Using S-band dual polarized radar for convective/stratiform rain indexing and the correspondence with AMSR-E GSFC profiling algorithm

The separation of rain types in convective and stratiform regimes has long been a goal in microwave remote sensing of precipitation research. In this essence, a dual polarized radar based indexing scheme that provides information on convective and stratiform (C/S) rain regimes has been presented in correspondence with advanced microwave scanning radiometer – earth observing system (AMSR-E) GSFC profiling algorithm estimate of convective rain percentage. The dual polarized radar based C/S indexing scheme first retrieves the normalized gamma drop size distribution parameters, median volume drop diameter (D₀) and concentration parameter (N_w), from dual polarized radar measurements Z_H and Z_DR, representing reflectivity and differential reflectivity respectively, by means of the genetic programming approach. Next, the C/S rain index is calculated based on the formulation of an empirical relation in N_w–D₀ domain. The scheme has been inspected and applied on measurements from the S-band Chilbolton dual polarized radar. A considerable number of “coincident” cases from the radar and the AMSR-E observations are investigated. It has been revealed that the dual polarized radar based C/S rain indexing is in a similar pattern with the AMSR-E GSFC profiling algorithm estimate of convective rain percentage. Generally, as C/S rain index value increases, which signifies a stratiform to convective trend, the AMSR-E convective rain percentage also increases.     

Development of a regional rain retrieval algorithm for exclusive mesoscale convective systems over peninsular India

The present study emphasize the development of a region specific rain retrieval algorithm by taking into accounts the cloud features. Brightness temperatures (T_bs) from various TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI) channels are calibrated with near surface rain intensity as observed from the TRMM – Precipitation Radar. It shows that T_b–R relations during exclusive-Mesoscale Convective System (MCS) events have greater dynamical range compared to combined events of non-MCS and MCS. Increased dynamical range of T_b–R relations for exclusive-MCS events have led to the development of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) based regional algorithm for rain intensity estimation. By using the exclusive MCSs algorithm, reasonably good improvement in the accuracy of rain intensity estimation is observed. A case study of a comparison of rain intensity estimation by the exclusive-MCS regional algorithm and the global TRMM 2A12 rain product with a Doppler Weather Radar shows significant improvement in rain intensity estimation by the developed regional algorithm.     

An empirical model for the variation of rain drop size distribution with rain rate at a few locations in southern India

A Joss–Waldvogel impact type disdrometer was installed at four different locations in the Indian peninsula during various periods from 2001 till date. The data are analysed to study the nature of rain drop size distribution (DSD) in this region. Out of the three well known distributions that describe DSD, namely, the Marshall–Palmer, Gamma and Lognormal, it has been found that Lognormal distribution fits the DSD in this region better than the other ones. Lognormal distributions for different rain rates were then derived by fitting the lognormal function to the data using a curve fitting software. Then the variation of fit parameters with rain rate was evaluated. Incorporating these variations, into the Lognormal distribution, an empirical equation that describes the DSD in this region for different rain rates was derived. Then this equation was tested with sample data from each of these stations. The data used for validation were not used for fitting lognormal equation to derive the fit parameters. The correlation between the DSD measured and derived using the empirical model was found to be quite good (0.9) except in some cases where the coefficient dropped to 0.75. The empirical model can be updated when more data are available.     

Investigation of vertical profile of rain microstructure at Ahmedabad in Indian tropical region

The microstructure of rain has been studied with observations using a vertical looking Micro Rain Radar (MRR) at Ahmedabad (23.06°N, 72.62°E), a tropical location in the Indian region. The rain height, derived from the bright band signature of melting layer of radar reflectivity profile, is found to be variable between the heights 4600 m and 5200 m. The change in the nature of rain, classified on the basis of radar reflectivity, is also observed through the MRR. It has been found that there are three types of rain, namely, convective, mixed and stratiform rain, prevailing with different vertical rain microstructures, such as, Drop Size Distribution (DSD), mean drop size, rain rate, liquid water content and average fall speed of the drops at different heights. It is observed that the vertical DSD profile is more inhomogeneous for mixed and stratiform type rain than for convective type rain. It is also found that the large number of drops of size <0.5 mm is present in convective rain whereas in stratiform rain, drops concentration is appreciable up to 1 mm. A comparison of measurements taken by ground based Disdrometer and that from the 200 m level obtained from MRR shows good agreement for rain rate and DSD at smaller rain rate values. The results may be useful for understanding rain structures over this region.     

