TC-1和Geotail对亚暴过程中近地等离子体片磁扰动的联合观测

以2004年9月28日02:53:20 UT的亚暴为例, 通过TC-1在磁尾约12.5 R_e 和Geotail卫星在近地磁尾等离子体片约8～9 R_e的联合观测, 研究亚暴触发过程中近地磁尾等离子体片中等离子体波动特征. 结果表明, 亚暴触发区是近地磁尾中心等离子体片中较小的一个区域, 在亚暴触发区中低混杂不稳定性在近地磁尾等离子体片中存在, 准垂直传播的低混杂波发生在亚暴触发过程中, 而亚暴触发过程中近地磁尾等离子体片外边界区内的磁场偶极化信号和扰动都非常微弱. 在亚暴触发和亚暴膨胀相过程中出现了多次具有不同特征的磁场偶极化现象.      

晨昏电场对磁亚暴触发的影响

本文讨论了晨昏电场存在时磁尾等离子体片内撕裂模不稳定性的激发和增长问题。得到的结果可以用来解释晨昏电场对磁亚暴的触发以及加快等离子体片贮存能量的耗散等现象。我们推导了存在电场漂移时的撕裂模方程,并在均匀电流片模型下求解了该方程的解析解。结果表明触发不稳定性所允许的临界电流片宽度与电场大小近似成正比,这表明考虑晨昏电场效应后磁亚暴更易被激发。此外对于厚度相同的电流片来说,长波撕裂模的增长率也随晨昏电场的加强而增大。      

磁扰动和磁静时近地等离子体片中脉冲电场的分布

Ｇｅｏｔａｉｌ卫星的电场数据被用于分析近地磁尾等离子体片中电场在磁扰动（Ｄｓｔ＜－２５ｎＴ）和磁静时（Ｄｓｔ＞－２５ ｎＴ的统计分布．结果表明，伴随着地向高速离子流，在Ｘ＞－１６Ｒｅ以内区域出现强电场（高达 ５—８ ｍＶ／ｍ）．磁扰动期间强电场的幅值较磁静时大，并且出现在更靠近地球的位置．较强和较靠近地球的强电场与磁扰动时更薄的等离子体片和更接近地球的等离子体片内边界相联系．观测结果意味着磁扰动期间的亚暴可能更有效地将高能粒子注射到环电流中．这对磁暴和亚暴的关系问题的解决有重要意义．     

磁层亚暴恢复期间等离子片边界层区的Kelvin—Helmholtz不稳定性

本文根据两个理想的磁流体力学模型研究了磁层亚暴恢复期间等离子体片边界层区的Kelvin-Helmholtz不稳定性。一个模型由三个均匀的等离子体区组成--北尾瓣、等离子体片和南尾瓣。在此模型里,不稳定模式在北(或南)尾瓣和等离子体片之间的边界面上激发。另一个模型由五个均匀的等离子体区组成--北尾瓣、等离子体片北边界层、等离子体片中间层、等离子体片南边界层和南尾瓣,在等离子体片边界层区存在着两种不稳定模式,一种在等离子体片的北(或南)边界层和中间层之间的边界表面上激发(模式Ⅰ);另一种在等离子体片北(或南)边界层和北(或南)尾瓣之间的边界面上激发(模式Ⅱ).模式Ⅰ多数时间是不稳定的。这些不稳定模式可能引起卫星观测到的等离子体边界层的一些特征。      

磁尾静电离子束流-密度漂移不稳定性的数值研究

本文研究了磁尾等离子体片边界层宽频带静电噪声的产生机制.模型等离子体由暖的背景电子、暖的向地球方向的离子束流和较冷的向尾方向的离子束流组成.结果表明,静电离子束流-密度漂移不稳定性可以在比较宽的频率范围内激发,在低频区大传播角方向上增长率最大,在高频区小传播角方向上增长率也比较大。最大增长率的方向取决于离子束流和密度漂移的速度比值.这些结果与磁尾观测到的宽频带静电噪声特征符合一致.      

