太阳风向磁层输入电磁能量研究

利用全球磁流体力学（MHD）模拟结果,通过确立包含磁层顶的太阳风流线内边界来识别三维磁层顶位形,并以极尖区位置作为磁层顶日侧与夜侧的分界线,在此基础上定量研究了不同条件下穿过磁层顶向磁层内输入的电磁能量. 研究发现,磁层顶的能量传输与太阳风条件密切相关,磁重联是控制电磁能量传输的重要机制. 结果表明,当IMF（行星际磁场）南向时,极尖区后方的磁尾附近存在电磁能输入最大值,当IMF北向时,电磁能输入最大值发生在极尖区附近;南向IMF条件下,在IMF强度增大或太阳风密度增大时,磁层顶电磁能传输的电磁能量比北向IMF条件时增加更显著. 太阳风通过调节磁层顶面积间接影响到磁层顶能量传输大小. 研究还发现,北向IMF与南向IMF条件下穿过磁层顶的电磁能输入的比值范围约为10%～30%,此比值一定程度上反映了北、南方向IMF与地磁场磁重联效率的比值.      

基于MHD模拟数据的正午午夜子午面磁层顶位形研究

通过分析太阳风-磁层-电离层系统的三维全球磁流体力学(MHD)模型的计算数据, 给出了正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形的定量模型. 分析表明, 正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形可以用文献[3]提出的基于卫星观测数据的、描述赤道面磁层顶位形的函数来描述. 与赤道面磁层顶不同, 正午-午夜子午面磁层顶位形更为复杂. 在忽略极尖区(cusp)的简化条件下, 磁层顶位形仍需利用两条曲线来拟合. 太阳风动压Dp与行星际磁场分量Bz是控制磁层顶位形的主要因素. 行星际磁场为北向时, 磁场增强, 日下点距离r0增大; 行星际磁场为南向时, 磁场增强, 磁层顶日下点距离r0减小. 整体而言, 行星际磁场分量Bz由南转北时, r0增大, 且Bz对r0的影响减弱. 太阳风动压Dp是控制磁层顶日下点的主要因素, Dp增大, r0减小. 磁层顶位形的另一个参数磁层顶磁尾张角α, 随着行星际磁场南向分量增强而增大, 即磁层顶张开程度更加显著, 更多的磁通量由向阳侧传输到夜侧; Dp增大, α略增大, 这意味着Dp对磁通量由日侧向夜侧的传输也有一定的贡献.      

地球弓激波的三维模拟

利用磁流体动力学(MHD)全球模拟结果,根据弓激波的跃变特性确定出弓激波位置,建立了一个新的综合考虑了快磁声马赫数、太阳风动压、行星际磁场强度以及磁层顶曲率半径的弓激波三维位型模型.将新模型与以往模型的模拟结果进行比较发现,新的弓激波全球模型结果可靠,解决了部分现有模型不能描述弓激波三维位型的问题.研究结果表明,在行星际磁场北向时,随着快磁声马赫数的增大,弓激波日下点距离减小,但是在行星际磁场南向时,快磁声马赫数的变化对弓激波日下点距离影响不大;弓激波位型在赤道面与子午面上存在明显的不对称性,而且随着行星际磁场的转向,这种非对称性也会发生相应改变;行星际磁场南向,B_z值较小时,子午面内弓激波位型已经不是简单的抛物线,出现了明显的类似于极尖区磁层顶的凹陷变化区.      

三维试验粒子轨道法在磁层粒子全球输运中的应用

根据磁层粒子动力学理论, 通过偶极磁场模型验证利用三维试验粒子轨道方法模拟近地球区(r < 8R_e)带电粒子运动特征的可靠性. 在此基础上, 以太阳风和磁层相互作用的全球MHD模拟结果为背景, 利用三维试验粒子轨道方法, 对非磁暴期间南向行星际磁场背景下太阳风离子注入磁层的情形进行数值模拟, 并对北向行星际磁场背景下太阳风离子注入极尖区以及内磁层的几种不同情形进行了单粒子模拟. 模拟结果反映了南向和北向行星际磁场离子向磁层的几种典型输入过程, 揭示出行星际磁场南向时太阳风粒子在磁层内密度分布的晨昏不对称性以及其在磁鞘和磁层内的大致分布, 并得出统计规律. 模拟结果与理论预测和观测结论相一致, 且通过数值模拟发现, 行星际磁场北向时靠近极尖区附近形成的非典型磁镜结构对于能量粒子经由极尖区注入环电流区域过程有重要的影响和作用.      

