Moderate geomagnetic storms and their ionospheric effects at middle and low latitudes

This paper reports the global response of the mid high and low latitude ionosphere in four longitudinal sectors to two moderate geomagnetic storms that occurred during 2007 (the more intense storms occurred that year). The results obtained during these storms show that the ionospheric effects in general are not moderate in magnitude, showing an important degree of complexity as during intense storms. The outstanding features produced during the storms are significant positive storm effects at mid-high latitudes during the main phase/first part of the recovery, positive effects after the onset of the storm followed by negatives effects at middle latitudes and delayed positive effects during the night-time hours in the trough of the equatorial anomaly (“dusk” effect). Possible physical mechanisms for controlling the morphology of the ionosphere during these events are considered.     

Ionospheric variation at Thailand equatorial latitude station: Comparison between observations and IRI-2001 model predictions

In this paper, the F2-layer critical frequency (foF2) and peak height (hmF2) measured by the FM/CW ionosonde at Thailand equatorial latitude station, namely Chumphon (10.72°N, 99.37°E, dip 3.22) are presented. The measurement data during low solar activity from January 2004 to December 2006 are analyzed based on the diurnal, seasonal variation. The results are then compared with IRI-2001 model predictions. Our study shows that: (1) In general, both the URSI and CCIR options of the IRI model give foF2 close to the measured ones, but the CCIR option produces a smaller range of deviation than the URSI option. The agreement during daytime is generally better than during nighttime. Overestimation mostly occurs in 2004 and 2006, while underestimation is during pre-sunrise hours in June solstice in 2005. The peak foF2 around sunset is higher during March equinox and September equinox than the other seasons, with longer duration of maximum levels in March equinox than September equinox. Large coefficients of variability foF2 occur during pre-sunrise hours. Meanwhile, the best agreement between the observed foF2 and the IRI model is obtained in June solstice. (2) In general, The IRI (CCIR) model predicts the observed hmF2 well during daytime in June solstice from 2004–2006, but it overestimates during March equinox, September equinox and December solstice. For nighttime, the model overestimates hmF2 values for all seasons especially during March equinox and September equinox. However, the model underestimates hmF2 values during September equinox and for some cases during June solstice and December solstice at pre-sunrise. The agreement between the IRI model and the hmF2(M3000_OBS) is worst around noontime, post-sunset and pre-sunrise hours. All comparative studies give feedback for new improvements of CCIR and URSI IRI models.     

Meteorological effects observed in the D-region of the equatorial ionosphere

Electron density values were measured during morning hours over Thumba. The results show that electron density in mesosphere is more during summer than during winter for same solar zenith angle. The temperature measurements carried out on the same day during night hours show that mesosphere is hotter in winter and cooler in summer over Thumba. The electron density and temperature are anti-correlated. The results are explained in terms of temperature effects and other meteorological effects.     

Morphological studies on ionospheric VHF scintillations over an Indian low latitude station during a solar cycle period (2001–2010)

The amplitude scintillations data recorded at 244 MHz from the geostationary satellite, FLEETSAT (73°E) at a low latitude station, Waltair (17.7°N, 83.3°E) during the ten year period of high to low solar activity from 2001 to 2010 is considered to study the occurrence characteristics of the VHF scintillations. A close association between the intense scintillations on VHF signals during pre-midnight hours, associated with range type of spread-F on ionograms and a relatively weak and slow fading scintillations during post-midnight hours associated with frequency type of spread-F is observed during the relatively high sunspot years from 2001 to 2004, whereas during the low sunspot years from 2005 to 2010 the scintillation activity as well as spread-F activity are found to be minimum. During both the high and low sunspot years, it is observed that the maximum scintillation activity occurs during equinoctial months followed by winter with the minimum occurrence during summer months. The annual mean percentage occurrence of scintillations is found to be clearly associated with the variations in the annual mean sunspot number. The nocturnal variations in the occurrence of scintillations show the onset of scintillation activity starts from 19:00 h LT with maximum of occurrence around 21:00 h LT. A clear semiannual variation in the occurrence of scintillations is observed during pre-midnight hours with two peaks in equinoctial months of March/April and September/October. The number of scintillation patches observed is found to be more during pre-midnight hours compared to those during post-midnight hours. The most probable scintillation patch duration lies around 30 min. Further, it is also found that the number of scintillation patches with durations of 60 min and more decreases with the increase in the patch duration. It is also observed in general that the scintillation activity is inhibited during geomagnetic disturbed days.     

