solar activity. However, at low solar activity the IRI overestimates the ionosonde-inferred TEC. The relative deviation ΔTEC is more prominent in the equinoctial seasons during nighttime hours where it is as high as 70%. At daytime hours, the relative deviation is estimated to 0–30%.     

Electric field measurements at a southern mid-latitude station obtained using an HF digital ionosonde

It is important to understand the convection of the inner magnetosphere to fully describe the response of the low- to mid-latitude thermosphere-ionosphere system to geomagnetic storms. Realistic numerical simulations of mid-latitude electric fields suffer from limited knowledge of lower thermospheric winds and ionospheric conductivity on a global scale. Even empirical models of mid-latitude electric fields suffer from the paucity of measurements made by the handful of incoherent scatter radars concentrated in the American-European sector, and the intermittent satellite measurements made in other regions. Thus it would be very useful to show the extent to which Doppler velocity measurements made with the numerous digital ionosondes deployed around the globe can be used to infer F-region electric fields. The monthly average diurnal variation of Doppler velocity measured by a recently commissioned Digisonde at Bundoora (145.1°E, 37.7°S, geographic; 49°S magnetic) is seen to resemble the average diurnal variation of ion drift measured by the incoherent scatter radar at Millstone Hill (71.5°W 42.6°N; 57°N). Moreover, the Bundoora measurements exhibit the nighttime westward perturbation drifts found in Dynamics Explorer-2 ion drift measurements.