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.     

A three-dimensional modelling study of the processes leading to mid latitude nitric oxide increases in the lower thermosphere following periods of high geomagnetic activity

The processes leading to enhancements in mid latitude nitric oxide (NO) densities following geomagnetic storms have been investigated using the University College London (UCL) Coupled Middle Atmosphere and Thermosphere (CMAT) general circulation model. A comparison of calculated storm time and quiet time NO densities at 110 km altitude reveals the presence of aurorally produced NO at both high and mid latitudes for several days after subsidence of activity. At 150 km, the NO enhancements are shorter lived and remain for up to approximately 2 days after the storm. By separating the contribution of chemical production and loss, horizontal and vertical advection, and molecular and eddy diffusion in the calculation of NO densities, we show that at 150 km altitude, horizontal transport must be taken into consideration if post-storm mid latitude enhancements are to be reproduced. Chemical production of NO at high latitudes continues for up to 2 days after subsidence of a storm at altitudes of around 150 km. We show that equatorward winds at this altitude are sufficiently strong to transport the aurorally produced NO to mid latitudes. Vertical diffusion transports NO from altitudes of 150 km and above, to lower altitudes where it is longer lived. At 110 km altitude, chemical, diffusive and advective terms must all be included in the calculation of NO density in order to simulate realistic mid latitude enhancements. We propose that it is the combined effects of increased chemical production, downward diffusion from altitudes of 150 km and above, and transport by winds that lead to increases in mid latitude NO density at altitudes of around 110 km. This is the first detailed study of the causes of post-storm mid latitude NO enhancements to use a three-dimensional general circulation model.     

Characteristics of solar particle events at Mars relative to Earth

While not specifically designed to detect solar energetic particle radiation, the Electron Reflectometer onboard Mars Global Surveyor (MGS/ER) collected such data from January 1999 through October 2006. Energetic protons (?25 MeV) and other ions penetrated the MGS/ER shielding and registered counts within the instrument’s electronics. During solar particle events (SPE’s), prolonged enhancements in the particle background were observed at Mars with time intensity profiles similar to Earth based SPE observations. Throughout the lifespan of MGS/ER, 85 distinct SPE’s were observed. Basic characteristics of Mars based SPE observations and the frequency of SPE occurrences at Mars are compared to corresponding Earth based observations. Approximately 22% of SPE’s that occurred during MGS/ER operation were observed at Earth but not Mars. Similarly, 19% of SPE’s were observed at Mars but not Earth. Time intensity profiles at Earth and Mars match predictions provided in the literature, based on the physical location of the detector with respect to the motion of the interplanetary shock wave. Note: The work described herein was largely conducted as part of a doctoral dissertation produced by the author.     

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.      

A numerical study of noontime bite-outs in F2-region electron density

Noontime bite-outs in ionospheric F₂-region electron density in the geomagnetic equatorial, low, and middle latitudes have been reproduced in this study using the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). The different driving mechanisms of F₂-region noontime bite-outs at different latitudes were further verified by modeling simulation. In the geomagnetic equator, the upward ExB plasma drifts are the main process to produce the noontime bite-outs in ionospheric electron density. In the geomagnetic low latitudes, both the electrical fields and poleward meridional winds play a crucial role in forming the noontime bite-outs. In contrast to the case at the geomagnetic equator, a weaker fountain effect might be an favorable condition for the noontime bite-outs to occur at low latitudes. For geomagnetic middle latitudes, an upward plasma flux and poleward meridional winds are the dominated drivers in producing the noontime bite-outs. Modeling results show that a large upward plasma flux and poleward meridional winds make the noontime bite-outs to occur and observable over middle latitudes.     

Enhancement of solar wind low-energy energetic particles as precursor of geomagnetic disturbance in operational geomagnetic forecast

A study of the relationship between solar wind low-energy energetic particles using data from the Electron, Proton, and Alpha Monitor (EPAM) onboard the Advanced Compositional Explorer spacecraft (ACE) and geomagnetic activity using data from Canadian magnetic observatories in Canada’s polar cap, auroral zone, and subauroral zone was carried out for a period spanning 1997–2005. Full halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs) were used to gauge the initial particle enhancements and the subsequent geomagnetic activity. It was found that maximum geomagnetic activity is related to maximum particle enhancements in a non-linear fashion. Quadratic fit of the data results in expressions that can be easily used in an operational space weather setting to forecast geomagnetic disturbance quantitatively. A superposed epoch analysis shows increase in particle flux level starts hours before geomagnetic activity attains its peak, affirming the precursory nature of EPAM particles for the impending geomagnetic impact of CME. This can supplement the decision process in formulating geomagnetic warning after the launch of CME from the Sun but before the arrival of shock at Earth. The empirical relationships between solar wind low-energy energetic particles and geomagnetic activity revealed in this statistical study can be easily codified, and thus utilized in operational space weather forecast to appraise the geoeffectiveness of the CME and to provide a quantitative forecast for maximum geomagnetic activity in Canada’s polar cap, auroral zone, and subauroral zone after the occurrence of a CME.     

