Long-term (50 years) measurements of cosmic ray fluxes in the atmosphere

Since the middle of 1957 till present time the group of researchers of P.N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences has carried out the regular balloon borne measurements of charged particle fluxes in the atmosphere. The measurements are performed at polar (northern and southern) and middle latitudes and cover the interval of heights from the ground level up to 30–35 km. Standard detectors of particles (gas-discharged counters) have been used. More than 80,000 measurements of cosmic ray fluxes in the atmosphere have been performed to the present time. In the data analysis the geomagnetic field and the Earth’s atmosphere are used as cosmic ray spectrometers.     

The thermosphere as a sink of magnetospheric energy: A review of recent observations of dynamics

The study of the dynamics and thermodynamics of the earth's upper atmosphere has made significant progress over the past few years owing to the availability of new global-scale data sets from the Dynamics Explorer satellites. The thermospheric wind and temperature fields at high latitude have been observed to depend strongly on forcing processes of magnetospheric origin. A key momentum source is due to the drag effect of ions convecting in response to electric fields mapped down on the ionosphere from magnetospheric boundary regions. Likewise, an important heat source derives from Joule or frictional dissipation due to ion/neutral difference velocities governed, in turn, by magnetospheric forcing. In this paper we discuss the progress made over the last 2–3 years initiated by the new satellite measurements and we review published data on ion and neutral motions in the context of the energy and momentum coupling between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere/neutral upper atmosphere. The observations indicate the existence of a “flywheel effect” which implies direct feedback from the neutral thermosphere to the magnetosphere via the release of energy and momentum previously “stored” in the neutral thermosphere.     

锡林浩特市火山地质公园平台山顶近地面大气电场变化特征

大气电场强度是大气电学的重要参数.大气电场的准确测量对雷暴和地震的监测、预警等具有重要的意义.利用2015年8月27日气球搭载大气电场仪测量近地面大气电场实验得到的电场数据，分析在特殊地形表面近地面500m高度内大气电场强度随高度的变化特征.结果表明:晴天条件下，火山喷发形成的熔岩平台山顶上空近地面大气电场强度随高度增加呈指数递减，大气电场的数值和变化范围均较大，尤其是近地面100m高度内，大气电场值达到1kV·m-1以上.此外，还通过经验公式得出了近火山灰石地表的大气电导率.受空气中重离子的影响，其电导率远小于全球大气电导率的平均值.实验结果丰富了在特殊地形下大气电场的测量结果，揭示了中国内蒙古锡林浩特地区火山山顶近地面大气电场强度随高度的变化特征.      

红精灵发光光谱的数值模拟研究

红精灵是发生在雷暴层云顶的一类大气瞬态发光现象, 是能量由对流层耦合到中高层大气的直接证据. 其发光光谱研究是了解整个事件对中高层大气能量注入的重要手段, 有助于认识事件发生区域的大气电离度及事件过程的能量电子分布, 进一步为研究红精灵的产生机制提供重要信息, 同时为大气辐射背景资料研究提供重要依据. 本文利用Boltzmann方程求解了电场作用下弱电离气体中电子能量分布的时变函数, 以此为基础, 模拟计算了红精灵各典型发射带的光谱强度. 模拟计算结果表明, 约化电场E/N越强, 电子获得的能量就越多, 高能电子也就越多, 致使撞击中性大气产生的辐射光强就越强; 模拟显示红精灵光辐射谱分布从远紫外直至近红外.      

