Validation of GOME (ERS-2) NO2 vertical column data with ground-based measurements at Issyk-Kul (Kyrgyzstan)

Here we present the results of comparison between operational NO₂ vertical column data by Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment (GOME) onboard ERS-2 satellite and ground-based measurements at Issyk-Kul station in Kyrgyzstan, northern Tien Shan. The data of GOME, taken for the period of 1996–2002, was found to be reasonably close to the results of ground-based sunrise measurements. The latter were adjusted to the time of GOME overpass nearby noon, providing direct comparison between satellite and ground-based data. According to the results, there is 0.6 × 10¹⁵ mol/cm² (18%) overestimation of NO₂ vertical column by GOME, compared to our ground-based data.     

Amateur observations of solar eclipses and derivation of scientific data

This work presents the educational approach of using total solar eclipse occurrences as a scientific process learning aid. The work reviews the basic scientific aims and experiments included in the observational programs “Total solar eclipse 1999 and 2006” (Stoev, A., Kiskinova, N., Muglova, P. et al. Complex observational programme of the Yuri Gagarin Public Astronomical Observatory and STIL, BAS, Stara Zagora Department for the August 11, 1999 total solar eclipse, in: Total Solar Eclipse 1999 – Observational Programmes and Coordination, Proceedings, Recol, Haskovo, pp. 133–137, 1999a (in Bulgarian); Stoeva, P.V., Stoev, A.D., Kostadinov, I.N. et al. Solar Corona and Atmospheric Effects during the March 29, 2006 Total Solar Eclipse, in: 11th International Science Conference SOLAR–Terrestrial Influences, Sofia, November 24–25, pp. 69–72, 2005).     

Use of varying shell heights derived from ionosonde data in calculating vertical total electron content (TEC) using GPS – New method

The dispersive nature of the ionosphere makes it possible to measure its total electron content (TEC). Thus Global Positioning System, which uses dual-frequency radio signals, is an ideal system to measure TEC. When data from an ionosonde situated in polar region was observed, the height of an approximated thin shell of electrons (shell height) used in GPS studies was seen not to be fixed but rather changing with time. Here we introduce a new method in which we included the varying shell heights derived from the ionosonde to map the slant total electron content from GPS to obtain a more precise vertical total electron content of the ionosphere contrary to some previous methods which used fixed shell heights. In this paper we also compared the ionosonde derived TEC with the GPS derived vertical TEC (vTEC) values. These GPS vTEC values were obtained from GPS slant TEC (sTEC) measurements using both fixed shell height and varying shell heights (from ionosonde measurements). For the polar regions, the varying shell height approach produced better results than the fixed shell height and compared to exponential function, Chapman function seems to be a better function to model the topside ionosphere.     

Regional 4-D modeling of the ionospheric electron density from satellite data and IRI

Accurate knowledge of the electron density is the key point in correcting ionospheric delays of electromagnetic measurements and in studying ionosphere physics. During the last decade Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) have become a promising tool for monitoring ionospheric parameters such as the total electron content (TEC). In this contribution we present a four-dimensional (4-D) model of the electron density consisting of a given reference part, i.e., the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI), and an unknown correction term expanded in terms of multi-dimensional base functions. The corresponding series coefficients are calculable from the satellite measurements by applying parameter estimation procedures. Since satellite data are usually sampled between GPS satellites and ground stations, finer structures of the electron density are modelable just in regions with a sufficient number of ground stations. The proposed method is applied to simulated geometry-free GPS phase measurements. The procedure can be used, for example, to study the equatorial anomaly.     

Working Group 3 Report: Coronal Hole Boundaries and Interactions with Adjacent Regions

Summarized below are the discussions of working group 3 on "Coronal hole boundaries and interactions with adjacent regions" which took place at the 7th SOHO workshop in Northeast Harbor, Maine, USA, 28 September to 1 October 1998. A number of recent observational and theoretical results were presented during the discussions to shed light on different aspects of coronal hole boundaries. The working group also included presentations on streamers and coronal holes to emphasis the difference between the plasma properties in these regions, and to serve as guidelines for the definition of the boundaries. Observations, particularly white light observations, show that multiple streamers are present close to the solar limb at all times. At some distance from the sun, typically below 2 R, these streamers merge into a relatively narrow sheet as seen, for example, in LASCO and UVCS images. The presence of multiple current sheets in interplanetary space was also briefly addressed. Coronal hole boundaries were defined as the abrupt transition from the bright appearing plasma sheet to the dark coronal hole regions. Observations in the inner corona seem to indicate a transition of typically 10 to 20 degrees, whereas observations in interplanetary space, carried out from Ulysses, show on one hand an even faster transition of less than 2 degrees which is in agreement with earlier Helios results. On the other hand, these observations also show that the transition happens on different scales, some of which are significantly larger. The slow solar wind is connected to the streamer belt/plasma sheet, even though the discussions were still not conclusive on the point where exactly the slow solar wind originates. Considered the high variability of plasma characteristics in slow wind streams, it seems most likely that several types of coronal regions produce slow solar wind, such as streamer stalks, streamer legs and open field regions between active regions, and maybe even regions just inside of the coronal holes. Observational and theoretical studies presented during the discussions show evidence that each of these regions may indeed contribute to the solar slow wind. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