Modeling the solar cosmic ray event of 13 December 2006 using ground level neutron monitor data

In order to understand the physics under extreme solar conditions such as those producing ground level enhancements of solar cosmic rays, it is important to use accurate and reliable models. The NM-BANGLE Model is a new cosmic ray model which couples primary solar cosmic rays at the top of the Earth’s atmosphere with the secondary ones detected at ground level by neutron monitors during GLEs. This model calculates the evolution of several GLE parameters such as the solar cosmic ray spectrum, anisotropy and particle flux distribution, revealing crucial information on the energetic particle propagation and distribution. The total output of the NM-BANGLE Model is a multi-dimensional GLE picture that gives an important contribution to revealing the characteristics of solar energetic particle events recorded at ground level. In this work, the results of the NM-BANGLE Model application to the recent GLE of 13 December 2006 are presented and discussed. Moreover, a comparison with the extreme event of 20 January 2005 (GLE69) has been realized.     

Solar proton enhancements in different energy channels and coronal mass ejections during the last solar cycle

The main properties of 11622 coronal mass ejections (CMEs) observed by the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO) mission’s Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph (LASCO-C2) from January 1996 through December 2006 are considered. Moreover, the extended database of solar proton enhancements (SPEs) with proton flux >0.1 pfu at energy >10 MeV measured at the Earth’s orbit is also studied. A comparison of these databases gives new results concerning the sources and acceleration mechanisms of solar energetic particles. Specifically, coronal mass ejections with width >180° (wide) and linear speed >800 km/s (fast) seem they have the best correlation with solar proton enhancements. The study of some specific solar parameters, such as soft X-ray flares, sunspot numbers, solar flare index etc. has showed that the soft X-ray flares with importance >M5 may provide a reasonable proxy index for the SPE production rate. From this work, it is outlined that the good relation of the fast and wide coronal mass ejections to proton enhancements seems to lead to a similar conclusion. In spite of the fact that in the case of CMEs the statistics cover only the last solar cycle, while the measurements of SXR flares are extended over three solar cycles, it is obvious for the studied period that the coronal mass ejections can also provide a good index for the solar proton production.     

Variations in the thermosphere and ionosphere response to the 17–20 April 2002 geomagnetic storms

The responses of the thermospheric density and ionospheric foF2 to the intense magnetic storms event on 17–20 April were analyzed by using data from CHAMP/STAR and ionosonde stations respectively, and NRLMSISE-00 and IRI-2007 models were used to simulate. The models can capture the tendency of changes, especially under quiet or moderate geomagnetic conditions, but are less accurate under geomagnetic storms. The thermospheric density is sensitive to the EUV emission and geomagnetic activity, and double-peak structure appeared in the dayside. On 19 April dayside, TADs traveled toward the equator with phase speeds of the order of 300–750 m/s, interfered near the equator to produce a total density perturbation of 25%, and then passed through each other and into the opposite hemisphere. For ionospheric foF2, there are non-symmetric hemispheres’ features during the intense geomagnetic activities. In details, middle latitudes in the north and high latitudes in both hemispheres are negative ionospheric storms, and the maximum amplitudes of δfoF2$\delta \mathit{foF}2$ is about 60%, but the amplitudes decrease from the higher to lower latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. Meanwhile, the equatorial station shows positive phase, and the maximum value is about 100%. Finally, the mechanisms for these features will be discussed in this study.     

The solar cycle variation of plasma parameters in equatorial and mid latitudinal areas during 2005–2010

