Positive ion composition and electron density in a combined auroral and NLC event

The positive ion composition and electron density were measured in the lower ionosphere above Kiruna in salvo A of CAMP (Cold Arctic Mesopause Project). The CAMP/P (S37/P) payload carrying a magnetic ion spectrometer, positive ion and electron probes, and propagation experiments was launched on 3 August 1982 2332 UT during extended Noctilucent Clouds (NLC) and auroral activities over Kiruna. The measured electron density was 5×10³cm^?3 at 80 km and 2.5×10⁵cm^?3 at 90 km. The increase of ion and electron densities in the D- and E-region during twilight was caused by precipitating auroral particles. The height distribution of the positive ions measured by the mass spectrometer in the mass range 19–280 amu is different from a winter flight with similar auroral conditions. Below 85.5 km proton hydrates H⁺(H₂O)₃ ? H⁺(H₂O)₈ were the dominant ions. The heaviest proton hydrates H⁺(H₂O)₇ and H⁺(H₂O)₈ were most abundant at 82–85.5 km, the altitude of visible NLC. Above 85.5 km O₂⁺ and NO⁺ became dominant. A small metal ion layer was observed between 90.5–93 km with a maximum ion density of 10% of the total positive ion density at 91 km altitude. The metal ion density disappeared within about a km below 90.5 km.     

Mesospheric H2O and H2O2 densities inferred from in situ positive ion composition measurement

The measurements of positive ion composition in the high latitude D-region have revealed an excess of 34⁺ under distrubed conditions which has been interpreted as H₂O₂⁺. At the same altitude range near the transition height oxonium ions were measured as well. This paper presents a new model for the production and loss of oxonium ions with their production from H₂O₂⁺ + H₂O → H₃O⁺ + HO₂ and their loss by attachment of N₂ and/or CO₂. A reaction constant of 8.5×10^?28 (300/T)⁴ cm⁶s^?1 has been obtained for the three body attachment H₃O⁺ + CO₂ + M → H₃O⁺.CO₂ + M from the measured density profile of 63⁺ in flight 18.1020. Mesospheric H₂O and H₂O₂ densities are inferred from measurements of four high latitude ion compositions based on the oxonium model. The mixing ratios of hydrogen peroxide are up to two orders of magnitude higher compared to previous model calculations. In order to explain the missing production of odd hydrogen, we consider larger O(¹D) densities, surface reactions of O(³P) on particles, and cathalytic photodissociation of water vapor on aerosol particles.     

Quantitative determination of the outgassing water vapor concentrations surrounding space vehicles from ion mass spectrometer measurements

Outgassing from materials as well as deliberate gaseous and liquid releases create contaminant clouds around spacecraft that can degrade both instrumentation and measurements. This paper describes a new method for estimating outgassing water vapor concentrations around space vehicles. Water vapor ions measured in the course of a rocket experiment performed at Eglin AFB, Florida, on December 12, 1980 at 2311 UT are utilized to demonstrate the technique. The H₂O concentration near the payload's surface is calculated using the rate coefficient for the fast charge transfer process, O⁺ + H₂O + H₂O⁺ + O, the source of the observed water vapor ions. It is found that the measured H₂O⁺ ions were produced within 3–4 cm of the sampling plate's surface and that the average H₂O pressure over this distance was relatively constant on ascent at 8 × 10^?6 torr, within a factor two, implying a steady outgassing rate.     

Temporal and spatial variations observed in the ionospheric composition of Venus: Implications for empirical modelling

In situ measurements of the thermal ion composition of the ionosphere of Venus have been obtained for a period of two Venus years from the Bennett rf ion mass spectrometer on the Pioneer Venus Orbiter. Ion measurements within an altitude interval of 160 to 300 kilometers, corresponding to an overall latitude interval of about ?4° to 34°N, are assembled from the interval December 1978 to March 1980. This time interval corresponds to two revolutions of Venus about the Sun, designated as two “diurnal cycles”. The distributions of several ion species in this data base have been sorted to identify temporal and spatial variations, and to determine the feasibility of an analytical representation of the experimental results. The first results from the sorting of several prominent ions including O⁺, O₂⁺, and H⁺ and several minor ions including CO₂⁺, C⁺, and H₂⁺ reveal significant diurnal variations, with superimposed modulation associated with solar activity and solar wind variations. The diurnal variation consists of strong day to night contrast in the ion concentrations, with differences of one to two orders of magnitude, depending upon ion mass and altitude. The concentrations of O₂⁺, O⁺, CO₂⁺ and C⁺ peak throughout the dayside decreasing sharply at the terminators to nightside levels, lower by one to two orders of magnitude relative to the dayside. The diurnal variations of the light ions H⁺ and H₂⁺ peak during the night, exhibiting asymmetric nightside bulges favoring the pre-dawn sector, near 0400 solar hour angle. Superimposed upon the diurnal distributions are modulation signatures which correlate well with modulation in the F_10.7 index, indicating a strong influence of solar variability on the ion production and distribution. The influence of solar wind perturbations upon the ion distributions are also indicated, by a significant increase in the scatter of the observations with increasing altitude as higher altitudes, approaching 300 kilometers, are sampled. Together, these temporal and spatial variations make the task of modelling the ionosphere of Venus both very interesting and challenging.     