等离子体彗尾动力学的数值研究

本文基于可压缩磁流体动力学模型,数值研究了尾瓣巾具有超Alfven速流动的等离子体彗尾的动力学特征。结果表明,等离子体片和尾瓣之间的剪切等离子体流动将会激发流动撕裂模不稳定性,引起彗尾等离子体片中发生磁场重联,形成磁岛和高密度的等离子体团。进而模拟了太阳风引起的局部驱动力对等离子体彗尾中磁场重联的影响,其特征时间远大于流动撕裂模。我们认为一些观测到的等离子体彗尾中的四块和彗尾截断事件可能主要与彗尾中剪切等离子体流动所引起的流动撕裂模不稳定性有关。      

利用THEMIS卫星观测结果分析亚暴期间等离子体片尾向膨胀

利用THEMIS卫星观测结果,分析2008年3月13日10:40UT-12:10UT的一次中等亚暴事件在磁尾的全球演化过程.在该过程中,THEMIS的5颗卫星在午夜区附近沿x轴依次排列,离地心距离约8.7~13.2R_e.亚暴触发开始后,磁场偶极化和等离子体片的膨胀依次被在磁尾不同位置的卫星观测到.等离子体尾向膨胀的平均速度约为140km·s-1.在此次亚暴事件中可观测到两种类型的偶极化.一种为偶极化锋面,其与爆发性整体流（BBF）密切相关;另一种为全球偶极化,其与等离子体片的膨胀密切相关.亚暴触发开始约7min后,THEMIS卫星在低中高纬都可以观测到Pi2脉动的发生,且Pi2脉动的振幅随着纬度的升高逐渐变大.此次亚暴事件中的离子整体流速度主要是由离子电漂移速度引起的,测得的电场为局地磁通量变化导致的感应电场.      

场向电流随亚暴位相的变化

利用ISEE1和2卫星测量的磁场数据,计算了电离层中的场向电流。依据每个场向电流事件所伴随的亚暴位相,分别计算了一区和二区场向电流强度、密度及电流片厚度在亚暴成长相、膨胀相和恢复相的平均值及中间值。其结果,从成长相到膨胀相,一区和二区场向电流的强度和密度增加,从膨胀相到恢复相,其值减小。平均说来,一区的电流强度约是二区的1.4倍。电流片厚度的变化在上述期间内与电流强度及密度的变化趋势相反。      

等离子体片边界层中静电不稳定性产生的波-粒动量交换率

本文介绍了非均匀等离子体片外边缘离子束流-密度梯度漂移不稳定性的二级理论。二级动量交换率的计算表明, 模型等离子体中冷、暖束流离子的场向动量以及暖束流离子的横向动量可以被静电波来减小。这些波是由离子束流-密度梯度漂移不稳定性产生的。这些结果对于理解等离子体片外边缘等离子体的各向同性化和热化是很有用的。      

磁尾等离子体片对流对亚暴的影响

采用2(1/2)维全粒子电磁模拟方法研究了等离子体片中稳态对流及局地爆发高速流对磁层亚暴触发过程的影响.研究发现,地向瞬时局地高速流可触发磁场重联,导致储存于磁尾磁场能量的快速释放.但是,等离子体片稳态对流可抑制磁尾磁场重联过程.此项研究结果表明,局地爆发高速流能够触发磁层亚暴;而行星际磁场(IMF)持续南向时的稳态磁层对流期间,不易发生亚暴.      

Do we understand the inner magnetotail dynamics during substorms?

Substorm evolution of the near-Earth (|X|<15 R_E) plasma sheet has been emphasized recently because the inner tail is thought to link closely to the substorm auroral activity in the ionosphere during the early stage of substorms. In this paper, we discuss how the inner tail substorm phenomena during the late substorm growth phase and early expansion phase are accounted for by the two prevailing substorm models, namely, the near-Earth neutral line model and the current disruption model. We find that the late growth phase features are more satisfactorily accounted for by the current disruption model than by the near-Earth neutral line model. In addition, detailed observations on current disruption show evidence inconsistent with the proposed idea of dipolarization being due to plasma flow braking from reconnection in the mid-tail region, which poses a difficulty to the near-Earth neutral line model as well.     