地磁暴期间中、低纬度地区大气臭氧含量的变化

本文分析了1966—1983年不同类型磁暴期间大气臭氧含量的变化。分析结果表明,不同类型磁暴发生时,臭氧含量均有明显的变化,但其特征是不相同的。G_C暴出现时在第6天[O₃]出现明显的下降;S_I暴出现时在第3天和第4天出现较大的下降;S_C暴中的S_A暴对[O₃]的扰动幅度最大,最大下降出现在第1天;S_B暴发生时,[O₃]最大下降出现在第2天;S_D和S_d暴期间[O₃]也在第2天下降到最小值;S_b暴发生时,[O₃]则在0天出现最小值。当这些暴出现时,[O₃]的扰动幅度依次减小,但不论哪种暴发生的前一天,[O₃]都有一个明显的增加。      

Interplanetary shocks and sudden impulses during solar maximum (2000) and solar minimum (1995–1996)

In this work a study is performed on the correlation between fast forward interplanetary shock parameters at 1 Astronomical Unit and sudden impulse (SI) amplitudes in the H-component of the geomagnetic field, for periods of solar activity maximum (year 2000) and minimum (year 1995–1996). Solar wind temperature, density and speed, and total magnetic field, were taken to calculate the static pressures (thermal and magnetic) both in the upstream and downstream sides of the shocks. The variations of the solar wind parameters and pressures were then correlated with SI amplitudes. The solar wind speed variations presented good correlations with sudden impulses, with correlation coefficients larger than 0.70 both in solar maximum and solar minimum, whereas the solar wind density presented very low correlation. The parameter better correlated with SI was the square root dynamic pressure variation, showing a larger correlation during solar maximum (r = 0.82) than during solar minimum (r = 0.77). The correlations of SI with square root thermal and magnetic pressure were smaller than with the dynamic pressure, but they also present a good correlation, with r > 0.70 during both solar maximum and minimum. Multiple linear correlation analysis of SI in terms of the three pressure terms have shown that 78% and 85% of the variance in SI during solar maximum and minimum, respectively, are explained by the three pressure variations. Average sudden impulse amplitude was 25 nT during solar maximum and 21 nT during solar minimum, while average square root dynamic pressure variation is 1.20 and 0.86 nPa^1/2 during solar maximum and minimum, respectively. Thus on average, fast forward interplanetary shocks are 33% stronger during solar maximum than during solar minimum, and the magnetospheric SI response has amplitude 20% higher during solar maximum than during solar minimum. A comparison with theoretical predictions (Tsyganenko’s model corrected by Earth’s induced currents) of the coefficient of sudden impulse change with solar wind dynamic pressure variation showed excellent agreement, with values around 17 nT/nPa^1/2.     

磁暴对海南地区电离层扩展F的影响

利用2002年2月至2007年12月海南地区DPS-4测高仪观测数据, 用统计分析方法研究了磁暴对电离层扩展F的影响. 结果认为磁暴从整体上抑制了扩展F现象的发生. 但若把扩展F分为不同类型, 则结果却有所不同. 对于频率型(FSF), 在2002年和2003年磁暴对其有促发作用, 在2004---2007年有抑制作用; 对于区域型(RSF), 在2002---2005年磁暴对其有抑制作用, 在2006年和2007年, 对其有弱促发作用; 对于混合型(MSF), 在2002年磁暴对其有抑制作用, 在2003年和2004年有促发作用, 从2005年开始, 磁暴对其有抑制作用; 对于强区域型 (SSF), 在2002---2004年磁暴对其有抑制作用, 在2005年和2006年有促发作用, 2007年有弱抑制作用.      