远磁尾磁层顶位形的偏转

利用WIND和ARTEMIS卫星观测数据，分析远磁尾磁层顶对行星际和太阳风变化的响应，尤其是偏离日地连线的太阳风速度改变对远磁尾磁层顶的影响.研究发现在2011年9月13日的事件中，P2卫星观测到高速且高密度的磁鞘流.利用最小变量法进行分析发现，磁层顶沿着偏离日地连线的太阳风速度方向发生偏转.根据相似三角形定理，推断出本次事件中磁层顶在y方向和z方向上的偏转幅度分别达到10R_e和6R_e.P1和P2卫星的相对位置也证实了这一观点.因此，偏离日地连线的太阳风速度对远磁尾磁层顶的位形影响很大.研究结果可为建立包含太阳风速度v_y和v_z效应的磁层顶模型提供观测证据.      

亚暴起始位置和膨胀相持续时间对行星际磁场Bz分量的响应

磁层亚暴是太阳风–磁层–电离层耦合过程中的重要爆发性事件,其特性受太阳风参数的影响很大。本文利用对IMAGE卫星在2000 － 2005年观测到的4193个亚暴起始事件,统计研究了在不同的行星际磁场（IMF）B_z 条件下亚暴起始位置和膨胀相持续时间。结果表明,南向IMF发生的亚暴比北向IMF下发生的亚暴要多。南向IMF条件下亚暴AE指数最大值的平均值基本上>600 nT,并有随南向IMF持续时间增大而增大的趋势。北向IMF条件下亚暴AE指数最大值的平均值基本上<500 nT,并有随北向IMF持续时间增大而减小的趋势。亚暴的起始磁纬度基本上位于65° － 70°之间。当南向IMF或北向IMF的持续时间增大,超过80 min时,北半球的亚暴起始磁纬度会降低。亚暴起始磁地方时大部分位于22:15 － 23:15 MLT之间。但整体分布比较分散,显示不出特别清晰的随IMF B_z持续时间变化的趋势。相比于南向的IMF,北向IMF期间发生亚暴的平均膨胀相持续时间增大了将近10 min,表明南向IMF期间,亚暴强度虽然较大,但其膨胀相持续时间较短,亚暴能量释放和耗散的速度更快。      

太阳风和地球磁层相互作用的两种可能类型

本文对太阳活动20周不同活动期间的太阳风参数与地磁活动性指数分别进行了相关分析,并进一步对太阳活动极大和极小年分别对B_z和太阳风参数V、T、N的时均值日方差作了分析比较。结果指出,除目前普遍认为的IMF与地磁场重联导致的磁扰外,还有一类与B_z无关,而是由高温、高速、热不均匀太阳风等离子体导致的地磁扰动类型。      

IMF北向时太阳风粒子向磁层输运的试验粒子模拟研究

以ACE卫星实时观测数据驱动的全球磁流体模拟为背景场,选取2003年10月22－24日行星际磁场（IMF）持续北向的事件,使用试验粒子方法,对太阳风粒子向磁层输运的过程进行模拟研究,分析北向IMF下太阳风粒子注入磁层过程中粒子在磁层内的空间分布和时间演化特征。IMF北向期间,进入环电流区域的粒子在晨侧区域的密度大于昏侧,且晨侧的粒子分布范围更广。背阳面磁鞘中的太阳风粒子可以通过低纬边界层进入磁层,但很难通过南北侧磁层顶进入磁层。进入磁尾的太阳风粒子聚集形成冷而密的等离子体片（CDPS）,模拟中CDPS的空间分布和密度大小与观测数据符合。在IMF长时间北向期间,磁尾的粒子数量呈现随时间增长的趋势,并存在约20 min的小幅度准周期变化和约5~6 h的较大幅度的准周期变化。      

1978—1988年间磁扰的分析与日地耦合

用1978-1988年间行星际磁场(IMF)的B_z分量、极光区AL指数和赤道附近地磁台Z分量等资料探讨了日地耦合中的主要物理过程。B_z的11年变化大致与太阳活动程度相当,但AL和赤道附近ΔZ更多地受磁层和电离层内部过程所控制。分析中强调了对国际磁抗日按物理过程进行分类的必要性。      

