Current status of the BepiColombo/MMO spacecraft design

This paper shows the current baseline of the conceptual design of the BepiColombo/MMO (mercury magnetospheric orbiter) spacecraft, which is conducted by the ISAS Mercury Exploration Working Group. The MMO is a spinning spacecraft of 200 kg mass whose spin axis is nearly perpendicular to the Mercury orbital plane. The current status of the overall MMO system and subsystems such as thermal control, communication, power, etc. are described. The latest status of the development of critical technologies for the MMO and the outline of the international cooperation between ESA and ISAS are also presented.     

Mercury Ion Analyzer (MIA) onboard Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter: MMO

The Mercury Magnetopsheric Orbiter (MMO) is one of the spacecraft of the BepiColombo mission; the mission is scheduled for launch in 2014 and plans to revisit Mercury with modern instrumentation. MMO is to elucidate the detailed plasma structure and dynamics around Mercury, one of the least-explored planets in our solar system. The Mercury Plasma Particle Experiment (MPPE) on board MMO is a comprehensive instrument package for plasma, high-energy particle, and energetic neutral particle atom measurements. The Mercury Ion Analyzer (MIA) is one of the plasma instruments of MPPE, and measures the three dimensional velocity distribution of low-energy ions (from 5 eV to 30 keV) by using a top-hat electrostatic analyzer for half a spin period (2 s). By combining both the mechanical and electrical sensitivity controls, MIA has a wide dynamic range of count rates for the proton flux expected around Mercury, which ranges from 10⁶ to 10¹² cm⁻² s⁻¹ str⁻¹ keV⁻¹, in the solar wind between 0.3 and 0.47 AU from the sun, and in both the hot and cold plasma sheet of Mercury’s magnetosphere. The geometrical factor of MIA is variable, ranging from 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ cm² str keV/keV for large fluxes of solar wind ions to 4.7 × 10⁻⁴ cm² str keV/keV for small fluxes of magnetospheric ions. The entrance grid used for the mechanical sensitivity control of incident ions also work to significantly reduce the contamination of solar UV radiation, whose intensity is about 10 times larger than that around Earth’s orbit.     

Optical performance of PHEBUS/EUV detector onboard BepiColombo

BepiColombo, a mission of ESA (European Space Agency) in cooperation with JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), will explore Mercury, the planet closest to the Sun. BepiColombo will launch in 2014 on a journey lasting up to six and a half years; the data gathering phase should occupy a one year nominal mission, with a possible extension of another year. The data which will be brought back from the orbiters will tell us about the Hermean surface, atmospheric composition, and magnetospheric dynamics; it will also contribute to understanding the history and formation of terrestrial planets. The PHEBUS (Probing of Hermean Exosphere by Ultraviolet Spectroscopy) instrument will be flown on MPO: Mercury Planetary Orbiter, one of the two BepiColombo orbiters. The main purpose of the instrument is to reveal the composition and the distribution of the exosphere of Mercury through EUV (Extreme Ultraviolet: 55–155 nm) and FUV (Far Ultraviolet: 145–315 nm) measurements. A consortium composed of four main countries has been formed to build it. Japan provides the two detectors (EUV and FUV), Russia implements the scanning system, and France and Italy take charge of the overall design, assembly, test, integration, and also provide two small NUV (Near Ultraviolet) detectors (for the light from calcium and potassium molecules). An optical prototype of the EUV detector which is identical to the flight configuration has been manufactured and evaluated. In this paper, we show the first spectra results observed by the EUV channel optical prototype. We also describe the design of PHEBUS and discuss the possibility of detecting noble gases in Mercury’s exosphere taking the experimental results so far into account.     

Mercury’s sodium exosphere explored by the BepiColombo mission

The Mercury’s Sodium Atmosphere Spectral Imager (MSASI) on BepiColombo will address fundamental scientific questions pertaining to the Mercury’s sodium exosphere. Together, our measurements on the overall scale will provide ample new information on regolith–exosphere–magnetosphere coupling as well as new understanding of the dynamics governing the surface-bounded exosphere. We will compare the four different source mechanisms in preparation for modeling MSASI data and show the feasibility of identifying a process.     

