A tentative statistical analysis of flare events observed by NoRH and NoRP

In this paper, we report the statistical analysis of flare events observed by NoRH during 1992–2005 and NoRP during 1994–2005. We give the power law indices for the frequency distribution of peak brightness temperature which is 1.87 ± 0.05 for 17 GHz observation and is 1.64 ± 0.04 for 34 GHz observation. We also present the frequency variation of power law indices for peak flux and total energy of flare for NoRP observation, which is mono-increasing from 1 to 17 GHz.     

Diagnosis of coronal magnetic field and nonthermal electrons from Nobeyama observations of a simple flare

Coronal magnetic field and nonthermal electrons are very important parameters for understanding of the global heliophysical processes. A flare on November 1, 2004 is selected for self-consistent calculations of coronal magnetic field parallel and perpendicular to the line-of-sight, and density of nonthermal electrons from Nobeyama observations. Both of the diagnosis methods and results are discussed in this paper.     

Solar wind structure in the outer heliosphere

A solar wind parcel evolves as it moves outward, interacting with the solar wind plasma ahead of and behind it and with the interstellar neutrals. This structure varies over a solar cycle as the latitudinal speed profile and current sheet tilt change. We model the evolution of the solar wind with distance, using inner heliosphere data to predict plasma parameters at Voyager. The shocks which pass Voyager 2 often have different structure than expected; changes in the plasma and/or magnetic field do not always occur simultaneously. We use the recent latitudinal alignment of Ulysses and Voyager 2 to determine the solar wind slowdown due to interstellar neutrals at 80 AU and estimate the interstellar neutral density. We use Voyager data to predict the termination shock motion and location as a function of time.     

How far are we from a ‘Standard Model’ of the solar dynamo?

Over the last few years, dynamo theorists seem to be converging on a basic scenario as to how the solar dynamo operates. The strong toroidal component of the magnetic field is produced in the tachocline, from where it rises due to magnetic buoyancy to produce active regions at the solar surface. The decay of tilted bipolar active regions at the surface gives rise to the poloidal component, which is first advected poleward by the meridional circulation and then taken below the surface to the tachocline where it can be stretched to produce the toroidal component. The mathematical formulation of this basic model, however, involves the specification of some parameters which are still uncertain. We review these remaining uncertainties which have resulted in disagreements amongst various research groups and have made it impossible to still arrive at something that can be called a standard model of the solar dynamo.     

Recent advances in observations and modeling of the solar ultraviolet and X-ray spectral irradiance

There have been significant, recent advances in understanding the solar ultraviolet (UV) and X-ray spectral irradiance from several different satellite missions and from new efforts in modeling the variations of the solar spectral irradiance. The recent satellite missions with solar UV and X-ray spectral irradiance observations include the X-ray Sensor (XRS) aboard the series of NOAA GOES spacecraft, the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite (UARS), the SOHO Solar EUV Monitor (SEM), the Solar XUV Photometers (SXP) on the Student Nitric Oxide Explorer (SNOE), the Solar EUV Experiment (SEE) aboard the Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere, Dynamics, and Energetics (TIMED) satellite, and the Solar Radiation and Climate Experiment (SORCE) satellite. The combination of these measurements is providing new results on the variability of the solar ultraviolet irradiance throughout the ultraviolet range shortward of 200 nm and over a wide range of time scales ranging from years to seconds. The solar UV variations of flares are especially important for space weather applications and upper atmosphere research, and the period of intense solar storms in October–November 2003 has provided a wealth of new information about solar flares. The new efforts in modeling these solar UV spectral irradiance variations range from simple empirical models that use solar proxies to more complicated physics-based models that use emission measure techniques. These new models provide better understanding and insight into why the solar UV irradiance varies, and they can be used at times when solar observations are not available for atmospheric studies.     

System design of the Hayabusa 2—Asteroid sample return mission to 1999 JU3

The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency is currently developing the second asteroid sample return mission, designated as Hayabusa 2. Following the successful return of Hayabusa from the asteroid “Itokawa”, Hayabusa 2 is designed as a round-trip mission to the asteroid “1999 JU3”. The 1999 JU3 is a C-type asteroid, which is believed to contain organic matter and hydrated minerals. Thus, it is expected that successful sample collection will provide additional knowledge on the origin and evolution of the planets and, in particular, the origin of water and organic matter. The current mission scenario will enable the spacecraft to reach 1999 JU3 in the middle of 2018 and perform an asteroid proximity operation for 1.5 years. Three touch downs for sampling and one 2-m-class crater generation by means of a high-speed impact operation are planned during the asteroid proximity operation. The samples are to be brought back to the Earth by a re-entry capsule. The present paper describes the system design of Hayabusa 2, some key technical challenges of the mission, and the development status.     

The Lower Solar Atmosphere Rapporteur Paper II

This “rapporteur” report discusses the solar photosphere and low chromosphere in the context of chemical composition studies. The highly dynamical nature of the photosphere does not seem to jeopardize precise determination of solar abundances in classical fashion. It is still an open question how the highly dynamical nature of the low chromosphere contributes to first ionization potential (FIP) fractionation. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Cosmic Ray Electrons

Modulation of cosmic electrons is similar to that of nuclei, but there are clear differences. At energies below 100 MeV the electron spectrum has a negative slope, which may in some way be related to electrons released from the magnetosphere of the planet Jupiter. If there is such a relationship, its nature is not established, and alternative explanations for the upturn exist. At higher energies, electrons are predominantly negatively charged, and it is probable that the difference in net charge sign from that of nuclei is responsible for many of the observed differences in the behavior of electrons and nuclei under modulation. A consistent picture of the cosmic positron abundance and its time variation may be emerging from the world dataset.     

Temporal Evolution of Artificial Solar Granules

We study the evolution of artificial granulation on the basis of 2-D hydrodynamical simulations. These clearly show that granules die in two different ways. One route to death is the well known bifurcation or fragmentation of a large granule into 2 smaller ones (exploding granules). The other pathway to death is characterized by merging intergranular lanes and the accompanying dissolution of the granule located between them. It is found that the lifetime and maximum brightness is independent of the way in which granules evolve and die. They clearly differ in size, however, with exploding granules being in general significantly larger. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.