三维试验粒子轨道法在磁层粒子全球输运中的应用

根据磁层粒子动力学理论, 通过偶极磁场模型验证利用三维试验粒子轨道方法模拟近地球区(r < 8R_e)带电粒子运动特征的可靠性. 在此基础上, 以太阳风和磁层相互作用的全球MHD模拟结果为背景, 利用三维试验粒子轨道方法, 对非磁暴期间南向行星际磁场背景下太阳风离子注入磁层的情形进行数值模拟, 并对北向行星际磁场背景下太阳风离子注入极尖区以及内磁层的几种不同情形进行了单粒子模拟. 模拟结果反映了南向和北向行星际磁场离子向磁层的几种典型输入过程, 揭示出行星际磁场南向时太阳风粒子在磁层内密度分布的晨昏不对称性以及其在磁鞘和磁层内的大致分布, 并得出统计规律. 模拟结果与理论预测和观测结论相一致, 且通过数值模拟发现, 行星际磁场北向时靠近极尖区附近形成的非典型磁镜结构对于能量粒子经由极尖区注入环电流区域过程有重要的影响和作用.      

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.     

太阳风向磁层输入电磁能量研究

利用全球磁流体力学（MHD）模拟结果,通过确立包含磁层顶的太阳风流线内边界来识别三维磁层顶位形,并以极尖区位置作为磁层顶日侧与夜侧的分界线,在此基础上定量研究了不同条件下穿过磁层顶向磁层内输入的电磁能量. 研究发现,磁层顶的能量传输与太阳风条件密切相关,磁重联是控制电磁能量传输的重要机制. 结果表明,当IMF（行星际磁场）南向时,极尖区后方的磁尾附近存在电磁能输入最大值,当IMF北向时,电磁能输入最大值发生在极尖区附近;南向IMF条件下,在IMF强度增大或太阳风密度增大时,磁层顶电磁能传输的电磁能量比北向IMF条件时增加更显著. 太阳风通过调节磁层顶面积间接影响到磁层顶能量传输大小. 研究还发现,北向IMF与南向IMF条件下穿过磁层顶的电磁能输入的比值范围约为10%～30%,此比值一定程度上反映了北、南方向IMF与地磁场磁重联效率的比值.      

基于MHD模拟数据的正午午夜子午面磁层顶位形研究

通过分析太阳风-磁层-电离层系统的三维全球磁流体力学(MHD)模型的计算数据, 给出了正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形的定量模型. 分析表明, 正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形可以用文献[3]提出的基于卫星观测数据的、描述赤道面磁层顶位形的函数来描述. 与赤道面磁层顶不同, 正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形更为复杂. 在忽略极尖区(cusp)的简化条件下, 磁层顶位形仍需利用两条曲线来拟合. 太阳风动压Dp与行星际磁场分量Bz是控制磁层顶位形的主要因素. 行星际磁场为北向时, 磁场增强, 日下点距离r0增大; 行星际磁场为南向时, 磁场增强, 磁层顶日下点距离r0减小. 整体而言, 行星际磁场分量Bz由南转北时, r0增大, 且Bz对r0的影响减弱. 太阳风动压Dp是控制磁层顶日下点的主要因素, Dp增大, r0减小. 磁层顶位形的另一个参数磁层顶磁尾张角α, 随着行星际磁场南向分量增强而增大, 即磁层顶张开程度更加显著, 更多的磁通量由向阳侧传输到夜侧; Dp增大, α略增大, 这意味着Dp对磁通量由日侧向夜侧的传输也有一定的贡献.      

关于磁层中磁力线几何结构的研究

磁层磁场的几何结构是空间物理中的重要研究内容.本文采用曲率半径分析方法,结合Cluster立体探测的相关知识和背景,利用Cluster立体探测的优势,通过对Cluster 2001年的立体探测数据的研究,分析了磁层各区域的磁力线结构,包括背阳面、Cusp区以及昏侧,得出各区域中磁力线的曲率半径大小,曲率矢量以及磁力线密切面的法线矢量的方向.利用这些参量直接确定出该区域中磁力线的空间几何构型,进而揭示了该区域磁场的三维立体结构.所得结果也验证了曲率半径分析方法的正确性.在科学探测数据完备的情况下,将这一研究方法应用到磁层中其他所有区域,可以得到整个磁层的详细三维结构模型,这具有重要的科学意义.      