Development of the EUV detector for the BepiColombo mission

An ultraviolet spectrometer, PHEBUS (Probing of Hermean Exosphere by Ultraviolet Spectroscopy) that is loaded onto the Mercury Planetary Orbiter in the BepiColombo mission is under development. The instrument, basically consisting of two spectrophotometers (EUV: 50–150 nm, FUV: 145–330 nm) and one scanning mirror, aims at measuring emission lines from molecules, atoms and ions present in the tenuous atmosphere of Mercury. The detectors employ microchannel plates as 2-D photon-counting devices. In order to enhance the quantum detection efficiencies, the surface of the top microchannel plates of EUV detector is covered with photocathode. This method enables us to identify weak atmospheric signatures such as neon (73.5 nm) and argon (104.8 nm), which could not be detected with conventional detector systems. This paper presents measurements of the performance characteristics of potassium bromide and esium iodide photocathodes, which have been evaluated for use in the EUV channel.     

地球磁尾的电场模式

地球磁层中的电场是磁层等离子体运动的主要驱动力.目前常用的磁层电场为均匀晨昏电场和投影电场.本文假定磁力线为电场的等位线,地球电离层电场看做磁层电场沿磁力线在电离层的投影.利用Tsyganenko磁场模式(T89),沿磁力线把电离层电场投影到磁尾,得到了一个新的磁层电场模式,文中对偶极磁场和T89磁场模式下的投影场作了比较,说明本模式突破了偶极磁场的局限,在磁层有更大的适用范围     

The solar wind control of the equatorial ionosphere dynamics during geomagnetic storms

The interplanetary magnetic field, geomagnetic variations, virtual ionosphere height h′F, and the critical frequency foF2 data during the geomagnetic storms are studied to demonstrate relationships between these phenomena. We study 5-min ionospheric variations using the first Western Pacific Ionosphere Campaign (1998–1999) observations, 5-min interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and 5-min auroral electrojets data during a moderate geomagnetic storm. These data allowed us to demonstrate that the auroral and the equatorial ionospheric phenomena are developed practically simultaneously. Hourly average of the ionospheric foF2 and h′F variations at near equatorial stations during a similar storm show the same behavior. We suppose this is due to interaction between electric fields of the auroral and the equatorial ionosphere during geomagnetic storms. It is shown that the low-latitude ionosphere dynamics during these moderate storms was defined by the southward direction of the B_z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field. A southward IMF produces the Region I and Region II field-aligned currents (FAC) and polar electrojet current systems. We assume that the short-term ionospheric variations during geomagnetic storms can be explained mainly by the electric field of the FAC. The electric fields of the field-aligned currents can penetrate throughout the mid-latitude ionosphere to the equator and may serve as a coupling agent between the auroral and the equatorial ionosphere.     

有限β等离子体中密度和磁场不均匀驱动的动理学Alfven波

在分析有限β等离子体中的密度、磁场不均匀引起的漂移波不稳定性的基础上,剖析了漂移波不稳定性对动理学Alfven波激发的作用．动理学理论能正确地处理有限拉莫半径效应和波粒共振相互作用,本文根据带电粒子在电磁场中的运动特性,采用Vlasov方程描述离子运动,运用漂移动理学方程对电子运动进行描述．密度不均匀和磁场不均匀对产生漂移不稳定性的对比分析表明：在有限β等离子体中,密度不均匀比磁场不均匀更易激发漂移不稳定性,且密度不均匀激发漂移不稳定性中的能量转换和转移更为强烈．这种能量的转换为动理学Alfven波的激发提供了物理基础．所得数值解表明：动理学Alfven波在磁层中能广泛地被激发产生,特别是在磁层空间的极尖区、磁层顶和等离子体片边界层等具有明显的不均匀性区域中更容易被激发产生．本文的研究结果进一步表明动理学Alfven波对磁层空间中能量传输具有重要作用．     

A surface thermal model and exospheric ballistic transport code of planet Mercury

The atmosphere of Mercury is of an exospheric nature. Its formation is due to several physical mechanisms including meteoroid impact, surface sputtering by solar wind ions and photon sputtering by solar UV radiation. The molecules and atoms emitted from the surface materials of Mercury include H, He, O, Ar, and S, etc. It is important to study their spatial distributions across the planetary surface via ballistic random walk. We have developed a surface thermal model coupled with Hodges-type Monte Carlo calculations to simulate the exosphere of Mercury, which will be a major scientific target of the BepiColombo mission of ESA and JAXA.     