The global response of terrestrial ionosphere to the December 2015 space weather event

This paper investigates the ionospheric storm of December 19–21, 2015, which was initiated by two successive CME eruptions that caused a G3 space weather event. We used the in situ electron density (N_e) and electron temperature (T_e) and the Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements from SWARM-A satellite, as well as the O/N₂ observations from TIMED/GUVI to study the ionospheric impact. The observations reveal the longitudinal and hemispherical differences in the ionospheric response to the storm event. A positive ionospheric storm was observed over the American, African and Asian regions on 20 December, and the next day showed a negative storm. Both these exhibited hemispheric differences. A positive storm was observed over the East Pacific region on 21 December. It is seen that the net effect of both the disturbance dynamo electric field and composition differences become important in explaining the observed variability in topside ionospheric densities. In addition, we also discuss the T_e variations that occurred as a consequence of the space weather event.     

Recent infrared observations of comets with UKIRT and IRAS

A preliminary analysis of infrared observations of comets P/Crommelin and P/Tempel 1 is presented. Comet P/Crommelin was observed from UKIRT over the range 1–20 micron, using standard filters. From the shape of the thermal emission spectrum, the temperature of the dust grains is estimated (T = 314 ± ₃₃⁴⁴K) and also the dust production rate (1.3 × 10⁵gs^?1). Comet P/Tempel 1 was observed with the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS). The emission is found to be considerably extended and there is also evidence for temperature variation of the dust grains as indicated by the 12 to 25 micron flux ratio.     

Mean solar quiet daily variations in the earth’s magnetic field along East African longitudes

Solar quiet daily (Sq) variation in the earth’s magnetic field along the East African meridian was studied using data of the H, D and Z components recorded with Magnetic Data Acquisition System of SERC. One year data recorded at ten African geomagnetic observatories was used in the analysis of worldwide solar quiet daily variation (Wsq). The study revealed that the focus of Sq (H) in the southern hemisphere lies at the boundary of low and middle latitude region. Noon-time enhancement of Sq (H) was generally noticed at all stations along the meridian, though it is latitudinal dependent in terms of magnitude as it reduces with distance from dip equator. In addition, night-time variations also occur in small magnitude along African meridian in Sq (H) and Sq (Z) which could be attributed to non-ionospheric sources. Semi-diurnal variation was noticed in Sq (D) at all stations except in AAB that is under the influence of electrojet current. Dusk sector calm condition of Sq (D) current was notice in some stations and the same condition was also noticed at dawn sector in some other stations. The usual sunrise maximum and sunset minimum for D component at stations north of dip equator as well as sunrise minimum and sunset maximum was found to increase with distance away from dip equator. Day-time perturbation of Sq current was noticed to be more pronounced in all the three field elements. Mass plots of annual mean hourly value show contrasting phase pattern about the focus in H element and the results of the variations at each region with the associated standard error. It was concluded from the result of correlation coefficients computed that different currents system flowing in opposite directions could be responsible for contrasting patterns.     

Electron temperature anisotropy effects on tearing mode in ion-scale current sheets

Recent two-dimensional (2-D) particle-in-cell (PIC) simulations have shown that there is a critical thickness of a current sheet, above which no significant saturation amplitude of the 2-D tearing (TI) mode can be expected. Here, we have introduced the initial electron temperature anisotropy (α_e0 = T_e⊥/T_e|| > 1), which is known to raise significantly the linear growth rates, and inspected if α_e0 > 1 can change the saturation level of the TI in a super-critical current sheet. Varying α_e0 and D (D: the current sheet half-thickness) systematically, we have found that while α_e0 boosts up the linear growth rate in both sub- and super-critical current sheets, macroscopic effects are obtained only in sub-critical current sheets, that is, energy transfer from the fastest growing short wavelength modes to longer wavelength modes are available only in the sub-critical regime. Since the critical thickness is a fraction of the ion inertial length, the tearing mode assisted by the electron temperature anisotropy alone, despite its significant boost in the linear growth rate, cannot be the agent for reconnection triggering in a current sheet of ion-scale thickness.     

Optimum parameter for estimating phase fluctuations on transionospheric signals at high latitudes

Transionospheric radio signals may experience fluctuations in their amplitude and phase due to irregularity in the spatial electron density distribution, referred to as scintillation. Ionospheric scintillation is responsible for transionospheric signal degradation that can affect the performance of satellite based navigation systems. Usually, the scintillation activity is measured by means of indices such as the normalised standard deviation of the received intensity S₄ and the standard deviation of the received phase σ_? typically calculated over 1 min of data. Data from a GPS scintillation monitor based on 50 Hz measurements recorded at Dirigibile Italia Station (Ny-Alesund, Svalbard), in the frame of the ISACCO project ( De Franceschi et al., 2006) are used to investigate possible adoption of an alternative parameter for the estimate of phase fluctuations: i.e., the standard deviation of the phase rate of change S_?. This parameter is shown to better correlate with S₄ being much less detrending dependent than σ_?. The couple (S₄, S_?) should be then considered a more physical proxy of radio scintillation than the couple (S₄, σ_?).     

