Plasmasphere and its interaction with the ring current

Space Science Reviews - In the last few years (after 1976) new instruments have been used for plasmaspheric studies (‘mutual-impedance’ probe, ion energy-mass spectrometers) which have...     

Wave-particle interactions between the ring current particles and micropulsations associated with the plasmapause

In this paper the drift-wave instabilities likely to occur at and near the plasmapause during the period of magnetospheric disturbances are described. The analysis predicts that the proton cyclotron drift loss-cone wave (non-flute electrostatic mode) grows at and near the plasmapause through the drift cyclotron resonant interactions of the ring current protons. The wave is particularly effective for the turbulent loss of the ring current protons just beyond the plasmapause. In a region just inside the plasmapause, the wave is likely to be stabilized by the Landau interaction of the plasmaspheric particles. The unstable wave propagates in opposite directions inside and outside the plasmapause. Accordingly, the proton precipitation pattern would be different in respective regions. The unified loss mechanism of the ring current protons is presented.It is suggested that an ordinary mode instability occurs through the drift resonant interactions with the ring current electrons far beyond the plasmapause. This wave is excited only in a high- plasma with the conditions that the electron temperature perpendicular to the magnetic field is greater than the parallel temperature and that the temperature gradient has an opposite sign to that of the number density and magnetic field. The frequency and wavelength of the fastest growing wave depend sharply on the temperature anisotropy as well as the strength of the inhomogeneities (in temperature, magnetic field and number density). The fastest growing wave has a period of 36.9 s under certain conditions. This wave is likely to be an origin of the pitch-angle diffusion of the ring current electrons.     

地球磁场扭转振动的机制与效应

根据磁流体力学和太阳黑子物理学,提出了地球磁场扭转振动的一种理论.对扭转振动的机制和模式进行了简要的描述.对振动周期和日长季节性变化进行了估算,并对扭转振动过程中可能产生的其他效应进行了讨论.     

Geophysical implications of satellite determinations of the earth's gravitational field

The variations of the gravitational field have been determined from satellite orbit perturbations with fair reliability up to at least spherical harmonic degree 8.The largest departure from hydrostatic equilibrium by a factor of 2 is the oblateness, which, together with the observed rate of deceleration of the earth's rotation, leads to an estimate of about 10²⁶ poises for the viscosity of the lower mantle.The remaining variations in the field are too large to be associated solely with the crust; their origin must be mainly in the mantle. The positive correlation with topography for degrees l 6 and the rate of decrease of the variations (proportionate to l ^-2 in potential coefficients, or to l ^-1 in gravity anomaly power spectrum) are such that their source must in part be in the upper mantle, less than 400 km deep. However, the lack of obvious correlation with other indicators of upper-mantle activity such as sea-floor spreading and heat flow suggests that the density variations are the consequence of relatively small imbalances between dynamic disturbing effects and compensating restorative effects. At least part of the variations, particularly for degrees l 5, probably have their source in the stiff lower mantle.Publication No. 634, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A., 90024.     

Modelling of the magnetic field of magnetospheric ring current as a function of interplanetary medium parameters

