Magnetic Field Fluctuations in the Solar Wind, Foreshock and Magnetosheath： Cluster Data Analysis

46 magnetosheath crossing events from the two years (2001.2-2003.1) of Cluster magnetic field measurements are identified and used to investigate the characters of the magnetic field fluctuations in the regions of undisturbed solar wind, foreshock, magnetosheath. The preliminary results indicate the properties of the plasma turbulence in the magnetosheath are strongly controlled by IMF orientation with respect to the bow shock normal. The amplitude of the magnetic field magnitude and direction variations behind quasi-parallel bow shock are larger than those behind quasi-perpendicular bow shock. Almost purely compressional waves are found in quasi-perpendicular magnetosheath.     

Dayside reconnection during IMF northward: A possible foreshock effect

The northward and southward orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is usually considered as providing the external boundary conditions in the solar wind interaction with the Earth's magnetopause but it is the magnetic field in the magnetosheath that interacts with the Earth's magnetic field. In this paper, we consider the possibility that the wave activity in the foreshock region may affect the magnetic field orientation in the magnetosheath with time scales that might be geomagnetically effective. If magnetosheath magnetic field becomes disturbed on plasma streamlines which are connected to the quasi-parallel bow shock and foreshock, the magnetic field orientation on the inner magnetosheath may differ significantly from the undisturbed IMF. We present a model of dayside reconnection which may occur when the IMF northward and illustrate its effects on the erosion of the magnetopause.     

土星磁层顶的Kelvin-Helmholtz不稳定性和磁流体表面波

本文采用可压缩磁流体力学近似并选取Voyager-1的观测数据,讨论了土星磁层顶的Kelvin-Helmholtz不稳定性和磁流体表面波.计算表明,土星磁层随星体自转同磁鞘流之间的速度差,可以在地方时午前、中午和距中午不远的午后磁层顶激发不稳定性;午前和午后区有很强的非对称性.计算所得的波的特性与观测一致.      

Furthering our understanding of electrostatic solitary waves through Cluster multispacecraft observations and theory

Nonlinear isolated electrostatic solitary waves (ESWs) are observed routinely at many of Earth’s major boundaries by the Wideband Data (WBD) plasma wave receivers that are mounted on the four Cluster satellites. The current study discusses two aspects of ESWs: their characteristics in the magnetosheath, and their propagation in the magnetosheath and in the auroral acceleration (upward current) region. The characteristics (amplitude and time duration) of ESWs detected in the magnetosheath are presented for one case in which special mutual impedance tests were conducted allowing for the determination of the density and temperature of the hot and cold electrons. These electron parameters, together with those from the ion experiment, were used as inputs to an electron acoustic soliton model as a consideration for the generation of the observed ESWs. The results from this model showed that negative potential ESWs of a few Debye lengths (10–50 m) could be generated in this plasma. Other models of ESW generation are discussed, including beam instabilities and spontaneous generation out of turbulence. The results of two types of ESW propagation (in situ and remote sensing) studies are also presented. The first involves the propagation of bipolar type ESWs from one Cluster spacecraft to another in the magnetosheath, thus obtaining the velocity and size of the solitary structures. The structures were found to be very flat, with large scale perpendicular to the magnetic field (>40 km) and small scale parallel to the field (<1 km). These results were then discussed in terms of various models which predict such flat structures to be generated. The second type of propagation study uses striated Auroral Kilometric Radiation (SAKR) bursts, observed on multiple Cluster satellites, as tracers of ion solitary waves in the upward current region. The results of all studies discussed here (pulse characteristics and ESW velocity, lifetime, and size) are compared to in situ measurements previously made on one spacecraft and to theoretical predictions for these quantities, where available. The primary conclusion drawn from the propagation studies is that the multiple spacecraft technique allows us to better assess the stability (lifetime) of ESWs, which can be as large as a few seconds, than can be achieved with single satellites.     

