从多站观测研究电离层主槽特性

本文利用位于不变纬度∧=46°—70°S之间的四个电离层站的观测数据,分析了电离层主糟的基本特性.分析结果表明,电离层主槽有如下特征:(1)槽在冬季夜间出现较为明显,春秋季夜间较弱,夏季夜间和所有季节的白天均观测不到;(2)槽的特点有二,一是其电子密度异常地低,二是层的虚高有较大的增加;(3)槽的极向壁较稳定,且有较陡峭的电子密度梯度,而槽的赤道向壁较多变,电子密度梯度较平缓;(4)槽出现的主要时段是在20:00—03:00(LT),在此期间,槽处于不断的变化和运动之中.      

The subauroral electron density trough: Comparison between satellite observations and IRI-2007 model estimates

We compare electron density predictions of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2007) model with in situ measurements of the satellites CHAMP and GRACE for the years from 2005 to 2010 over the subauroral regions. The electron density between 58° and 68° Mlat are considered. The trough region Ne peaks during local summers and attain the valley during local winter. Around −100°E and 60°E, two larger electron density sectors features can be seen in both hemispheres during all three seasons, which attributed to the electron extending from middle latitude to trough region. From 2005 to the beginning of 2010, the model overestimates the trough region Ne by 20% on average and the decrease of Ne in this region can also be seen during the last solar minimum. In the southern hemisphere, the model prediction shows quite well consistence with the observation during all three seasons while the huge difference between observations and model estimation implies that the IRI-2007 model needs significant improvement to predict better the trough region in northern hemisphere.     

Comparison between HF propagation and DEMETER satellite measurements within the mid-latitude trough

The morphology of the auroral, sub-auroral and mid-latitude trough region of the ionosphere is strongly dependent on the interplanetary magnetic field and the level of geomagnetic activity. Changes in the morphology impact on the characteristics of HF signals propagating through these regions of the ionosphere. In order to develop a better understanding of these effects, a number of experiments have recently been undertaken in which the time of flight and direction of arrival of HF signals have been measured over several paths aligned along the mid-latitude trough. In addition, observations made by the DEMETER satellite of the mid-latitude trough electron density structure, dynamics and wave activity were used in order to investigate the effect of the fine structure of the ionosphere on HF signals. For two types of relatively common night time HF time of flight and azimuth of arrival behaviour (referred to here and elsewhere as ‘Type 1’ and ‘Type 2’ propagation), the signal behaviour is consistent with scatter from irregularities in the auroral region in the one case, and from irregularities present on the floor of the trough in the other.     

The high-latitude ionosphere structure on 22 March, 1979 magnetic storm from multi-satellite and ground-based observation

Variations in the high-latitude ionosphere structure during March 22, 1979 geomagnetic storm are examined. Electron density Ne and temperature Te from the Cosmos-900 satellite, NmF2, Ne and He⁺ from the ISS-b satellite, precipitation of soft electrons from the Intercosmos-19 satellite, and the global picture of the auroral electron precipitation from the DMSP, TIROS and P78 satellites are used. These multi-satellite databases allow us to investigate the storm-time variations in the locations of the following ionospheric structures: the day-time cusp, the equatorial boundary of the diffuse auroral precipitation (DPB), the main ionospheric trough (MIT), the day-time trough, the ring ionospheric trough (RIT) and the light ions trough (LIT). The variations in NmF2, Ne, He⁺ and Te in the high-latitude ionosphere for the different local time sectors are analyzed also. The features of the high-latitude ionospheric response to a strong magnetic storm are described.     

The occurrence of the mid-latitude ionospheric trough in GPS-TEC measurements

Simultaneous GPS observations from about 150 stations of European Permanent Network (EPN) have been used for studying dynamics of latitudinal profiles and structure of mid-latitude ionospheric trough (MIT). For the analyses, the TEC maps over Europe were created with high spatial and temporal resolution. The latitudinal profiles were produced from TEC maps with one-hour interval for geographic latitude range from 35N to 75N. The structure of latitudinal profiles relates to the occurrence of the ionospheric trough. The location of the trough depends on season, local time, and both geophysical and geomagnetic conditions. The trough structure in GPS-TEC demonstrates a smooth shape. The trough occurrence as a distinguished structure is more distinct during winter. The relation of TEC in the trough minimum to the equator and polar walls amounted to a factor of 2–4.     

Spatial coherence and electromagnetic wave generation during electron beam experiments in space

A two-dimensional electromagnetic simulation model is used to investigate the production of whistler waves in connection with electron beam experiments in space. The spectrum is observed to peak near 0.7 ω_e, and the conversion efficiency of beam energy to whistler waves is about 5 × 10⁻⁵. The whistlers can be trapped in a density trough extending out from the spacecraft and experience ducted propagation.     

