Spectra of the two official GLEs of solar cycle 24

Based on ground-level data and on satellite data we determine in this work the observational spectrum of both, the Ground Level Enhancement of May 17, (2012) the so-called GLE71 and the Ground Level Enhancement of September 10, 2017 (GLE 72). We describe a simplified method to obtain the experimental spectrum at ground level. Data of the GLE71 and GLE72 indicate the presence of two different populations, each one with a different energy spectrum. On the other hand, we explore the kind of phenomena that take place at the source in these two particular events. In contrast with other methods based on the temporal synchronization between electromagnetic emissions of flares and coronal mass ejections (CME), here we develop an alternative option based on the study of the accelerated particles, by adjusting our theoretical spectra to the observational spectra. The main results of this work are the derivation of the source and acceleration parameters involved in the generation process. These results lead us to construct possible scenarios of particle generation in the source for each one of the two studied GLEs.     

Attitude stability criteria of axisymmetric solar sail

Passive attitude stability criteria of a solar sail whose membrane surface is axisymmetric are studied in this paper under a general SRP model. This paper proves that arbitrary attitude equilibrium position can be designed through adjusting the deviation between the pressure center and the mass center of the sail. The linearized method is applied to inspect analytically the stability of the equilibrium point from two different points of views. The results show that the attitude stability depends on the membrane surface shape and area. The results of simulation with full dynamic equations confirm that the two stability criteria are effective in judging the attitude stability for axisymmetric solar sail. Several possible applications of the study are also mentioned.     

Shocklike soliton because of an impinge of protons and electrons solar particles with Venus ionosphere

This paper introduces an investigation of shocklike soliton or small amplitude Double Layers (DLs) in a collisionless plasma, consisting of positive and negative ions, nonthermal electrons, as well as solar wind streaming protons and electrons. Gardner equation is derived and its shocklike soliton solution is obtained. The model is employed to recognize a possible nonlinear wave at Venus ionosphere. The results indicate that the number densities and velocities of the streaming particles play crucial role to determine the polarity and characteristic features (amplitude and width) of the shocklike soliton waves. An electron streaming speed modifies a negative shocklike wave profile, while an ion streaming speed modulates a positive shocklike wave characteristic.     

Statistical analysis of geomagnetic field variations during solar eclipses

We investigate the geomagnetic field variations recorded by INTERMAGNET geomagnetic observatories, which are observed while the Moon’s umbra or penumbra passed over them during a solar eclipse event. Though it is generally considered that the geomagnetic field can be modulated during solar eclipses, the effect of the solar eclipse on the observed geomagnetic field has proved subtle to be detected. Instead of exploring the geomagnetic field as a case study, we analyze 207 geomagnetic manifestations acquired by 100 geomagnetic observatories during 39 solar eclipses occurring from 1991 to 2016. As a result of examining a pattern of the geomagnetic field variation on average, we confirm that the effect can be seen over an interval of 180?min centered at the time of maximum eclipse on a site of a geomagnetic observatory. That is, demonstrate an increase in the Y component of the geomagnetic field and decreases in the X component and the total strength of the geomagnetic field. We also find that the effect can be overwhelmed, depending more sensitively on the level of daily geomagnetic events than on the level of solar activity and/or the phase of solar cycle. We have demonstrated it by dividing the whole data set into subsets based on parameters of the geomagnetic field, solar activity, and solar eclipses. It is suggested, therefore, that an evidence of the solar eclipse effect can be revealed even at the solar maximum, as long as the day of the solar eclipse is magnetically quiet.     

Ionospheric wave signature of the American solar eclipse on 21 August 2017 in Europe

A total solar eclipse occurred on 21 August 2017, with the path of totality starting over the North Pacific Ocean, crossing North-America and ending over the Mid-Atlantic Ocean slightly North of the equator. As a result, a partial solar eclipse was observed as far away as the Western Europe. The ionospheric observatory in Dourbes, Belgium, was right on the edge of the partial eclipse and was exposed for a very short period of only few minutes just before the local sunset. High-resolution ionospheric measurements were carried out at the observatory with collocated digital ionosonde and GNSS receivers. The data analysis revealed a clear wave-like pattern in the ionosphere that can be seen arriving before the local onset of the eclipse. The paper details the analysis and provides a possible explanation of the observed phenomenon.     

