Effects of man on geomagnetic activity and pulsations

Until recently the only known large-scale effects of man on geomagnetic activity and pulsations were those produced by high-altitude nuclear explosions. However, in just the last few years, measurements have indicated that changes can also be produced by (1) moderately-powered pulsed HF radio (1–20 MHz) transmissions into the ionosphere, (2) high-powered pulsed VLF radio transmissions (3–15 kHz) into the magnetosphere, and (3) by the ULF magnetic noise (frequencies < 5 Hz) from modern dc electric powered mass transit systems. Further, experiments reported by U.S. and Soviet scientists support the suggestion that ULF geomagnetic changes in the ionosphere and magnetosphere can be generated by the passage of a large ULF current around a peninsula in the sea. As a result of these experimental activities, it appears that controlled experiments using artificially generated ULF signals in the ionized upper atmosphere are now feasible. Finally, the report of a “weekend effect” in geomagnetic activity (as measured by the geomagnetic activity index Ap, for example) suggests that man's activities may already have been subtly influencing geomagnetic activity for many years, possibly because of the radiation from electric power distribution systems into the magnetosphere.     

Effect of geomagnetic disturbances on physiological parameters: An investigation on aviators

Over the last years the potential effect that the geomagnetic activity may have on human physiological parameters (such as heart rate, arterial diastolic and systolic pressure) is being widely investigated with irrefutable results. As it is suggested, human health can be affected by solar activity and related geophysical changes. In this study a group of 4018 Slovak aviators was examined from January 1, 1994 to December 31, 2002, covering periods with high solar and geomagnetic activity. Specifically, medical data of mean values of arterial diastolic and systolic blood pressure, which were registered during the medical examinations of the Slovak aviators, were related to daily variations of Dst and Ap geomagnetic indices. All subjects were men (from 18 to 60 years old) in good health. Statistical significance levels (p-values) of the effect of geomagnetic activity on the aforementioned parameters up to three days before and three days after the geomagnetic event were established using the statistical method ANalysis Of VAriance (ANOVA). Statistical analysis of the arterial blood pressure variations for different levels of geomagnetic activity revealed that geomagnetic changes are connected to variations of the human physiological parameters.     

冕洞相关地磁Ap指数中短期预报方法研究

地磁Ap指数是描述全球地磁活动水平的重要指数, 过去许多参考大气模式中都用Ap指数来表述地磁活动状态, 大气模式的运行需要输入地磁Ap指数, 因此, 地磁Ap指数的预报一直是空间环境预报中一个非常重要的内容. 针对太阳活动低年冕洞引起的地磁扰动具有明显27天重现的特性, 利用修正的自回归方法, 对地磁Ap指数进行了提前27天的预报; 采用从SOHO/EIT观测资料发展出来的描述冕洞特性的Pch因子, 进行了提前三天的地磁Ap指数预报. 结果显示, 将统计方法与物理分析相结合, 进行地磁Ap指数的中短期数值预报, 可以得到较好的预报效果.      

Possible influence of solar extreme events and related geomagnetic disturbances on human cardio-vascular state: Results of collaborative Bulgarian–Azerbaijani studies

