太阳活动与热层大气密度的相关性研究

为分析太阳活动对热层大气的影响,使用250km,400km,550km高度处热层大气密度与太阳F_10.7指数数据,研究了二者的周期变化及相关关系. 结果表明,热层大气密度的变化与太阳活动呈现相似的变化趋势;两者均具有显著的27天及11年周期变化特征,热层大气密度还存在7～11天及0.5年和1年的变化特征,且高度越高越明显;热层大气密度对太阳活动的最佳响应滞后为3天,无论何种地磁活动水平下,400km高度处相关性高于250km,550km处相关性最小,且太阳活动下降相期间高于上升相;250km,400km和550km高度处热层大气密度和太阳活动的统计结果分别为饱和、线性和放大关系;高度越高的热层大气密度对太阳活动响应越敏感.      

北京和东北地区雷暴与太阳活动的关系

太阳活动对于大气电性能可能会产生影响,而大气电性能在雷暴形成过程中可能会起着重要作用.因此,太阳活动对于大气电性能的影响,最终将有可能影响到雷暴的形成.本文用1957年到1978年北京地区和东北地区的10个气象站的13000多个雷暴资料,用时序迭加法分析了雷暴数与太阳磁扇形界面通过、太阳耀斑及太阳黑子11年周期变化等的关系.结果表明,有些年分的雷暴数当行星际磁场方向由指向太阳变为离开太阳的磁扇形界面扫过地球时有相关影响,在界面通过前后3天内或7天后雷暴数明显增大.从季节来看,上半年的界面通过比下半年的界面通过对雷暴的影响大.在各种太阳耀斑分类统计分析中,看到出现在日面上西区特别是西一区(0°-30°)的耀斑对雷暴的影响显著.雷暴数与太阳黑子11年周期变化则没有很显著的相关关系.      

太阳活动突发过程对临近空间大气影响的模拟

空间天气对地球及近地空间具有重要影响,大的空间天气事件对中上层大气动力学和成分具有不同的影响。利用全大气耦合模式WACCM,针对太阳耀斑、太阳质子、地磁暴三类事件,以太阳活动平静期2015年5月10-14日的GEOS-5数据为模式背景场,通过F_10.7、离子产生率、Kp及Ap指数设置,分别模拟三类事件对临近空间大气温度、密度和臭氧的影响。结果表明耀斑事件在三类事件中对临近空间大气温度和密度的影响最为显著。平流层大气温度增加是由耀斑辐射增强引起平流层臭氧吸收紫外辐射发生的光化学反应所致,耀斑事件引起平流层和低热层温度增加约为2～3 K,低热层大气相对密度增加在6%以内;太阳质子事件及磁暴事件主要影响低热层,但太阳质子事件和磁暴事件对低热层温度扰动不大于1 K。     

来自太阳的威胁

俗话说:万物生长靠太阳。太阳是我们的太阳系的中心天体,也是地球万物生长的天然能量源泉。但是每过去11年,到了太阳活动周期的顶峰时,剧烈的太阳活动就会扰乱近地空间环境,引起一系列严重后果。     

2007-2009谷年期间高热层大气密度的变化

在第23至第24太阳活动周的峰年之间,太阳活动谷年具有持续时间长,极低F_10.7太阳辐射通量（低至65）和超长期的零太阳黑子数记录等特点,因此是观测和研究在这种特殊背景下热层大气变化的极好机会.尤其是能充分理解和掌握在宁静环境下热层大气密度对弱太阳活动和小地磁扰动的响应特性.本文利用高度650 km以上星载大气密度探测器2007—2009年的连续探测数据进行分析,结果表明,在太阳辐射通量F_10.7极低值期间,较高热层大气密度对F_10.7的起伏具有更显著的响应变化.当F_10.7由70降至65时,日均大气密度会有4～5倍的显著降变,远大于通常大气模式中的降变值.同样在F_10.7极低值期间,较高热层大气密度对小地磁扰动也具有显著的响应增变,当日K_p指数之和由23增至30时,较高热层大气密度则会有80%～160%的强增变.     