Rotational constants of linear and/or bent Cn+1H and CnN(n = 1–6): A DFT study

The geometries, dipole moments, and rotational constants for the linear and/or bent cations, C_n+1H⁺ and C_nN⁺(n = 1–6), were studied by the B3LYP method with the modest basis sets. For C_nH⁺(n = odd; 3, 5, 7) and C_nN⁺(n = even; 2, 4, 6), the theoretical rotational constants (B_es) of closed-shell singlet C₃H⁺, C₅H⁺, C₇H⁺, CCN⁺, C₄N⁺, and C₆N⁺ were calculated to be about 11,244, 2420, 885.2, 11,970, 2439, and 880.8 MHz, respectively. By contrast, the triplets are stable than the corresponding singlets for C_nH⁺(n = odd; 2, 4, 6) and C_nN⁺(n = even; 3, 5) except CN⁺.     

Model calculations of the dayside ionosphere of Venus

Model calculations of the dayside ionosphere of Venus are presented. The coupled continuity and momentum equations were solved for O₂⁺, O⁺, CO₂⁺, C⁺, N⁺, He⁺, and H⁺ density distributions, which are compared with measurements from the Pioneer Venus ion mass spectrometer. The agreement between the model results and the measurements is good for some species, such as O⁺, and rather poor for others, such as N⁺, indicating that our understanding of the dayside ion composition of Venus is incomplete. The coupled heat conduction equations for ions and electrons were solved and the calculated temperatures compared with Pioneer Venus measurements. It is shown that fluctuations in the magnetic field have a significant effect on the energy balance of the ionosphere.     

H2O concentration in the middle atmosphere: Processing of LIMS radiance measurements with a research algorithm

Transmittance functions as well as inversion algorithms have been developed for deriving H₂O profiles from radiometer measurements. These computer programs have been applied to evaluate own stratospheric balloon occultation measurements and LIMS (Limb Infrared Monitor of the Stratosphere) radiance measurements in the H₂O channel. The results are compared with the H₂O profiles in the LIMS data archive. The differences between corresponding H₂O profiles are discussed in dependence of altitude and latitude.     

Positive ion distributions in the morning auroral zone: Local acceleration and drift effects

We report on the typical structure of the large scale ion precipitation in the morning sector of the auroral zone and associated low frequency electromagnetic waves. Data obtained during near radial passes of the AUREOL-3 satellite point to a distinction between two main precipitation regions: 1) In the poleward part of the auroral zone the latitudinal variation of the average energy (or temperature) of the precipitated ions (mainly H⁺) indicate that they are adiabatically accelerated in the outer magnetosphere. This “high energy” (? 3 to > 20 keV) precipitation is usually associated with a low energy (E < 110 eV) upward flowing 0⁺ and H⁺ component, and 2) near the boundary between discrete and diffuse electron aurorae a drastic change in the ion characteristics is observed. The flux of energetic precipitated H⁺ ions is sharply reduced, which suggests the formation of an Alfvén layer. However, intense fluxes of precipitated H⁺, O⁺, and He⁺ ions with energies < 3 keV are observed equatorward of the Alfvén layer, in coincidence with the diffuse aurora and in association with quasi-monochromatic electromagnetic waves with frequencies around the proton gyrofrequency. As the characteristic convection and bounce times of the low energy upward flowing ion component are comparable (τ > 3 hours) we suggest that the precipitation of ionospheric ions inside the diffuse aurora results from convection and corotation of the ions accelerated to suprathermal energies at higher latitudes.     