The response of endocrine system to stress loads during space flight in human subject.

The responses of endocrine system to the exposure to stress-work load and hormonal changes during oral glucose tolerance tests were studied in the Slovak astronaut before (three weeks before flight), during (on the 4th and the 6th days of space flight), and after space flight (1-3 days and 15-17 days after space flight) on board of space station MIR. Blood samples during the tests were collected via cannula inserted into cubital vein, centrifuged in the special appliance Plasma-03, frozen in Kryogem-03, and at the end of the 8-day space flight transferred to Earth in special container for hormonal analysis. Preflight workload produced an increase of plasma norepinephrine and a moderate elevation of epinephrine levels. Plasma levels of insulin, growth hormone, prolactin and cortisol were not markedly changed immediately or 10 min after the end of work load. The higher increases of plasma growth hormone, prolactin and catecholamine levels were noted after workload during space flight as compared to preflight response. The higher plasma glucose and insulin levels were noted during the oral glucose tolerance test in space flight and also in the post flight period. Plasma epinephrine levels were slightly decreasing during glucose tolerance test; however, plasma norepinephrine levels were not changed. The similar patterns of catecholamine levels during glucose tolerance test were found when compared the preflight, in-flight and post flight values. These data demonstrate the changes of the dynamic responses of endocrine system to stress-work and metabolic loads during space flight in human subject.     

Seasonal and solar cycle dependence of F3-layer near the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly

The occurrence of an additional F3-layer has been reported at Brazilian, Indian and Asian sectors by several investigators. In this paper, we report for the first time the seasonal variations of F3-layer carried out near the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) at São José dos Campos (23.2°S, 45.0°W; dip latitude 17.6°S – Brazil) as a function of solar cycle. The period from September 2000 to August 2001 is used as representative of high solar activity (HSA) and the period from January 2006 to December 2006 as representative of low solar activity (LSA). This investigation shows that during HSA there is a maximum occurrence of F3-layer during summer time and a minimum during winter time. However, during LSA, there is no seasonal variation in the F3-layer occurrence. Also, the frequency of occurrence of the F3-layer during HSA is 11 times more than during LSA.     

Dependence of the F-region peak electron density (foF2) on solar activity observed in the equatorial ionospheric anomaly region in the Brazilian sector

The long-term (solar cycle) changes in the Sun and how it affects the ionospheric F-region observed at São José dos Campos (23.2° S, 45.9° W), Brazil, a location under the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly, have been investigated in this paper. The dependence of the F-region peak electron density (foF2) on solar activity during the descending phase of the 23rd solar cycle for the periods of high, medium, and low solar activity has been studied. The ionospheric F-region peak electron densities observed during high and medium solar activity show seasonal variations with maxima close to the equinox periods, whereas during the low solar activity the maxima during the equinox periods is absent. However, during the low solar activity only change observed is a large decrease from summer to winter months. We have further investigated changes in the different ionospheric F-region parameters (minimum virtual height of the F-region (h′F), virtual height at 0.834foF2 (hpF2), and foF2) during summer to winter months in low solar activity periods, 2006–2007 and 2007–2008. Large changes in the two ionospheric parameters (hpF2 and foF2) are observed during summer to winter months in the two low solar activity periods investigated.     