Global comparison of the model results of GSM TIP with IRI for summer conditions

This paper presents the results of the numerical calculations thermosphere/ionosphere parameters which were executed with using of the Global Self-consistent Model of the Thermosphere, Ionosphere and Protonosphere (GSM TIP)and comparison of these results with empirically-based model IRI-2001. Model GSM TIP was developed in West Department of IZMIRAN and solves self-consistently the time-dependent, 3-D coupled equations of the momentum, energy and continuity for neutral particles (O₂, N₂, O), ions (O⁺, H⁺), molecular ions (M⁺) and electrons and largescale eletric field of the dynamo and magnetospheric origin in the range of height from 80 km to 15 Earth’s radii. The empirically derived IRI model describes the E and F regions of the ionosphere in terms of location, time, solar activity and season. Its output provides a global specification not only of N_e but also on the ion and electron temperatures and the ion composition. These two models represent a unique set of capabilities that reflect major differences in along with a substantial approaches of the first-principles model and global database model for the mapping ionosphere parameters. We focus on global distribution of the N_e, T_i, T_e and TEC for the one moment UT and fixed altitudes: 110 km, h_mF2, 300 km and 1000 km. The calculations were executed with using of GSM TIP and IRI models for August 1999, moderate solar activity and quiet geomagnetic conditions. Results present as the global differences between the IRI and GSM TIP models predictions. The discrepancies between model results are discussed.     

Improvements in bottomside electron density definition in the Autoscala program

Some improvements introduced in the Autoscala program are presented. They include improvements in E valley modeling of the electron density profile N_e(h), and in the link between the E valley and bottom-side F regions. An abrupt variation in N_e(h) generated by the previous version of Autoscala under night conditions has been eliminated.A series of ionograms recorded by the Millstone Hill digisonde (42.6°, 288.5°) were automatically interpreted by the previous version of Autoscala and by the new one. Data from Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR) were used to comparatively assess the performance of the two versions. For this purpose, the root mean square errors (RMSEs) of the N_e(h) provided by Autoscala were calculated relative to the corresponding values provided by ISR.A more accurate overall modeling of N_e(h) was achieved by the new Autoscala version (RMSE = 0.51 MHz for the new version against RMSE = 0.67 MHz for the previous one).     

Occurrence of sporadic-E layer over the ionospheric station of Rome: Analysis of data for thirty-two years

Hourly systematic measurements of the highest frequency reflected by the sporadic-E layer (foEs) recorded at the Rome ionospheric observatory (Italy, 41.8° N, 12.5° E), were considered during the period January 1976–December 2007, to calculate the percentage of occurrence of sporadic-E layer with frequencies foEs greater than a given threshold value f_T, P(foEs > f_T).     

Latitudinal variation of the topside electron temperature at different levels of solar activity

A database of electron temperature (T_e) measurements comprising of most of the available satellite measurements in the topside ionosphere is used for studying the solar activity variations of the electron temperature T_e at different latitudes, altitudes, local times and seasons. The T_e data are grouped into three levels of solar activity (low, medium, high) at four altitude ranges, for day and night, and for equinox and solstices. We find that in general T_e changes with solar activity are small and comparable in magnitude with seasonal changes but much smaller than the changes with altitude, latitude, and from day to night. In all cases, except at low altitude during daytime, T_e increases with increasing solar activity. But this increase is not linear as assumed in most empirical T_e models but requires at least a parabolic approximation. At 550 km during daytime negative as well as positive correlation is found with solar activity. Our global data base allows to quantify the latitude range and seasonal conditions for which these correlations occur. A negative correlation with solar activity is found in the invdip latitude range from 20 to 55 degrees during equinox and from 20 degrees onward during winter. In the low latitude (20 to −20 degrees invdip) F-region there is almost no change with solar activity during solstice and a positive correlation during equinox. A positive correlation is also observed during summer from 30 degrees onward.     

Comparison of topside ionosphere scale height modeled by the Topside Sounder Model and incoherent scatter radar ionospheric model

The topside ionosphere scale height extracted from two empirical models are compared in the paper. The Topside Sounder Model (TSM) provides directly the scale height (H_T), while the incoherent scatter radar ionospheric model (ISRIM) provides electron density profiles and its scale height (H_R) is determined by the lowest gradient in the topside part of the profile. H_T and H_R are presented for 7 ISR locations along with their dependences on season, local time, solar flux F10.7, and geomagnetic index ap. Comparison reveals that H_T values are systematically lower than respective H_R values as the average offset for all 7 stations is 55 km. For the midlatitude stations Arecibo, Shigaraki, and Millstone Hill this difference is reduced to 43 km. The range of variations of H_R is much larger than that of H_T, as the H_T range overlaps the lower part of the H_R range. Dependences on ap, DoY and LT are much stronger in the ISRIM than in TSM. This results in much larger values of H_R at higher ap. Diurnal amplitude of H_R is much larger than that of H_T, with large maximum of H_R at night. The present comparison yields the conclusion that the ISR measurements provide steeper topside Ne profiles than that provided by the topside sounders.     