Improving the orbits of GPS block IIA satellites during eclipse seasons

During Sun-Earth eclipse seasons, GPS-IIA satellites perform noon, shadow and post-shadow yaw maneuvers. If the yaw maneuvers are not properly taken into account in the orbit determination process, two problems appear: (1) the observations residuals increase since the modeled position of the satellite’s navigation antenna differs from the true position, and (2) the non-conservative forces like solar radiation pressure or Earth radiation pressure are mismodeled due to the wrong orientation of the satellite’s surfaces in space.     

Ionospheric responses to the 21 August 2017 great American solar eclipse – A multi-instrument study

Herein, we report on the ionospheric responses to a total solar eclipse that occurred on 21 August 2017 over the US region. Ground-based GPS total electron content (TEC) data along with ground-based measurements (Millstone Hill Observatory (MHO) and digital ionosondes) and space-based measurements (COSMIC radio occultation (RO) technique) allowed us to identify eclipse-associated ionospheric responses. TEC data at ~20°, ~30°, and ~40°N latitudes from the west to east longitudes show not only considerable depression but also wave-like characteristics in TEC both in the path of totality and away from it, exclusively on the day of eclipse. Interestingly, the observed depressions are associated with lesser (higher) magnitudes at stations over which the solar obscuration percentage was meager (significant), a clear indication of bow-wave-like features. The MHO observes a 30% reduction in F₂-layer electron densities between 180 and 220 km on eclipse day. Ionosonde-scaled parameters over Boulder (40.4°N, 100°E) and Austin (30.4°N, 94.4°E) show a significant decrease in critical frequencies while an altitude elevation is seen in the virtual heights of the F-layer only during the eclipse day and that decreases are associated with wave-like signatures, which could be attributed to eclipse-generated waves. The estimated vertical electron density profile from the COSMIC RO-based technique shows a maximum depletion of 40%. Relatively intense and moderate depths of TEC depression, considerable reductions in the F₂-layer electron densities measured by the MHO and COSMIC RO-measured densities at the F₂-layer peak, and elevations in virtual heights and reduction in the critical frequencies measured by ionosondes during the eclipse day could be due to the eclipse-induced dynamical effects such as gravity waves (GWs) and their associated electro-dynamical effects (modification of ionospheric electric fields due to GWs).     

Energization of charged particle in a time-dependent chaotic magnetic field with an implication of the production of seed particles in solar energetic particle events

We investigate the acceleration of charged particles in a time-dependent chaotic magnetic field in this work. In earlier works, it has been demonstrated that in an asymmetric wire-loop current systems (WLCSs), the magnetic field is of chaotic in nature. Furthermore, observations also showed that there exist time-varying current loops and current filaments in solar corona. It is therefore natural to conceive that the magnetic field on the solar surface is chaotic and time-dependent. Here, we develop a numerical model to study the acceleration process of charged particles in a time-varying chaotic magnetic field that is generated by an ensemble of 8 WLCSs. We found that the motion of energetic particles in the system is of diffusive in nature and a power law spectrum can quickly develop. The mechanism examined here may serve as an efficient pre-acceleration mechanism that generates the so-called seed particles for diffusive shock acceleration at a coronal mass ejection (CME) driven shock in large solar energetic particle (SEP) events.     

Coupling of earth’s magnetosphere,solar wind and lunar plasma environment

The Moon does not have significant atmosphere and magnetic field. So it was considered like a passive absorber of incoming plasma. The latest observation revealed that the significant deflected proton fluxes exist over magnetic anomalies at lunar surface. Such deflection implies that the magnetic anomalies may act as magnetosphere-like obstacles (mini-magnetospheres), modifying the upstream plasma.