TC-1和Cluster对向阳侧磁层顶通量传输事件的联合观测研究

2004年2至4月期间,探测一号(TC-1)卫星和Cluster卫星有25次同时处在向阳侧磁层顶附近的磁鞘内,TC-1卫星在低纬区,Cluster卫星在中高纬区.利用这一期间两卫星探测到的27个通量传输事件(FTE),分析行星际磁场(IMF)横向分量BT={By,Bz}对磁层顶重联发生位置的影响,以及分量重联的观测事实,得到如下主要结果.(1)当IMF南向分量Bz占优势(|Bz|＞|By|)时,FTE大多(约占87.5%)能在低纬观测到,而当IMF By分量占优势(|Bz|＜|By|)时,则FTE大部分能在中高纬观测到(占84.2%);(2)很少观测到相关联的事件(关联事件指在低纬生成的FTE,向高纬运动中先后被TC-1卫星和Cluster卫星探测到的事件),表明在低纬形成的FTE可能大多沿磁层顶两侧滑向磁尾,只有少数可能运动到高纬地区;(3)中纬地区探测到的FTE大多是以分量重联方式产生于该区,而非来自磁赤道附近成对形成的FTE.      

磁层顶附近流场剪切度的确定

磁层顶附近的流场剪切度与磁层顶附近能量转换的程度有关.很多磁层顶数值模拟用到流场剪切度这个输入参数,但一直是假设的.本文利用Cluster多卫星同时观测数据及独特的时空分辨功能,采用线性插值和重心坐标的方法确定了磁层顶附近流场的剪切度.通过对晨侧和昏侧磁层顶及附近磁层磁鞘流场剪切度的真实空间分布的研究结果表明,在平静的太阳风条件和地磁条件下磁层顶附近流场剪切度有时也很大,可达每百公里330 km/s的相对速度差.但在很多情况下流场是弱剪切的,在上千公里的距离上只有每秒几十公里的相对速度差.本文确定流场剪切度的方法可以推广用来确定任一位置的流场剪切度.      

行星际磁场时钟角与地球磁层开放磁通的关系

地球磁层开放磁通F_pc是研究磁层动力学过程的重要参数之一,其与日侧和夜侧磁尾的磁场重联具有密切关系. 日侧重联率控制稳定状态下磁层开放磁通的大小,主要受各种太阳风条件的影响. 其中,行星际磁场（IMF）的时钟角是影响日侧重联率的一个重要因素. 通过全球MHD模拟,研究了行星际磁场时钟角θ_c与地球磁层开放磁通F_pc 之间的关系. 结果表明,开放磁通F_pc随着行星际磁场时钟角 θ_c逐渐接近180°（纯南向）而逐渐增加,两者之间的关系近似为F_pc∝sin3/2（θ_c/2）. 由于表征行星际磁场与地球磁场剪切程度的θ_c影响日侧重联率,从而控制F_pc,该关系反映了二者之间的物理联系.      

磁壳参数L与磁暴Dst指数和行星际条件的关系

用磁坐标L-/A来描述地球近地空间粒子特性和卫星位置是近年来空间物理探测研究和数据分析中的一个新趋势.利用T96磁场模型计算了L值,并比较了在地球磁层剧烈活动期间和不同行星际条件下,用偶极子模型,国际参照磁场(IGRF)模型,和T96磁场模型这三种方式计算得到的地球表面L-A磁坐标之间的区别.在地磁纬度大于30°时偶极子近似和IGRF磁场模型计算得到的L值差别开始增大.在地磁纬度大于50°时,用IGRF磁场模型和T96磁场模型计算得到的L值差别开始增大.由于T96磁场模型引入了行星际磁场南北和东西分量,计算的L值包含了行星际条件的影响,并具有了随地方时变化的特性.本工作对于辐射带粒子动态模式的建立,以及正确理解卫星磁坐标位置等具有重要意义.     

基于嫦娥一号高能粒子数据的地球磁层屏蔽效应研究

月球绕地球运行轨道约有1/4位于地球磁层内,因此,地球磁层是否会为月球轨道附近高能粒子提供足够的磁场屏蔽对于探索月球活动具有重要影响.嫦娥一号是中国首颗绕月人造卫星,其绕月飞行的工作轨道距离月球表面200 km.通过对嫦娥一号高能粒子探测器(HPD)的探测数据进行分析,比较了当月球位于地球磁层内外6个不同能道(能量范围4～400 MeV)时质子通量的变化,发现当月球位于地球磁层内时,这些能道的质子通量并没有发生显著减少,结果表明地球磁层不能为月球轨道附近高能粒子提供显著的磁屏蔽.     