Qualitative estimation of magnetic storm efficiency in producing relativistic electron flux in the Earth’s outer radiation belt using geomagnetic pulsations data

It is well known that during many but not all of the geomagnetic storms enhanced fluxes of high-energy electrons are observed in the outer radiation belt. Here we examine relativistic (>2 MeV) electron fluxes measured by GOES at the synchronous orbit and on-ground observations of two types of ULF pulsations during 30 magnetic storms occurred during 1996–2000. To characterize the effectiveness of the chosen magnetic storms in producing relativistic electron fluxes, following to (Reeves, G.D., McAdams, K.L., Friedel, R.H.W., O’Brien, T.R. Acceleration and loss of relativistic electrons during geomagnetic storms. Geophys. Res. Lett. 30, doi:10.1029/2002GL016513, 2003), we calculate a ratio of the maximum daily-averaged electron flux measured during the recovery phase, to the mean pre-storm electron flux. A storm is considered an effective one if its ratio exceeds 2. We compare behavior of Pi1 and Pc5 geomagnetic pulsations during effective and non-effective storms and find a tendency for a storm efficiency to be higher when the mid-latitude Pi1 pulsations are observed for a long time during the magnetic storm main phase. We note also that the prolonged powerful Pc5 pulsation activity during the recovery phase of a magnetic storm is the necessary condition for the storm effectiveness. To interpret the found dependences, we suggest that there are two prerequisites for generating relativistic electron populations during a storm: (1) the availability of seed electrons in the magnetosphere, and Pi1 emissions are indicators of the mid-energy electron interaction with the ionosphere and (2) acceleration of the seed electrons to MeV energies, and interaction of electrons with the MHD wave activity in the Pc5 range is one of the most probable mechanisms proposed in the literature for this purpose.     

Comparison of diurnal,seasonal and latitudinal effect of MUF VR and NmF2 VR during some solar cycle epochs

The diurnal and seasonal changes of the variability (VR) of Maximum Useable Frequency (MUF) are compared with those of peak electron density (NmF2) at Ibadan (7.4°N, 3.9°E, 6°S dip) in the African sector. Also compared is the latitudinal effect on both characteristics by combining data from Singapore (1.3°N, 103.8°E, 17.6°S dip) in the East Asian sector and Slough (51.5°N, 359.4°E, 66.5°S dip) in the European sector. MUF VR is found to be about half of NmF2 VR at all the hours and seasons and during the solar cycle epochs considered for the three stations. While nighttime MUF VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during both low and moderate solar activities and in September Equinox and December Solstice during high solar activity, nighttime NmF2 VR is greater in June Solstice and September Equinox during high solar activity and greater at the equinoxes during low and moderate solar activities. This signifies a shift in nighttime MUF peak VR from the middle six months during low and moderate solar activities to the last half of the year during high solar activity. Daytime VR of both characteristics are not observed to show any seasonal variation. MUF VR and that of NmF2 are found to increase and decrease alternately with the Zurich sunspot number (Rz) for Ibadan and Singapore. For Slough, the VR of both characteristics increases with Rz during the first half of the day. It then increases and decreases alternately with Rz during the remaining hours of the day. While nighttime MUF VR decreases with latitude, just like nighttime NmF2 VR, no latitudinal effect is found for daytime VR of both characteristics.     

Ionospheric response to the 17 March and 22 June 2015 geomagnetic storms over Wuhan region using GNSS-based tomographic technique

By using the data of GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) observation from Crustal Movement Observation Network of China (CMONOC), ionospheric electron density (IED) distributions reconstructed by using computerized ionospheric tomography (CIT) technique are used to investigate the ionospheric storm effects over Wuhan region during 17 March and 22 June 2015 geomagnetic storm periods. F-region critical frequency (foF2) at Wuhan ionosonde station shows an obvious decrease during recovery phase of the St. Patrick’s Day geomagnetic storm. Moreover, tomographic results present that the decrease in electron density begins at 12:00 UT on 17 March during the storm main phase. Also, foF2 shows a long-lasting negative storm effect during the recovery phase of the 22 June 2015 geomagnetic storm. Electron density chromatography presents the evident decrease during the storm day in accordance with the ionosonde observation. These ionospheric negative storm effects are probably associated with changes of chemical composition, PPEF and DDEF from high latitudes.     