Fluxes and nuclear abundances of cosmic rays inside the magnetosphere using a transmission function approach

At 1 AU and outside the Earth’s magnetosphere, the relative abundances to protons for He (He/p), C (C/p) and Fe (Fe/p) nuclei were calculated using the observation data of AMS-01 (for p and He) and HEAO-3 (for C and Fe) above 0.8 GeV/nucleon. In addition, the transmission function (TF) for the GCR propagation inside the magnetosphere was evaluated using the IGRF and T96 (introduced by Tsyganenko and Stern) models to obtain permitted and forbidden trajectories inside the magnetosphere. The TF allowed one to derive the primary He-nuclei fluxes in the same geomagnetic regions of AMS-01 observations. These fluxes were found in good agreement with the observation data. Furthermore inside the magnetosphere in addition to the flux of helium, it allowed one to obtain those of the primary p, C, and Fe nuclei and the relative abundances of He, C and Fe nuclei to protons from the same observation data of AMS-01 and HEAO-3 above ≈0.8 GeV/nucleon. Up to a geomagnetic latitude of ≈45.84°, the relative isotopic abundances were found to depend on the mass number I_isot and, on average, range from a factor ≈2.31 up to ≈3.35 larger than those outside the magnetosphere at 1 AU. Thus, the magnetospheric isotopic/nuclear relative abundances differ from those inside the solar cavity and those in the interstellar space. The usage of the TF approach can allow one to determine the nuclear abundances in the magnetosphere at any geomagnetic latitude and, thus, any orbit, provided that the CR spectra are determined at 1 AU.     

ULF wave index as magnetospheric and space-weather parameters

Waves in the Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) band owe their existence to solar wind turbulence and transport momentum and energy from the solar wind to the magnetosphere and farther down. Therefore an index based on ULF wave power could better characterize solar wind–magnetosphere interaction than K_P, Dst, AE, etc. indices which described mainly quasi-study state condition of the system. We have shown that the ULF wave index accurately characterize relativistic electron dynamics in the magnetosphere as these waves are closely associated with circulation, diffusion and energization of relativistic electrons in the magnetosphere. High speed solar wind streams also act as a significant driver of activity in the Earth’s magnetosphere co-rotating interaction region and are responsible for geomagnetic activities. In the present paper, we have analyzed various cases related with very weak (quiet) days, weak days, storm days and eclipse events and discussed the utility of the ULF wave index to explain the magnetospheric dynamics and associated properties. We have tried to explain that the ULF wave index can equally be useful as a space weather parameter like the other indices.     

Influence of different atmospheric models and seeing effects on the nonlinear calibration

This paper describes a technique intended to improve calibration of vector magnetograms achieved by the spectral line Fei 5324.19 Å which was first described in detail by Hagyard and Kineke [Hagyard, M.J., Kineke, J.I., Improved method for calibrating filter vector magnetographs, Solar Phys., 158, 11–28, 1995.]. The technique attempts to compensate for nonlinear behavior of the measured linear and circular polarizations of the line as functions of inclination angle and field strength. This method depends on different atmospheric models. To the three different atmospheric models, the VAL-C quiet photosphere model, the Ding and Fang penumbra model and Allen umbral model, the circular polarization signal is directly linearly proportional to the longitudinal field strength in the range of 800 G, 1000 G and 1300 G, respectively. For the transverse field, however, this linear relationship holds over much smaller ranges which are 200 G, 300 G and 200 G. The improved method improves the accuracy in calibrating the polarization signals over a wide range of field strengths and inclination angles. With the seeing effects decreasing in the magnetic observation, the longitudinal fields and the transverse ones are underestimated. The differences in the zero-iterative longitudinal and transverse field are relatively minor, but differences in the multi-iterative longitudinal and transverse field can be as high as 260 G and 500 G. The improved calibration method is more sensitive to the seeing effects variation than the former calibration method.     

