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.     

Initial phase of mid-latitude aurora during strong geomagnetic storms

Analysing the initial mid-latitude aurora phase during strong geomagnetic storms we found that the initial phase of the mid-latitude aurorae observed at 630 nm emission during the strong geomagnetic storms on March 24, 1991, April 6, 2000, October 30 and November 20, 2003 is characterized by a short (∼1 h) wave-like disturbance. This disturbance corresponds to the beginning of main phase of the magnetic storms. The marked effect of the mid-latitude aurorae is analyzed using data on magnetosphere and ionosphere conditions in observation periods. The features of the dynamics of the 630 nm emission intensity and its connection with the dynamics of magnetospheric–ionospheric structures are considered. Possible excitation mechanisms of the atomic oxygen emission (630 nm) during these disturbances are discussed.     

Estimation of equatorial electrojet from total electron content at geomagnetic equator using Kalman filter

The temporal variation of the equatorial electrojet is estimated utilising a suitably designed Kalman filter and using the established empirical relations between the anomaly component of equatorial TEC and the modified electrojet. TEC data obtained from dual frequency GPS receivers are used for the purpose. Estimation requires the a-priori knowledge of the peak electrojet value of the day and hence can be made in post temporal scenario only. Initial results obtained during a low solar activity time in an equinoctial month shows acceptable accuracy of the proposed algorithm. Limited analysis is done by segregating the results into temporal sessions of pre-attainment and post-attainment of the electrojet peak.     

Magnetospheric application of high-altitude long-duration balloon technology: Daylight auroral observations

Daylight auroral imaging is a proposed application of the NASA high-altitude long-duration balloon technology. This paper discusses the theoretical background of this application and test observations, for proof of the feasibility. It is demonstrated that nitrogen auroral emissions in the near-infrared band are detectable at altitudes of 35–40 km and above using a near-infrared InGaAs camera. The purpose of such observations is to identify auroral small-scale structures that are manifestations of auroral particle accelerations and the solar wind – magnetosphere – ionosphere interaction. Use of this new approach will enable studies of the dayside aurora, low-latitude aurora, and storm-time and substorm-time auroral conjugacy.     

FREJA卫星观测到的低混杂小尖峰和密度空穴的关系

从FREJA卫星近期观测发现，地球低极尖区等离子体密度的衰减有多种可能的机制，不同机制所形成的密度空穴都可能捕获低混杂频率附近的湍动波，进而使原有的密度空穴加深．由于同时检测到静电和电磁的低混杂小尖峰，故提出电磁低混杂湍动的电场分量被密度空穴所捕获．     

反向赤道电集流与磁层扰动

对印度Trivandrum站第21太阳活动周内地磁H分量分析表明,不仅在磁扰日及其随后的静日内,强磁扰对赤道电集流有显着作用,即使在持续静日期间,较弱的磁扰仍然对赤道电离层有很大影响。磁静日昏侧出现反向(西向)电集流是正常现象,弱磁扰是使此反向电流消失的可能机制。      

反向电集流出现率与大气准两年振荡

本文分析印度Trivandrum地磁台的约两个太阳黑子周期的地磁场水平分量小时值。在部分地消除了太阳黑子周期及一年周期变化后,发现了反向电集流出现率的QBO调制现象:QBO东风相反向电集流出现率增加;QBO西风相反向电集流出现率减小。据此讨论了反向电集流的形成机制,认为大气行星波在其上传过程中与太阳半日波或太阴半日波的相互作用,有可能导致两种半日波的放大和相位移动,并最终导致反向电集流的出现。      

Variations of equatorial electrojet as possible seismo-ionospheric precursor at the occurrence of TEC anomalies before strong earthquake

The measurements of GPS signal delays show that the local areas of increased/decreased Total Electron Content (TEC) of the ionosphere can be observed before strong earthquakes. The main possible cause of these TEC disturbances is the vertical plasma drift under the action of zonal electric field. The spatial pattern of electric potentials for such electric field was proposed. The model calculations were done to investigate the efficiency of the proposed mechanism. The calculation results revealed the agreement with TEC variations observed before strong earthquakes and showed that the equatorial electrojet variations can be considered as precursors of earthquakes.     

Reevaluation of thermosphere heating by auroral electrons

This paper presents a new calculation of neutral gas heating by precipitating auroral electrons. It is found that the heating rate of the neutral gas is significantly lower than previous determinations below 200 km altitude. The neutral gas heating arises from the many exothermic chemical reactions that take place from the ions and excited species created by the energetic electrons. The calculations show that less than half the energy initially deposited ends up heating the neutral gases. The rest is radiated or lost in the dissociation of O₂ because the O atoms do not recombine in the thermosphere. This paper also presents a new way of calculating the heating rate per ionization that can be used for efficient determination of the overall neutral gas heating for global thermosphere models. The heating rates are relatively insensitive to the neutral atmosphere when plotted against pressure rather than altitude coordinates. At high altitudes, the heating rates are sensitive to the thermal electron density and long-lived species. The calculations were performed with the Field Line Interhemispheric Plasma (FLIP) model using a 2-stream auroral electron precipitation model. The heating rate calculations in this paper differ from previous heating rate calculations in the treatment of backscattered electrons to produce better agreement with observed flux spectra. This paper shows that more realistic model auroral electron spectra can be obtained by reflecting the up going flux back to the ionosphere at the upper boundary of the model. In this case, the neutral gas heating rates are 20%–25% higher than when the backscattered flux escapes from the ionosphere.     

Variation of F-region critical frequency (foF2) over equatorial and low-latitude region of the Indian zone during 19th and 20th solar cycle

The effect of solar cycle and seasons on the daytime and nighttime F-layer ionization has been investigated over the equatorial and low-latitude region during 19th (1954–1964) and 20th (1965–1976) solar cycle. The F-layer critical frequency (foF2) data observed from the three Indian Ionosonde stations has been used for the present study. The dependence of foF2 on solar cycle has been examined by performing regression analysis between the foF2 values and R₁₂ (twelve month running average sunspot number). The result shows that the magnitude of the cycle, seasons and the location of station has considerable effects on foF2. There is a significant nonlinear relationship between the foF2 values and R₁₂ during 19th solar cycle as compared to 20th solar cycle. Further, the nighttime saturation effect is prominently seen during the 19th solar cycle and summer season. It is also observed that the most profound saturation effect appears at the equatorial ionization anomaly crest region. Seasonally, it is seen that all the stations exhibits semiannual anomaly. The phenomenon of winter anomaly decays as we move higher along the latitude and is prominently seen during the intense solar activity.