An application of the weighted horizontal magnetic gradient to solar compact and eruptive events

We propose to apply the weighted horizontal magnetic gradient (${\mathit{WG}}_M$), introduced in Korsós et al., 2015, for analysing the pre-flare and pre-CME behaviour and evolution of Active Regions (ARs) using the SDO/HMI-Debrecen Data catalogue. To demonstrate the power of investigative capabilities of the ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ method, in terms of flare and CME eruptions, we studied two typical ARs, namely, AR 12158 and AR 12192. The choice of ARs represent canonical cases. AR 12158 produced an X1.6 flare with fast “halo” CME ($v_{\mathit{linear}}$ = 1267 $\text{km}{\text{s}}^{-1}$) while in AR 12192 there occurred a range of powerful X-class eruptions, i.e. X1.1, X1.6, X3.1, X1.0, X2.0 and X2.0-class energetic flares, interestingly, none with an accompanying CME. The value itself and temporal variation of ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ is found to possess potentially important diagnostic information about the intensity of the expected flare class. Furthermore, we have also estimated the flare onset time from the relationship of duration of converging and diverging motions of the area-weighted barycenters of two subgroups of opposite magnetic polarities. This test turns out not only to provide information about the intensity of the expected flare-class and the flare onset time but may also indicate whether a flare will occur with/without fast CME. We have also found that, in the case when the negative polarity barycenter has moved around and the positive one “remained” at the same coordinates preceding eruption, the flare occurred with fast “halo” CME. Otherwise, when both the negative and the positive polarity barycenters have moved around, the AR produced flares without CME. If these properties found for the movement of the barycenters are generic pre-cursors of CME eruption (or lack of it), identifying them may serve as an excellent pre-condition for refining the forecast of the lift-off of CMEs.     

Detailed analysis of dynamic evolution of three Active Regions at the photospheric level before flare and CME occurrence

We present a combined analysis of the applications of the weighted horizontal magnetic gradient (denoted as ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ in Korsós et al. (2015)) method and the magnetic helicity tool (Berger and Field, 1984) employed for three active regions (ARs), namely NOAA AR 11261, AR 11283 and AR 11429. We analysed the time series of photospheric data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory taken between August 2011 and March 2012. During this period the three ARs produced a series of flares (eight M- and six X-class) and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). AR 11261 had four M-class flares and one of them was accompanied by a fast CME. AR 11283 had similar activities with two M- and two X-class flares, but only with a slow CME. Finally, AR 11429 was the most powerful of the three ARs as it hosted five compact and large solar flare and CME eruptions. For applying the ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ method we employed the Debrecen sunspot data catalogue, and, for estimating the magnetic helicity at photospheric level we used the Space-weather HMI Active Region Patches (SHARP’s) vector magnetograms from SDO/HMI (Solar Dynamics Observatory/Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager). We followed the evolution of the components of the ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ and the magnetic helicity before the flare and CME occurrences. We found a unique and mutually shared behaviour, called the U-shaped pattern, of the weighted distance component of ${\mathit{WG}}_M$ and of the shearing component of the helicity flux before the flare and CME eruptions. This common pattern is associated with the decreasing-receding phases yet reported only known to be a necessary feature prior to solar flare eruption(s) but found now at the same time in the evolution of the shearing helicity flux. This result leads to the conclusions that (i) the shearing motion of photospheric magnetic field may be a key driver for solar eruption in addition to the flux emerging process, and that (ii) the found decreasing-approaching pattern in the evolution of shearing helicity flux may be another precursor indicator for improving the forecasting of solar eruptions.     

Cloud cover analysis using spectral and spatial characteristics of meteosat images

New developments of a cloud classification scheme based on histogram clustering by a statistical method are studied. Use of time series of satellite pictures and of spatial variances is introduced and discussed.     