The models are examined which are proposed elsewhere for describing the magnetic field dynamics in ring-currentDR during magnetic storms on the basis of the magnetospheric energy balance equation. The equation parameters, the functions of injectionF and decay , are assumed to depend on interplanetary medium parameters (F and during the storm main phase) and on ring-current intensity ( during the recovery phase). The present-day models are shown to be able of describing theDR variations to within a good accuracy (the r.m.s. deviation 5 < < 15 nT, the correlation coefficient 0.85 <r < 1). The models describe a fraction of the geomagnetic field variation during a magnetic storm controlled by the geoeffective characteristic of interplanetary medium and, therefore responds directly to the variation of the latter. The fraction forms the basis of the geomagnetic field variations in low and middle latitudes. The shorter-term variations ofDR are affected by the injections into the inner magnetosphere during substorm intervals.During magnetic storms, the auroral electrojets shift to subauroral latitudes. When determining theAE indices, the data from the auroral-zone stations must be supplemented with the data from subauroral observatories. Otherwise, erratic conclusions may be obtained concerning the character of the relationships ofDR toAE or ofAE to interplanetary medium parameters. Considering this circumstance, the auroral electrojet intensity during the main phase is closely related to the energy flux supplied to the ring current. It is this fact that gives rise simultaneously to the intensification of auroral electrojets and to the large-scale decrease of magnetic field in low latitudes.The longitudinal asymmetry of magnetic field on the Earth's surface is closely associated with the geoeffective parameters of interplanetary medium, thereby making it possible to model-estimate the magnetic field variations during magnetic storms at given observatories. The inclusion of the field asymmetry due to the system of large-scale currents improves significantly the agreement between the predicted and model field variations at subauroral and midlatitude observatories. The first harmonic amplitude of field variation increases with decreasing latitude. This means that the long-period component of theD _st -variation asymmetry is due rather to the ring-current asymmetry, while the shorter-term fluctuations are produced by electrojets. The asymmetry correlates better with theAL indices (westward electrojet) than with theAU indices (eastward electrojet).The total ion energy in the inner magnetosphere during the storm main phase is sufficient for the magnetic field observed on the Earth's surface to be generated. The energy flux to the ring current is 15% of the -energy flux into the magnetosphere.     

Interaction of non-perpendicular/parallel solar wind shock waves with the earth's magnetosphere

The interaction of travelling interplanetary shock waves with the bow shock-magnetosphere system is considered. We consider the general case when the interplanetary magnetic field is oblique to the Sun-planetary axis, thus, the interplanetary shock is neither parallel nor perpendicular. We find that an ensemble of shocks are produced after the interaction for a representative range of shock Mach numbers. First, we find that the system S ₊ R _– CS _– S ₊ appears after the collision of travelling fast shock waves S ₊ (Mach number M = 2 to 7) with the bow shock. Here, S _– and R _– represent the slow shock wave and slow rarefaction wave, and C represents the contact surface. It is shown that in the presence of an interplanetary field that is inclined by 45° to the radial solar wind velocity vector, the waves R _– and S _– are weak waves and, to the first degree of approximation, the situation is similar to the previously studied normal perpendicular case. The configuration, R ₊ C _m S _– S ₊ or R ₊ C _m R _– S ₊ where C _m is the magnetopause, appears as the result of the fast shock wave's collision with the magnetopause. In this case the waves S _– and R _– are weak. The fast rarefaction wave reflected from the magnetosphere is developed similar to the case for the collision of a perpendicular shock. The shock wave intensity is varied for Mach numbers from 2 to 10. Thus, in the limits of the first approximation, the validity of the one-dimensional consideration of the nonstationary interaction of travelling interplanetary shock waves with the bow shock-magnetosphere system is proved. The appearance of the fast rarefaction wave, R ₄, decreasing the pressure on the magnetosphere of the Earth after the abrupt shock-like contraction, is proved. A possible geomagnetic effect during the global perturbation of the SSC or SI⁺ type is discussed.An invited paper presented at STIP Workshop on Shock Waves in the Solar Corona and Interplanetary Space, 15–19 June, 1980, Smolenice, Czechoslovakia.     

Plasma waves in the frequency range 0.001 – 10 cps in the earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere

The plasma model for the magnetosphere and ionosphere is first discussed. A review of some parts of the theory for a warm collisionless plasma of interest in the magnetosphere in connection with waves of periods between 0.1 and 1000 seconds is given. The theory for magnetohydro-dynamic waves in a slightly ionized gas is then summarized. The available observational data about magnetospheric and ionospheric phenomena, which may be interpreted in terms of waves with periods between 0.1 and 1000 seconds, are briefly surveyed and some theoretical applications to the ionosphere and magnetosphere are finally discussed. The theory of shock phenomena and transients in the magnetosphere is not included in the report.     