Based on the ISL data detected by DEMETER satellite, the solar cycle variation in electron density (Ne) and electron temperature (Te) were studied separately in local daytime 10:30 and nighttime 22:30 during 2005–2010 in the 23rd/24th solar cycles. The semi-annual, annual periods and decreasing trend with the descending solar activity were clearly revealed in Ne. At middle and high latitudes, there exhibited phase shift and even reversed annual variation over Southern and Northern hemisphere, and the annual variation amplitudes were asymmetrical at both hemispheres in local daytime. In local nighttime, the annual variations of Ne at south and north hemispheres were symmetrical at same latitudes, but the annual variation amplitudes at different latitudes differed largely, showing obviously zonal features. As for Te, the phase shift in annual variations was not as apparent as Ne with the increase of latitudes at Southern and Northern hemisphere in local daytime. While in local nighttime the reversed annual variations of Te were shown at low latitudinal areas, not at high latitudes as those in Ne. The correlation study on Ne and Te illustrated that, in local daytime, Ne and Te showed strong negative correlation at equator and low latitudes, but during the solar minimum years the correlation between Ne and Te changed to be positive at 25–30° latitudes in March 2009. The correlation coefficient R between Ne and Te also showed semi-annual periodical variations during 2005–2010. While in local nighttime, Ne and Te exhibited relatively weak positive correlation with R being about 0.6 at low latitudes, however no correlation beyond latitudes of 25° was obtained.     

Trans-ionospheric GPS signal delay gradients observed over mid-latitude Europe during the geomagnetic storms of October–November 2003

Ionospheric disturbances are known to have adverse effects on the satellite-based communication and navigation. One particular type of ionospheric effects, observed during major geomagnetic storms and threatening the integrity performance of both ground-based and space-based GNSS augmentation systems, is the sharp increase/decrease in the ionospheric delay that propagates in horizontal direction, thus called for convenience ‘moving ionospheric wall’. This paper presents preliminary results from researching such anomalous ionospheric delay gradients at European middle latitudes during the storm events of 29 October 2003 and 20 November 2003. For the purpose, 30-s GPS data from the Belgian permanent network was used for calculating and analysing the slant ionospheric delay and total electron content values. It has been found that, during these two particular storm events, substantial gradients did occur in Europe although they were not so pronounced as in the American sector.     

Solar activity and human health at middle and low geomagnetic latitudes in Central America

The study of the possible effect of solar variability on living organisms is one of the most controversial issues of present day science. It has been firstly and mainly carried on high latitudes, while at middle and low latitudes this study is rare. In the present review we focused on the work developed at middle and low geomagnetic latitudes of America. At these geomagnetic latitudes the groups consistently dedicated to this issue are mainly two, one in Cuba and the other in Mexico.     

An empirical model of electron temperature for low and middle latitudes in the 100–200 km height region

An empirical model of electron temperature (T_e) for low and middle latitudes is proposed in view of IRI. It is constructed on the basis of experimental data obtained at 100 to 200 km by probe and incoherent scatter methods. Below 150 km the model gives two T_e values: one from incoherent scatter data and another from probe measurements. The model can be used for all seasons for quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp not greater 3) and at almost all levels of solar activity (F_10.7 between 70 and 200). It is presented in an analytical form that allows one to calculate T_e profiles for different latitudes, longitudes and at any season (day). Depending on geomagnetic latitude and solar zenith angle, electron temperature distributions are presented for two heights along with T_e profile variations during the day (at middle latitudes).     

高纬度地区GPT2w模型的适应性分析

GPT2w模型是现有精度最高的天顶对流层模型，但是应用在高纬度地区时存在较大误差.为更好地保障卫星导航定位系统在高纬度地区的高精度应用，评定了GPT2w模型在高纬度地区的精度，获取天顶对流层湿延迟、干延迟和总延迟，探讨了GPT2w模型改正对精密单点定位的影响.试验结果表明: GPT2w模型在高纬度地区的精度为厘米级，优于其在中低纬度地区的精度；南北极地区天顶对流层呈现明显季节变化特征和区域一致性特征，夏季天顶对流层总延迟高于冬季，北极地区天顶对流层湿延迟明显高于南极地区，北极地区天顶对流层随季节的变化幅度大于南极地区.PPP试验结果表明，GPT2w模型能够有效改善定位精度，适应高纬度地区的高精度定位需求.      

The Lyman-alpha absorption anomaly in satellite occulation measurements as a tracer for some thermospheric composition variations

The absorption anomaly of Lyman-alpha radiation in satellite occultation experiments is known as the fact that extinction above 100 km is much stronger than absorption by atmospheric O₂ alone would explain. Additional absorption by NO or H₂O has been suggested but none has been clearly identified so far. The additional absorption occurs predominantly in middle and high latitudes of the winter hemisphere, but has also been found in equatorial latitudes. Recent measurements of NO would explain the Lyman-alpha absorption anomaly. The high densities of the additional Lyman-alpha absorber at lower latitudes could be explained by transport processes through global circulation systems of the higher thermosphere. Structural variations of the neutral gas derived from occultation measurements seem to indicate that thermospheric low pressure systems in mid latitudes modulate the transport of tracer constituents and heat energy from higher latitudes to the equator.     