This collaborative study is based on the analysis and comparison of results of coordinated experimental investigations conducted in Bulgaria and Azerbaijan for revealing a possible influence of solar activity changes and related geomagnetic activity variations on the human cardio-vascular state. Arterial blood pressure and heart rate of 86 healthy volunteers were measured on working days during a period of comparatively high solar and geomagnetic activity (2799 measurements in autumn 2001 and spring 2002) in Sofia. Daily experimental investigations of parameters of cardio-vascular health state were performed in Azerbaijan with a permanent group of examined persons. Heart rate and electrocardiograms were digitally registered (in total 1532 records) for seven functionally healthy persons on working days and Saturdays, in the Laboratory of Heliobiology at the Medical Center INAM in Baku, from 15.07.2006 to 13.11.2007. Obtained digital recordings were subjected to medical, statistical and spectral analyses. Special attention was paid to effects of solar extreme events, particularly those of November 2001 and December 2006. The statistical method of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc analysis were applied to check the significance of the influence of geomagnetic activity on the cardio-vascular parameters under consideration. Results revealed statistically significant increments for the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure values of the group with geomagnetic activity increase. Arterial blood pressure values started increasing two days prior to geomagnetic storms and kept their high values up to two days after the storms. Heart rate reaction was ambiguous and not significant for healthy persons examined (for both groups) under conditions with geomagnetic activity changes. It is concluded that heart rate for healthy persons at middle latitudes can be considered as a more stable physiological parameter which is not so sensitive to environmental changes while the dynamics of arterial blood pressure reveals a compensatory reaction of the human organism for adaptation.     

基于实时观测数据的大气密度模式修正

针对国际大气密度模式NRLMSISE-00, 以中国神舟飞船探测数据为基础, 提出一种基于实时大气密度观测数据的模式修正方法. 通过计算分析模式计算结果与探测数据的误差分布特征, 针对地磁相对平静期(Ap≤ 30)模式计算的误差特点, 建立了一种平均误差修正方法, 即认为在相对平静期, 在相同纬度和地方时, 模式误差基本相同, 某一时刻模式预测误差可以近似用与其相同纬度和地方时的平均误差来替代, 从而对模式预测结果进行修正. 以神舟4号探测数据为基础, 通过对模式预测结果采用两种方式进行修正, 可以看到模式误差得到了一定的改善. 采用误差库累积准实时修正, 修正后的误差由原来的20 %降至6 %; 采用误差库5天滑动预报修正后, 模式提前1, 2, 3天的预测误差由原来的20 %分别降至7.8 %, 9.4 %和10.5%.      

Effects of geomagnetic storms on the bottomside ionospheric F region

The geomagnetic storm is a complex process of solar wind/magnetospheric origin. The variability of the ionospheric parameters increases substantially during geomagnetic storms initiated by solar disturbances. Various features of geomagnetic storm act at various altitudes in the ionosphere and neutral atmosphere. The paper deals with variability of the electron density of the ionospheric bottomside F region at every 10 km of altitude during intense geomagnetic storms with attention paid mainly to the distribution of the F1 region daytime ionisation. We have analysed all available electron density profiles from some European middle latitude stations (Chilton, Pruhonice, Ebro, Arenosillo, Athens) for 36 events that occurred in different seasons and under different levels of solar activity (1995–2003). Selected events consist of both depletion and increase of the F2 region electron density. For European higher middle and middle latitude the F1 region response to geomagnetic storm was found to be negative (decrease of electron density) independent on the storm effect on the F2 region. For lower middle latitude the F1 response is weaker and less regular. Results of the analysis also show that the maximum of the storm effect may sometimes occur below the height of the maximum of electron density (NmF2).     

Variations of geomagnetic cutoff rigidity in the southern hemisphere close to 70°W (South-Atlantic Anomaly and Antarctic zones) in the period 1975–2010

We report the existence of rapid variations in (effective) geomagnetic cutoff rigidity (Rc) between the equatorial and Antarctic zones adjacent to the Andes Mountains, revealed by the variation rate of geomagnetic cutoff rigidity (VRc) in the period 1975–2010. Our analysis is based on empirical records and theoretical models of the variations in cosmic rays and on the structure of geomagnetic fields. These have given us a different view of variations in Rc in time and space along the 70°W meridian, where secular variations in the geomagnetic field are strongly influenced by the proximity of the South Atlantic Magnetic Anomaly (SAMA), one of the most important characteristics of the terrestrial magnetic field that affects our planet, close from the equator to the 50°S parallel and from South America to South Africa. The VRc presents rapid changes in mid-latitudes where SAMA exerts its influence despite the existence of smooth changes in the geomagnetic field. This shows that these changes occur mainly in the spatial configuration, rather than in the temporal evolution of Rc. The analysis was performed using measurements from the Chilean Network of Cosmic Rays and Geomagnetism Observatories, equipped with BF-3 and latest generation He-3 neutron monitors, Fluxgate magnetometers, geomagnetic reference field (IGRF) and Tsyganenko 2001 model (just for completeness).     

