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.     

Low-latitude geomagnetic response to the interplanetary conditions during very intense magnetic storms

The variations in the horizontal and declination components of the geomagnetic field in response to the interplanetary shocks driven by fast halo coronal mass ejections, fast solar wind streams from the coronal hole regions and the dynamic pressure pulses associated with these events are studied. Close association between the field-aligned current density (j_∥) and the fluctuations in the declination component (ΔD_ABG) at Alibag is found for intense storm conditions. Increase in the dawn-dusk interplanetary electric field (E_y) and ΔD_ABG are generally in phase. However, when the magnetospheric electric field is directed from dusk to dawn direction, a prominent scatter occurs between the two. It is suggested that low-latitude ground magnetic data may serve as a proxy for the interplanetary conditions in the solar wind.     

Comparison between African equatorial station ground-based inferred vertical E × B drift,Jicamarca direct measured drift,and IRI model

The Incoherent Scatter Radar measurement over Jicamarca, together with the IRI model-2007 measurements were compared with ground-based digisonde inferred E × B drift over Ilorin in the African region during year of solar minima (F10.7 = 81). Seasonally, Ilorin pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) had peak drift velocities of 7.2, 3.7 and 7.9 m/s for March equinox, September equinox and December solstice respectively, while Jicamarca drifts indicated 13.0, 10.5 and 5.2 m/s; as well as the IRI model with 14.3, 8.4 and 0.7 m/s in similar order. PRE value was insignificant during June solstice. The PRE magnitude of the IRI-model during the equinoxes is twice the value obtained at Ilorin. The daytime E × B drift peaked over Ilorin 1–2 h earlier than both the modeled and Jicamarca observations. This could be due to the difference in sunset time at the conjugate points corresponding to the altitude of the observation. During the evening time PRE, the respective correlation coefficients (R) for Vz–F10.7 relation over Jicamarca, Ilorin and the modeled observations are −0.5559, 0.4796 and −0.4979. Similarly, the Vz–Ap relation exhibit excellent anti-correlation coefficient (R = −0.8637) for the IRI-model, −0.4827 over Jicamarca and 0.3479 for Ilorin. Annual mean drift velocities over Jicamarca, Ilorin and IRI model measurements respectively are 10, 5.6 and 10 m/s for the peak PRE observation; 15, 16 and 21 m/s for the daytime pre-sunrise peak values; and −21, −9 and −16 m/s for the nighttime downward reversals. The root-mean square (RMS) deviation between IRI-model and the Ilorin drift between 2000 and 0500 h is 4.37, 2.03, 3.71 and 2.42 m/s for March equinox, June solstice, September equinox and December solstice respectively. For Jicamarca–Ilorin drift relation, RMS deviation is 5.48, 2.30, 3.47 and 1.27 m/s in the same order respectively. Annual hmF2 inferred drift over Ilorin during daytime is higher by a factor of ≈2 and 3 at Jicamarca and IRI model measurements respectively; and by a factor of ≈5 for both during the night-time period. The limitations in using hmF2 to infer drifts are discussed.     

Cone model-based SEP event calculations for applications to multipoint observations

The problem of modeling solar energetic particle (SEP) events is important to both space weather research and forecasting, and yet it has seen relatively little progress. Most important SEP events are associated with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) that drive coronal and interplanetary shocks. These shocks can continuously produce accelerated particles from the ambient medium to well beyond 1 AU. This paper describes an effort to model real SEP events using a Center for Integrated Space weather Modeling (CISM) MHD solar wind simulation including a cone model of CMEs to initiate the related shocks. In addition to providing observation-inspired shock geometry and characteristics, this MHD simulation describes the time-dependent observer field line connections to the shock source. As a first approximation, we assume a shock jump-parameterized source strength and spectrum, and that scatter-free transport occurs outside of the shock source, thus emphasizing the role the shock evolution plays in determining the modeled SEP event profile. Three halo CME events on May 12, 1997, November 4, 1997 and December 13, 2006 are used to test the modeling approach. While challenges arise in the identification and characterization of the shocks in the MHD model results, this approach illustrates the importance to SEP event modeling of globally simulating the underlying heliospheric event. The results also suggest the potential utility of such a model for forcasting and for interpretation of separated multipoint measurements such as those expected from the STEREO mission.     

Solar extreme events 2005–2006: Effects on near-Earth space systems and interplanetary systems

Extreme events are defined as those events in which the characteristics (e.g. field strength, speed, intensity of radiation, energies) of the associated phenomena (e.g. solar flares, coronal mass ejections, solar proton events) are some orders of magnitude larger than in other events. Such strong events commonly occur about two years before and after sunspot maximum and some strong events occur as well in the declining phase before the solar activity minimum [Bothmer V., Zhukov A. The 11 Sun as the prime source of space weather, in: Bothmer, V., Daglis, I. (Eds.), Space Weather: Physics and Effects, Springer Praxis Books, 12 pp. 438, 2007]. In the first part of the paper the characteristics of the Jan. 2005 and Dec. 2006 events are given. This is followed by a presentation of the effects that were encountered on technological systems and also addresses the issue of what could have occurred on biological systems during such events. The second part of the paper deals with how one should go about analyzing solar extreme events - as part of the global distribution of all events or as ”outliers” with their own special characteristics.     

On the importance of total electron content enhancements during the extreme solar minimum

Observations of ionospheric vertical total electron content (vTEC) from European ground-based Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) receivers during the period January 2008–January 2010 are used to investigate, for the first time, vTEC sensitivity to weak geomagnetic disturbances under extreme solar minimum conditions. This study shows a significant number of events for the period in question, all of which exhibited some form of exceptionally large values of vTEC during small-magnitude geomagnetic disturbances. To illustrate our point on the importance of vTEC enhancements during the extreme solar minimum and its relevance for the current GNSS and future Galileo applications, we present in this paper the results associated with two significant events that both occurred in equinoctial months. The 10–12 October 2009 event of anomalous TEC enhancement at two distant mid-latitude locations HERS (0.3 E; 50.9 N) and NICO (33.4 E, 35.1 N) is discussed in the context of strong vTEC variations during the well established ionospheric storm on 11 October 2008. We conclude with a short summary of the new findings and their consequences on ionospheric monitoring and modelling for operational communication and navigation systems.