The variability of the sun's ultraviolet radiation

The intensity of continua and emission lines which form the solar UV spectrum below 2100 Å is variable. Continua and emission lines originating from different layers in the solar atmosphere show a different degree of variability. Coronal emission lines at short wavelengths are much more variable than continua at longer wavelengths which originate in lower layers of the solar atmosphere. Typical time-scales of solar UV variability are minutes (flare induced), days (birth of active regions), 27 days (solar rotation), 11 years (solar cycle) and perhaps centuries, caused by long-term changes of the solar activity. UV intensity variations have been determined by either absolute irradiance measurements or by contrast measurements of plages vs. the quiet sun. Plages are the main contributor to the solar UV variability. Typical values for the solar UV variability over a solar cycle are: <1% at wavelengths longer than 2100 Å, 8% at 2080 Å (continuum), 20% at 1900 Å (continuum), 70% at H Lyα, 200% in certain emission lines 1200 < λ < 1800 Å and more than a factor of 4 in coronal lines λ < 1000 Å. Plage models predict the variable component of the solar UV radiation within ±50%. Absolute fluxes are known within ±30%. Several efforts are underway to monitor the solar UV irradiance with a precision better than a few percent over a solar activity cycle.     

Fe XVII X-ray lines in solar coronal plasmas

Calculated intensities of the Fe X-ray lines due to transitions 2p⁶ − 2p⁵3d lines (near 15 Å) and 2p⁶ − 2p⁵3s lines (near 17 Å) are compared with measured line intensities in solar and tokamak spectra. For the solar spectra, temperature T_e is obtained from the ratio of the Fe 16.776 Å line to a nearby Fe line. We find excellent agreement for all the major Fe line features in the 15–17 Å region except the Fe 15.015 Å line, the observed flux of which is less than the theoretical by a factor f. We find that f strongly depends on the heliocentric angle θ of the emitting region, being smallest (0.2) when the region is nearest Sun centre, but nearly 1 near the limb. Attributing this to resonance scattering, we are able to deduce the path length and electron density from the observations. Possible application to stellar active regions is given.     

Radio sounding of the solar wind acceleration region with spacecraft signals

Data from coronal radio-sounding experiments carried out on various interplanetary spacecraft are used to derive the empirical radial dependence of solar wind velocity and density at heliocentric distances from 3 to 60 solar radii for heliolatitudes below 60° and for low solar activity. The radial dependencies of solar wind power and acceleration are derived from these results. Summaries of the radial behavior of characteristic parameters of the solar wind turbulence (e.g., the spectral index and the inner and outer turbulence scales), as well as the fractional density fluctuation, are also presented. These radio-sounding results provide a benchmark for models of the solar wind in its acceleration region.     

Theoretical modelling of X-ray fluorescence signals for different lunar compositions and dependence on solar activity

We present a forward modelling technique for calculating the surface X-ray spectra for a variety of lunar terrains. Our calculations considered variations in solar fluxes from solar quiescent condition to large flare activity (M1 flare), and expected elemental concentrations in the target, as well as yield, instrumental, and viewing geometry parameters for X-ray induced fluorescence from the lunar surface. Additionally, we present estimates of anticipated XRF signals from prominent K_α lines observable by a collimated 14 cm² X-ray detector from a 100 km lunar orbit with ∼20 km spatial resolution. Our results show that Mg, Al and Si characteristic K_α lines can be observed for all solar conditions. The Ca K_α lines line can be differentiated from a fixed background during more energetic solar conditions such as C1 and M1 flares, whereas Ti and Fe lines are identifiable only during C1 and M1 solar flare conditions for Apollo 12 site composition. Both the K_α X-ray intensity ratios of Mg/Si and Al/Si correlate well with concentration ratios of Mg/Si and Al/Si, respectively, for B1 and M1 solar conditions. The K_α X-ray intensity ratios of Fe/Si and Ca/Si correlates with concentration ratios of Fe/Si and Ca/Si, respectively, for M1 solar condition. In principle, the modelling technique outlined here can be used to determine absolute elemental abundances (Mg, Al, Si, Ca, Ti and Fe) from X-ray spectra measured during recent and future lunar missions.     