Low-altitude field-aligned currents used to diagnose plasma distribution and magnetic topology in the outer magnetosphere

Field-aligned currents (FAC) can be used to determine changes in the total plasma content (TPC) of convecting flux tubes. The observed steady-state FAC system is combined with the observed equipotential pattern to determine contours of TPC as mapped to the ionosphere. Criteria for a qualitative mapping of the FAC, equipotentials and TCP contours along magnetic field lines to the equatorial plane are set up and the result is shown in figure 3. Some interesting features are: (1) There is a considerable distortion, which is most obvious near midnight, due to the existence of FAC; (2) There is a dusk to dawn component of convection across the tail; (3) The reversal of this component in the pre-midnight quadrant produces the Harang discontinuity. A discussion of time-dependent flows suggests that both plasma depletion associated with FAC and neutral lines may be necessary in a substorm expansion. Between substorm expansions, convection is faster than FAC-produced collapse of flux tubes. Finally it is pointed out that the current and electric field are probably not parallel in the tail, requiring a rethinking of tail models.     

Case study of September 24–26, 1998 magnetic storm

We compute global magnetospheric parameters based upon solar wind data obtained from the WIND spacecraft upstream. Using the paraboloid magnetospheric model, calculations of the dynamic global magnetospheric current systems have been made. The solar wind dynamic pressure, the interplanetary magnetic field, the strength of the tail current, and the ring current control the polar cap and auroral oval size and location during the magnetic storm. The model calculations demonstrate that the polar cap and the auroral oval areas are mainly controlled by the tail current. The substorm onset at 0630 UT on September 25, 1998 happened near the minimum in the main phase field depression. The substorm expansion onset time is also marked by a sudden enhancement in the solar wind dynamic pressure and an enhancement in the tail current. The magnetic signatures of these two effects cancel each other, which explains why the D_st profile shows no strong time variation during the substorm. Evidence for the substorm expansion includes not only the signature in the AL index but also the strong asymmetry of the low latitude magnetic disturbances (substorm positive bay signature). Model calculations were checked by comparison with the GOES 8 and 10 magnetic field measurements.     

2004年12月13日IMF北向期间极区亚暴电离层电动力学特征

利用KRM地磁反演方法, 结合北半球中高纬度地磁台站数据, 研究了2004年12月13日行星际磁场北向期间发生的亚暴事件, 极区电离层电动力学参量(电流矢量、等效电流函数以及电势)的分布特征. 结果表明, 在该亚暴膨胀相起始后, 午夜之前西向电集流急剧增强, 且等效电流体系表现为夜侧双涡, 同时伴随夜侧增强的南向电场. 由于极弱的直接驱动过程, 卸载过程引起的电离层效应得到清楚显示. 卸载过程在膨胀相期间起绝对主导性作用. 同时, 夜侧电导率的增强是电集流区域电流急剧增强的主要原因.      

Particle simulation study of substrom triggering with a southward IMF

This paper reports the spatial and temporal development of bursty bulk flows (BBFs) created by reconnection as well as current disruptions (CDs) in the near-Earth tail using our 3-D global electromagnetic (EM) particle simulation with a southward turning interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the context of the substorm onset. Recently, observations show that BBFs are often accompanied by current disruptions for triggering substorms. We have examined the dynamics of BBFs and CDs in order to understand the timing and triggering mechanism of substorms. As the solar wind with the southward IMF advances over the Earth, the near-Earth tail thins and the sheet current intensifies. Before the peak of the current density becomes maximum, reconnection takes place, which ejects particles from the reconnection region. Because of earthward flows the peak of the current density moves toward Earth. The characteristics of the earthward flows depend on the ions and electrons. Electrons flow back into the inflow region (the center of reconnection region), which provides current closure. Therefore the structure of electron flows near the reconnection region is rather complicated. In contrast, the ion earthward flows are generated far from the reconnection region. These earthward flows pile up near the Earth. The ions mainly drift toward the duskside. The electrons are diverted toward the dawnside. Due to the pile-up, dawnward current is generated near Earth. This dawnward current dissipates rapidly with the sheet current because of the opposite current direction, which coincides with the dipolarization in the near-Earth tail. At this time the wedge current may be created in our simulation model. This simulation study shows the sequence of the substorm dynamics in the near-Earth tail, which is similar to the features obtained by multisatellite observations. Identification of the timing and mechanism of triggering substorm onset requires further studies in conjunction with observations.     