磁层顶极尖区的理论探讨

本文解出了三维磁层顶的Chapman-Ferraro模型。证明极尖区有一条极尖线,长约40°。磁尖线上磁层顶呈尖角。磁层磁力线由极尖线上各点通往磁层顶。通常所谓中性点,足极尖线在日地子午面的截点。      

Effect of the Interplanetary Electric Field on the Magnetopause From Global MHD Simulations

The north-south component B_z of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) and solar wind dynamic pressure P_d are generally treated as the two main factors in the solar wind that determine the geometry of the magnetosphere. By using the 3D global MHD simulations, we investigate the effect of the Interplanetary Electric Field (IEF) on the size and shape of magnetopause quantitatively. Our numerical experiments confirm that the geometry of the magnetopause are mainly determined by P_dB_z, as expected. However, the dawn-dusk IEFs have great impact on the magnetopause erosion because of the magnetic reconnection, thus affecting the size and shape of the magnetopause. Higher solar wind speed with the same B_z will lead to bigger dawn-dusk IEFs, which means the higher reconnection rate, and then results in more magnetic flux removal from the dayside. Consequently, the dayside magnetopause moves inward and flank magnetopause moves outward.      

A Theoretic Interpretation of Movement of the Cusp Equatorward Boundary

A preliminary model is proposed to describe quantitatively the position and movement of cusp equatorward boundary. This integrated model, consisting of an empirical model of the magnetopause and a compressed dipolar model of Open/Closed field line, connects quantitatively the solar wind conditions, subsolar magnetopause and cusp equatorward boundary. It is shown that the increasing solar wind dynamic pressure and the increasing southward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) component drive the magnetopause to move inward and the cusp equatorward. This model is adopted to interpret quantitatively the cusp movement of August 14, 2001 observed by Cluster. The results show that the subsolar magnetopause moved earthward from 10.7 He to 9.0 Re during the period of 002300-002800 UT, and correspondingly the cusp equatorward boundary shifted equatorward. The observations of Cluster C1 and C4 show the cusp equatorward boundary that Cluster Cl and C4 were crossing during same interval moved equatorward by 4.6°. The cusp equatorward boundary velocity computed in the theoretical model (10.7km/s) is in good agreement with the observed value (9.4km/s) calculated from the data of CIS of Cluster C4 and C1.     

磁鞘快速流引起的磁层顶凹陷事件

最近研究表叽磁层顶凹陷对磁层-电离层耦合具有重要作用.但是,磁层顶凹陷现象的确认需要多颗卫星的联合观测,目前为止报道的磁层顶凹陷事例非常少.本文利用THEMIS 5颗卫星的联合观测结果,分析了一例由磁鞘快速流引起的磁层顶凹陷事件.2007年7月21日10:00UT-10:45UT,位于日下点磁层顶附近的THEMIS卫星...     

Magnetopause poleward of the cusp: Comparison of plasma and magnetic signature of the boundary for southward and northward directed interplanetary magnetic field

A coherent data set of high-latitude dayside magnetopause encounters by old (Heos 2, Hawkeye, Prognoz 7, 8) and new (Polar, Interball Tail, Cluster) spacecraft is needed to build a realistic model of the magnetopause (MP) including an indentation in the cusp. In building such a coherent data set a caution is necessary as the dayside magnetopause at high-latitudes may be less clearly defined than in the case of observations at low latitudes. It is due to expected presence of bundles of newly-reconnected magnetic field lines forming an extended boundary layer on the magnetosheath (MS) side of the magnetopause in the cusp region. Moreover, numerical magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) models of the solar wind-magnetosphere interaction predict that under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) an additional thin current sheet should form inside the magnetopause at high latitudes on the dayside (e.g., Wu, 1983; Palmroth et al., 2001). Such a thin currect sheet is absent in empirical magnetosphere models. This internal current sheet, if a real one, may be mistaken for the magnetopause if magnetic field data are only taken into account and/or plasma data are unavailable. The Interball-Tail orbit allows for a full transition of magnetopause boundary layers at high-latitudes. We compare plasma and magnetic field signatures of the magnetopause poleward of the cusp for southward and northward IMF. The distance between the magnetic signature of the magnetopause (the current layer) and a cold and laminarly antisunward flowing MS plasma (so called free-flow MS) was found to be 0.5 to 1 R_E, at least. These observations were made under nominal solar wind of v350 km/s and p_dyn=1 to 4 nPa. We also observed several transient magnetic field reversals in the cusp related to pulses of solar wind dynamic pressure and/or the IMF discontinuity arrival. These transient reversals occurred at the same distance to the model MP as well defined full MP crossing, so most probably they represent just short encounters with the magnetopause current layer. Our analysis suggests that an indentation of the magnetopause with a subtle structure dependent on the local magnetic shear would explain and allow to predict the magnetic configuration in the high-altitude cusp.     

