bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cluster survey of the mid-altitude cusp: 1. size, location, and dynamics
Authors: Pitout F. , Escoubet C. P. , Klecker B. , Rème H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We present a statistical study of four years of Cluster crossings of the mid-altitude cusp. In this first part of the study, we start by introducing the method we have used a) to define the cusp properties, b) to sort the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions or behaviors into classes, c) to determine the proper time delay between the solar wind monitors and Cluster. Out of the 920 passes that we have analyzed, only 261 fulfill our criteria and are considered as cusp crossings. We look at the size, location and dynamics of the mid-altitude cusp under various IMF orientations and solar wind conditions. For southward IMF, Bz rules the latitudinal dynamics, whereas By governs the zonal dynamics, confirming previous works. We show that when |By| is larger than |Bz|, the cusp widens and its location decorrelates from By. We interpret this feature in terms of component reconnection occurring under By-dominated IMF. For northward IMF, we demonstrate that the location of the cusp depends primarily upon the solar wind dynamic pressure and upon the Y-component of the IMF. Also, the multipoint capability of Cluster allows us to conclude that the cusp needs typically more than ~20 min to fully adjust its location and size in response to changes in external conditions, and its speed is correlated to variations in the amplitude of IMF-Bz. Indeed, the velocity in °ILAT/min of the cusp appears to be proportional to the variation in Bz in nT: Vcusp=0.024 ΔBz. Finally, we observe differences in the behavior of the cusp in the two hemispheres. Those differences suggest that the cusp moves and widens more freely in the summer hemisphere.
Field-aligned currents observed by CHAMP during the intense 2003 geomagnetic storm events
Authors: Wang H. , Lühr H. , Ma S. Y. , Weygand J. , Skoug R. M. , Yin F.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. This study concentrates on the characteristics of field-aligned currents (FACs) in both hemispheres during the extreme storms in October and November 2003. High-resolution CHAMP magnetic data reflect the dynamics of FACs during these geomagnetic storms, which are different from normal periods. The peak intensity and most equatorward location of FACs in response to the storm phases are examined separately for both hemispheres, as well as for the dayside and nightside. The corresponding large-scale FAC peak densities are, on average, enhanced by about a factor of 5 compared to the quiet-time FACs' strengths. And the FAC densities on the dayside are, on average, 2.5 times larger in the Southern (summer) than in the Northern (winter) Hemisphere, while the observed intensities on the nightside are comparable between the two hemispheres. Solar wind dynamic pressure is correlated with the FACs strength on the dayside. However, the latitudinal variations of the FACs are compared with the variations in Dst and the interplanetary magnetic field component Bz, in order to determine how these parameters control the large-scale FACs' configuration in the polar region. We have determined that (1) the equatorward shift of FACs on the dayside is directly controlled by the southward IMF Bz and there is a saturation of the latitudinal displacement for large value of negative Bz. In the winter hemisphere this saturation occurs at higher latitudes than in the summer hemisphere. (2) The equatorward expansion of the nightside FACs is delayed with respect to the solar wind input. The poleward recovery of FACs on the nightside is slower than on the dayside. The latitudinal variations on the nightside are better described by the variations of the Dst index. (3) The latitudinal width of the FAC region on the nightside spreads over a wide range of about 25° in latitude.
The auroral and ionospheric flow signatures of dual lobe reconnection
Authors: Imber S. M. , Milan S. E. , Hubert B.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We present the first substantial evidence for the occurrence of dual lobe reconnection from ionospheric flows and auroral signatures. The process of dual lobe reconnection refers to an interplanetary magnetic field line reconnecting with lobe field lines in both the northern and southern hemispheres. Two bursts of sunward plasma flow across the noon portion of the open/closed field line boundary (OCB), indicating magnetic flux closure at the dayside, were observed in SuperDARN radar data during a period of strongly northward IMF. The OCB is identified from spacecraft, radar backscatter, and auroral observations. In order for dual lobe reconnection to take place, we estimate that the interplanetary magnetic field clock angle must be within ±10° of zero (North). The total flux crossing the OCB during each burst is small (1.8% and 0.6% of the flux contained within the polar cap for the two flows). A brightening of the noon portion of the northern auroral oval was observed as the clock angle passed through zero, and is thought to be due to enhanced precipitating particle fluxes due to the occurrence of reconnection at two locations along the field line. The number of solar wind protons captured by the flux closure process was estimated to be ~2.5×1030 (4 tonnes by mass), sufficient to populate the cold, dense plasma sheet observed following this interval.