雷暴云准静电场和夜间低电离层的电离

用点电荷模型计算雷暴云突然放电后形成的准静电后形成的准静电场随高度的分布，以E/N（E的电场大小，N为大气密度）为输入参量，在一定条件下，对Boltzmann方程数值求解，计算电离层电子数密度的扰动。计算结果表明，在约70-90km之间，在约放电后的10ms内，准静电场大于中性大气的击穿电场，将引起大气的雪崩电离，从而引起夜间低电离层电子密度的显著增加，但这种电子密度的增加是暂的，在很短的时期内就恢复到平静时的水平，恢复时间随高度的变化而不同。     

The detection of energetic cometary and solar particles by the EPONA instrument on the Giotto mission

EPONA is an energetic particle detector system incorporating totally depleted silicon surface barrier layer detectors. Active and passive background shielding will be employed and, by applying various techniques, particles of different species, including electrons, protons, alpha particles and pick-up ions of cometary origin may be detected over a wide spectrum of energies extending from the tens of KeV into the MeV range.

The instrument can operate in two modes namely (a) in a cruise phase or storage mode and (b) in a real time mode. During the real time mode, observations at high spatial (octosectoring) and temporal (0.5s) resolution in the cometary environment permit studies to be made of accelerated particles at the bow shock and/or in the tail of the comet. In conjunction with magnetic field measurements on board Giotto, observations of energetic electrons and their anisotropies can determine whether the magnetic field lines in the cometary tail are open or closed. Further, the absorption of low energy solar particles in the cometary atmosphere can be measured and such data would provide an integral value of the pertaining gas and dust distribution. Solar particle background measurements during encounter may also be used to correct the measurements of other spacecraft borne instruments potentially vulnerable to such radiation.

Solar particle flux measurements, obtained during the cruise phase will, when combined with simultaneous observations made by other spacecraft at different heliographic longitudes, provide information concerning solar particle propagation in the corona and in interplanetary space.     

Model for the VLF/LF radio signal anomalies formation associated with earthquakes

The influence of quasi-static electric field of seismic origin on the characteristics of the internal gravity waves (IGWs) in the Earth’s ionosphere is considered. The electric field in the ionosphere arises due to the injection of charged aerosols into the atmosphere, formation of an EMF in the near Earth atmosphere and perturbation of the conductive electric current in the global electric circuit. Amplification of the electric current in seismic zone is accompanied by the formation of perturbation of the lower ionosphere that affects the amplitude and phase of VLF/LF signals. The action of the electric field on the IGWs is connected with the appearance of the Ampere’s force in the ionosphere. In the spectral range of these waves the latter acts on the neutral component of the ionosphere plasma. As the result of this interaction the ionosphere starts to support the discrete spectrum of oscillations. Periods of their maximums increase as numbers of natural sequence. The existence of such peculiarities of the waves in the ionosphere is confirmed by observations.     

电离层水平电场与风场的耦合模拟研究

设计了一个将电离层水平电场与风场耦合的模拟方案,研究了电流函数和风场在耦合前后的变化与差异. 研究发现,水平电场与风场相互反馈后,风场的变化比电流函数小. 经向风在白天有较明显的差异,夜晚的差异比白天小,主要出现在中高纬地区,并随高度的增加而增大,300km左右达到最大值,其后几乎保持不变. 纬向风有与经向风相似的变化,但纬向风耦合前后的差异比经向风小. 电流函数在耦合后有较大改变,两个涡旋强度都有较强增加,并且北半球的增强大于南半球,而夜晚差异较小. 结果表明,在研究的高度范围内,风场对电场的控制作用大于电场对风场的影响.      