A statistical analysis of substorm associated tail activity

Substorm onset timing is a critical issue in magnetotail dynamics research. Solar wind energy is accumulated in the magnetosphere and the configuration of the magnetosphere evolves toward an unstable state during the growth phase. At some point, the expansion phase begins and the stored energy is released through a variety of processes that return the magnetosphere to a lower energy state. In recovery the various processes die away. Unfortunately, the ground and magnetospheric signatures of onset, i.e. energy release, can be seen both in the growth phase prior to onset and in the expansion phase after onset. Some investigators refer to each of these events as a substorm. Tail observations suggest that most substorms have one event that differentiates the behavior of the tail field and plasma. We refer to this time as the “main substorm onset”. Each substorm associated phenomenon is timed independently and then compared with main substorm onsets. ISEE-2 tail observations are used to examine the tail lobe magnetic conditions associated with substorms because ISEE-2 orbit has a high inclination and frequently observes lobe field. Approximately 70 ∼ 75% of tail lobe B_t and B_z change are associated with the main substorm onset. If the satellite is more than 3 Re above (below) the neutral sheet, 86% (57%) of plasma pressure dropouts are associated with substorms. We interpret our results as evidence that the effect of the growth phase is to drive the magnetosphere towards instability. As it approaches global instability local regions become temporarily unstable but are rapidly quenched. Eventually one of these events develops into the global instability that releases most of the stored energy and returns the magnetosphere to a more stable configuration.     

地球磁层亚暴统计分析

利用AL和AE指数对第24个太阳活动周发生的亚暴事件进行统计分析.主要统计了关于磁层亚暴的强度，亚暴初值与恢复值的关系，亚暴持续时间，亚暴恢复相与增长相（包括膨胀相）持续时间的关系等.统计结果表明:在第24个太阳活动周中2008-2016年发生的亚暴事件大部分比较剧烈，其峰值大都在200～1200nT；初值和恢复值大都在30～100nT，并且事件占比符合正态分布；大部分亚暴都能恢复到亚暴初值60nT以内，并且差值越小，事件的占比越大.大部分亚暴的持续时间较长，在100～400min之间，其中增长相（包括膨胀相）持续时间均在120min以内，并且持续时间越长，其事件占比越小；大部分亚暴事件的恢复相持续时间在60～300min之间，并且呈现出正态分布特征.绝大多数亚暴事件的恢复相持续时间为增长相持续时间的10倍以下，其中约一半亚暴事件的恢复相持续时间为增长相持续时间的1～4倍.这说明亚暴的能量聚集速度约为能量释放速度的1～4倍.      

Relationship of the diffuse aurora and SAR arc dynamics to substorms and storms

Investigation results of a diffuse aurora (DA) and stable auroral red (SAR) arc dynamics based on spectrophotometric observations at the Yakutsk meridian (199°E geomagnetic longitude) are presented. The relationship of an equatorward extension of DA in the 557.7 nm emission to a substorm growth phase during the magnetospheric convection intensification after the turn of IMF B_Z to the south is shown. The formation of SAR arc during the substorm expansion phase is investigated. The association of SAR arc dynamics with the development of asymmetric ring current (substorm injection) during the main phase of a storm is analyzed. It is shown how the pulsating precipitations of energetic ring current particles develop in the outer plasmasphere based on photometric observations.     

亚暴起始位置和膨胀相持续时间对行星际磁场Bz分量的响应

磁层亚暴是太阳风–磁层–电离层耦合过程中的重要爆发性事件,其特性受太阳风参数的影响很大。本文利用对IMAGE卫星在2000 － 2005年观测到的4193个亚暴起始事件,统计研究了在不同的行星际磁场（IMF）B_z 条件下亚暴起始位置和膨胀相持续时间。结果表明,南向IMF发生的亚暴比北向IMF下发生的亚暴要多。南向IMF条件下亚暴AE指数最大值的平均值基本上>600 nT,并有随南向IMF持续时间增大而增大的趋势。北向IMF条件下亚暴AE指数最大值的平均值基本上<500 nT,并有随北向IMF持续时间增大而减小的趋势。亚暴的起始磁纬度基本上位于65° － 70°之间。当南向IMF或北向IMF的持续时间增大,超过80 min时,北半球的亚暴起始磁纬度会降低。亚暴起始磁地方时大部分位于22:15 － 23:15 MLT之间。但整体分布比较分散,显示不出特别清晰的随IMF B_z持续时间变化的趋势。相比于南向的IMF,北向IMF期间发生亚暴的平均膨胀相持续时间增大了将近10 min,表明南向IMF期间,亚暴强度虽然较大,但其膨胀相持续时间较短,亚暴能量释放和耗散的速度更快。