The response of the ionosphere over Ilorin to some geomagnetic storms

The effects of some geomagnetic storms on the F2 layer peak parameters over Ilorin, Nigeria (Lat. 8:53°N, Long. 4.5°E, dip angle, −2.96°) have been investigated. Our results showed that the highest intensity of the noon bite-out occurred during the March equinox and lowest during the June Solstice on quiet days. Quiet day NmF2 disturbances which appeared as a pre-storm enhancement, but not related to the magnetic storm event that followed were observed at this station. These enhancements were attributed to the modification of the equatorial electric field as a result of injection of the Auroral electric field to the low and equatorial ionosphere. For disturbed conditions, the morphology of the NmF2 on quiet days is altered. Daytime and nighttime NmF2 and hmF2 enhancements were recorded at this station. Decreases in NmF2 were also observed during the recovery periods, most of which appeared during the post-noon period, except the storm event of May 28–29. On the average, enhancements in NmF2 (i.e. Positive phases) are the prominent features of this station. Observations from this study also indicate that Dst, Ap and Kp which have been the most widely used indices in academic research in describing the behavior of geomagnetic storms, are not sufficient for storm time analysis in the equatorial and low latitude ionosphere.     

Interplanetary coronal mass ejections during the descending cycle 23: Sheath and ejecta properties comparison

We have used Omniweb data in order to identify the sheath and the ejecta boundaries of 67 shock-driving interplanetary coronal mass ejections during the time period 2003–2006. We examine and compare their statistical properties (speed, magnetic field strength, proton density and temperature, proton plasma beta), with those of the typical solar wind. We also calculate their passage time and radial width. We study the correlation between the ejecta and sheath characteristics.     

The mass spectrum analyzer (MSA) onboard BEPI COLOMBO MMO: Scientific objectives and prototype results

BEPI COLOMBO is a joint mission between ESA and JAXA that is scheduled for launch in 2014 and arrival at Mercury in 2020. A comprehensive set of ion sensors will be flown onboard the two probes that form BEPI COLOMBO. These ion sensors combined with electron analyzers will allow a detailed investigation of the structure and dynamics of the charged particle environment at Mercury. Among the ion sensors, the Mass Spectrum Analyzer (MSA) is the experiment dedicated to composition analysis onboard the Mercury Magnetospheric Orbiter (MMO). It consists of a top-hat for energy analysis followed by a Time-Of-Flight (TOF) section to derive the ion mass. A notable feature of MSA is that the TOF section is polarized with a linear electric field that provides an enhanced mass resolution, a capability that is of importance at Mercury since a variety of species originating from the planet surface and exosphere is expected. MSA exhibits two detection planes: (i) one with moderate mass resolution but a high count rate making MSA appropriate for plasma analysis, (ii) another with a high (above 40) mass resolution though a low count rate making it appropriate for planetology science. Taking advantage of the spacecraft rotation, MSA will provide three-dimensional distribution functions of magnetospheric ions, from energies characteristic of exospheric populations (a few eVs or a few tens of eVs) up to the plasma sheet energy range (up to ∼40 keV/q) in one spin (4 s).     

DYNAMO: a Mars upper atmosphere package for investigating solar wind interaction and escape processes, and mapping Martian fields