Detection efficiency of the VLF World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN): initial case study
Authors: Rodger C. J. , Werner S. , Brundell J. B. , Lay E. H. , Thomson N. R. , Holzworth R. H. , Dowden R. L.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. An experimental Very Low Frequency (VLF) World-Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) has been developed through collaborations with research institutions across the world, providing global real-time locations of lightning discharges. As of April 2006, the network included 25 stations providing coverage for much of the Earth. In this paper we examine the detection efficiency of the WWLLN by comparing the locations from this network with lightning location data purchased from a commercial lightning location network operating in New Zealand. Our analysis confirms that WWLLN favours high peak current return stroke lightning discharges, and that discharges with larger currents are observed by more stations across the global network. We then construct a first principles detection efficiency model to describe the WWLLN, combining calibration information for each station with theoretical modelling to describe the expected amplitudes of the VLF sferics observed by the network. This detection efficiency model allows the prediction of the global variation in WWLLN lightning detection, and an estimate of the minimum CG return stroke peak current required to trigger the network. There are strong spatial variations across the globe, primarily due to station density and sensitivity. The WWLLN is currently best suited to study the occurrence and impacts of high peak-current lightning. For example, in 2005 about 12% of the global elve-producing lightning will have been located by the network. Since the lightning-EMP which produce elves has a high mean rate (210 per minute) it has the potential to significantly influence the ionosphere on regional scales.
Current-voltage and kinetic energy flux relations for relativistic field-aligned acceleration of auroral electrons
Authors: Cowley S. W. H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Recent spectroscopic observations of Jupiter's "main oval" auroras indicate that the primary auroral electron beam is routinely accelerated to energies of ~100 keV, and sometimes to several hundred keV, thus approaching the relativistic regime. This suggests the need to re-examine the classic non-relativistic theory of auroral electron acceleration by field-aligned electric fields first derived by Knight (1973), and to extend it to cover relativistic situations. In this paper we examine this problem for the case in which the source population is an isotropic Maxwellian, as also assumed by Knight, and derive exact analytic expressions for the field-aligned current density (number flux) and kinetic energy flux of the accelerated population, for arbitrary initial electron temperature, acceleration potential, and field strength beneath the acceleration region. We examine the limiting behaviours of these expressions, their regimes of validity, and their implications for auroral acceleration in planetary magnetospheres (and like astrophysical systems). In particular, we show that for relativistic accelerating potentials, the current density increases as the square of the minimum potential, rather than linearly as in the non-relativistic regime, while the kinetic energy flux then increases as the cube of the potential, rather than as the square.
Radiosonde observations of vertical wave number spectra for gravity waves in the lower atmosphere over Central China
Authors:   Shao Dong Zhang,   Chunming Huang,   Fan Yi
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Vertical wave number spectra of inertial gravity waves in the troposphere and lower stratosphere over six stations at latitudes from 20° N to 40° N were statistically studied by using the data from Radiosonde observation on a twice daily basis at 08:00 and 20:00 LT. Statistically, the spectral characteristics seem to be independent of the local observation time, and show considerable conformity between the spectral of zonal and meridional kinetic energy densities. Compared with the spectra of the kinetic energy density, the spectra of the potential energy density are steeper. in addition the characteristic wave numbers of the spectra also show considerable consistency among the observations at different stations. As for the spectral slopes, they are systematically smaller (in magnitude) than the canon value of –3, and exhibit slight height, seasonal and latitudinal variability. In addition to these universal characteristics, the spectral structures also exhibit departures and variations, and most of the departures and variations are related to the strong tropospheric jets. Generally, in the case of strong shear due to the tropospheric jet, there usually occur larger characteristic wave numbers and smaller spectral slopes. These departures seem to be persistent and climatological rather than transitory, indicating the significant impacts of the sheared background winds on the spectral structures of gravity waves.
Naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines at high altitudes
Authors: Ogawa Y. , Buchert S. C. , Fujii R. , Nozawa S. , Forme F.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines (NEIALs) between 1200 and 1900 km altitude are investigated. The NEIALs were found in the background gates of data from the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) Svalbard radar (ESR) at 78° N looking field-aligned. Only strongly enhanced lines are detected at such high altitudes. The estimated enhancement above incoherent scattering integrated over the antenna beam and preintegration time of 10 s reaches about 10 000. Both lines are always enhanced above 1000 km altitude, and the downshifted line, corresponding to upward propagating ion-acoustic waves, is always stronger than the upshifted line, for downgoing waves. The ratio of the downshifted and upshifted peaks is often remarkably constant along a profile. Using the line positions as indicators of the ion-acoustic speeds and the bulk drift velocity, we find that the bulk drift does not exceed the ion-acoustic (sound) speed, but extrapolation of the profiles suggests that the sound barrier is reached around 2000 km in one event. The highest ion-acoustic speed is seen near 600 km, above the density peak, indicating that electrons are heated not only by ionizing precipitation but significantly also by upgoing waves. Upflow continues to speed up above the estimated temperature maximum. A certain qualitative similarity to the solar corona seems to be the case.
Towards a synthesis of substorm electrodynamics: HF radar and auroral observations
Authors: Grocott A. , Lester M. , Parkinson M. L. , Yeoman T. K. , Dyson P. L. , Devlin J. C. , Frey H. U.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. At 08:35 UT on 21 November 2004, the onset of an interval of substorm activity was captured in the southern hemisphere by the Far UltraViolet (FUV) instrument on board the IMAGE spacecraft. This was accompanied by the onset of Pi2 activity and subsequent magnetic bays, evident in ground magnetic data from both hemispheres. Further intensifications were then observed in both the auroral and ground magnetic data over the following ~3 h. During this interval the fields-of-view of the two southern hemisphere Tasman International Geospace Enviroment Radars (TIGER) moved through the evening sector towards midnight. Whilst initially low, the amount of backscatter from TIGER increased considerably during the early stages of the expansion phase such that by ~09:20 UT an enhanced dusk flow cell was clearly evident. During the expansion phase the equatorward portion of this flow cell developed into a narrow high-speed flow channel, indicative of the auroral and sub-auroral flows identified in previous studies (e.g. Freeman et al., 1992; Parkinson et al., 2003). At the same time, higher latitude transient flow features were observed and as the interval progressed the flow reversal region and Harang discontinuity became very well defined. Overall, this study has enabled the spatial and temporal development of many different elements of the substorm process to be resolved and placed within a simple conceptual framework of magnetospheric convection. Specifically, the detailed observations of ionospheric flows have illustrated the complex interplay between substorm electric fields and associated auroral dynamics. They have helped define the distinct nature of different substorm current systems such as the traditional substorm current wedge and the more equatorward currents associated with polarisation electric fields. Additionally, they have revealed a radar signature of nightside reconnection which provides the promise of quantifying nightside reconnection in a way which has already proved extremely successful in studies of the dayside magnetosphere.
Simulated solar wind plasma interaction with the Martian exosphere: influence of the solar EUV flux on the bow shock and the magnetic pile-up boundary
Authors: Modolo R. , Chanteur G. M. , Dubinin E. , Matthews A. P.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The solar wind plasma interaction with the Martian exosphere is investigated by means of 3-D multi-species hybrid simulations. The influence of the solar EUV flux on the bow shock and the magnetic pile-up boundary is examined by comparing two simulations describing the two extreme states of the solar cycle. The hybrid formalism allows a kinetic description of each ions species and a fluid description of electrons. The ionization processes (photoionization, electron impact and charge exchange) are included self-consistently in the model where the production rate is computed locally, separately for each ionization act and for each neutral species. The results of simulations are in a reasonable agreement with the observations made by Phobos 2 and Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft. The position of the bow shock and the magnetic pile-up boundary is weakly dependent of the solar EUV flux. The motional electric field creates strong asymmetries for the two plasma boundaries.