Possible influence of cosmic rays on climate through thunderstorm clouds

With decreasing of cosmic ray (CR) intensity caused by increasing of solar activity (SA) or in some short periods of Forbush-decreases, the intensity of secondary CR relativistic electrons decreases and the probability of formation of thunderstorm clouds and discharges between clouds or between clouds and ground is also expected to decrease. This will influence on weather and climate. In this case is very important to have more detail information on the atmospheric electric field distribution in the atmosphere, additional to information what gave now electric field sensors (EFS) only in about one point near the ground. We show that CR not only influenced on atmospheric electric field phenomenon, but can give practically continuous information on the atmospheric electric field distribution in the atmosphere. We extend our theory of CR atmospheric electric field effect on electron–photon, muon and neutron component including different multiplicities. We take into account that about 0.07 of neutron monitor counting rate caused by negative soft muons captured by lead nucleons and formed mesoatoms with generation of several MeV energy neutrons from lead. In this case the neutron monitor or neutron super-monitor works as analyzer that detects muons of only one, negative sign. It is very important because the atmospheric electric field effect have opposite signs for positive and negative muons that main part of this effect in the muon telescope or in ionization chamber is compensated and we can observe only small part of total effect of one sign muons. On the basis of our general theory of CR atmospheric electric field effects with taking into account of negative soft muon acceleration and deceleration in the Earth atmosphere (in dependence of direction and intensity of electric field) we discuss the possibility of existing this effect in CR neutron monitor counting rate and in different multiplicities and calculate the expected effects in dependence of atmospheric electric field distribution in the atmosphere. We show that the comparison of observed effects with theoretically expected will give important information on the value of atmospheric electric field and its distribution in the atmosphere. We consider also the possible influence of secondary relativistic electrons of CR and relativistic electrons precipitated from the Earth’s radiation belts on thunderstorms and lightnings, and through this – on climate change.     

A payload for the study of electric fields and electron density in the equatorial region

A rocket borne payload for simultaneous measurement of the electric field along and perpendicular to the rocket spin axis and the electron density in the medium was developed and flown from Thumba (8° 31′N, 0° 47′S dip) onboard two Centaure rockets for the study of plasma dynamcis in the equatorial E-region. The arrangement of sensors in this payload allows near continuous measurements of some of these parameters to be made.     

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.      

Large scale MHD properties of interplanetary magnetic clouds

Magnetic Clouds (MCs) are the interplanetary manifestation of Coronal Mass Ejections. These huge astrophysical objects travel from the Sun toward the external heliosphere and can reach the Earth environment. Depending on their magnetic field orientation, they can trigger intense geomagnetic storms. The details of the magnetic configuration of clouds and the typical values of their magnetohydrodynamic magnitudes are not yet well known. One of the most important magnetohydrodynamic quantities in MCs is the magnetic helicity. The helicity quantifies several aspects of a given magnetic structure, such as the twist, kink, number of knots between magnetic field lines, linking between magnetic flux tubes, etc. The helicity is approximately conserved in the solar atmosphere and the heliosphere, and it is very useful to link solar phenomena with their interplanetary counterpart. Since a magnetic cloud carries an important amount of helicity when it is ejected from the solar corona, estimations of the helicity content in clouds can help us to understand its evolution and its coronal origin. In situ observations of magnetic clouds at one astronomical unit are in agreement with a local helical magnetic structure. However, since spacecrafts only register data along a unique direction, several aspects of the global configuration of clouds cannot be observed. In this paper, we review the general properties of magnetic clouds and different models for their magnetic structure at one astronomical unit. We describe the corresponding techniques to analyze in situ measurements. We also quantify their magnetic helicity and compare it with the release of helicity in their solar source for some of the analyzed cases.     

Possible DC electric field in the ionosphere related to seismicity

This paper presents the method for calculation of DC electric field in the atmosphere and the ionosphere generated by model distribution of external electric current in the lower atmosphere. Appearance of such current is associated with enhancement of seismic activity that is accompanied by emanation of soil gases into the atmosphere. These gases transfer positive and negative charged aerosols. Atmospheric convection of charged aerosols forms external electric current, which works as a source of conductivity current in the atmosphere–ionosphere electric circuit. It is shown that DC electric field generated in the ionosphere by this current reaches up to 10 mV/m, while the long-term vertical electric field disturbances excited near the Earth surface do not exceed 100 V/m. Such limitation of the near-ground field is caused by the formation of potential barrier for charged particles at the Earth surface in a process of their transport from soil to atmosphere.     