Relevant aspects of equatorial plasma bubbles under different solar activity conditions

Observations of the OI 630 nm nightglow emission using a wide-angle imaging system have been carried out at Cachoeira Paulista (22.7° S, 45° W, 15.8° S dip latitude), Brazil during the period 1987 to 1999. The OI 630 nm images obtained during this period show frequently the optical signature of the plasma bubble (quasi north-south aligned depleted intensity regions). During the period studied a strong seasonal variation was noticed in the plasma bubble formations. Also, it was observed that, during high solar activity, the plasma bubble bifurcation occurrences were higher than during low solar activity. Important features from this set of observations are presented and discussed in this paper.     

Interplanetary shocks and geomagnetic activity during solar maximum (2000) and solar minimum (1995–1996)

Plasma and magnetic field parameter variations through fast forward interplanetary shocks were correlated with the peak geomagnetic activity index Dst in a period from 0 to 3 days after the shock, during solar maximum (2000) and solar minimum (1995–1996). Solar wind speed (V) and total magnetic field (B_t) were the parameters with higher correlations with peak Dst index. The correlation coefficients were higher during solar minimum (r² = 56% for V and 39% for B_t) than during solar maximum (r² = 15% for V and 12% for B_t). A statistical distribution of geomagnetic activity levels following interplanetary shocks was obtained. It was observed that during solar maximum, 36% and 28% of interplanetary shocks were followed by intense (Dst  −100 nT) and moderate (−50  Dst < −100 nT) geomagnetic activity, whereas during solar minimum 13% and 33% of the shocks were followed by intense and moderate geomagnetic activity. It can be concluded that the upstream/downstream variations of V and B_t through the shocks were the parameters better correlated with geomagnetic activity level, and during solar maximum a higher relative number of interplanetary shocks can be followed by intense geomagnetic activity than during solar minimum. One can extrapolate, for forecasting goals, that during a whole solar cycle a shock has a probability of around 50% to be followed by intense/moderate geomagnetic activity.     

太阳活动低年低纬地区VTEC 变化特性分析

利用福州台站(26.1°N, 119.3°E, 磁纬14.4°N)电离层闪烁与TEC监测仪2006-2010年的观测数据, 对该地区垂直总电子含量(VTEC)进行时间变化特性分析. 结果表明, 春秋冬三季的VTEC平均最高值出现在06:00UT, 夏季出现在08:00UT, 所有季节的平均最低值均出现在21:00UT; VTEC变化存在季节异常和弱冬季异常, 春秋季节高, 冬夏季节低, 夏季VTEC比冬季低且最大值出现时间延迟; VTEC在2006-2009年呈现下降的变化趋势, 2010年开始增强, 年际变化与太阳活动及地磁活动变化趋势具有较好的对应关系; VTEC变化与太阳活动存在很好的相关性, 相关系数达到0.5以上, 地磁活动则显示了弱相关的特性; F_10.7与VTEC的相关性随着每天Kp指数总值Σ_kp的增大而减小.      

Transpiration during life cycle in controlled wheat growth.

We use a previously-developed model of wheat growth, which was designed for convenient incorporation into system-level models of advanced space life support systems. We apply the model to data from an experiment that grew wheat under controlled conditions and measured fresh biomass and cumulated transpiration as a function of time. We examine the adequacy of modeling the transpiration as proportional to the inedible biomass and an age factor, which varies during the life cycle. Results indicate that during the main phase of vegetative growth in the first half of the life cycle, the rate of transpiration per unit mass of inedible biomass is more than double the rate during the phase of grain development and maturation during latter half of the life cycle.     