磁层顶穿越事件自动识别算法

磁层顶是太阳风与磁层进行质量、动量、能量交换的关键区域.磁层顶穿越事件(MCEs)可通过对卫星探测到的粒子能谱和磁场数据图进行人工分析的方式来识别.因太阳风动压和行星际磁场的易变性,位于磁层顶附近的卫星经过长期观测可能会经历成千上万次的磁层顶穿越.人工分析的方法工作量巨大,而且识别速度慢.本文发展了一种新的日下点附近M...     

Forecasting magnetopause crossing locations by using Neural Networks

Given the highly complex and nonlinear nature of Near Earth Space processes, mathematical modeling of these processes is usually difficult or impossible. In such cases, modeling methods involving Artificial Intelligence may be employed. We demonstrate that data driven models, such as the Neural Network based approach, shows promise in its ability to forecast or predict the behavior of these processes. In this paper, modeling studies for forecasting magnetopause crossing locations are summarized and a Neural Network algorithm is presented to describe the nonlinear time-dependent response of the subsolar region of the magnetopause to varying solar wind conditions. In our approach the past history of the solar wind has, for the first time to the best knowledge of the authors, been included in forecasting the subsolar region of the magnetopause. It is proposed that the data driven approach is a valid approach to understanding and modeling the physical phenomena of Near Earth Space. The only basic requirement for the data driven approach is the availability of representative data for the phenomena. The objective of this paper is to demonstrate that by using WIND and GEOTAIL satellite data a Neural Network based model can be adapted to the modeling of the Earth’s magnetopause.     

Comparison of the magnetic field before the subsolar magnetopause with the magnetic field in the solar wind before the bow shock

Crossings of the magnetopause near the subsolar point are analyzed using data of THEMIS mission. Variations of the magnetic field near magnetopause measured by one of THEMIS satellites are studied and compared with simultaneous measurements in the solar wind by another THEMIS satellite. The time delay of the solar wind arrival at the subsolar point of the magnetopause is taken into account. 30 and 90 s averaging of the magnetic field in the magnetosheath is produced. The results of averaging are compared with the results of measurements in the solar wind before the bow shock and foreshock. It is shown, that _Bx$B_x$ component of the magnetic field near magnetopause is near to zero, which supports the possibility to consider the magnetopause as the tangential discontinuity. Comparatively good correlation of _By$B_y$ component in the solar wind and near the magnetopause is observed. The correlation of _Bz$B_z$ component near the magnetopause and IMF is practically absent, the sign of the _Bz$B_z$ near the subsolar point does not coincide with the sign of IMF _Bz$B_z$ in ∼$\sim$30% cases.     

Rapid and Asymmetric Response of the Earth's Bow Shock:Multipoint Observations

We analyze observations of three bow shock crossings which occurred during 2007, using upstream data from STEREO A/B, ACE and WIND, combined with multi-point THEMIS and Cluster data, and TC-1 data located near noon. During the crossing of 7 May 2007, we find that following a rapid reduction in solar wind ram pressure and subsequent pressure pulse seen by ACE and WIND upstream, the bow shock responds asymmetrically from dawn to dusk. Cluster data on the dawn-side suggest the bow shock is significantly flared and responds rapidly to the pulse arrival, while TC-1 at noon, and THEMIS on the dusk-side, are well matched to the model bow shock, but show a delayed response. The crossings observed on 21 May and 2 June show contrasting response matching the model boundary for northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The IMF and solar wind plasma data suggest that the bow shock crossing at dawn-dusk side and subsolar point were mainly caused by large and smaller scale features of the solar wind ram pressure rise rather than the influence of IMF.