Millstone地区垂直等效风场的气候学变化

基于1976---2006年美国Millstone非相干散射雷达的电离层观测数据, 分析了美国Millstone地区不同太阳活动条件下, 包括中性风场和电场漂移共同贡献的垂直等效风场的变化特征. 结果表明, Millstone地区的垂直等效风场表现出比较明显的周日、太阳活动和季节变化特征. 晚间垂直向上的等效风较强, 白天等效风较弱, 甚至接近于零. 在不同太阳活动和季节变化条件下, Millstone地区的等效风场都表现出类似的周日变化特征, 低太阳活动条件下, 晚间表现出较大的向上漂移. 这种周日变化和太阳活动变化特征与Millstone地区受到极区热源驱动大气循环的调制以及离子曳力的增减有关. 春季和秋季有相似的幅度和相位变化趋势, 表现出分点对称性; 冬季晚间向上漂移比夏季弱, 且随着太阳活动增强, 差异更加明显, 这再次体现了极区热源驱动大气循环的影响.      

太阳活动对EUV辐射在大气中吸收过程的影响

本文利用A-E卫星在太阳活动21周峰年间观测到的EUV辐射资料,高层大气成分的吸收截面,以及MSIS-86热层大气模式,研究了EUV辐射在大气中的吸收过程;在透射比为1/e和0.1/100时分别计算了透射高度随波长及太阳活动的变化。在波长范围50—1050内对37个波段分别求出了透射高度随太阳天顶角的变化。结果表明,当太阳活动增强时各波段的透射高度均升高,而且透射比越大则透射高度随太阳活动的变化也越剧烈。当透射比为一定时,太阳天顶角越大则透射高度随太阳活动的变化也越大。除此之外还存在一个相反效应,即太阳活动会使Chapman函数变小,这反过来又促使透射高度降低。这两种效应的综合作用结果可较好地解释某些电离层观测中的日没效应。     

近地微电离大气中阿尔芬波的截止

利用全电流双流体模型分析了地面磁扰动信号在近地层大气中的传播.结果表明磁扰动信号的传播模式受中性粒子elax-elax离子碰撞频率、磁扰动频率、磁粘滞系数以及大气离化系数等参数的影响.中性粒子碰撞效应导致近地层大气中不存在阿尔芬波传播通道.当磁扰动频率远小于0.001Hz时,磁扰动传播存在趋肤效应,且在近地大气中从高往下逐渐增强;当磁扰动频率远大于0.001Hz时,磁扰动以类似于真空电磁波的模式在近地大气中传播.      

基于卫星加速度数据反演的热层大气密度与NRLMSISE-00模式结果的比较研究

利用CHAMP/STAR加速度数据反演的热层大气密度与NRLMSISE-00模式反演的热层大气密度进行比较, 结果表明, 热层大气密度在春秋季期间高于冬夏季, 并且太阳活动高年比低年更加显著; 日照面和阴影区大气密度的比值在低纬地区由太阳活动高年的4下降到太阳活动低年的2左右, 中纬地区大约由3变化到1.5, 高纬地区变化较小; NRLMSISE-00模式能够较好地模拟热层大气密度的变化趋势, 但是磁暴期间模式精度较差. 统计结果表明, 模式整体比反演结果偏高, 2002-2008年相对偏差分别为16.512%, 20.004%, 18.915%, 18.245%, 25.161%, 33.261%和41.980%; NRLMSISE-00模式在高纬地区的相对偏差为27.337%, 高于中低纬地区的24.047%; 模式在中等太阳活动水平相对偏差较为稳定, 基本在15%左右.      

极区顶部电离层离子上行的太阳活动依赖性研究

利用第23太阳活动周DMSP F12,F13和F15卫星数据,分别对南北半球极区顶部电离层离子上行的太阳活动依赖性进行了研究.结果表明,南北半球上行事件对太阳活动的响应特征基本一致,即高（低）太阳活动时,离子上行通量以及上行数密度较大（小）,但是上行速度及上行发生率较低（高）.以南半球高纬为例,计算得到离子上行通量、数密度、速度及发生率在高低太阳活动条件下的比值分别约为2.26,3.35,0.71,0.51.对离子上行太阳活动依赖性的可能原因进行了分析.不同太阳活动水平下,光致电离及高能粒子沉降的差异会导致电离层离子密度的不同,而电离层离子密度的变化会改变离子elax-elax中性大气之间的碰撞频率,这是影响离子上行发生率的一个重要原因.      