火星空间大尺度电流体系分布特征

在MHD模型基础上, 对火星空间环境的电流分布进行了模拟. 结果表明, 火星空间存在着弓激波电流、磁堆积区电流、电离层电流和磁尾电流. 弓激波电流在激波曲面上均由北向南自成体系, 电流密度在弓激波顶区域较大. 在向阳面磁堆积区边界电流与电离层电流彼此耦合形成完整的回路, 在背阳面磁堆积区边界电流与磁尾中心电流片耦合形成完整的回路.      

行星际磁场北向时磁层顶区磁场重联的全球模式

在对背阳面磁层顶区局域磁场重联模拟的基础上提出了一个行星际磁场北向时磁层顶磁场重联的全球模式。行星际磁场北向时碰层顶磁场重联导致近地尾瓣的能量被输送到远磁尾,太阳风能量不在磁尾储存,向阳面磁层顶变厚,磁层受到一系列扰动。      

地球磁场对太阳风扰动响应的研究

分别对行星际激波、太阳风动压增大事件和减小事件的地球磁场响应进行了比较. 分析结果表明, 同步轨道磁场对太阳风扰动在向阳面产生较强的正响应, 在背阳面 响应较弱且有时会出现负响应, 地磁指数SYM-H对太阳风扰动的响应为正响应. 同时还得出, 向阳侧同步轨道磁场响应幅度d Bz与地磁指数响应幅度d SYM-H、上下游动压均方差均具有较好的相关性. 地磁指数响应幅度与同步轨道磁场响应幅度相关关系在激波和动压增大事件中具有一致性, 动压减小事件出 现明显差异, 这说明激波和动压增大事件在影响地球磁场方面具有某种共性.      

Propagation of interplanetary shocks into the Earth’s magnetosphere

This paper is devoted to the study of propagation of disturbances caused by interplanetary shocks (IPS) through the Earth’s magnetosphere. Using simultaneous observations of various fast forward shocks by different satellites in the solar wind, magnetosheath and magnetosphere from 1995 till 2002, we traced the interplanetary shocks into the Earth’s magnetosphere, we calculated the velocity of their propagation into the Earth’s magnetosphere and analyzed fronts of the disturbances. From the onset of disturbances at different satellites in the magnetosphere we obtained speed values ranging from 500 to 1300 km/s in the direction along the IP shock normal, that is in a general agreement with results of previous numerical MHD simulations. The paper discusses in detail a sequence of two events on November 9th, 2002. For the two cases we estimated the propagation speed of the IP shock caused disturbance between the dayside and nightside magnetosphere to be 590 km/s and 714–741 km/s, respectively. We partially attributed this increase to higher Alfven speed in the outer magnetosphere due to the compression of the magnetosphere as a consequence of the first event, and partially to the faster and stronger driving interplanetary shock. High-time resolution GOES magnetic field data revealed a complex structure of the compressional wave fronts at the dayside geosynchronous orbit during these events, with initial very steep parts (10 s). We discuss a few possible mechanisms of such steep front formation in the paper.     

行星际激波导致的磁尾等离子片中ULF波动事件

磁层中的超低频（ULF）波动在太阳风和磁层之间的能量输运过程中具有重要作用.ULF波动主要发生在内磁层，且内磁层中ULF波动影响粒子的加速及沉降，而在夜侧磁层尤其是磁尾等离子片中观测到的ULF波动比较少.基于中国自主磁层探测卫星TC-1的观测数据，发现了两例行星际激波导致的磁尾中心等离子片中ULF波动事件，并发现这两例ULF事例都包含很强的环向模驻波分量，与以往THEMIS卫星报道的同类事件观测特征相符.根据ULF波的观测特征，分析了这两例ULF波动的可能触发机制.研究结果有助于深入理解磁层对行星际激波的全球响应.      