Theoretical simulation of electron density and temperature distribution at Indian equatorial and low latitude ionosphere

The electron density and temperature distribution of the equatorial and low latitude ionosphere in the Indian sector has been investigated by simultaneously solving the continuity, momentum and energy balance equations of ion and electron flux along geomagnetic field lines from the Northern to the Southern hemisphere. Model algorithm is presented and results are compared with the electron density and electron temperature measured in situ by Indian SROSS C2 satellite at an altitude of ∼500 km within 31°S–34°N and 75 ± 10°E that covers the Indian sector during a period of low solar activity. Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) observed in electron density, morning and afternoon enhancements, equatorial trough in electron temperature have been simulated by the model within reasonable limits of accuracy besides reproducing other normal diurnal features of density and temperature.     

High-resolution, coupled thermosphere–ionosphere models for space weather applications

Current first-principles global models of the coupled thermosphere–ionosphere (T–I) system use grids that are too coarse to simulate the mesoscale and small-scale structures that occur in this complex system. These small-scale and mesoscale structures have a great effect on global-scale neutral and plasma distributions and have important consequences for daily space weather. In this paper, we present a new first-principles, high-resolution, T–I nested grid (TING) polar cap model that incorporates multiple nesting levels and two-way interaction. The TING model simulation of the electron densities and temperatures demonstrates the importance of high spatial resolution. It is found that both the mid-latitude electron density trough and its associated dawn electron temperature peak are more pronounced and structured in the nested grid than in the coarse grid. Using the TING model to simulate ionospheric F₂ region electron density variations with geomagnetic activity and universal time (UT) is also discussed.     

Observations of electron density in the solar corona during sunspot minimum and global electric currents around the sun

The observed difference in electron density between the equatorial plane and the polar direction is compared for three empirical distributions: the Allen distribution, the Saito distribution, and the Saito-Munro-Jackson distribution. It is shown that from 1.5R_o to 5R_o the observed difference in electron density is sufficient to result in a global azimuthal electric current flow around the sun. The dependence of the calculated current density on the radial distance and solar latitude is discussed.     

Probing afternoon detached aurora and high-latitude trough based on DMSP observations

The present work displays the observations of an afternoon detached aurora along with ionospheric high-latitude trough. The event was observed by DMSP F17 on 19 September 2014. The afternoon detached aurora was isolated from the auroral oval and was located between 12:00–18:00 magnetic local time (MLT) and 65–70° geomagnetic latitude (MLAT). Particle observations indicate that the afternoon detached aurora was produced by energetic ring current ions with energies above ~10 keV where the main ion energy was likely to be above the upper limit of DMSP measurement (~30 keV). Magnetometer observation from the ground implies that the energetic ions were likely scattered by EMIC waves. Both the detached aurora and the auroral oval are found to be well inside the high-latitude trough with MLAT between ~64° and ~76° (68–80° GLAT). The auroral oval corresponds to a westward (sunward) plasma drift. It is expected that the westward drift transports the low-density plasma in the nightside toward the dayside, leading to the high-latitude trough formation. The afternoon detached aurora was well equatorward of the high-latitude trough, and the corresponding plasma drift was nearly zero. The plasma associated with the detached aurora is expected to be stagnant, and broaden the high-latitude trough equatorward.     

Beam-plasma discharge in near rocket region

The model of beam-plasma discharge near the rocket following electron beam injection into the ionosphere is presented. The dependence of discharge plasma density on neutral atmosphere concentration and beam parameters is found. Radioemission and luminiscence intensities from discharge are estimated. The model is consistent with the data of ARAKS and “Zarnitsa-2” experiments.     

IMF effect on ionospheric trough occurrence at equinoxes

Previous observations have shown that there is a relationship between the F region trough and both B_z and B_y components of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Since IMF governs the polar cap convection, we investigate here if this relationship can be explained by means of polar cap convection. The study is limited to equinox seasons. The poleward and equatorward edges of the trough are determined from satellite tomographic observations and their locations are plotted in magnetic coordinates together with the convection pattern given by Papitashvili and Rich [Papitashvili, V.O., Rich, F.J. High-latitude ionospheric convection models derived from DMSP ion drift observations and parameterized by the IMF strength and direction. J. Geophys. Res. 107, 2002, doi:10.1029/2001JA000264] using IMF measurements coincident with trough observations. The results indicate a close relationship between the troughs and convection. Most of the troughs are seen within the dusk cell and the pattern of trough observations rotates with the convection pattern, when B_y changes its sign. More dayside troughs are observed when B_z is negative than in the opposite case, i.e. fast convective flow favours the dayside trough occurrence. Nightside troughs are observed more frequently when B_y is negative. In both evening and morning sectors the trough is situated close to the edges of convection cells, which partly contradicts previous results showing that the troughs are associated with the convection reversal. It is concluded that plasma convection has an important role in trough generation, although the effect of a strong electric field and other mechanisms like precipitation certainly have a role of their own.     

