Cosmic Rays in Relation to Space Weather

A review of selected experimental results relevant for the use of cosmic ray records in Space Weather research is presented. Interplanetary perturbations, initiated in the solar atmosphere, affect galactic cosmic rays. In some cases their influence on the cosmic ray intensity results in data signatures that can possibly be used to predict geomagnetic storm onsets. Case studies illustrating the complexity of the cosmic ray effects and related geomagnetic activity precursors are discussed. It is shown that some indices for cosmic ray activity are good tools for testing the reliability of cosmic ray characteristics for Space Weather forecasts. A brief summary of the influence of cosmic rays on the ozone layer is also given. The use of cosmic ray data for Space Weather purposes is still in its infant stage, but suggestions for both case and statistical studies are made. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Spatial distribution of low energy gamma-rays associated with trapped particles

According to the data from the SONG instrument on board the low altitude high inclination CORONAS-I satellite, the fluxes of gamma rays with energies between 120 keV and 8.3 MeV are reviewed. The observations were made during the interval from May 1994 to early July 1994. Comparison with energetic electron fluxes obtained from AE-8 model is done, and thus the gamma-ray production mechanism is discussed. Available data are used to investigate the fine spatial structure in the Brazilian anomaly, as well as to analyse outer zone of bremsstrahlung electrons. To do this, the L-B maps are constructed and energy spectral characteristics of gamma-ray fluxes are investigated.     

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.