Particle simulation study of substrom triggering with a southward IMF

This paper reports the spatial and temporal development of bursty bulk flows (BBFs) created by reconnection as well as current disruptions (CDs) in the near-Earth tail using our 3-D global electromagnetic (EM) particle simulation with a southward turning interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) in the context of the substorm onset. Recently, observations show that BBFs are often accompanied by current disruptions for triggering substorms. We have examined the dynamics of BBFs and CDs in order to understand the timing and triggering mechanism of substorms. As the solar wind with the southward IMF advances over the Earth, the near-Earth tail thins and the sheet current intensifies. Before the peak of the current density becomes maximum, reconnection takes place, which ejects particles from the reconnection region. Because of earthward flows the peak of the current density moves toward Earth. The characteristics of the earthward flows depend on the ions and electrons. Electrons flow back into the inflow region (the center of reconnection region), which provides current closure. Therefore the structure of electron flows near the reconnection region is rather complicated. In contrast, the ion earthward flows are generated far from the reconnection region. These earthward flows pile up near the Earth. The ions mainly drift toward the duskside. The electrons are diverted toward the dawnside. Due to the pile-up, dawnward current is generated near Earth. This dawnward current dissipates rapidly with the sheet current because of the opposite current direction, which coincides with the dipolarization in the near-Earth tail. At this time the wedge current may be created in our simulation model. This simulation study shows the sequence of the substorm dynamics in the near-Earth tail, which is similar to the features obtained by multisatellite observations. Identification of the timing and mechanism of triggering substorm onset requires further studies in conjunction with observations.     

Modeling ground and space based cosmic ray observations

After entering our local astrosphere (called the heliosphere), galactic cosmic rays, as charged particles, are affected by the Sun’s turbulent magnetic field. This causes their intensities to decrease towards the inner heliosphere, a process referred to as modulation. Over the years, cosmic ray modulation has been studied extensively at Earth, utilizing both ground and space based observations. Moreover, modelling cosmic ray modulation and comparing results with observations, insight can be gained into the transport of these particles, as well as offering explanations for observed features. We review some of the most prominent cosmic ray observations made near Earth, how these observations can be modelled and what main insights are gained from this modelling approach. Furthermore, a discussion on drifts, as one of the main modulation processes, are given as well as how drift effects manifest in near Earth observations. We conclude by discussing the contemporary challenges, fuelled by observations, which are presently being investigated. A main challenge is explaining observations made during the past unusual solar minimum.     

On high-altitude electric fields in the auroral downward current region and their coupling to ionospheric electric fields

The downward field-aligned current region plays an active role in magnetosphere–ionosphere coupling processes associated with aurora. A quasi-static electric field structure with a downward parallel electric field forms at altitudes between 800 km and 5000 km, accelerating ionospheric electrons upward, away from the auroral ionosphere. Other phenomena including energetic ion conics, electron solitary waves, low-frequency wave activity, and plasma density cavities occur in this region, which also acts as a source region for VLF saucers. Results are presented from high-altitude Cluster observations with particular emphasis on the characteristics and dynamics of quasi-static electric field structures. These, extending up to altitudes of at least 4–5 Earth radii, appear commonly as monopolar or bipolar electric fields. The former occur at sharp boundaries, such as the polar cap boundary whereas the bipolar fields occur at softer boundaries within the plasma sheet. The temporal evolution of quasi-static electric field structures, as captured by the pearls-on-a-string configuration of the Cluster spacecraft, indicates that the formation of electric field structures and of ionospheric plasma density cavities are closely coupled processes. A related feature of the downward current is a broadening of the current sheet with time, possibly related to the depletion process. Preliminary studies of the coupling of electric fields in the downward current region, show that small-scale structures are typically decoupled from the ionosphere, similar to what has been found for the upward current region. However, exceptions are also found where small-scale electric fields couple perfectly between the ionosphere and Cluster altitudes. Recent FAST results indicate that the degree of coupling differs between sheet-like and curved structures, and that it is typically partial. The electric field coupling further depends on the current–voltage relationship, which is highly non-linear in the downward current region, and still unrevealed, as to its specific form.     

午后极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数的相关

利用1997年和1998年南极中山站多通道扫描光度计的地面观测数据和Wind卫星在弓激波上游对行星际磁场和太阳风参数的观测数据,对午后高纬极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数之间的相关性进行定量研究.研究表明,午后630.0nm极光强度与太阳风-磁层耦合函数间有很好的相关,而557.7nm的相关性差一些;在考察的所有耦合函数中,午后极光受太阳风电场和能量的影响更直接;同时,行星际磁场的时钟角对午后极光也有很强的控制作用.      