Low-latitude geomagnetic response to the interplanetary conditions during very intense magnetic storms

The variations in the horizontal and declination components of the geomagnetic field in response to the interplanetary shocks driven by fast halo coronal mass ejections, fast solar wind streams from the coronal hole regions and the dynamic pressure pulses associated with these events are studied. Close association between the field-aligned current density (j_∥) and the fluctuations in the declination component (ΔD_ABG) at Alibag is found for intense storm conditions. Increase in the dawn-dusk interplanetary electric field (E_y) and ΔD_ABG are generally in phase. However, when the magnetospheric electric field is directed from dusk to dawn direction, a prominent scatter occurs between the two. It is suggested that low-latitude ground magnetic data may serve as a proxy for the interplanetary conditions in the solar wind.     

An analysis of the empirical models and the measurement results of the polar atmospheric composition at 120–150 km height

δ = (O/N₂)_exp/(O/N₂)_mod ratios are analysed for the polar thermosphere depending on the season and the heliogeophysical activity where (O/N₂)_exp values are measured at high latitudes with radiofrequency mass spectrometers at MP-12 rocket launchings and (O/N₂)_mod values are calculated for the corresponding conditions of every experiment from 4 models (DTM, MSIS-77, MSIS-83 and Köhnlein model (KL)).The analysis reveals certain regularities in variations for different models. In summer δ_DTM does not depend on the heliogeophysical activity and is within a factor of 2–3 for the polar cap and the daytime cusp at 150 km; during the polar night δ_DTM depends on the geomagnetic disturbance and varies with the solar activity cycle.The δ_MSIS-77 and δ_KL values have little dependence on the heliogeophysical conditions and have approximately the same seasonal variations. During the polar night δ_MSIS-83 corresponds to 1 ± 0.25 at high and low solar activity. The increase in δ dispersion for every model considered is noted at low solar activity in the morning and evening sectors of the auroral oval.     

Studies of electron and ion temperatures at 500 km altitude during sunrise using Indian SROSS C2 satellite

Solar dependence of electron and ion temperatures (T_e and T_i) in the ionosphere is studied using RPA data onboard SROSS C2 at an altitude of ∼500 km and 77°E longitude during early morning hours (04:00–07:00 LT) for three solar activities: solar minimum, moderate and maximum during winter, summer and equinox months in 10°S–20°N geomagnetic latitude. In winter the morning overshoot phenomenon is observed around 06:00 LT (T_e enhances to ∼4000 K) during low-solar activity and to T_e ∼ 3800 K, during higher solar activity. In summer, it is observed around 05:30 LT, but the rate of T_e enhancement is higher during moderate solar activity (∼2700 K/hr) than the low-solar activity (∼1700 K/hr). During equinox, this phenomenon is delayed and is observed around 06:00 LT (∼4200 K) during all three activities.     

Modelled ionospheric Te profiles at mid-latitudes for possible IRI application

The electron temperature (T_e) variation in the mid-latitude ionosphere at altitudes between 120 – 800 km has been modelled for various seasonal and solar-cycle conditions. The calculated electron temperatures are consistent with plasma densities and ion temperatures computed from a time-dependent ionospheric model. The T_e distribution can be represented by a subset of standard T_e profiles. T_e above 200 km is controlled by the magnetospheric heat flux into the ionosphere. For realistic values of the magnetospheric heat flux, the maximum electron temperature ranges from 3000 to 10,000 K at 800 km. The effect of increasing the heat flux is to increase the topside temperature but retain the profile shape. Hence, given a topside T_e observation and selection of an appropriate profile shape, the entire T_e distribution can be computed.     

Contribution of geometry of interaction between interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic fields into global magnetospheric state and geomagnetic activity

The paper presents results of our study of dependence of geomagnetic activity from geoeffective parameters taking into account mutual orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field, electric field of the solar wind and geomagnetic moment. We attract a reconnection model elaborated by us made allowance for changes of geometry of the solar wind–magnetosphere interaction during annual and diurnal motions of the Earth. We take as our data base the interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind velocity measured at 1 a.u. at ecliptic plane for the period of 1963–2005 and K_p, D_st, a_m indices. Taken as a whole a geoeffective parameter suggested by us explains 95% of observed variations of the indices. Changes of the geometric factor determined by mutual orientation of the solar wind electric field and geomagnetic moment explain larger than 75% of observed statistical variations of D_st and a_m indices. Based on our results we suggest a new explanation of semi-annual and UT variation of geomagnetic activity.