DYNAMO is a small multi-instrument payload aimed at characterizing current atmospheric escape, which is still poorly constrained, and improving gravity and magnetic field representations, in order to better understand the magnetic, geologic and thermal history of Mars. The internal structure and evolution of Mars is thought to have influenced climate evolution. The collapse of the primitive magnetosphere early in Mars history could have enhanced atmospheric escape and favored transition to the present arid climate. These objectives are achieved by using a low periapsis orbit. DYNAMO has been proposed in response to the AO released in February 2002 for instruments to be flown as a complementary payload onboard the CNES Orbiter to Mars (MO-07), foreseen to be launched in 2007 in the framework of the French PREMIER Mars exploration program. MO-07 orbital phase 2b (with an elliptical orbit of periapsis 170 km), and in a lesser extent 2a, offers an unprecedented opportunity to investigate by in situ probing the chemical and dynamical properties of the deep ionosphere, thermosphere, and the interaction between the atmosphere and the solar wind, and therefore the present atmospheric escape rate. Ultraviolet remote sensing is an essential complement to characterize high, tenuous, layers of the atmosphere. One Martian year of operation, with about 5,000 low passes, should allow DYNAMO to map in great detail the residual magnetic field, together with the gravity field. Additional data on the internal structure will be obtained by mapping the electric conductivity, sinergistically with the NETLANDER magnetic data. Three options have been recommended by the International Science and Technical Review Board (ISTRB), who met on July 1st and 2nd, 2002. One of them is centered on DYNAMO. The final choice, which should be made before the end of 2002, will depend on available funding resources at CNES.     

Blue light-dependent phosphorylations of cryptochromes are affected by magnetic fields in Arabidopsis

The blue light receptor cryptochrome that could form radical pairs after exposure to blue light was suggested to be a magnetoreceptor based on the proposition that radical pairs were involved in the magnetoreception. But the effects of magnetic fields on the function of cryptochrome are poorly understood. Phosphorylation of cryptochrome in Arabidopsis was closely associated with the function of this photoreceptor. Here, we grew Arabidopsis seedlings in a 500 μT magnetic field and a near-null magnetic field and found that the 500 μT magnetic field enhanced the blue light-dependent phosphorylations of CRY1 and CRY2, and the near-null magnetic field weakened the blue light-dependent phosphorylation of CRY2 but not CRY1. Dephosphorylations of CRY1 and CRY2 in the darkness were slowed down in the 500 μT magnetic field, whereas dephosphorylations of CRY1 and CRY2 were accelerated in the near-null magnetic field. These results suggest that magnetic field with strength higher or weaker than the local geomagnetic field affects the activated states of cryptochromes, which thus modifies the functions of cryptochromes.     

Feasibility of developing an ionospheric E-region electron density storm model using TIMED/SABER measurements

We present a new technique for improving ionospheric models of nighttime E-region electron densities under geomagnetic storm conditions using TIMED/SABER measurements of broadband 4.3 μm limb radiance. The response of E-region electron densities to geomagnetic activity is characterized by SABER-derived NO⁺(v) 4.3 μm Volume Emission Rates (VER). A storm-time E-region electron density correction factor is defined as the ratio of storm-enhanced NO⁺(v) VER to a quiet-time climatological average NO⁺(v) VER, which will be fit to a geomagnetic activity index in a future work. The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate the feasibility of our technique in two ways. One, we compare storm-to-quiet ratios of SABER-derived NO⁺(v) VER with storm-to-quiet ratios of electron densities measured by Incoherent Scatter Radar. Two, we demonstrate that NO⁺(v) VER can be parameterized by widely available geomagnetic activity indices. The storm-time correction derived from NO⁺(v) VER is applicable at high-latitudes.     

Short term topological changes of coronal holes associated with prominence eruptions and subsequent CMEs

We study the short-term topological changes of equatorial and polar coronal hole (CH) boundaries, such as a variation of their area and disintegration, associated to reconnection with nearby (within 15° distance) quiescent prominence magnetic fields leading to eruptions and subsequent Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs). The examples presented here correspond to the recent solar minimum years 2008 and 2009. We consider a temporal window of one day between the CH topological changes and the start and end times of prominence eruptions and onset of CMEs. To establish this association we took into account observational conditions related to the instability of prominence/filaments, the occurrence of a CME, as well as the subsequent evolution after the CME. We found an association between short-term local topological changes in CH boundaries and the formation/disappearance of bright points near them, as well as, between short-term topological changes within the whole CH and eruptions of nearby quiescent prominences followed by the appearance of one or more CMEs.