The effect of solar and geomagnetic parameters on total electron content over Ankara,Turkey

In this study, the relationship between total electron content (TEC) and solar and geomagnetic parameters for Ankara station (39.7 N, 32.76 E), Turkey located in the mid-latitude ionosphere is investigated. In this context, F10.7 solar flux and Interplanetary Magnetic Fields (IMF) from solar parameters and Kp and Dst indices from geomagnetic parameters affecting on TEC are considered. The relationship between the variables is investigated by means of the statistical multiple regression model at the universal time (UT) (Local Time = UT + 2 h) 1200 and 2400 in the years when the 24th solar cycle was minimum (2007–2009) and maximum (2015). As a result, it is found that explainable rates by solar and geomagnetic parameters of TEC changes in 2007–2009 are lower than in 2015 at daytime, while the explainable rates in the solar minimum years are higher than those the maximum year at nighttime. To be higher than the solar maximum of explainable rate in the solar minimum years at nighttime may be related to the fact that the dynamics of the ionosphere is significantly different than expected in this deep minimum period. As expected in 2015, the relationship between TEC and independent parameters is greater at daytime than at nighttime.     

Effects of geomagnetic activity variations on the physiological and psychological state of functionally healthy humans: Some results of Azerbaijani studies

There are collaborative and cross-disciplinary space weather studies in the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences conducted with purposes of revealing possible effects of solar, geomagnetic and cosmic ray variability on certain technological, biological and ecological systems. This paper describes some results of the experimental studies of influence of the periodical and aperiodical changes of geomagnetic activity upon human brain, human health and psycho-emotional state. It also covers the conclusions of studies on influence of violent solar events and severe geomagnetic storms of the solar cycle 23 on the mentioned systems in middle-latitude location. It is experimentally established that weak and moderate geomagnetic storms do not cause significant changes in the brain’s bioelectrical activity and exert only stimulating influence while severe disturbances of geomagnetic conditions cause negative influence, seriously disintegrate brain’s functionality, activate braking processes and amplify the negative emotional background of an individual. It is concluded that geomagnetic disturbances affect mainly emotional and vegetative spheres of human beings while characteristics reflecting personality properties do not undergo significant changes.     

局部地区高空磁场的计算方法

本文用曲面样条函数表示地磁场及其水平梯度在地面上的分布, 从而使A.J.Zmuda提出的计算高空磁场的方法更加简便。本文还给出了借助于局部地区地磁场的球谐分析, 计算高空磁场的方法。      

远东地区电离层Es的增强及其相关因素

本文考察了远东地区电离层Es的增强与地磁活动的关系.因采用了时间迭加法和地方磁情指数K,且着重于夜间和变化幅度较大的Es,所以所得结果特征显著.以本文所用的1213次Es增强事件,70%左右的夜间Es在增强前11小时内有K≥4或△K≥2;另外30%左右的夜间Es增加,或出现于磁静日,且与邻近的印度海德拉巴地磁台所记录到的缓始磁暴有关;或发生在全球性大磁暴前.      

Eccentric dipole approximation of the geomagnetic field: Application to cosmic ray computations

A comparison of the full IGRF model of the geomagnetic field with two simplified models, the truncated IGRF and the eccentric dipole model, is performed. The simplified models were found to provide a reasonable approximation for the large scale geomagnetic field distribution. In the application of the simplified geomagnetic models to the shielding of cosmic rays in the magnetosphere as quantified via the geomagnetic cut-off rigidity, the eccentric dipole and the truncated IGRF provide a good large scale view. The use of the simplified model does not introduce any additional systematic errors at the global scale but may be a source of moderate uncertainty at the regional scale in the tropical Atlantic region. This study quantitatively validates the use of such simplified geomagnetic models when describing the shielding of cosmic rays in the magnetosphere.     