2004年3月13日TC-1和Cluster卫星联合观测的磁通量传输事件

分析了2004年3月13日12:15到12:25UT期间TC-1和Cluster卫星簇的磁通门磁力计(FGM)和电子/电流试验仪(PEACE)的联合观测数据.在此期间,TC-1卫星位于日下点以南的磁层顶附近的磁鞘中,并在12:19UT左右观测到了一个典型的先正后负的磁鞘磁通量传输事件(FTE);而Cluster卫星簇位于北半球日侧高纬磁层项附近,并于12:23UT左右穿出磁层顶进入磁鞘,且在12:21 UT左右也观测到了一个典型的先正后负的磁层FTE.比较分析发现此两个FTE具有类似的磁场结构和等离子体特征,可能是同一个北向运动的FTE先后被TC-1和Cluster卫星观测到.利用Cluster 4颗卫星的多点同时观测数据,采用最小方向微分法和时空微分方法,推断Cluster卫星观测的这个FTE是尺度大小约为1.21Re的准二维结构,其运动方向为东北方向,与Cooling模型预测方向基本一致.利用Cooling模型的预测,推算了TC-1卫星在12:19UT观测的FTE的运动速度和尺度,进而得出随着通量管的极向运动,其速度和尺度均有所增加.     

Plasma flow variations and energetic protons upstream of the earth’s bow shock: A statistical study

Foreshock is a special region located upstream of the Earth’s bow shock characterized by the presence of various plasma waves and fluctuations caused by the interaction of the solar wind plasma with particles reflected from the bow shock or escaping from the magnetosphere. On the other hand, foreshock fluctuations may modify the bow shock structure and, being carried through the magnetosheath, influence the magnetopause. During the years 1995–2000, the INTERBALL-1 satellite made over 10,000 hours of plasma and energetic particles measurements in the solar wind upstream of the Earth’s bow shock. We have sorted intervals according to the level of solar wind ion flux fluctuations and/or according to the flux of back-streaming energetic protons. An analysis of connection between a level of ion flux fluctuations and fluxes of high-energy protons and their relation to the IMF orientation is presented.     

时频分析在超声导波信号分析中的应用

超声导波信号是一种非平稳信号,存在频散现象,利用传统的时域和频域分析方法不能揭示其频谱随时间变化的特点.为了解决这一问题,研究了导波信号的非平稳特征,介绍了短时傅里叶变换(STFT,Short-Time Fourier Transform)时频分析原理,分别对铝板试样和蜂窝板试样内传播的导波信号进行了STFT和时频谱分析,得出了铝板内导波信号中各频率成分随时间的变化情况,分析出导波信号的模式转换现象,比较精确地计算了导波的群速度;对于蜂窝板内的导波信号,由于能量泄露比较严重,当激励频率为1.5MHz时,A0模式只能近距离传播,这就使得采用STFT不能很好地进行模式识别.研究结果表明,当导波传播距离较远时,利用STFT可以对其信号进行动态的频谱分析和模式识别,并可对实际的群速度进行较精确的测量.     

磁鞘快速流引起的磁层顶凹陷事件

最近研究表叽磁层顶凹陷对磁层-电离层耦合具有重要作用.但是,磁层顶凹陷现象的确认需要多颗卫星的联合观测,目前为止报道的磁层顶凹陷事例非常少.本文利用THEMIS 5颗卫星的联合观测结果,分析了一例由磁鞘快速流引起的磁层顶凹陷事件.2007年7月21日10:00UT-10:45UT,位于日下点磁层顶附近的THEMIS卫星...     

Magnetospheric and ionospheric manifestations of interplanetary foreshocks

The geometry of a typical interplanetary shock front in the vicinity of the Earth’s orbit predicts that the leading edge of the foreshock region comes into contact with the magnetosphere a few hours ahead of geomagnetic sudden impulses (SI). There is reason to believe that the interaction of the magnetosphere with the foreshock leads to magnetic and ionospheric disturbances, which can be detected by ground-based instruments. We searched for specific precursors of SIs in data from the Scandinavian riometer network and in the short period geomagnetic pulsation data from mid-latitude magnetometers. We found that SIs were preceded by the following three features: (1) an increase in riometric absorption, (2) excitation of Pcl magnetic pulsations and (3) a spectral broadening of the Pc3 magnetic pulsations. Our observations may be useful for the study of acceleration processes in the solar wind. These observations are also of potential forecasting interest.     

Generation mechanisms of the ELF-ULF waves related to the flux transfer events

Satellite observations near the magnetopause and within the magnetosheath revealed the existence of some structures characterised by specific magnetic field and plasma signatures. They have been called “Flux Transfer Events”. One of the models of FTEs is a reconnected fluxtube, extending from the inner magnetosphere into the magnetosheath. ELF-ULF waves are often observed in together with other FTE's signatures. Wideband emissions are associated with the boundaries of FTEs with characteristic maxima at lower hybrid and ion-cyclotron frequencies. They provide a tool for better timing of the events. These emissions might also be related to the reconnection process. Observations of FTE's by Prognoz-8 satellite are presented in our paper. Wave signatures of the FTEs are described. Various mechanisms of generation of the emissions by instabilities depending on local plasma conditions are discussed along with non-local aspects of such waves. Numerical solutions of the dispersion equation for the typical conditions in FTEs are presented. Possible relation of these waves to the reconnection process are discussed.     

