On classification of RHESSI flares

Based on the light curves and images of RHESSI flares, we tried to make a preliminary classification of solar flares. Three basic types of flares seem to be existed: accordantly gradual flares, accordantly impulsive flares, and early impulsive flares. The proportion for each type is given. The possible physical meaning related to different types is discussed.     

Hermean Magnetosphere-Solar Wind Interaction

The small intrinsic magnetic field of Mercury together with its proximity to the Sun makes the Hermean magnetosphere unique in the context of comparative magnetosphere study. The basic framework of the Hermean magnetosphere is believed to be the same as that of Earth. However, there exist various differences which cause new and exciting effects not present at Earth to appear. These new effects may force a substantial correction of our naïve predictions concerning the magnetosphere of Mercury. Here, we outline the predictions based on our experience at Earth and what effects can drastically change this picture. The basic structure of the magnetosphere is likely to be understood by scaling the Earth’s case but its dynamic aspect is likely modified significantly by the smallness of the Hermean magnetosphere and the substantial presence of heavy ions coming from the planet’s surface.     

Filtration of Interstellar Atoms through the Heliospheric Interface

Interstellar atoms penetrate deep into the heliosphere after passing through the heliospheric interface—the region of the interaction of the solar wind with the interstellar medium. The heliospheric interface serves as a filter for the interstellar atoms of hydrogen and oxygen, and, to a lesser extent, nitrogen, due to their coupling with interstellar and heliospheric plasmas by charge exchange and electron impact ionization. The filtration has great importance for the determination of local interstellar abundances of these elements, which becomes now possible due to measurements of interstellar pickup by Ulysses and ACE, and anomalous cosmic rays by Voyagers, Ulysses, ACE, SAMPEX and Wind. The filtration of the different elements depends on the level of their coupling with the plasma in the interaction region. The recent studies of the filtration of the interstellar atoms in the heliospheric interface region is reviewed in this paper. The dependence of the filtration on the local interstellar proton and H atom number densities is discussed and the roles of the charge exchange and electron impact ionization on the filtration are evaluated. The influence of electron temperature in the inner heliosheath on the filtration process is discussed as well. Using the filtration coefficients obtained from the modeling and SWICS/Ulysses pickup ion measurements, the local interstellar abundances of the considered elements are determined.     

Acceleration and Composition of Solar Wind Suprathermal Tails

Observations in the solar wind have revealed important insights into how energetic particles are accelerated in astrophysical plasmas. In circumstances where stochastic acceleration is expected, a suprathermal tail on the distribution function is formed with a common spectral shape: the spectrum is a power law in particle speed with a spectral index of −5. Recent theories for this phenomenon, in which thermodynamic constraints are applied to explain the common spectral shape, are reviewed. As an example of potential extensions of this theoretical work, consideration is given to the acceleration of Anomalous Cosmic Rays in the heliosheath.     

Comparing IRI and a regional model with ionosonde measurements in Pakistan

We have used the technique of expansion in Empirical Orthogonal Functions (EOFs) to develop regional models of the critical frequencies of E and F₂ layers (f_oE, f_oF₂), peak height (h_mF₂), and semi-thickness of F₂ layer (Y_mF₂) over Pakistan. In the present study levels of solar activity specified by Smoothed Sunspot Number (R) from 10 to 200 are taken into account. The magnetic dip angle for the model ranges from 30° to 60°. We have compared the regional model and the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) with measurements of three ionosondes in Pakistan. The model parameters f_oE and f_oF₂ are found overall comparable to the observed hourly median values during daytime at Karachi (geographic latitude = 24.95°N, longitude = 67.13°E, magnetic inclination = 37°), Multan (30.18°N, 71.48°E, 45°) and Islamabad (33.75°N, 73.13°E, 51.5°) during the years 1988, 1996 and 2000. For h_mF₂ the computed values by regional and IRI model for the year 1995 are found close to each other. However, for Y_mF₂the results are better during daytime as compared to nighttime.     

太阳极区低日冕重离子的回旋波加热机制

采用电子、质子、氦核和另外一种微量离子代替氧离子的4组元模型分别计算了Fe^11 ,Mg^9 ,Mg^7 ,Ne^7 和Si^7 等微量离子的漂移速度和温度，并和SUMER的观测结果进行了比较。     

Solar wind electron density and temperature over solar cycle 23: Thermal noise measurements on Wind

We present the solar wind plasma parameters obtained from the Wind spacecraft during more than nine years, encompassing almost the whole solar cycle 23. Since its launch in November 1994 Wind has frequently observed the in-ecliptic solar wind upstream of the Earth’s bow shock. The WIND/WAVES thermal noise receiver was specially designed to measure the in situ plasma thermal noise spectra, from which the electron density and temperature can be accurately determined. We present and discuss histograms of such measurements performed from 1994 to 2003. Using these large data sets, we study the density and core temperature variations with solar activity cycle and with different regimes of the solar wind. We confirm the anticorrelation of the electron density with the sunspot number, and obtain a positive correlation of the core temperature, with the sunspot number.     

Chromospheric dynamics

This review focuses on dynamics of the solar chromosphere, which serves as a good proxy for understanding processes in stellar chromospheres as well. In the quiet chromosphere it is useful to distinguish between the magnetic network on the boundaries of supergranulation cells, where strong magnetic fields are organized in mainly vertical magnetic flux tubes, and internetwork regions in the cell interior, where magnetic fields are weaker and dynamically less important. Recently, some progress has been made in understanding the physics of the non-magnetic chromosphere. On the other hand, the physical processes that heat the magnetic network have not been fully identified. Is the network heated by wave dissipation and if so, what are their physical characteristics? These and other aspects relating to the dynamics and energy transport mechanisms will be discussed in detail. In addition, some of the outstanding problems in the field such the driving mechanism for spicules and the nature of internetwork magnetic fields will also be highlighted. Furthermore, a critical assessment will be made on the challenges facing theory and the direction for future investigations, particularly in the light of the new space experiments, will be highlighted.     

Thermospheric neutral density response to solar forcing

Recent measurements by the Solar EUV (Extreme Ultra Violet) Experiment (SEE) aboard the Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite (TIMED) provide solar EUV spectral irradiance with adequate spectral and temporal resolution, and thus the opportunity to use solar measurements directly in upper atmospheric general circulation models. Thermospheric neutral density is simulated with the NCAR Thermosphere–Ionosphere–Electrodynamic General Circulation Model (TIEGCM) using TIMED/SEE measurements and using the EUVAC solar proxy model. Neutral density is also calculated using the NRLMSISE-00 empirical model. These modeled densities are then compared to density measurements derived from satellite drag data. It is found that using measured solar irradiance in the general circulation model can improve density calculations compared to using the solar proxy model. It is also found that the general circulation model can improve upon the empirical model in simulating geomagnetic storm effects and the solar cycle variation of neutral density.     

The auroral activity during the main phase of magnetic storms

The relationship of auroral activity indices (AE, Kp, SME) with interplanetary medium parameters during the main phase of magnetic storms is studied. For the period 1990–2020, 142 magnetic storms driven by (41) Sheath, (61) CIR, and (40) ICME events are selected. It is found that the correlation coefficient between average values of the SME index and the SW electric field for Sheath (r = 0.75) is close to correlation coefficients for CIR and ICME events. The correlation coefficient between Kp_aver&Esw_aver (r = 0.72) is higher than the correlation coefficient between AE_aver&Esw_aver (r = 0.63) at the main phase of magnetic storms induced by the Sheath events. It is shown that average values of SW dynamic pressure and IMF σB fluctuations correlate each other for all types of SW.