Particle and optical measurements aboard the Aureol 3 spacecraft (ARCAD 3 project): A — The particle experiments B — Optical measurements

The CESR Toulouse - IKI Moscow particle instrument package aboard the AUREOL-3 satellite consists of a complete set of charged particle spectrometers which measure electron and ion fluxes from 15 eV to 25 keV in 128 steps and in 11 directions. In addition, 4 channel spectrometers (2 electron and 2 ion channels in parallel) allow high time resolution measurements (up to 10 msec) with onboard calculation of auto and cross correlation functions. For higher energies (40 – 280 keV), solid-state spectrometers are used to measure electron and proton fluxes in 4 channels in parallel. In addition, two Geiger counters are used for the determination of the trapping boundaries. Two mass-energy ion spectrometers (1 to 32 A.M.U., 0.02 – 15 keV) are placed with viewing angles which allow a distinction between nearly isotropic auroral proton precipitation and conical beams accelerated in the auroral ionosphere. Auroral and airglow photometry is performed aboard the AUREOL-3 satellite by a set of 3 parallel directed photometers with tiltable interference filters for 6300 Å, 4278 Å and Doppler shifte H_β emissions. Various modes of energy, angular and mass scanning, correlation function calculation and various Soviet and French telemetry regimes provide the possibility of choosing the sequences of measurements according to particular experimental programs along the orbit. Finally, examples of data from inflight measurements using the above instruments are presented and briefly discussed, showing several interesting features.     

Initial design of laboratories for sustainable habitation

An effective and self-sustainable artificial habitat design is essential for human spaceflight and expansion of mankind into orbit or towards other celestial bodies. There are two approaches that need to be implemented in future sustainable habitats: the use of re-cycling technologies in order to gain experience in closed-loop processes and the primary production of resource materials using In Situ Resource Utilisation (ISRU) principles. Various products will be provided and, where applicable, recycled in such a system taking into account basic human factors requirements such as crew work load capacity, safety and well-being, namely:     

Density of discontinuities in the heliosphere

The spatial distribution of MHD discontinuities in the solar wind has been studied, based on the long time observations by the magnetometer onboard Ulysses. We emphasize the critical importance of the method whereby events are selected; some previous work is critically reviewed in this respect. Our analysis supports earlier observations that the density of discontinuities decreases with increasing distance from the Sun. It is suggested, however, that the distribution of the discontinuity normals should be revised, retaining only those discontinuities for further study that have reliable normals. This study shows that the vast majority of well defined discontinuities has a small magnetic field component parallel to the discontinuity normal. Given the large number of discontinuities in the Ulysses data set there is a statistically sufficient number for further study. It is also shown in this paper that for the subset of well defined discontinuities the determination of the normal vector using Minimum Variance Analysis and the cross-product technique are equally valid.     

Transient effects of microgravity on early embryos of Xenopus laevis.

In order to study the role of gravity on the early development of the clawed toad Xenopus laevis, we performed an experiment on the Maser-6 sounding rocket launched from Kiruna (Sweden) on 4 Nov 1993. The aim was to find out whether a short period of microgravity during fertilization and the first few minutes of development does indeed result in abnormal axis formation as was suggested by a pilot experiment on the Maser 3 in 1989. On the Maser 6 we used two new technical additions in the Fokker CIS unit, viz. a 1-g control centrifuge and a video recording unit which both worked successfully. The 1-g control centrifuge was used to discriminate between the influences of flight perturbations and microgravity. After fertilization shortly before launch, one of the first indications of successful egg activation, the cortical contraction, was registered in microgravity and on earth. Analysis of the video tapes revealed that the cortical contraction in microgravity starts earlier than at 1 g on earth. After recovery of the eggs fertilized in microgravity and culture of the embryos on earth, the morphology of the blastocoel has some consistent differences from blastulae from eggs fertilized in the 1-g centrifuge of the rocket. However from the gastrula stage onward, the microgravity embryos apparently recover and resume normal development: the XBra gene is normally expressed, and histological examination shows normal axis formation.     

Unusual visual stimulation in dynamic balance conditions: proposal for a space motion sickness test.

We previously demonstrated the efficiency of normal vision/unusual vestibular cues conflict to induce motion sickness. In the present study, we investigate whether, inversely, unusual visual information/normal vestibular function conflict also elicited motion sickness. The experiments were again carried out in dynamic balance conditions to increase proprioceptive input. Circular translation of the visual field with diplopia were produced by rotating Fresnel prismatic glasses. The stimulation triggered SMS-like symptoms and dynamic balance disturbance. A positive relationship was found between discomfort and balance disturbance. Unusual visual information should therefore be included in Space Motion Sickness susceptibility testing.