Consequences of the application of the streamer fluid model to the study of the sprite inception mechanism

We present the results of a streamer-fluid model used to investigate the electrodynamical coupling between the troposphere and upper atmosphere due to the penetration of lightning electric fields into the mesosphere and the lower ionosphere, generating sprites. The model solves the continuity equation for electrons and ions coupled to Poisson equation. The dominant physical response of the atmosphere is the formation of a screening-ionization wave. The wave shields the atmosphere above it from the action of the lightning field and, together with the conductivity reduction below it due to attachment, the wave amplifies the total field below it, allowing for the penetration of intense electric fields in the mesosphere as it propagates downwards into regions of higher density that compress the wave. This is the key physical mechanism for sprite inception. We evaluated the effects of the thundercloud charge geometry, lightning current waveshape, atmospheric conductivity, via different electron density profiles, and the effect of ionization, attachment and electron mobility coefficients in the electrical breakdown process, related to halo production, and sprite streamer initiation. The results showed that electrons with higher mobility are more efficient in shielding the lightning electric field before breakdown, causing delay, and they contribute to the formation of the streamer seed after breakdown, anticipating the sprite streamer inception. Similarly, a higher effective ionization rate, produced by modifications in the attachment and ionization coefficients, anticipates sprite inception. The simulations with 6 different electron density profiles, and therefore conductivities, spanning 4 orders of magnitude, showed that the altitude of breakdown and sprite initiation, as well as their time delays from the lightning discharge are directly related to atmospheric conductivity: higher conductivities produce halo and sprite inception at lower altitudes with longer delays and may hinder sprite formation. We document that variations of 30 times in the lightning current leads to sprite initiation altitudes in the range 66.0–73.5 km, with delays between 1.550 and 34.500 ms, while variations of 4 orders of magnitude in the conductivity profile lead to initiation altitudes 61.0–70.6 km, with delays in the range 3.825–9.825 ms. Consequently, we suggest that lightning characteristics dominate over atmospheric parameters in determining sprites’ initiation altitude and delay. The simulation of a −CG, with a constant current of 30 kA, did not produce a sprite seed, confirming an asymmetry in the response of the atmosphere to positive and negative lightning. This is due to the free electron drift direction that is away from the screening ionization wave, preventing the formation of the streamer seed for the great majority of −CGs. The same does not apply to halos, which depend on the occurrence of breakdown and can be produced by discharges of both polarities.     

电离层电场对磁层活动响应时延的模式研究

本文用极盖边界上电离层驱动电位φ₀随时间变化的不同模式计算了场向电流J_∥2及电离层对流电场E的演化过程。计算表明,当φ₀(t)先升后降有极大值时,J_∥2(t)和E(t)也表现出类似的趋势。但它们的极值滞后于φ_0max出现的时刻,即在一段时间内,φ₀虽已开始下降,J_∥2及高纬E却继续增大。一般说,E先于J_∥2达到极值,但相差甚小。φ₀变化形式不同时,滞后时间亦不同。当φ₀陡升缓降时,E、J_∥2的极值相对于φ_0max的时延可超过一小时。这与持续时间较长的磁暴期间所观测到的电离层场强响应时延量级是一致的。时延大小还受电离层电导率的制约。低纬电离层场强的响应与高纬不同,其升降趋势与φ₀同步。      

Comprehensive investigation of the basic parameters of the upper atmosphere at the time of the flight of the geophysical rocket “vertical-6”

Ion temperature and total ion concentration measured on 25th October 1977 during the flight of the geophysical rocket “Vertical-6” are analyzed. The solar EUV fluxes determined in five wave-length bands with a photoelectron analyzer are also given. The observed anomalous variation of ion temperature between 700 and 900 km and the measured ion concentration can be explained, if the charge exchange reactions H⁺ ? O⁺ and diffusion are taken into account.     

落塔微重力水平激光干涉测量方法中的干扰因素分析

落塔是获得微重力环境的重要设施,落塔微重力水平的测量对微重力科学实验的研究至关重要. 激光干涉是测量落塔微重力水平的一种新方法,这种方法的基本原理是让一个参考落体在落舱中自由下落,落舱由于受到服外空气阻力的作用将与自由落体运动略有差异,1 11. 肫内的参考落体则更接近理想的自由落体运动,这就使得落舱与参考落体之间存在着加速度差,这种加速度差便反映了落服的微重力水平,其所导致的相对运动则可通过激光干涉的方法测量出来. 本文对落塔微重力水平的激光干涉测量方法中将会遇到的一些主要干扰因素进行了分析,计算结果表明,这些干扰网素所造成的总误差约为 1.2 x 10-7g,低于微重力水平的预测值 10-4~lO-6 g,因此该方法是一种比较可行的测量方法.      