基于方向和距离的双因子定权的地磁数据通化方法

针对地磁数据通化处理中传统使用的直接平均法、反距离加权平均法和纬度差加权平均法在定权时存在的缺陷,并根据地磁场强度与纬度变化关系密切这一特点,提出了基于方向和距离的双因子定权方法,即在定权时不仅考虑了地磁台站之间的距离在权值中的贡献,而且在权值分配中加入了地磁台站在纬度和经度方向的影响,从而改进了通化结果的精度,为卫星、航空和海洋磁力测量数据提供更加准确的日变改正值。采用Intermagnet网站提供的地磁台站测量数据对所提定权方法的有效性进行了测试。实验结果表明:所提定权方法计算结果精度优于传统定权方法,为实施地面磁力测量存在困难地区的地磁数据日变改正提供了一种更优的定权方法,具有较好的应用前景。      

Detection of the ionospheric disturbances on GPS-TEC using Differential Rate Of TEC (DROT) algorithm

The solar, geomagnetic, gravitational and seismic activities can cause spatial and temporal (hourly, diurnal, seasonal and annual) variabilities of the ionosphere. Main observable ionospheric parameters such as Total Electron Content (TEC) can be used to quantify these. TEC is the total number of electrons on a ray path crossing the atmosphere. The network of world-wide Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers provide a cost-effective solution in estimating TEC over a significant proportion of global land mass. This study is focused on the analysis of the variations of ionosphere over a midlatitude region using GPS-TEC estimates for three Sun Spot Numbers (SSN) periods. The investigation is based on a fast and automatic variability detection algorithm, Differential Rate Of TEC (DROT). The algorithm is tested using literature data on disturbances generated by a geomagnetic activity, a Solar Flare, a Medium Scale Travelling Ionospheric Disturbance (MSTID), a Large Scale TID (LSTID) and an earthquake. Very good agreement with the results in the literature is found. DROT is applied to IONOLAB-TEC estimates from nine Turkish National Permanent GPS Network (TNPGN Active) stations over Turkey to detect the any wave-like oscillations, sudden disturbances and other irregularities during December, March, June, September months for 2010, 2011, 2012 years. It is observed that DROT algorithm is capable of detecting both small and large scale variability due to climatic, gravitational, geomagnetic and solar activities in all layers of ionosphere. The highest DROT values are observed in 2010 during winter months. In higher solar activity years of 2011 and 2012, DROT is able to indicate both seasonal variability and severe changes in ionosphere due to increased number of geomagnetic storms and local seismic activities.     

Statistical analysis of geomagnetic field variations during solar eclipses

We investigate the geomagnetic field variations recorded by INTERMAGNET geomagnetic observatories, which are observed while the Moon’s umbra or penumbra passed over them during a solar eclipse event. Though it is generally considered that the geomagnetic field can be modulated during solar eclipses, the effect of the solar eclipse on the observed geomagnetic field has proved subtle to be detected. Instead of exploring the geomagnetic field as a case study, we analyze 207 geomagnetic manifestations acquired by 100 geomagnetic observatories during 39 solar eclipses occurring from 1991 to 2016. As a result of examining a pattern of the geomagnetic field variation on average, we confirm that the effect can be seen over an interval of 180?min centered at the time of maximum eclipse on a site of a geomagnetic observatory. That is, demonstrate an increase in the Y component of the geomagnetic field and decreases in the X component and the total strength of the geomagnetic field. We also find that the effect can be overwhelmed, depending more sensitively on the level of daily geomagnetic events than on the level of solar activity and/or the phase of solar cycle. We have demonstrated it by dividing the whole data set into subsets based on parameters of the geomagnetic field, solar activity, and solar eclipses. It is suggested, therefore, that an evidence of the solar eclipse effect can be revealed even at the solar maximum, as long as the day of the solar eclipse is magnetically quiet.     