第23太阳活动周行星际磁场扇形结构对中低纬地磁场的影响

用特征向量分析法对第23太阳活动周天津静海磁场强度水平分量H的时均值进行研究,分析行星际磁场扇形结构的地磁效应（简称扇形效应）对中低纬地磁场H分量日变化的贡献.研究结果表明,中低纬扇形效应为3～11nT,在太阳活动高年扇形效应达到最大值（约11nT）,低年达到最小值（约3nT）.太阳活动高年扇形效应引起的地磁H分量值变化与太阳活动低年的情况相反,但是扇形效应在夏季对地磁H分量的影响较小.太阳活动高年扇形效应日均值的增减与上升年的相反,与下降年相同,夏季扇形效应平均增量最小且无规律.春、夏和秋三个季节的扇形效应最大值都出现在太阳活动高年,冬季的扇形效应在太阳活动峰年两年后才出现最大值（约11nT）.在太阳活动低年（或高年）,当扇形磁场背离（或指向）太阳时,夏季扇形效应白天引起地磁H分量增大（或减小）,夜间导致地磁H分量减小（或增大）,其他季节全天都会导致地磁H分量减小（或增大）.用特征向量推断行星际磁场扇形极性的符合率在春夏秋三个季节高达60%,在冬季为55%.      

On the behavior of thermospheric O1D 630.0 nm dayglow emission during counter electrojet events

This study presents the response of thermospheric O¹D 630.0 nm dayglow emission to the variability associated with equatorial Counter Electrojet (CEJ) events. The analysis based on the data from a meridian scanning Dayglow Photometer, Digital Ionosonde and Proton Precession Magnetometer over Trivandrum (8.5°N, 77°E, 0.5°dip lat.), indicates that the O¹D 630.0 nm emission behave distinctly different during the CEJ events compared to that on normal days. It has been observed that O¹D 630.0 nm emission shows enhancement during the negative excursion of the ΔH, followed by an unusual depletion during the peak CEJ time. The observed variability was found to be more pronounced in a latitudinal region of ±3° centered at around the dip equator. In addition, the emission intensities also exhibit the presence of enhanced short period oscillations of periodicity 20–30 min during the CEJ events. Analysis of the data from the collocated ionosonde revealed that the F-region electron density showed enhancement during the early phase of the CEJ and a decrease during the peak CEJ. Further, the simulation studies using a Quasi 2 dimensional ionospheric model showed that the modified plasma fountain during the CEJ can alter the plasma density at the emission centroid. The study reveals a strong dynamical coupling between the E and F-region of the dip equatorial ionosphere.     

Stratosphere-mesosphere coupling during stratospheric sudden warming events

In this review article we summarize recent results in the coupling of the stratosphere–mesosphere during stratospheric sudden warming (SSW) events. We focus on the role of planetary and gravity waves in driving the middle atmosphere circulation and illustrate the stratosphere–mesosphere coupling during undisturbed wintertime circulation, during an SSW event, and after an SSW event during the formation of an elevated stratopause using simulations of past Arctic and Antarctic winters from the Specified Dynamics version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (SD-WACCM). We illustrate the transition of the polar stratopause from being a gravity wave driven phenomena to a planetary wave driven phenomena during SSW events and its subsequent reestablishment and control by gravity waves. We also examine the synoptic structure of the stratosphere, mesosphere, and lower thermosphere using SD-WACCM data fields that show the structure of the vortex during specific dynamical events in both hemispheres. We illustrate the longitudinal asymmetry in the thermal structure in the stratosphere and mesosphere driven by differences in circulation over the polar cap regions during an SSW event. We complement this analysis of the middle atmosphere circulation with a classification of both the Arctic and Antarctic winters since 1979 into major, minor, elevated stratopause or quiet winters based on the level of disturbance using the Modern Era-Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) reanalysis data. From the MERRA data we find that the combined occurrences of both major and minor warmings in the Arctic have remained constant over the past three decades while we find a minor increase in their occurrences in the Antarctic.