平流层冬季增温及大气中的行星波

本文利用NIMBUS-7SAMS资料分析了东经100度子午线上的两个站点(67.5°N和42.5°N)在10mb和0.0827mb高度上从1978年底至1982年间的大气温度,获得几年的平流层冬季增温结果.在1978/1979年和1981年初的冬季,高纬站点几天内出现的平流层增温最大幅度可达65K.对平流层增温的谱分析结果指出,在高纬冬季平流层有很强的16天、32夭、21天周期的行星波。中纬冬季平流层增温幅度较小,约为20K.中纬的中间层高度上整年存在有5天、8天和16天的行星波。分析研究、南、北半球不同纬度的温度随经度的分布,得出高纬冬季平流层、中间层大气温度随经度有明显的变化。波数1和波数2的波有大的幅度(主要是波数1),从高纬到低纬,波幅逐渐减小在冬季的平流层和中间层大气中,波数1和波数2的行星波在短期内可强烈增强,引起平流层冬季增温。      

Atmospheric pressure variations at extratropical latitudes associated with Forbush decreases of galactic cosmic rays

Changes of troposphere pressure associated with short-time variations of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) taking place in the Northern hemisphere’s cold months (October–March) were analyzed for the period 1980–2006, NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data being used. Noticeable pressure variations during Forbush decreases of GCRs were revealed at extratropical latitudes of both hemispheres. The maxima of pressure increase were observed on the 3rd–4th days after the event onsets over Northern Europe and the European part of Russia in the Northern hemisphere, as well as on the 4th–5th days over the eastern part of the South Atlantic opposite Queen Maud Land and over the d’Urville Sea in the Southern Ocean. According to the weather chart analysis, the observed pressure growth, as a rule, results from the weakening of cyclones and intensification of anticyclone development in these areas. The presented results suggest that cosmic ray variations may influence the evolution of extratropical baric systems and play an important role in solar-terrestrial relationships.     

Seasonal variations of GPS derived TEC at three different latitudes of the southern hemisphere during geomagnetic storms

Data from the archive of the International GNSS Services (IGS) were used to study the seasonal variations of Total Electron Content (TEC) over three stations located at different latitudes in the southern hemisphere during the geomagnetic storms of 11 January, 6 April, 8 June, and 13 October 2000, representing storms that occurred in summer, autumn equinox, winter and spring equinox, respectively. The percentage TEC deviation with respect to reference values differs substantially from season to season. A strong seasonal anomaly and clear equinoctial asymmetry in TEC response to the storms were observed. Weak and short-lived positive TEC deviations as well as strong and long-lasting negative trends were observed in summer storm during the main and recovery phases respectively over the high and low latitudes whereas in winter storm, the highest positive TEC deviations was recorded during the main phase over the entire latitudes. TEC enhancement dominated all the stations during the autumn (March) equinox storm while TEC depletion was majorly observed during the spring (September) equinox. All these variations find their explanations in the thermospheric composition change and circulation. Future work with direct or modeled measurement of atomic Oxygen to molecular Nitrogen ratio (O/N₂), large number of storms and other possible factors such as variations in storm’s intensity and local time dependence of the storm onset is expected to validate the observations in this study.     

A new model of the ion composition at 75 to 1000 km for IRI

Ion composition of the ionosphere is an important parameter of any ionospheric model. The International Reference Ionosphere-1979 includes a program for the relative ion composition computation. The program was constructed on the basis of the Danilov and Semenov /1/ empirical model, which averaged 42 rocket measurements of the ion composition at middle latitudes below 200 km, on “AEROS” satellite measurements, and on Taylor's data /2/ above that altitude.     

Ionospheric parameters in the European sector during the magnetic storm of August 25–26, 2018

Variations of ionospheric parameters Total Electron Content (TEC) by GNSS, critical frequency (foF2) by vertical sounding and electron density (Ne) by low-altitude satellite were studied at high, mid and low latitudes of the European sector during the magnetic storm of August 25–26, 2018. During the main phase of the storm the ionospheric F2-layer was under the positive disturbance at mid and low latitudes. Then the transition from the positive to negative ΔfoF2 values occurred at all latitudes. The recovery phase was characterized by negative ionospheric disturbance at all latitudes. This is due to the decrease of thermospheric O/N2 ratio during the recovery phase of the storm. The intense Es layers screened the reflections from the F2-layer on August 26th at high and at low latitudes but at different times. Some blackouts occurred due to the high absorption level at high latitudes. In general, foF2 and TEC data were highly correlated. The major Ne changes were at the low latitudes. In general, Ne data confirmed the ionospheric dynamics revealed with foF2 and TEC.