Wind in the Solar Corona: Dynamics and Composition

The dynamics of the solar corona as observed during solar minimum with the Ultraviolet Coronagraph Spectrometer, UVCS, on SOHO is discussed. The large quiescent coronal streamers existing during this phase of the solar cycle are very likely composed by sub-streamers, formed by closed loops and separated by open field lines that are channelling a slow plasma that flows close to the heliospheric current sheet. The polar coronal holes, with magnetic topology significantly varying from their core to their edges, emit fast wind in their central region and slow wind close to the streamer boundary. The transition from fast to slow wind then appears to be gradual in the corona, in contrast with the sharp transition between the two wind regimes observed in the heliosphere. It is suggested that speed, abundance and kinetic energy of the wind are modulated by the topology of the coronal magnetic field. Energy deposition occurs both in the slow and fast wind but its effect on the kinetic temperature and expansion rate is different for the slow and fast wind.     

Origin of the Solar Wind: Theory

A theory is presented for the origin of the solar wind, which is based on the behavior of the magnetic field of the Sun. The magnetic field of the Sun can be considered as having two distinct components: Open magnetic flux in which the field lines remain attached to the Sun and are dragged outward into the heliosphere with the solar wind. Closed magnetic flux in which the field remains entirely attached to the Sun, and forms loops and active regions in the solar corona. It is argued that the total open flux should tend to be constant in time, since it can be destroyed only if open flux of opposite polarity reconnect, a process that may be unlikely since the open flux is ordered into large-scale regions of uniform polarity. The behavior of open flux is thus governed by its motion on the solar surface. The motion may be due primarily to a diffusive process that results from open field lines reconnecting with randomly oriented closed loops, and also due to the usual convective motions on the solar surface such as differential rotation. The diffusion process needs to be described by a diffusion equation appropriate for transport by an external medium, which is different from the usual diffusion coefficient used in energetic particle transport. The loops required for the diffusion have been identified in recent observations of the Sun, and have properties, both in size and composition, consistent with their use in the model. The diffusive process, in which reconnection occurs between open field lines and loops, is responsible for the input of mass and energy into the solar wind. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Dynamics of the disturbed ionosphere

The ionospheric storm process at F layer heights is reviewed and an explanation in terms of wind-induced diffusion of atomic oxygen is given.     

Dynamics of the geomagnetic storm

This paper is intended as a critical review of current ideas concerning the mechanisms responsible for the geomagnetic storm.The dynamical theory of the geomagnetic storm phenomenon is formulated as a problem in elasticity. The observed variations in the field are the strains produced by particle stresses exerted by gases in interplanetary space, by gases enmeshed in the field, and by the gases in the ionosphere. The stresses exerted by interplanetary gases are principally inward, resulting in the initial phase increase of the horizontal component. The stresses exerted by gases enmeshed in the field are principally outward, resulting in the main phase decrease of the horizontal component. The transient sudden commencement is a hydromagnetic wave phenomenon.The main phase is most simply explained by the shock heating of the ions to kev energies at 3 – 5 R _E during the active phase of the storm. The recovery follows then from charge exchange with the ambient neutral hydrogen. The predicted more rapid recovery at sunspot minimum has been verified observationally.This work was supported by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration under grant NASA-NsG-96-60.     

Coronal Dynamics and the AIA on SDO

We provide a brief overview of present-day studies of inner corona dynamics, with examples of mass ejections (CME), flares and active region dynamics. While the names of the topics have not changed in several decades, the internal details and the language used to express the nature of the problem have changed considerably. We conclude with a short discussion of the contribution to studies of coronal dynamics to be expected from the Atmospheric Imager Assembly (AIA) on the Solar Dynamics Observatory.     