Ultraviolet emissions from the upper atmospheres of the planets

A large number of atoms and molecules have strong emission lines in the vacuum ultraviolet. As a result, this spectral region is particularly suited to studying the upper atmospheres of the planets. The observed emissions not only identify the constituents, but also provide information on the solar and magnetospheric excitation processes. Long term monitoring of these emissions, particularly with modest spatial resolution, can elucidate the effects of variations in the solar input as well as changes in magnetospheric conditions. Also, earth orbiting telescopes generally provide better spectral resolution than is available on flyby vehicles. A modest beginning in planetary upper atmospheric studies from earth orbit has been made using orbiting observatories designed primarily for stellar astronomy. As examples of the power of this technique, some recent results will be reviewed with an emphasis on Jupiter and the Io torus. The unusual scheduling requirements and the effects of scattered intense long wavelength radiation put demands on orbiting planetary observatories which are somewhat different from those of stellar astronomy. The implications of these demands for continued advances in this area are discussed.     

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.      

不透明度对太阳日冕软X射线OⅧ光谱线影响的研究

为研究不透明度对日冕软X射线的影响,利用光子逃逸因子的基本理论,分析了不透明度对太阳日冕OⅧ光谱线强度比的影响,讨论了OⅧ 1.879nm光谱线的光学厚度,估算了太阳等离子体中OⅧ离子的辐射层有效厚度. 结果表明,不透明度对太阳 OⅧ光谱线有较大影响,其辐射层有效厚度比其他太阳紫外谱线大. 此研究对太阳等离子体发射层特性诊断具有重要参考意义.      

Identification and characteristics of source flares emitting 3-He or Fe enriched cosmic rays in the period September to December 1977

During the observation of solar cosmic rays on the Prognoz 6 and Helios 1 and 2 spacecrafts, several events with anomalous composition of accelerated particles (higher abundance of 3-He or Fe nuclei) occurred. We found seven such events from the period September to December 1977 for which data from the Prognoz 6 solar X-ray photometer are available. This material together with published optical and radio data from terrestrial observatories enabled us to identify more reliably the source flares and describe their characteristics. It turned out that the character of X-ray emission accompanying the emission of accelerated particles with anomalous composition shows no pronounced difference from other flares. No correlation has been found among the ratio 3-He/4-He and the angular distance between the field lines connected with the source flare and the place of observation. If a solar flare with anomalous ratio 3-He/4-He appears in a given active region, this region will probably produce other anomalous events.     

Escaping near-relativistic electron beams from the solar corona

Processes in the solar corona are prodigious accelerators of energetic ions, and electrons. The angular distribution, composition, and spectra of energetic particles observed near Earth gives information on the acceleration mechanisms. A class of energetic particle observations particularly useful in understanding the solar acceleration is the near-relativistic impulsive beam-like electron events. During five years of operation the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) has measured well over 400 electron events. Approximately 25% of these electron events are impulsive beam-like events that are released onto interplanetary field lines predominantly from western solar longitudes. We extend our initial 3 year study during the rise to solar maximum (Haggerty and Roelof, 2002; Simnett et al., 2002) to a five year statistical analysis of these beam-like energetic electron events in relationship to optical flares, microwave emission, soft X-ray emission, metric and decametric type-III radio bursts, and coronal mass ejections.     

2009年7月22日日全食期间电离层总电子含量变化研究

利用中国区域内五个GPS台站(一个台站处于日全食区域、四个台站处于日偏食区域)观测数据, 研究2009年7月22日日全食期间电离层总电子含量(TEC)的变化, 结果表明, 日全食期间, 电离层TEC值经历了下降和恢复的过程, 最小TEC相对于最大食偏的时间延迟约为1～10min; 台站测得最小TEC的星下点(IPP)越靠近日全食带TEC下降量越大, 在日食期间武汉站(114.35°E, 30.53°N) TEC相对于各参考日期的TEC, 其平均下降量最大, 达到4.58TECU.      