Application of an MHD simulation to the study of substorms

The substorm mechanism is studied by the numerical solutions obtained from a resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation. After a southward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the simulation results reproduce observed features of the growth phase. The numerical solutions show that the plasma sheet thinning during the growth phase is formed under the dynamic balance between the flux pileup from the midtail and the flux removal toward the dayside controlled by the convection in the magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) coupling system. After the growth phase, dipolarization is generated in the near-earth tail accompanied by a plasma injection into the inner magnetosphere, the formation of plasmoid in the midtail, and the enhancement of the nightside field-aligned currents (FACs). The direct cause of this onset is the state (phase space) transition of the convection system from a thinned state to a dipolarized state associated with a self-organization in the nonlinear system.     

Electron densities and temperatures in the Venus ionosphere: Effects of solar EUV,solar wind pressure and magnetic field

The Venus ionosphere is influenced by variations in both solar EUV flux and solar wind conditions. On the dayside the location of the topside of the ionosphere, the ionopause, is controlled by solar wind dynamic pressure. Within the dayside ionosphere, however, electron density is affected mainly by solar EUV variations, and is relatively unaffected by solar wind variations and associated magnetic fields induced within the ionosphere. The existence of a substantial nightside ionosphere of Venus is thought to be due to the rapid nightward transport of dayside ionospheric plasma across the terminator. Typical solar wind conditions do not strongly affect this transport and consequently have little direct influence on nightside ionospheric conditions, except on occasions of extremely high solar wind dynamic pressure. However, both nightside electron density and temperature are affected by the presence of magnetic field, as in the case of ionospheric holes.     

How to address the accuracy of empirical magnetic field models?

Empirical magnetic field models are compared with high-altitude magnetic field measurements and results from an MHD simulation. Comparison of the T96 model and observations from GOES-8 and GOES-9 shows that if the observed solar wind and IMF parameters are used to compute the model field, the model field is more stretched than the observed field. On the other hand, if measurements made by one spacecraft are used to find the model parameters that give a best-fit field at that location, the RMS error can be reduced also at the other spacecraft four hours away in local time. Comparison of T96 model and MHD simulation results shows that the empirical models have a thinner current sheet than the MHD simulation, but that the lobe field values are quite similar to each other. Furthermore, a comparison of an event-oriented, modified T89 model and MHD simulation by Pulkkinen et al. [2000] reveals that if the empirical model is constructed by fitting to in-situ measurements, the resulting model is very similar to the MHD simulation magnetic field. These results indicate that an efficient method of utilizing the present-day empirical models is to select model parameters based on measurements from a few individual points.     

Magnetopause poleward of the cusp: Comparison of plasma and magnetic signature of the boundary for southward and northward directed interplanetary magnetic field

A coherent data set of high-latitude dayside magnetopause encounters by old (Heos 2, Hawkeye, Prognoz 7, 8) and new (Polar, Interball Tail, Cluster) spacecraft is needed to build a realistic model of the magnetopause (MP) including an indentation in the cusp. In building such a coherent data set a caution is necessary as the dayside magnetopause at high-latitudes may be less clearly defined than in the case of observations at low latitudes. It is due to expected presence of bundles of newly-reconnected magnetic field lines forming an extended boundary layer on the magnetosheath (MS) side of the magnetopause in the cusp region. Moreover, numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction predict that under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) an additional thin current sheet should form inside the magnetopause at high latitudes on the dayside (e.g., Wu, 1983; Palmroth et al., 2001). Such a thin currect sheet is absent in empirical magnetosphere models. This internal current sheet, if a real one, may be mistaken for the magnetopause if magnetic field data are only taken into account and/or plasma data are unavailable. The Interball-Tail orbit allows for a full transition of magnetopause boundary layers at high-latitudes. We compare plasma and magnetic field signatures of the magnetopause poleward of the cusp for southward and northward IMF. The distance between the magnetic signature of the magnetopause (the current layer) and a cold and laminarly antisunward flowing MS plasma (so called free-flow MS) was found to be 0.5 to 1 R_E, at least. These observations were made under nominal solar wind of v350 km/s and p_dyn=1 to 4 nPa. We also observed several transient magnetic field reversals in the cusp related to pulses of solar wind dynamic pressure and/or the IMF discontinuity arrival. These transient reversals occurred at the same distance to the model MP as well defined full MP crossing, so most probably they represent just short encounters with the magnetopause current layer. Our analysis suggests that an indentation of the magnetopause with a subtle structure dependent on the local magnetic shear would explain and allow to predict the magnetic configuration in the high-altitude cusp.