Solar Wind Control of the Magnetospheric and Auroral Dynamics

A dependence of the polar cap magnetic flux on the interplanetary magnetic field and on the solar wind dynamic pressure is studied. The model calculations of the polar cap and auroral oval magnetic fluxes at the ionospheric level are presented. The obtained functions are based on the paraboloid magnetospheric model calculations. The scaling law for the polar cap diameter changing for different subsolar distances is demonstrated. Quiet conditions are used to compare theoretical results with the UV images of the Earth’s polar region obtained onboard the Polar and IMAGE spacecrafts. The model calculations enable finding not only the average polar cap magnetic flux but also the extreme values of the polar cap and auroral oval magnetic fluxes. These values can be attained in the course of the severe magnetic storm. Spectacular aurora often can be seen at midlatitude during severe magnetic storm. In particularly, the Bastille Day storm of July 15–16, 2000, was a severe magnetic storm when auroral displays were reported at midlatitudes. Enhancement of global magnetospheric current systems (ring current and tail current) and corresponding reconstruction of the magnetospheric structure is a reason for the equatorward displacement of the auroral zone. But at the start of the studied event the contracted polar cap and auroral oval were observed. In this case, the sudden solar wind pressure pulse was associated with a simultaneous northward IMF turning. Such IMF and solar wind pressure behavior is a cause of the observed aurora dynamics.     

结构动力学方程的显式与隐式数值计算

从理论上详细推导了动力学方程的显式隐式时间积分数值计算方法,针对经典中心差分格式在求解阻尼结构计算效率降低的问题,研究提出了一种新的显式积分格式,理论证明该数值积分格式能够处理各种复杂阻尼状态而不降低计算效率。对于不同的时间步长通过设定调节加速度参数,能得到比经典显式计算格式和NEWMARK逐步时间积分更高的精度,最后通过数值算例对三种计算格式的理论分析进行了验证。     

Short-range radio navigation systems: current status and prospects

The problems of the development of short-range navigation aids as integrated multifunctional systems for the near future while implementing them in poorly equipped regions, ice-breaker fleets, and on remote oil platforms are discussed. Conclusions are drawn about the reasonability of utilization for those purposes of various modifications of the existing integrated short-range navigation systems. These systems provide highly accurate operation, have a convenient ρ-&thetas; coordinate system, and are capable in some cases of providing the additional functions     

Seismology of Prominence-Fine structures: Observations and Theory

Prominence seismology is a rapidly developing topic which seeks to infer the internal structure and properties of solar prominences from the study of its oscillations. Two-dimensional high-resolution observations suggest that filaments can be considered as made by small scale fibrils, having a cool region, stacked one after another in the vertical and horizontal directions. An extense observational background about oscillations in filaments has been gathered during the last 20 years and these observations point out that fibrils or groups of fibrils can oscillate independently. From the theoretical point of view, small amplitude oscillations in single and multifibril configurations have been studied as a first step to explain observational features.     

劳动价值论:学习与反思--与晏智杰教授商榷

马克思的劳动价值论是马克思主义经济学的理论基础,是我们认识和把握社会经济生活最基本的理性认识源泉.理论作为时代的产物有其局限性,马克思的劳动价值论也不例外.深化对马克思劳动价值论的认识是时代赋予中国经济学家的历史使命,但深化认识的基本要求和理论基础是正确把握马克思劳动价值论的基本内容.拜读晏智杰教授有关马克思劳动价值论的文章,是以向晏教授请教.     

Origin of Comet Nuclei and Dynamics

We present a review of the main physical features of comet nuclei, their birthplaces and the dynamical processes that allow some of them to reach the Sun’s neighborhood and become potentially detectable. Comets are thought to be the most primitive bodies of the solar system although some processing—for instance, melting water ice in their interiors and collisional fragmentation and reaccumulation—could have occurred after formation to alter their primordial nature. Their estimated low densities (a few tenths g?cm^?3) point to a very fluffy, porous structure, while their composition rich in water ice and other highly volatile ices point to a formation in the region of the Jovian planets, or the trans-neptunian region. The main reservoir of long-period comets is the Oort cloud, whose visible radius is ～3.3×10⁴ AU. Yet, the existence of a dense inner core cannot be ruled out, a possibility that would have been greatly favored if the solar system formed in a dense galactic environment. The trans-neptunian object Sedna might be the first discovered member that belongs to such a core. The trans-neptunian population is the main source of Jupiter family comets, and may be responsible for a large renovation of the Oort cloud population.