镜模波识别方法研究及其在火星磁鞘中的应用

镜模波是温度各向异性等离子体中的一种波动结构,根据磁场和离子分布及波动特性可以进行识别.本文对比了只使用磁场数据与同时使用磁场及离子数据两种识别方法,分析了两类方法的特点.只使用磁场数据的方法基于磁场强度变化大、方向沿背景磁场的特征,通常使用磁场强度的波动幅度ΔB/|B|以及磁场变化方向与背景磁场的夹角θ_min,θ_max作为参数;同时使用磁场及粒子数据的方法利用的是磁场纵波特性、总压平衡和波动在等离子体坐标系下静止的特征.使用两种方法对MAVEN卫星在火星磁鞘内的数据进行识别,结果表明在某些情况下,只使用磁场数据会导致对镜模波的误判.通过研究改变上述参数阈值时识别结果的变化,发现当θ_min> 40°,θ_max < 40°,ΔB/|B|> 80%时,只用磁场数据可取得较好的识别效果.      

Gravity wave propagation studies using the Indian MST radar observations

The Indian MST radar facility at Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E) has been utilised to study the propagation of gravity waves from the troposphere/lower stratosphere to the mesosphere and their interaction with the radar backscattered signal variations. The main objective is to correlate vertically propagating gravity waves derived from the tropospheric velocity fields with the dynamics of mesospheric scattering centres. The tropospheric wind velocities and signal strengths over the entire height range have been subjected to power spectral and wavelet analysis to determine the predominant wave periods/amplitudes and the coupling between the lower atmosphere and mesosphere. Results show that (a) the gravity waves are clearly detectable near tropopause heights, (b) while relatively higher period gravity waves (20–50 min) interact with mesospheric scattering centres, the lower period waves (<20 min) are absorbed in the troposphere itself, (c) the mesospheric scattering layers are affected by gravity waves of complementary periods.     

Mirror structures in the magnetosheath: 3D structures on plane waves

Mirror mode oscillations are often observed in the magnetosheath. According to linear, kinetic theory, these waves do not propagate in the plasma rest frame and posses a linear polarisation. However, observations of these waves show them to exhibit a non-planar polarisation. Using data collected by the AMPTE-UKS satellite on 21^st September, 1984, this paper investigates the nature of these waves using the variance analysis technique to determine the polarisation and maximum/minimum variance directions. The results show that the individual oscillations do indeed posses non-planar characteristics and the variation in the maximum/minimum variance directions indicates that these oscillations are in fact 3D structures propagating with the plasma rather than a 2D plane wave.     

Gravity waves generated by thunderstorms: South-East Asia tropical region study

Gravity waves are recognized as an integral part of earth’s atmosphere which are mainly responsible for energy and momentum distribution among different layers and regions in the atmosphere. Various sources present in land, ocean, and atmosphere such as mountains, convection, jets and fronts etc. are responsible for gravity waves generation. Thunderstorms (deep convection) are one of the major sources of gravity waves in the tropical region, capable of generating waves with a wide range of frequencies and scales and significantly affecting the existing waves. Previous numerical studies have characterised the wave properties that are generated from thunderstorms, but there are no statistically quantified studies. In this paper, we have modelled the relationship between the latent heat generated inside a thunderstorm and the gravity wave properties at the geo-collocated points. Gravity waves are identified over Singapore radiosonde station (with data available until 30?km altitude with 12?h temporal resolution) in the stratosphere using wavelet studies. Based on the GROGRAT ray tracing methods to identify the thunderstorm locations, and RAMS cloud-resolving models simulations to obtain the latent heating of the thunderstorm, a regression analysis is performed using 200 cases of gravity waves. Furthermore, cloud-top momentum flux analysis is performed for various cases latent heat. This study is expected to provide more quantified and concrete information on the coupling between the thunderstorm and gravity wave which includes the variance in these relationships due to wave frequency spectrum and generation mechanisms.     