A model for calculating the vertical distribution of the atmospheric electric potential in the exchange layer in a maritime clean atmosphere

A theoretical model is developed for calculating the vertical distribution of atmospheric electric potential in exchange layer of maritime clean atmosphere. The transport of space charge in electrode layer acts as a convective generator in this model and plays a major role in determining potential distribution in vertical. Eddy diffusion is the main mechanism responsible for the distribution of space charge in vertical. Our results show that potential at a particular level increases with increase in the strength of eddy diffusion under similar conditions. A method is suggested to estimate columnar resistance, the ionospheric potential and the vertical atmospheric electric potential distribution in exchange layer from measurements of total air-earth current density and surface electric field made over oceans. The results are validated and found to be in very good agreement with the previous aircraft measurements. Different parameters involved in the proposed methodology can be determined either theoretically, as in the present work, or experimentally using the near surface atmospheric electrical measurements or using some other surface-based measurement technique such as LIDAR. A graphical relationship between the atmospheric eddy diffusion coefficient and height of exchange layer obtained from atmospheric electrical approach, is reported.     

New possibilities for mesospheric electricity diagnostics

A possible cause of large variations in the electron collision frequency could be the effect of strong external electric fields of atmospheric origin. This provides a new opportunity to take measurements of electric fields in the lower ionosphere using remote sensing instruments employing radio wave techniques. It has been proposed the technique for making estimates of strong mesospheric electric field intensities on the lower edge of the ionosphere using MF radar data on the effective electron collision frequency, and the data has been presented. The technique described permits a real-time derivation from MF radar data of changes in mesospheric electric field intensities, and estimates of electric current densities. Our results give proof that the source of strong mesospheric electricity is very likely to be a current source.     

Enhancement of High Energy Electron Fluxes and Variation of Atmospheric Electric Field in the Antarctic Region

High-energy electron precipitation in the high latitude regions enhances the ionization of the atmosphere,and subsequently increases the atmospheric conductivities and the vertical electric field of the atmosphere near the ground as well.The High-Energy Electron Flux(HEEF) data measured by the Fengyun-3 meteorological satellite are analyzed together with the data of nearsurface atmospheric vertical electric field measured at the Russian Vostok Station.Three HEEF enhancements are identified and it is shown that when the HEEF increases to a certain level,the local atmospheric vertical electric field near the ground can increase substantially than usual.The response time of the electric field to HEEF enhancement is about 3.7 to 4 days.     

Enhancement of High Energy Electron Fluxes and Variation of Atmospheric Electric Field in the Antarctic Region ormalsize

High-energy electron precipitation in the high latitude regions enhances the ionization of the atmosphere, and subsequently increases the atmospheric conductivities and the vertical electric field of the atmosphere near the ground as well. The High-Energy Electron Flux (HEEF) data measured by the Fengyun-3 meteorological satellite are analyzed together with the data of near-surface atmospheric vertical electric field measured at the Russian Vostok Station. Three HEEF enhancements are identified and it is shown that when the HEEF increases to a certain level, the local atmospheric vertical electric field near the ground can increase substantially than usual. The response time of the electric field to HEEF enhancement is about 3.7 to 4 days.      

午后极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数的相关

利用1997年和1998年南极中山站多通道扫描光度计的地面观测数据和Wind卫星在弓激波上游对行星际磁场和太阳风参数的观测数据,对午后高纬极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数之间的相关性进行定量研究.研究表明,午后630.0nm极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数间有很好的相关,而557.7nm的相关性差一些;在考察的所有耦合函数中,午后极光受太阳风电场和能量的影响更直接;同时,行星际磁场的时钟角对午后极光也有很强的控制作用.      

SCIAMACHY limb measurements of NO2, BrO and OClO. Retrieval of vertical profiles: Algorithm,first results,sensitivity and comparison studies

The Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY) measures scattered sun light also in limb viewing mode (i.e. tangential to Earth’s surface and its atmosphere), which allows determining vertical profiles of atmospheric trace gases. First results on the retrieval of NO₂, BrO and OClO profiles from the SCIAMACHY Limb measurements are presented and compared to independent satellite and balloon borne observations.     

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.