行星际激波对地球磁层的压缩效应分析

2004 年11月9日WIND飞船探测到一个典型的行星际激波. 激波前行星际磁场为持续约50 min的弱南向磁场, 越过激波面, 磁场发生北向偏转且太阳风动压脉冲增强. 在此强动压脉冲增强结构作用下, 磁层被压缩至一个很小的区域. 激波作用于磁层时引起地球同步轨道 各区域高能粒子通量的响应, 但是不同磁地方时的高能粒子通量的响应不同, 表现出双模式扰动, 即在晨昏两侧各能段的电子和质子通量显著增强, 在子夜侧发生类似于亚暴的无色散粒子注入现象. 扰动从向阳面传输到背阳面, 向阳面粒子通量最先增强, 随后背阳面靠近晨昏两侧, 粒子通量开始增强, 最后子夜侧粒子通量表现出无色散高能粒子注入的特点. 另外, 在靠近正午侧, 质子通量先于电子通量发生响应, 在子夜侧电子通量则先于质子通量发生响应. 利用位于向阳面正午两侧的GOES-10 和 GOES-12卫星观测数据发现, 激波作用于磁层时靠近晨侧的磁场变化表现出简单压缩效应, 而靠近昏侧的磁场变化则显然不同, Bx分量减弱, Bz分量几乎减为零, 而By分量则显著增强. 此外, 位于近地磁尾低纬尾瓣区的TC-1卫星观测到激波触发的尾瓣SI现象.      

GPS 载波相位组合观测值理论研究

给出了组合观测值的一般性定义,分析了组合观测值的误差传播规律,讨论了几种特殊的组合观测值的特性。对组合观测值的概念进行了推广,给出了组合观测值可匹配的定义和可匹配的充要条件。     

Effects of X2-class solar flare events on ionospheric GPS-TEC and radio waves over Brazilian sector

In this investigation, we present and discuss the effects of 6 X2-class solar flare events in the ionospheric F region over Brazilian sector that occurred during 2013 to 2015. For this investigation, we present the vertical total electron content (VTEC) observations from nearly 120 Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers all over the Brazilian sector for each event. Also, ionospheric sounding observations obtained in São José dos Campos (23.2°S, 45.9°W, dip latitude 17.6°S; hereafter referred to as SJC), under the southern crest of the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA), Brazil, are presented. The observations show that the greatest TEC impact occurs with the EUV fluxes increases lasting for more than one hour and when the solar active region is located close to the solar disc center. We present a detailed study of the efficiency of the EUV flux with wavelengths ranging from 0.1 to 190?nm for the F region ionization. The largest increase of ΔTEC occurs below the magnetic equator line, covering mainly the central, northeast, southeast and south regions, which includes the equatorial ionospheric anomaly (EIA) region. The ionograms show partial or total fade out in the echoes traces observed causing blackouts of radio signals of up to 60?min, which can have serious consequences to technological systems of public and private agencies around Brazilian sector. This study can help to better understand the effects of solar flares in the ionospheric F region.     

Study the behavior of the ionospheric frequencies at Karachi during three consecutive solar minima of cycle 21, 22 & 23 and their comparison with IRI-2016

The behavior of critical frequencies of ionospheric E and F2 layers (foE & foF2) along with minimum ionospheric frequency (fmin) is studied for solar minima of cycle 21 (1986), 22 (1996) and 23 (2008) over Karachi (24.95$°$N, 67.13$°$E), Pakistan. The station is located at the crest of equatorial ionization anomaly region. Beside seasonal differences, pronounced change in the values of frequencies is noted from one solar minimum to another solar minimum. A strong and direct correlation of foF2 with Smoothed Sunspot Number (SSN) and F10.7?cm solar flux is observed. In the minimum of cycle 23, reduction in foF2 is noted due to reduction of solar EUV as compared to other minima. Also disappearance of semi-annual variations in foF2 is noted in cycle 23 minimum. Unexpectedly higher values of foE and fmin are observed in minimum of cycle 23 as compared to other minima. It is difficult to explain this unusual behavior of fmin and foE along with disappearance of semi-annual variation in foF2. It is possible that during very low solar activity, thermospheric conditions are changed which in turn altered the ionosphere. Further investigation of atmosphere-ionosphere coupling is required to understand this complex behavior. On comparison of observed values with IRI-2016, higher deviations are observed in foE before noon hours while in case of foF2, large deviations are noted during daytime. The absence of foF2 semi-annual variation in cycle 23 is not reproduced by IRI-2016. It is suggested that IRI-2016 need some modification for extremely low solar activity condition.