热流效应对场向电流确定的影响

给出了任意速度分布函数条件下复频率的介电函数和色散关系的求解方法. 讨论了16矩近似条件下, 场向热流对电子速度分布函数, 介电函数实部与虚部, 以及离子与电子谐振频率和阻尼率的影响, 并与平衡态时麦克斯韦分布等离子体的计算结果进行了比较. 忽略场向热流效应, 正向电子漂移速度条件下, 上行等离子线探测, 会过高估计场向电流; 负向电子漂移速度条件下, 上行等离子线探测会过低估计场向电流. 对上下行等离子线同时探测情况, 忽略热流效应同样会过高估计场向电流.      

推力架测试系统误差的研究

针对卫星推进系统小推力测量的特点,主要是分析推力架系统所带来的推力误差,对引起推力误差的因素进行了分析研究,并提出了误差相应的解决方法和试验数据处理方法     

Possible physical properties of the flow in the vicinity of the heliopause

An interface between the fully ionized hydrogen plasma of the solar wind (SW) and the partially ionized hydrogen gas flow of the local interstellar medium (LISM) is formed as a region where there is a strong interaction between these two flows. The interface is bounded by the solar wind termination shock (TS) and the LISM bow shock (BS) and is separated on two regions by the heliopause (HP) separating the solar wind and charged component of the LISM (plasma component below). The BS is formed due to the deceleration of the supersonic LISM flow relative to the solar system. Regions of the interface between the TS and HP and between the HP and BS were in literature named as the inner and outer heliosheaths, respectively. An investigation of the structure and physical properties of the heliosheath is at present especially interested due to the fact that Voyager-1 and Voyager-2 have crossed the TS in December 2004 (Burlaga, L.F., Ness, N.F., Acuna, M.Y., et al. Crossing the termination shock into the the heliosheath. Magnetic fields. Science 309, 2027–2029, 2005; Fisk, L.A. Journey into the unknown beyond. Science 309, 2016–2017, 2005; Decker, R.B., Krimigis, S.M., Roelof, E.C., et al. Voyager 1 in the foreshock, termination shock and heliosheath. Science 309, 2020–2024, 2005; Stone, E.C., Cummings, A.C., McDonald, F.B., et al. Voyager 1 explores the termination shock region and the heliosheath beyond. Science 309, 2017–2020, 2005) and in September 2007 (Jokipii, J.R. A shock for Voyager 2. Nature 454, 38–39, 2008; Gurnett, D.A., Kurth, W.S. Intense plasma waves at and near the solar wind termination shock. Nature 454, 78–80, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature07023; Wang, L., Lin, R.P., Larson, D.E., Luhmann, J.G. Domination of heliosheath pressure by shock-accelerated pickup ions from observations of neutral atoms. Nature 454, 81–83, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature07068.14; Burlaga, L.F., Ness, N.F., Acuna, M.H., et al. Magnetic fields at the solar wind termination shock. Nature 454, 75–77, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature07029; Richardson, J.D., Kasper, J.C., Wang, C., et al. Cool heliosheath plasma and deceleration of the upstream solar wind at the termination shock. Nature 454, 63–66, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature07024; Stone, E.C., Cummings, A.C., McDonald, F.B., et al. An asymmetric solar wind termination shock. Nature 454, 71–74, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature07022; Decker, R.B., Krimigis, S.M., Roelof, E.C., et al. Mediation of the solar wind termination shock by non-thermal ions. Nature 454, 67–70, 2008. doi: 10.1038/nature 07030), respectively, and entered to the inner heliosheath.     