Properties of the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

The variability and systematic variations of the properties of the upper mesosphere and lower thermosphere are probably the least well known aspects of the terrestrial atmosphere. Satellite measurements of this region are very limited and rocket and remote sounding techniques do not provide comprehensive coverage. Progress is being made in theoretical studies of this region, primarily with regard to tidal effects, and some progress is being made in analyzing the relatively sparse experimental data that are available. Turbulence dynamics of the region has been studied by analyzing structure measurements at Kwajalein, wind data from Natal and systematic variations of the turbopause altitude determined from measurements of the diffusive separation of argon. One question that is being raised at this time, and it is appropriate at a time near solar maximum, is the extent of solar activity control of the properties of this region of the atmosphere. The occurrence rates and magnitudes of the turbulent diffusivity in the 70 to 90 km altitude region appear to correlate with solar activity with a time lag, as do also the incidence of aurora and the atomic oxygen green line intensity. Solar cycle dependence has been identified in mean zonal wind speeds in the 65 to 110 km altitude region above Saskatoon and in lower thermosphere temperatures measured at Heiss Island and at St. Santin. Millstone Hill data show that the mean meridional wind changes during a solar cycle. Solar cycle variations have also been detected in the stratosphere and troposphere.     

太阳大气中磁场的扭转储能

本文从完整的磁流体动力学方程组出发, 研究太阳大气中磁力线管根部的扭转储存能量。通过数值方法, 研究了包含太阳表面过渡区在内的非线性无力场的动力学演化。假设初始磁场位形为势场, 根部等离子体运动使活动区磁场扭转。磁能蓬新分布, 在局部区域中储存大量的磁能。计算结果给出非线性无力场的定量关系, 可以解释太阳耀斑的储能过程。      

Solar wind turbulence during the solar cycle deduced from Galileo coronal radio-sounding experiments

Seven coronal radio-sounding campaigns were carried out during the active lifetime of the Galileo spacecraft in the years 1994–2002. The observational data analyzed in the present work are S-band frequency fluctuation measurements recorded during the solar conjunctions at different phases of solar activity cycle #23, specifically: periods near solar maximum (three conjunctions), near solar minimum (three conjunctions) and during the ascending phase (one conjunction). These data are all applicable to low heliographic latitudes, i.e. to the slow solar wind. The rms frequency fluctuation and power-law index of the frequency fluctuation temporal spectra are determined as a function of heliocentric distance. The turbulence power spectrum tends to be flatter inside ca. 20 solar radii during all phases of the solar cycle. This coincides with a transition in the flow from the inner acceleration region to the outer region of constant velocity. The radial falloff rate and absolute level of the rms frequency fluctuation are essentially invariant over the solar cycle.     

Solar eclipse induced variations in mesospheric ozone concentrations

A model study of the solar eclipse induced variations in mesospheric ozone concentrations was undertaken. This study includes, in addition to the Chapman reactions, the chemistry involving hydrogen species (H, OH and HO₂) which are found to be important in the destruction of odd oxygen in this altitude region. Coupled time dependent continuity equations are solved for the eclipse duration. The results from the present study are compared with earlier theoretical model and the experimental observations during the 16 February 1980 solar eclipse as well as the results obtained during earlier solar eclipses.     

太阳活动区磁场扭绞与耀斑产率

本文以1972年10月的太阳活动区McMath 12094为范例, 研究了活动区磁场扭绞与耀斑产率的关系.先在常α无力场模型假定下, 以观测到的活动区光球磁场为边值, 对活动区在日面中心附近4天(10月28—31日), 推算出代表活动区磁场平均扭绞程度的无力因子α, 从而外推出活动区在这4天的三维磁力线形态.然后以这些资料为基础, 进一步讨论了活动区磁场演化特征, 磁场扭绞与耀斑产率的关系, 并且近似用单极场模型估算了通过活动区前导大黑子A的电流、电流密度以及因大黑子逆时针旋转造成磁场扭绞所贮存的能量.本文主要结论为:(1)活动区McMath 12094从10月27日起保持较强扭绞, 10月30日达到极大, 10月31日后扭绞减弱.活动区磁场扭绞的主要原因是光球中的磁流体力学作用所导致的前导大黑子A的逆时针旋转。(2)代表活动区磁场平均扭绞程度的无力因子α与活动区耀斑产率同步变化, 表明活动区磁场扭绞与耀斑产率成正相关.(3)通过活动区前导大黑子A的本影电流为4.3—6.6×1012A, 因扭绞产生的自由能贮存为0.44—1.11×1032erg.活动区中的电流密度达到0.96—1.47×10A·m-2.这样高的电流密度可能是该活动区高耀斑产率的重要原因.      