Occurrence features of simultaneous H+- and He+-band EMIC emissions in the outer radiation belt

As an important loss mechanism of radiation belt electrons, electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves show up as three distinct frequency bands below the hydrogen (H⁺), helium (He⁺), and oxygen (O⁺) ion gyrofrequencies. Compared to O⁺-band EMIC waves, H⁺- and He⁺-band emissions generally occur more frequently and result in more efficient scattering removal of <～5?MeV relativistic electrons. Therefore, knowledge about the occurrence of these two bands is important for understanding the evolution of the relativistic electron population. To evaluate the occurrence pattern and wave properties of H⁺- and He⁺-band EMIC waves when they occur concurrently, we investigate 64 events of multi-band EMIC emissions identified from high quality Van Allen Probes wave data. Our quantitative results demonstrate a strong occurrence dependence of the multi-band EMIC emissions on magnetic local time (MLT) and L-shell to mainly concentrate on the dayside region of L?=?～4–6. We also find that the average magnetic field amplitude of H⁺-band waves is larger than that of He⁺-band waves only when L?<?4.5 and AE¹?<?300?nT, and He⁺-band emissions are more intense under all other conditions. In contrast to 5 events that have average H⁺-band amplitude over 2 nT, 19 events exhibit >2 nT He⁺-band amplitude, indicating that the He⁺-band waves can be more easily amplified than the H⁺-band waves under the same circumstances. For simultaneous occurrences of the two EMIC wave bands, their frequencies vary with L-shell and geomagnetic activity: the peak wave frequency of H⁺-band emissions varies between 0.25 and 0.8 f_cp with the average between 0.25 and 0.6 f_cp, while that of He⁺-band emissions varies between 0.03 and 0.23 f_cp with the average between 0.05 and 0.15 f_cp. These newly observed occurrence features of simultaneous H⁺- and He⁺-band EMIC emissions provide improved information to quantify the overall contribution of multi-band EMIC waves to the loss processes of radiation belt electrons.     

Hybrid quadri-ionic model of the lower ionosphere

An ion model of the lower ionosphere is proposed. It consists of four positive ions: O₂⁺, NO⁺ and two cluster ions - a simpler CI₁ and a more complex CI₂. This model well explains the normal component of the winter anomaly (WA) in the D-region, which is recorded by absorption measurements on short radiowaves and rocket experiments at middle (40°N) and high (70°) latitudes. The higher values of the electron density during the winter appear as a result of the lower recombination because of smaller rates of cluster ion formation, i.e. the normal WA can be explained and modelled by the regular seasonal variations of composition, temperature and density.     

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.     

Measurement of stratospheric trace constituent distributions from balloon-borne far infrared observations

Far infrared limb thermal emission spectra obtained from balloon borne measurements made as a part of the Balloon Intercomparison Campaign (BIC) have been analyzed for retrieval of stratospheric trace constituent distributions. The measurements were made with a high resolution Michelson Interferometer and covered the 15–180 cm⁻¹ spectral range with an unapodized spectral resolution of 0.0033 cm⁻¹. The retrieved vertical profiles of O₃, H₂O, HDO, HCN, CO and isotopes of O₃ are presented. The results are compared with the BIC measurements for O₃ and H₂O made from the same balloon gondola and with other published data. A comparison of the simultaneously retrieved profiles for several gases with the published data shows good agreement and indicates the validity of the far infrared data, the retrieval techniques and the accuracy of the inferred profiles.     

Transport of ions in presence of induced electric field and electrostatic turbulence: Source of ions injected into ring current

The transport of ions from the polar ionosphere to the inner magnetosphere during stormtime conditions has been computed using a Monte Carlo diffusion code. The effect of the electrostatic turbulence assumed to be present during the substorm expansion phase was simulated by a process that accelerated the ions stochastically perpendicular to the magnetic field with a diffusion coefficient proportional to the energization rate of the ions by the induced electric field. This diffusion process was continued as the ions were convected from the plasma sheet boundary layer to the double-spiral injection boundary. Inward of the injection boundary, the ions were convected adiabatically. By using as input an O⁺ flux of 2.8 × 10⁸ cm^?2 s^?1 (w > 10 eV) and an H⁺ flux of 5.5 × 10⁸ cm^?2 s^?1 (w > .63 eV), the computed distribution functions of the ions in the ring current were found to be in good agreement, over a wide range in L (4 to 8), with measurements made with the ISEE-1 satellite during a storm. This O⁺ flux and a large part of the H⁺ flux are consistent with the DE satellite measurements of the polar ionospheric outflow during disturbed times.     

Self-similar stochastic processes in solar wind turbulence

Solar wind data is used to estimate the autocorrelation function for the stochastic process x(τ) = y(t + τ) − y(t), considered as a function of τ, where y(t) is any one of the quantities B²(t), n_p(t)V²(t), or n_p(t). This process has stationary increments and a variance that increases like a power law τ^2γ where γ is the scaling exponent. For the kinetic energy density and the proton density the scaling exponent is close to the Kolmogorov value γ = 1/3, for the magnetic energy density it is slightly larger. In all three cases, it is shown that the autocorrelation function estimated from the data agrees with the theoretical autocorrelation function for a self-similar stochastic process with stationary increments and finite variance. This is far from proof, but it suggests that these stochastic processes may be self-similar for time scales in the small scale inertial range of the turbulence, that is, from approximately 10 to 10³ s.     