火星地形对火星大气运动的影响及火星尘暴发生的可能机制

本文在准地转模式的假定下,讨论了火星地形对火星大气的影响,并根据文章所提供的信息对火星尘暴发生的物理机制作了粗略的解释。      

Testing the improvement of performance of the IRI model in the estimation of TEC over the mid-latitude American regions

This paper mainly discusses the improvement of performance of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model in estimating the variation of the Vertical Total Electron Content (VTEC) over the mid latitude American regions during the relatively low (2008–2010) and relatively high (2012) solar activity years. This has been conducted employing the VTEC values obtained from the dual frequency ground based Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers located at Mineral Area Community College, MACC (37.85°N, 269.52°W) and Mississippi County Airport, MAIR (36.85°N, 270.64°W), and the latest versions of the IRI online model (IRI 2007, IRI 2012 and IRI 2016). The study mainly focuses to compare the trend of variability of the monthly and seasonal modeled VTEC values (IRI 2007 VTEC, IRI 2012 VTEC and IRI 2016 VTEC) with the corresponding measured VTEC values (GPS VTEC). The overall results show that the IRI VTEC values (almost in all versions of the model) are generally smaller than the GPS VTEC except after about 15:00 UT (09:00 LT) in the December solstice when the Sun shifts to the high solar activity. On the contrary, overestimations of the VTEC values by the model are observed in traversing from the low solar activity (2008) to high solar activity (2012) phase, especially after about 15:00 UT (09::00 LT) with the IRI 2016 version showing the highest. In general, the IRI 2007 and IRI 2012 versions show similar monthly and seasonal underestimations or overestimations showing that the two versions have almost similar performance. The IRI 2016 version is generally better in capturing both the diurnal and arithmetic mean GPS VTEC values with some exceptional months and seasons as compared to those of the IRI 2007 and IRI 2012 versions.     

Features of the occurrence of the additional stratification on the bottom-side F region over the equatorial location of Trivandrum

The general features of occurrence of an additional layer on the bottom side of F region, referred to as F0.5 layer in the pre noon period, over the magnetic equatorial location of Trivandrum (8.5° N; 77° E; dip lat of 0.5° N) in India during the period from 2004 to 2007 are presented using ionosonde observations. The F0.5 layer has a June (northern summer) solsticial maximum probability of occurrence with secondary maxima during December (northern winter) solstice. The seasonal as well as the day-to-day variability in the occurrence of F0.5 layer as mentioned in this paper seems to be a result of the variations in the amplitude and phases of the tides and gravity waves, and inventory of the metallic ions of meteoric origin. This study brings out an important manifestation of morning time F layer base region dynamics.     

Laboratory experiments in the study of the chemistry of the outer planets.

The investigation of chemical evolution of bodies in our solar system has, in the past, included observations, theoretical modeling, and laboratory simulations. Of these programs, the last one has been the most criticized due to the inherent difficulties in accurately recreating alien environments in the laboratory. Processes such as wall reactions and changes in chemistry due to difficulties in achieving realistic conditions of temperature, pressure, composition, and energy flux may yield results which are not truly representative of the systems being modeled. However, many laboratory studies have been done which have yielded data useful in planetary science. Gross simulations of atmospheric chemistry have placed constraints on the nature of complex molecules expected in planetary atmospheres. More precise studies of specific chemical processes have provided information about the sources and properties of product gases and aerosols. Determinations of basic properties such as spectral features and reaction rate constants yield data useful in the interpretation of observations and in computational modeling. Alone, and in conjunction with modeling, laboratory experiments will continue to be used to further our understanding of the outer solar system, and some experiments that need to be done are listed.     

Influence of the Ionosphere on the Observation of the Mid-Latitude Pi2 Pulsations at the Global Scale

Results of our investigation showed that occurrence frequency of Pi2 over a 24 hour period undergoes seasonal variations in time coincidence with foF2. In the winter months, at sunrise and sunset (when foF2gradients are the largest) the observation probability of these oscillations is minimal. At periods of summer solstice when the F2-layer persists almost round the clock, no effect of Pi2 pulsation attenuation is observed at sunrise and sunset. The pulsation amplitudes behave in a similar manner. Results of this study suggest the conclusion that the propagation of signal from the Pi2 sourse into the mid-latitudes, and also the parameters of these pulsations are essentially affected by electron density in the ionospheric F2-layer.      

地磁暴恢复相中间层低热层高纬温度响应

利用TIMEGCM模拟了2005年9月10日至20日由日冕物质抛射引起的地磁暴事件，研究了此地磁暴恢复相高纬度中间层低热层（MLT）区域温度的变化，揭示了磁暴恢复相时温度、垂直风、总加热项和NO辐射冷却的内在联系.结果表明:地磁暴恢复相刚开始时，温度对磁暴的响应在晨侧为负扰动（降温），在其他地区都为正扰动（增温）；随着磁暴的恢复，整个北半球都变为正的温度扰动（增温）.这种高纬MLT区域的温度响应主要与垂直风密切相关.当垂直风为正时，总加热为负，增温减弱；当垂直风为负时，总加热为正，增温变强.辐射冷却特别是NO辐射冷却作用在热层被称为恒温器，降低了磁暴期间80%的热层增温.但是，在MLT区域NO辐射冷却作用不明显，一般比总加热项小一个量级，对温度响应造成的影响较小.      