Cluster observations in the magnetosheath – Part 1: Anisotropies of the wave vector distribution of the turbulence at electron scales
Authors: Mangeney A. , Lacombe C. , Maksimovic M. , Samsonov A. A. , Cornilleau-Wehrlin N. , Harvey C. C. , Bosqued J.-M. , Trávníček P.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We analyse the power spectral density δB2 and δE2 of the magnetic and electric fluctuations measured by Cluster 1 (Rumba) in the magnetosheath during 23 h, on four different days. The frequency range of the STAFF Spectral Analyser (f=8 Hz to 4 kHz) extends from about the lower hybrid frequency, i.e. the electromagnetic (e.m.) range, up to about 10 times the proton plasma frequency, i.e. the electrostatic (e.s.) range. In the e.m. range, we do not consider the whistler waves, which are not always observed, but rather the underlying, more permanent fluctuations. In this e.m. range, δB2 (at 10 Hz) increases strongly while the local angle ΘBV between the magnetic field B and the flow velocity V increases from 0° to 90°. This behaviour, also observed in the solar wind at lower frequencies, is due to the Doppler effect. It can be modelled if we assume that, for the scales ranging from kc/ωpe≃0.3 to 30 (c/ωpe is the electron inertial length), the intensity of the e.m. fluctuations for a wave number k (i) varies like k−ν with ν>≃3, (ii) peaks for wave vectors k perpendicular to B like |sinθkB|µ with µ>≃100. The shape of the observed variations of δB2 with f and with ΘBV implies that the permanent fluctuations, at these scales, statistically do not obey the dispersion relation for fast/whistler waves or for kinetic Alfvén waves: the fluctuations have a vanishing frequency in the plasma frame, i.e. their phase velocity is negligible with respect to V (Taylor hypothesis). The electrostatic waves around 1 kHz behave differently: δE2 is minimum for ΘBV>≃90°. This can be modelled, still with the Doppler effect, if we assume that, for the scales ranging from k λDe>≃0.1 to 1 (λDe is the Debye length), the intensity of the e.s. fluctuations (i) varies like k−ν with ν>≃4, (ii) peaks for k parallel to B like |cosθkB|µ with µ>≃100. These e.s. fluctuations may have a vanishing frequency in the plasma frame, or may be ion acoustic waves. Our observations imply that the e.m. frequencies observed in the magnetosheath result from the Doppler shift of a spatial turbulence frozen in the plasma, and that the intensity of the turbulent k spectrum is strongly anisotropic, for both e.m. and e.s. fluctuations. We conclude that the turbulence has strongly anisotropic k distributions, on scales ranging from kc/ωpe≃0.3 (50 km) to kλDe≃1 (30 m), i.e. at electron scales, smaller than the Cluster separation.
A statistical analysis of the location and width of Saturn's southern auroras
Authors: Badman S. V. , Cowley S. W. H. , Gérard J.-C. , Grodent D.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. A selection of twenty-two Hubble Space Telescope images of Saturn's ultraviolet auroras obtained during 1997–2004 has been analysed to determine the median location and width of the auroral oval, and their variability. Limitations of coverage restrict the analysis to the southern hemisphere, and to local times from the post-midnight sector to just past dusk, via dawn and noon. It is found that the overall median location of the poleward and equatorward boundaries of the oval with respect to the southern pole are at ~14° and ~16° co-latitude, respectively, with a median latitudinal width of ~2°. These median values vary only modestly with local time around the oval, though the poleward boundary moves closer to the pole near noon (~12.5°) such that the oval is wider in that sector (median width ~3.5°) than it is at both dawn and dusk (~1.5°). It is also shown that the position of the auroral boundaries at Saturn are extremely variable, the poleward boundary being located between 2° and 20° co-latitude, and the equatorward boundary between 6° and 23°, this variability contrasting sharply with the essentially fixed location of the main oval at Jupiter. Comparison with Voyager plasma angular velocity data mapped magnetically from the equatorial magnetosphere into the southern ionosphere indicates that the dayside aurora lie poleward of the main upward-directed field-aligned current region associated with corotation enforcement, which maps to ~20°–24° co-latitude, while agreeing reasonably with the position of the open-closed field line boundary based on estimates of the open flux in Saturn's tail, located between ~11° and ~15°. In this case, the variability in location can be understood in terms of changes in the open flux present in the system, the changes implied by the Saturn data then matching those observed at Earth as fractions of the total planetary flux. We infer that the broad (few degrees) diffuse auroral emissions and sub-corotating auroral patches observed in the dayside sector at Saturn result from precipitation from hot plasma sub-corotating in the outer magnetosphere in a layer a few Saturn radii wide adjacent to the magnetopause, probably having been injected either by Dungey-cycle or Vasyliunas-cycle dynamics on the nightside.