On transmissivity of low energy cosmic rays in disturbed magnetosphere

Access of low energy cosmic rays to any position on the Earth depends on the state of the magnetosphere. Anisotropy of cosmic rays, deduced from the neutron monitor network, must assume the variable transmissivity of the magnetosphere especially during the geomagnetic disturbances. We illustrate that computations based on different available models of geomagnetic field during selected strong geomagnetic disturbances in 2003 and 2004 imply different profiles of cut-off rigidities in time, different transmissivity functions and different asymptotic directions. Using of cosmic ray records by neutron monitors at middle and low latitudes during geomagnetically active periods, in addition to cosmic ray anisotropy in interplanetary space deduced from high and low energy cosmic ray ground based measurements, may be used for checking validity of geomagnetic field models.     

A numerical study of noontime bite-outs in F2-region electron density

Noontime bite-outs in ionospheric F₂-region electron density in the geomagnetic equatorial, low, and middle latitudes have been reproduced in this study using the Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM). The different driving mechanisms of F₂-region noontime bite-outs at different latitudes were further verified by modeling simulation. In the geomagnetic equator, the upward ExB plasma drifts are the main process to produce the noontime bite-outs in ionospheric electron density. In the geomagnetic low latitudes, both the electrical fields and poleward meridional winds play a crucial role in forming the noontime bite-outs. In contrast to the case at the geomagnetic equator, a weaker fountain effect might be an favorable condition for the noontime bite-outs to occur at low latitudes. For geomagnetic middle latitudes, an upward plasma flux and poleward meridional winds are the dominated drivers in producing the noontime bite-outs. Modeling results show that a large upward plasma flux and poleward meridional winds make the noontime bite-outs to occur and observable over middle latitudes.     

Variations of the magnetosheath ion flux and geomagnetic activity

The magnetosheath plays a dominant role in the Sun–Earth connection because the magnetosheath field and plasma actually interact with the magnetosphere. The interactions change the magnetospheric magnetic field from its nominal value through a long chain of different processes. The change is usually described by geomagnetic indices and thus it can be expected that these indices would reflect changes in the magnetosheath. The present paper analyzes the relation between geomagnetic activity characterized by changes of the K_p, D_ST and AE indices and ion flux measured in the night-side magnetosheath. The results suggest a weak dependence of the D_ST index on the ion flux in the inner magnetosheath that is connected with a magnetopause displacement. On the other hand, fluctuations of the ion flux in the analyzed frequency range do not correlate with any of the indices.     

太阳耀斑和地磁扰动的统计分析(1966—1978)

本文给出了不同等级、不同持续时间、发生在日面不同日心经距上的太阳耀斑所引起的各种地磁指数(Ap、AE、Dst和Kp指数)的变化,讨论了各类耀斑所引起的地磁扰动的特点以及耀斑的日心经距及其喷发物在日地空间的传播速度对磁扰强度的影响。      

地磁逐日比与新疆及周边地区强震关系

利用2009年1月1日至2019年12月31日新疆及周边区域12个地磁台站的地磁垂直分量日变幅数据，计算其日变幅逐日比，进而分析新疆及周边地区逐日比异常特征，研究其与磁暴和强震的关系.结果表明:强地震多发生在逐日比异常出现后半年，其中等待时间最短为20天，等待时间最长为220天，震中多位于异常集中区域或异常分界线及附近区域；新疆及周边地区逐日比异常报对率为78%，异常虚报率为22%，研究时间段内没有出现漏报现象，说明新疆及周边地区强地震与逐日比高值之间存在一定的相关性；若异常日前后未发生强磁暴或其Dst指数小于异常第二日，则异常可能性较大.本研究增强了地磁垂直分量逐日比异常判据的可靠性，其结果可以为新疆强震活跃期的判定及地震预报提供研究参考依据.