Nonlinear electron-acoustic rogue waves in electron-beam plasma system with non-thermal hot electrons

The properties of nonlinear electron-acoustic rogue waves have been investigated in an unmagnetized collisionless four-component plasma system consisting of a cold electron fluid, non-thermal hot electrons obeying a non-thermal distribution, an electron beam and stationary ions. It is found that the basic set of fluid equations is reduced to a nonlinear Schrodinger equation. The dependence of rogue wave profiles on the electron beam and energetic population parameter are discussed. The results of the present investigation may be applicable in auroral zone plasma.     

Synchrotron radiation as a probe of the inner magnetosphere of Jupiter

A short review is given on the characteristics of Jupiter's inner magnetosphere derived from radio observations in the decimetric wavelength range. A comparison of the data with sophisticated model calculations yields information on the magnetic field configuration and the electron distribution, its density, energy spectrum, and pitch angle dependence as a function of spatial coordinates. The latter information can be used to derive e.g. the radial diffusion parameters plus the effects of the satellites, Jupiter's ring, and wave-particle interactions upon the electron distribution.     

D-region IRI profiles in relation to radio observations

The D-region IRI profiles are compared with the direct rocket measurements as well as with ground-based radio observations by a variety of techniques. The characteristics of D-region IRI profiles and the dependence of electron density on solar zenith angle, sunspot number, latitude and season are discussed. The sensitivity of certain reflection coefficients on the height distribution of electron density below 70 km is illustrated with a typical example. For D-region modelling, the results show the importance of simultaneous measurement of reflection and conversion coefficients together with polarization phase over a wide frequency range.     

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.     

Improvement of the solar-cycle variation of IRI lower ionosphere models by means of radio wave propagation data

Data on day-time and night-time radio wave absorption in the frequency range 50 to 2614 kHz, obtained in long-term observational programmes in Central Europe, are compared with corresponding absorption values calculated from electron density profiles of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-1979) using the full-wave method.Discrepancies between calculated and observed absorption values were found for the diurnal and the solar-cycle variation, the amplitudes of the solar-cycle variation of absorption being considerably larger than the observed variation.A modification of the solar-activity dependence of the D-region electron density parameters is derived, which provides an improvement of the solar-cycle variation as well as the diurnal variation of the IRI electron density profiles.     

Solar flux effects on equatorial ionization anomaly and total electron content over Brazil: Observational results versus IRI representations

The F layer critical frequency (foF2) as measured by Digisondes in the equatorial and low latitude locations in Brazil is analyzed to investigate the seasonal and solar flux controls of the intensity of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) in the equinoctial month of March. The analysis also included the total electron content (TEC) as measured by a GPS receiver operated at the EIA crest location. The foF2 data set covered a period of large solar flux variation from 1996 to 2003, while the GPS TEC data was for a period in 2002–2003 when the solar flux parameter F10.7 underwent large variations, permitting in both cases an examination of the solar flux effects on these parameters. The seasonal variation pattern in TEC shows a maximum in equinoctial months and a minimum in June solstice, with similar variations for foF2. The solar flux dependence of the TEC is a maximum during equinoxes, especially for post-sunset TEC values at times when the latitudinal distribution is controlled by the equatorial evening plasma fountain processes. Significant variations with local time are found in the degree of solar flux dependence for both the TEC and EIA. The EIA intensity shows large dependence on F10.7 during post-sunset to midnight hours. These results are discussed in comparison with their corresponding IRI representations.     

Comparison of the polar D-region behavior in the Arctic and Antarctic

The behavior of the polar D-region in the Arctic and Antarctic is studied on the basis of the database of the electron concentration measurements onboard the M-100B meteorological rockets launched at the Heiss Island and Molodezhnaya sites. All the measurements have been conducted by the same method, so their intercomparison is valid independently on the well known absolute calibration problem. It is found that there is a pronounced difference in the diurnal behavior of [e] in the upper D region at both sites. The [e] values demonstrate a correlation with the ΣKp magnetic index, the dependence being better pronounced in the dark period The [e] values demonstrate also a dependence on the neutral gas temperature T, the fact being a manifestation of the meteorological control of the D region even at high latitudes.     

The equatorial ionization anomaly at the topside F region of the ionosphere along 75°E

Electron density measured by the Indian satellite SROSS C2 at the altitude of ∼500 km in the 75°E longitude sector for the ascending half of the solar cycle 22 from 1995 to 1999 are used to study the position and density of the equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA). Results show that the latitudinal position and peak electron density of the EIA crest and crest to trough ratios of the anomaly during the 10:00–14:00 LT period vary with season and from one year to another. Both EIA crest position and density are found to be asymmetric about the magnetic equator and the asymmetry depends on season as well as the year of observation, i.e., solar activity. The latitudinal position of the crest of the EIA and the crest density bears good positive correlation with F_10.7 and the strength of the equatorial electrojet (EEJ).