Alfven波在微电离大气中的衰减特性研究

利用简单的偶极子地磁场模型以及大气电子密度和电导率模式, 分析地面产生的磁扰动以Alfven波的模式传播到近地空间区域. 这种地面的磁扰动可能干扰近地空间卫星对空间磁扰动的观测. 通过对地面磁扰动Alfven波模式1000 km高度内的衰减情况进行模拟, 认为在近地空间采用地磁偶极子模型是合理的. 由于衰减随扰动频率的增大而急剧增强, 分析还得到了近地卫星能够探测到地面磁扰动的最大频率. 计算结果表明, Alfven波的衰减主要集中在高度50 km以下, 这个区域内的大气电导率极其微弱, 使Alfven波的传播受到极大衰减. 0.4 Hz以下的Alfven波沿磁力线传播到1000 km高度后衰减结为原来扰动幅度的千分之一, 因此频率在0.4 Hz以下的Alfven波可能会干扰低轨卫星探测磁场脉动.      

1980年中层大气温度波空间特征的初步分析

利用1980年Nimbus-7卫星网络点资料(温度场)对中层大气行星波的空间结构进行诊断和分析后发现,行星波扰动主要集中于冬半球,夏半球及赤道地区上空的扰动则相对较弱,但也不可忽视.冬半球行星波扰动中的瞬变波部分可以跨过赤道向夏半球传播,且传播主要集中于20kin和70km两个高度层附近.波数1冬季以准定常行里波为主,夏季瞬变行星波与准定常行星波波幅相当.行星波扰动的波幅从冬到夏的衰减主要表现在波数1和波数2上,波数3变化不大.      

Interaction of Rossby waves with the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio using altimetry in a framework of a vortex layer model

In this paper, we show the potential of satellite altimetry to study the interaction of Rossby waves with the shear flow. The Miles-Ribner approach, which was developed in gas dynamics in the 1960 s, is used to describe Rossby waves interacting with the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio areas. The region of interaction is approximated by a nonzonal vortex layer. We apply the main formulations of the problem of a nonzonal vortex layer on the β-plane in the formulation of Miles-Ribner to observations in the real ocean. Earlier, we showed that the interaction of waves with a nonzonal flow gives rise to a new class of solutions, which is absent in the case of a zonal flow. This new class of solutions can be interpreted as the pure emission of Rossby waves by the nonzonal flow. We apply this theoretical approach to the areas of the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio as well. We use for analysis altimetry data available at Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service. The analysis of Hovmöller diagrams in the areas under consideration confirms the previously obtained theoretical conclusions of the problem of the interaction of planetary waves with a nonzonal flow on the β-plane in the formulation of Miles-Ribner. The incident waves, as well as refracted and reflected waves are distinguished. The speed of refracted and reflected waves exceeds the speed of incident waves, which confirms the conclusions about the existence of mechanisms for the amplification of planetary waves when they interact with a nonzonal flow.     

The evolution of mirror type magnetic fluctuations in the magnetosheath based on multipoint observations

Two orbits were selected in January–February 2006 when the separation between the Cluster spacecraft was large and mirror type magnetic field fluctuations were observed by all spacecraft in different regions of the terrestrial magnetosheath. Minimum variance analysis was applied to find the mirror type fluctuations, and the amplitude of the fluctuations was determined individually. Mirror mode structures are moving along the streamlines frozen in the plasma. A model was developed for the calculation of plasma flowtime from the bow shock to the observation point. The growth rate of the field strength perturbations was estimated by comparing the amplitudes of fluctuations observed simultaneously at distant locations (∼10,000 km) based on the assumption that δB ∼ exp(γt). The obtained growth rate values were about an order of magnitude smaller than those provided by linear models and they decreased in the inner regions of the magnetosheath, indicating some saturation in the growth of the waves when proceeding towards the magnetopause. The results of these two case studies suggest that mirror type fluctuations originate from the compression region downstream of the quasi-perpendicular bow shock, and the growth of the fluctuations cannot be described by linear approximations.     

星载全球大气波动成像仪研究

在卫星上对中间层顶区域的气辉辐射成像观测, 对于全球大气波动的监测和研究具有重要的意义. 利用TDICCD对O₂A (0-0)气辉进行成像观测, 计算了曝光积分时间、信噪比和能达到的最高空间分辨率, 分析了地球自转对空间分辨率的影响, 在此基础上提出一种星载全球大气波动成像仪方案, 该方案可以观测垂直波长大于10km的大气波动, 最高水平分辨率可以达到0.33km.