IR-spectroscopy of ionosphere from stratospheric balloons

The radiation spectra of the ionosphere in the 4–5 μm region have been determined from stratospheric balloons by means of the specially elaborated method of the registration of angular and spectral distribution of the radiation. The radiation bands of 4.4 μm and 4.8 μm which have 0.1–0.2 erg cm^?2 sr^?1s^?1. brightness obtained in two flights, are identified with the vibration-rotation transitions of the ion NO⁺ (0 - 1) and the molecules N¹⁴N¹⁵ (0 - 1) and CO (0 - 1) and (3 - 2) from altitudes between 120 and 500 km.     

Heating heavy ions in the polar corona by collisionless shocks: A one-dimensional simulation

Recently a new model for explaining the observations of preferential heating of heavy ions in the polar solar corona was proposed ( and ). In that model the ion energization mechanism is the ion reflection off supercritical quasi-perpendicular collisionless shocks in the corona and the subsequent acceleration by the motional electric field E = −V × B/c. The mechanism of heavy ion reflection is based on ion gyration in the magnetic overshoot of the shock. The acceleration due to the motional electric field is perpendicular to the magnetic field, giving rise to large temperature anisotropy with T_⊥ ? T_∥, in agreement with SoHO observations. Such a model is tested here by means of a one dimensional test particle simulation where ions are launched toward electric and magnetic profiles representing the shock transition. We study the dynamics of O⁵⁺, as representative of coronal heavy ions for Alfvénic Mach numbers of 2–4, as appropriate to solar corona. It is found that O⁵⁺ ions are easily reflected and gain more than mass proportional energy with respect to protons.     

The glow of the night ionosphere due to energetic ion beams

This paper discusses photometric measurements made of the ionospheric excitation of the line $\text{λ = 5577}\text{A}\text{?}$ at the time of electron beam injection from a rocket into the Earth's ionosphere. The gradual increase of the glow intensity per impulse occurs due to accumulation of the energy of excited states of N₂(A³Σ⁺_u) and O(′S) during their lifetimes. The large disturbed zone in the near-rocket environment (size >500 m) is connected via the interaction of ions accelerated in the rocket potential field with ionospheric components. The glow intensity modulation is observed at a height of ～98 km during the electron beam injection simultaneously with the ignition of the beam-plasma discharge (BPD). The intensity minima are explained by a decrease of the energy of accelerated ions due to effective neutralization of the rocket body by the BPD plasma. The height profile of the glow intensity revealed two maxima at heights of ～103 km and ～115 km. The second maximum (at ～115 km) indicates that, at these heights, both collision and collision-free mechanisms of accelerated ion energy transport to ionospheric components exist.     

Relative contributions of terrestrial and solar wind ions in the plasma sheet

A major uncertainty concerning the origins of plasma sheet ions is due to the fact that terrestrial H⁺ can have similar fluxes and energies as H⁺ from the solar wind. The situation is especially ambiguous during magnetically quiet conditions (AE < 60γ) when H⁺ typically contributes more than 90% of the plasma sheet ion population. In this study we examine that problem using a large data set obtained by the ISEE-1 Plasma Composition Experiment. The data suggest that one component of the H⁺ increases in energy with increasing activity, roughly in proportion to $\text{1}\text{4}$ the energy of the He⁺⁺, whereas the other H⁺ component has about the same energy at all activity levels, as do the O⁺ and the He⁺. If we can assume that the H⁺ of solar wind origin on the average has about the same energy-per-nucleon as the He⁺⁺, which is presumably almost entirely from the solar wind, then the data imply that as much as 20–30% of the H⁺ can be of terrestrial origin even during quiet conditions.     

Atomic oxygen concentrations in the lower auroral thermosphere

Atomic oxygen concentrations derived from the nightglow components of O₂(b¹Σ_g⁺ ? X³Σ_g^?) (0-0) Atmospheric Band emission profiles obtained during two rocket-borne photometer measurements of aurora are presented. The peak atomic oxygen concentrations of 2–3 × 10¹¹ cm^?3 are in better agreement with those of the MSIS-83 model than the CIRA 1972 mean reference atmosphere, although the shapes of the two derived profiles differ considerably from that of MSIS-83. The derived concentrations do not contradict the suggestion made by some investigators that the atomic oxygen concentrations in the auroral zone are depleted relative to their mid-latitude values.