From pre-storm activity to magnetic storms: a transition described in terms of fractal dynamics
Authors: Balasis G. , Daglis I. A. , Kapiris P. , Mandea M. , Vassiliadis D. , Eftaxias K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We show that distinct changes in scaling parameters of the Dst index time series occur as an intense magnetic storm approaches, revealing a gradual reduction in complexity. The remarkable acceleration of energy release – manifested in the increase in susceptibility – couples to the transition from anti-persistent (negative feedback) to persistent (positive feedback) behavior and indicates that the occurence of an intense magnetic storm is imminent. The main driver of the Dst index, the VBSouth electric field component, does not reveal a similar transition to persistency prior to the storm. This indicates that while the magnetosphere is mostly driven by the solar wind the critical feature of persistency in the magnetosphere is the result of a combination of solar wind and internal magnetospheric activity rather than solar wind variations alone. Our results suggest that the development of an intense magnetic storm can be studied in terms of "intermittent criticality" that is of a more general character than the classical self-organized criticality phenomena, implying the predictability of the magnetosphere.
Enhancement of electric and magnetic wave fields at density gradients
Authors: Reiniusson A. , Stenberg G. , Norqvist P. , Eriksson A. I. , Rönnmark K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We use Freja satellite data to investigate irregular small-scale density variations. The observations are made in the auroral region at about 1000-1700 km. The density variations are a few percent, and the structures are found to be spatial down to a scale length of a few ion gyroradii. Irregular density variations are often found in an environment of whistler mode/lower hybrid waves and we show that at the density gradients both the electric and magnetic wave fields are enhanced.
The anomalous warming of summer 2003 in the surface layer of the Central Ligurian Sea (Western Mediterranean)
Authors: Sparnocchia S. , Schiano M. E. , Picco P. , Bozzano R. , Cappelletti A.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Meteorological and sea temperature data from the ODAS Italia 1 buoy (Ligurian Sea, Western Mediterranean) are used to study the anomalous warming of summer 2003 at sea. The event was related to the record heat wave that interested much of Europe from June to September of that year. The data show that the anomalous warming was prevalently confined to within a few meters below the sea surface. On the contrary, the temperatures in the underlying layers were lower than usual. The limited vertical propagation of heat is ascribed to the high temperature difference that arose between the surface and the deeper layers due to protracted calm weather conditions. The degree of penetration of heat deduced from the observations is consistent with that computed on the basis of an energetic argument, wherein the wind constitutes the sole supply of kinetic energy, while the heating is viewed as the source of potential energy that must be "subtracted" by mixing. The results support the hypothesis that the scanty energy from the wind is mainly responsible for the development of the temperature anomaly at the sea surface.
Tidal signatures in mesospheric turbulence
Authors: Hall C. M. , Nozawa S. , Manson A. H. , Meek C. E.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We search for the presence of tidal signatures in high latitude mesospheric turbulence as parameterized by turbulent energy dissipation rate estimated using a medium frequency radar, quantifying our findings with the aid of correlation analyses. A diurnal periodicity is not particularly evident during the winter and spring months but is a striking feature of the summer mesopause. While semidiurnal variation is present to some degree all year round, it is particularly pronounced in winter. We find that the maximum in the summer 24-h variation corresponds to that of the westward phase of the diurnal tide, and that the maximum in the winter 12 h variation corresponds to that of the southward phase of the semidiurnal tide. This information is used to infer the horizontal propagation direction of gravity waves: during the summer the eastward direction is consistent with closure of the summer vortex, while in winter the inferred directions require more complex arguments.