磁扰动和磁静时近地等离子体片中脉冲电场的分布

Ｇｅｏｔａｉｌ卫星的电场数据被用于分析近地磁尾等离子体片中电场在磁扰动（Ｄｓｔ＜－２５ｎＴ）和磁静时（Ｄｓｔ＞－２５ ｎＴ的统计分布．结果表明，伴随着地向高速离子流，在Ｘ＞－１６Ｒｅ以内区域出现强电场（高达 ５—８ ｍＶ／ｍ）．磁扰动期间强电场的幅值较磁静时大，并且出现在更靠近地球的位置．较强和较靠近地球的强电场与磁扰动时更薄的等离子体片和更接近地球的等离子体片内边界相联系．观测结果意味着磁扰动期间的亚暴可能更有效地将高能粒子注射到环电流中．这对磁暴和亚暴的关系问题的解决有重要意义．     

Reconnection during substorms and solar flares

The patterns of reconnection in the Earth magnetotail and in the solar corona above the active region are presented. The electric field and field-aligned currents (FAC) generation in the current sheet are discussed.     

锡林浩特市火山地质公园平台山顶近地面大气电场变化特征

大气电场强度是大气电学的重要参数.大气电场的准确测量对雷暴和地震的监测、预警等具有重要的意义.利用2015年8月27日气球搭载大气电场仪测量近地面大气电场实验得到的电场数据，分析在特殊地形表面近地面500m高度内大气电场强度随高度的变化特征.结果表明:晴天条件下，火山喷发形成的熔岩平台山顶上空近地面大气电场强度随高度增加呈指数递减，大气电场的数值和变化范围均较大，尤其是近地面100m高度内，大气电场值达到1kV·m-1以上.此外，还通过经验公式得出了近火山灰石地表的大气电导率.受空气中重离子的影响，其电导率远小于全球大气电导率的平均值.实验结果丰富了在特殊地形下大气电场的测量结果，揭示了中国内蒙古锡林浩特地区火山山顶近地面大气电场强度随高度的变化特征.      

The physical mechanism of the solar variability influence on electrical and climatic characteristics of the troposphere

Possible mechanisms of solar–climatic connections, which may be of importance over short and long time intervals, are discussed. The variations of energetic balance of Earth’s climatic system for the last 50 years are estimated. It is ascertained that the imbalance between the flux of solar energy that comes to the Earth and radiates to space is of 0.1% for the last ten years. The significance is analyzed for the possible influence of variations of solar constant upon the energetic balance of the atmosphere.The physical mechanism of the influence of solar activity on climatic characteristics and the atmospheric circulation is suggested and theoretically substantiated. The mechanism is based on the redistribution in lower-troposphere of condensation nuclei by the vertical electric field. This electric field is determined by the ionosphere–Earth electric potential, which in the Polar Regions is controlled not only by tropical thunderstorms and by the galactic cosmic-ray intensity but also by solar cosmic-ray fluxes. The height redistribution in the atmosphere of condensation nuclei with a change of the electric field of the atmosphere is accompanied by a change in total latent heat (phase transition of water vapor), by changes in radiation balance, and by subsequent changes of the thermobaric field of troposphere. The results of analysis of thermobaric field variations for the periods of invasion of abnormally powerful solar cosmic ray fluxes and magnetic storms confirm the reality of manifestation of heliogeophysical disturbances.     

Introduction to planetary electrodynamics: A view of electric fields,currents and related magnetic fields

The environment surrounding a planet is composed of plasma, ionized gases and a neutral atmosphere that are continuously under the influence of solar effects. The complex dynamical interactions among these media and the generated electric fields create complicated interrelated current systems in the magnetosphere, ionosphere and atmosphere of the planets. Electric fields, currents and the related magnetic disturbances constitute the planetary electrodynamics scenario that will be considered in this tutorial. Beside providing a comprehensive and integrated view of the planetary electrodynamics, this tutorial intends to introduce the necessary theoretical background to understand the physical processes involved and particularly, to discuss some topics in which the authors are currently focussing their interests: Sun–Earth electrodynamical coupling, numerical simulations, plasmaspheric electron content variability, atmospheric electrical discharges, and the effects of intense magnetic storms at the Earth’s surface and in the magnetic anomaly region. New results on these subjects are also presented. A deeper and broader comprehension of this complex scenario involving multidisciplinary investigations will certainly bring several implications in the observational, theoretical, computational and technological developments, with repercussions in biological and medical sciences.