基于PCA方法对太阳活动区主要参量的分析

太阳耀斑与太阳质子事件的发生通常与太阳活动区存在非常密切的关系, 对这种关系的深入分析有助于太阳耀斑和太阳质子事件预报模型的建立. 本文利用主成分分析(Principal Component Analysis, PCA)方法对1997-2010年太阳质子事件所在活动区的主要参量进行分析, 选取的参量包括黑子磁分类、 McIntosh分类、太阳黑子群面积、10.7 cm射电流量、耀斑指数、质子耀斑位置和软X射线耀斑强度. 结果得到81个太阳活动主成分得分值排序(得分值代表每个事件的强弱), 与太阳质子事件峰值流量、太阳黑子年均值以及10.7 cm射电流量年均值的对比显示相似度非常高, 表明主成分得分值一定程度上可以反映太阳活动的强弱规律.      

EUV coronal pattern of complexes of solar activity

Studying of the coronal plasma associated with long-lived complexes of the solar activity is important for understanding a relationship between the magnetic activity and the solar corona changing during the solar cycle.

In the present paper, two long-lived complexes of the solar activity at the beginning of the current solar cycle 23 are investigated by using the Extreme-Ultraviolet data (EUV) from SOHO/EIT. For this purpose the EIT limb synoptic maps during the CR1916–CR1919 (11 November 1996–1 March 1997) are obtained.

The coronal temperature structures derived from the three lines 171A (Fe IX,X), 195A (Fe XII)and 284A (Fe XV) are investigated by applying an algorithm developed by Zhang et al. [Zhang, J., White, S.M., Kundu, M.R. ApJ 527, 977, 1999]. Standard EIT software are used for the temperature estimation from the ratio of two lines of Fe IX,X and Fe XII.

The method of the rotational tomography with a correction for an inclination of the Earth’s orbit (B-angle) to the helioequator is applied to obtain the three-dimensional (3-D) coronal structure of the complex of the solar activity. The results reveal difference in temperature structures related to multi-poles magnetic structures of the complex of solar activity and to the typical, the bipolar activity complex.     

Variation of the full Sun hydrogen Lyman profiles through solar cycle 23

The hydrogen Lyman (Lyα, 121.267 nm and Lyβ, 102.572 nm) lines are important contributors to the solar extreme ultra violet (EUV) flux which illuminates the upper Earth’s atmosphere. From high resolution spectral observations performed with the solar ultraviolet measurement of emitted radiations (SUMER) spectrometer on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory (SOHO), the detailed profiles of these two lines have been obtained. Some insights into the variation of the shape of the profiles, sampled throughout the present solar cycle 23, are given and discussed.     

Model of the slot region of earth''s electron radiation belt depending on the heliospheric parameters

Relativistic electrons in the slot region of Earth's electron radiation belt are studied using CORONAS-I satellite data obtained in March–May 1994. The strong shifts of the slot latitudinal location (from L≈3 to L≈2) were found. These shifts are associated with the Earth crossing sector boundaries formed by sector corotating structures of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). The quantitative analysis of the relationship between properties of the slot region and values of the solar wind and IMF parameters was undertaken. The empirical model of the slot region dynamics was developed by means of Artificial Neural Network (ANN).     

Energetic positive ions in the cometary “foreshock” region

Ions produced by ionization of the cometary neutrals interact with the solar wind protons to produce large amplitude oscillations of the ambient magnetic field. Such oscillations are convected towards the comet at the unperturbed solar wind speed far from the shock and at a lower speed closer to the shock (due to the solar wind mass loading); hence, they can energize the incoming ions by Fermi acceleration. The spatial extension of the acceleration region is of the order of 10⁶ km and the resulting energy spectrum is harder than in the Earth's bow shock case. The energization of cometary ions produces an additional deceleration of the solar wind. It is suggested that Comet Halley may be the most efficient “cosmic ray shock” in the solar system.