Thermospheric gravity waves in Fabry-Perot Interferometer measurements of the 630.0nm OI line
Authors: Ford E. A. K. , Aruliah A. L. , Griffin E. M. , McWhirter I.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Gravity waves are an important feature of mesosphere - lower thermosphere (MLT) dynamics, observed using many techniques and providing an important mechanism for energy transfer between atmospheric regions. It is known that some gravity waves may propagate through the mesopause and reach greater altitudes before eventually "breaking" and depositing energy. The generation, propagation, and breaking of upper thermospheric gravity waves have not been studied directly often. However, their ionospheric counterparts, travelling ionospheric disturbances (TIDs), have been extensively studied in, for example, radar data. At high latitudes, it is believed localised auroral activity may generate gravity waves in-situ. Increases in sensor efficiency of Fabry-Perot Interferometers (FPIs) located in northern Scandinavia have provided higher time resolution measurements of the auroral oval and polar cap atomic oxygen red line emission at 630.0 nm. A Lomb-Scargle analysis of this data has shown evidence of gravity wave activity with periods ranging from a few tens of minutes to several hours. Oscillations are seen in the intensity of the line as well as the temperatures and line of sight winds. Instruments are located in Sodankylä, Finland; Kiruna, Sweden; Skibotn, Norway, and Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean. A case study is presented here, where a wave of 1.8 h period has a phase speed of 250 ms-1 with a propagation angle of 302°, and a horizontal wavelength of 1600 km. All the FPIs are co-located with EISCAT radars, as well as being supplemented by a range of other instrumentation. This allows the waves found in the FPI data to be put in context with the ionosphere and atmosphere system. Consequently, the source region of the gravity waves can be determined.
Model modifications in Schumann resonance intensity caused by a localized ionosphere disturbance over the earthquake epicenter
Authors: Nickolaenko A. P. , Hayakawa M. , Sekiguchi M. , Ando Y. , Ohta K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. This paper is a further extension of our latest observations and modeling by Hayakawa et al. (2005a), in which we discovered the anomalous behavior of Schumann resonance observed in Japan, in possible association with the Chi-chi earthquake in Taiwan. Schumann resonance intensity changes associated with a localized decrease in the lower ionospheric height over the earthquake epicenter are modeled. The knee model of the vertical conductivity profile of the ionosphere describes the regular Earth-ionosphere cavity, and the modified knee model is introduced for the disturbance. The localized ionosphere modification is of a Gaussian radial dependence; it has a 1-Mm radius, and the decrease reaches 20 km in the lower ionosphere height over the epicenter of the earthquake (Taiwan). The diffraction problem in the Earth-ionosphere cavity with a localized disturbance is resolved by using the Stratton-Chu integral equation. This solution is constructed for the case of natural resonance oscillations driven by independent random sources distributed worldwide. The data of the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) are used to introduce the source distribution. A pronounced increase in the intensity of the Schumann resonance is obtained around the fourth mode frequency (up to 20%) when thunderstorms are concentrated in Central America. The worldwide distribution of lightning strokes blurs and slightly reduces the effect (15% increase in intensity) for the observer in Japan and the localized nonuniformity positioned over Taiwan. A clear qualitative similarity is obtained in relation to the experimental data, indicating that records collected in Japan may be explained by the impact of a localized decrease in the lower ionosphere over the epicenter of the earthquake. It is admitted that the assumed conductivity decrease could only be caused by a severe change in the ionization in the middle atmosphere. It is not in the scope of this paper to discuss the possible mechanism, but rather to show that a closer and quantitative agreement with the experiment yields information about the form and size of the ionospheric modification and about the distribution of global thunderstorm activity during measurements.