Method for the prediction of the effective dose equivalent to the crew of the International Space Station

This paper describes a methodology for assessing the pre-mission exposure of space crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in terms of an effective dose equivalent. In this approach, the PHITS Monte Carlo code was used to assess the particle transport of galactic cosmic radiation (GCR) and trapped radiation for solar maximum and minimum conditions through an aluminum shield thickness. From these predicted spectra, and using fluence-to-dose conversion factors, a scaling ratio of the effective dose equivalent rate to the ICRU ambient dose equivalent rate at a 10 mm depth was determined. Only contributions from secondary neutrons, protons, and alpha particles were considered in this analysis.     

Effects of the position of the solar wind termination shock and the heliopause on the heliospheric modulation of cosmic rays

The effects of changing the position of the solar wind termination shock and the position of the heliopause, and therefore the extent of the heliosheath, on the modulation of cosmic ray protons are illustrated. An improved numerical model with diffusive termination shock acceleration, a heliosheath and drifts is used. The modulation is computed in the equatorial plane and at 35 heliolatitude using recently derived diffusion coefficients applicable to a number of cosmic ray species during both magnetic polarity cycles of the Sun. It was found that qualitatively the modulation results for the different heliopause positions are similar although they differ quantitatively, e.g., clearly different radial gradients are predicted for the regions beyond the termination shock compared to inside the shock. The difference between the modulation for the two solar polarity cycles are less significant at a heliolatitude of 35° than in the equatorial plane. We found that moving the termination shock from 90 to 100 AU, with the heliopause fixed at 120 AU, caused only quantitative differences so that the exact position of the TS in the outer heliosphere seems not crucially important to global modulation. Moving the heliopause outwards, to represent the modulation in the tail region of the heliosphere, causes overall decreases in the cosmic ray intensities but not linearly as a function of energy, e.g., at 1 GeV the effect is insignificant. We conclude from this modelling that the modulation of protons in the heliospheric nose and tail regions are qualitatively similar although, clear quantitative and interesting differences occur.     

Intermittence of the short-term periodicities of the flare index

Intermittence of the short-term periodicities (25–35 days) of the flare index are investigated using the wavelet transform method for the full-disc and for the northern and the southern hemispheres of the Sun separately over the epoch since 1966 until 2002. The wavelet transform results show that occurence of periodicities of flare index power is highly intermittent in time. The period-averaged wavelet power of the flare index presents this fact very clearly displaying independence of flaring activity on the solar hemispheres in several time intervals over almost four solar cycles under study. Moreover correlations of the period-averaged wavelet power of the flare index for the separate hemispheres and for the full-disc reveal significantly stronger relation between the full-disc and the northern hemisphere than between the full-disc and the southern hemisphere while no significant correlations was found between the hemispheres one another.     

自动测试系统集中互连信号优化设计

基于对自动测试系统被测设备的信号种类及数量的分析,构建了被测对象测试信号数学模型,分析了不同测试模式下的测试资源需求情况,并从提高测试系统性价比这一基本原则出发,提出了自动测试系统硬件平台测试资源优化配置的理论计算方法,对自动测试系统的工程设计具有指导意义。     

互感器接入式三相功率表校准方法研究

在校准指针式三相功率表时，由于一次侧和二次侧存在变比，往往三相功率的额定值由计算获得。单纯的认为在特定功率因数下，功率值为电流和电压乘积的方式，可能会带来较大的测量误差，甚至会对校准结果产生误判断。本文将详细介绍这种互感器方式接入的三相功率表的校准方法，并进行理论分析。     

A mathematical description of the annual variation of the temperature-height profile of the stratosphere at Berlin

Since 1958, daily temperature-height profiles have been measured up to 35–40 km at Berlin by means of radiosondes. An attempt is made here to describe these profiles as a function of the noon solar zenith angle, χ. It is shown that the basic annual variation of the measured profiles, T(h), can be presented as T(h) = T_o(h) cos^n(h)_χ. The subsolar temperature, T_o(h), and exponent, n(h), have been determined empirically from the summer and autumn data when the radiative balance is obviously dominant. Neither term depends on the solar cycle. Warmings in winter and coolings in spring are treated as disturbances in the annual variation, due to dynamics, and are described separately as ± ΔT(h).