Dust aerosols over India and adjacent continents retrieved using METEOSAT infrared radiance Part II: quantification of wind dependence and estimation of radiative forcing
Authors: Deepshikha S. , Satheesh S. K. , Srinivasan J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Long-range transport of continental dust makes these particles a significant constituent even at locations far from their sources. It is important to study the temporal variations in dust loading over desert regions and the role of meteorology, in order to assess its radiative impact. In this paper, infrared radiance (10.5-12.5 µm), acquired by the METEOSAT-5 satellite (~5-km resolution) during 1999 and 2003 was used to quantify wind dependence of dust aerosols and to estimate the radiative forcing. Our analysis shows that the frequency of occurrence of dust events was higher during 2003 compared to 1999. Since the dust production function depends mainly on the surface wind speed over regions which are dry and without vegetation, the role of surface wind on IDDI was examined in detail. It was found that an increase of IDDI with wind speed was nearly linear and the rate of increase in IDDI with surface wind was higher during 2003 compared to 1999. It was also observed that over the Indian desert, when wind speed was the highest during monsoon months (June to August), the dust production rate was lower because of higher soil moisture (due to monsoon rainfall). Over the Arabian deserts, when the wind speed is the highest during June to August, the dust production rate is also highest, as soil moisture is lowest during this season. Even though nothing can be said precisely on the reason why 2003 had a greater number of dust events, examination of monthly mean soil moisture at source regions indicates that the occurrence of high winds simultaneous with high soil moisture could be the reason for the decreased dust production efficiency in 1999. It appears that the deserts of Northwest India are more efficient dust sources compared to the deserts of Saudi Arabia and Northeast Africa (excluding Sahara). The radiative impact of dust over various source regions is estimated, and the regionally and annually averaged top of the atmosphere dust radiative forcing (short wave, clear-sky and over land) over the entire study region (0-35° N; 30°-100° E) was in the range of -0.9 to +4.5 Wm-2. The corresponding values at the surface were in the range of -10 to -25 Wm-2. Our studies demonstrate that neglecting the diurnal variation of dust can cause errors in the estimation of long wave dust forcing by as much as 50 to 100%, and nighttime retrieval of dust can significantly reduce the uncertainties. A method to retrieve dust aerosols during nighttime is proposed. The regionally and annually averaged long wave dust radiative forcing was +3.4±1.6 Wm-2.
Thermal, atmospheric and ionospheric anomalies around the time of the Colima M7.8 earthquake of 21 January 2003
Authors: Pulinets S. A. , Ouzounov D. , Ciraolo L. , Singh R. , Cervone G. , Leyva A. , Dunajecka M. , Karelin A. V. , Boyarchuk K. A. , Kotsarenko A.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The paper examines the possible relationship of anomalous variations of different atmospheric and ionospheric parameters observed around the time of a strong earthquake (Mw 7.8) which occurred in Mexico (state of Colima) on 21 January 2003. These variations are interpreted within the framework of the developed model of the Lithosphere-Atmosphere-Ionosphere coupling. The main attention is focused on the processes in the near ground layer of the atmosphere involving the ionization of air by radon, the water molecules' attachment to the formed ions, and the corresponding changes in the latent heat. Model considerations are supported by experimental measurements showing the local diminution of air humidity one week prior to the earthquake, accompanied by the anomalous thermal infrared (TIR) signals and surface latent heat flux (SLHF) and anomalous variations of the total electron content (TEC) registered over the epicenter of the impending earthquake three days prior to the main earthquake event. Statistical processing of the data of the GPS receivers network, together with various other atmospheric parameters demonstrate the possibility of an early warning of an impending strong earthquake.
A modeling study of ionospheric F2-region storm effects at low geomagnetic latitudes during 17-22 March 1990
Authors: Pavlov A. V. , Fukao S. , Kawamura S.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We have presented a comparison between the modeled NmF2 and hmF2, and NmF2 and hmF2, which were observed in the low-latitude ionosphere simultaneously by the Kokubunji, Yamagawa, Okinawa, Manila, Vanimo, and Darwin ionospheric sounders, by the middle and upper atmosphere (MU) radar during 17-22 March 1990, and by the Arecibo radar for the time period of 20-22 March 1990. A comparison between the electron and ion temperatures measured by the MU and Arecibo radars and those produced by the model of the ionosphere and plasmasphere is presented. The empirical zonal electric field, the meridional neutral wind taken from the HWM90 wind model, and the NRLMSISE-00 neutral temperature and densities are corrected so that the model results agree reasonably with the ionospheric sounder observations, and the MU and Arecibo radar data. It is proved that the nighttime weakening of the equatorial zonal electric field (in comparison with that produced by the empirical model of Fejer and Scherliess (1997) or Scherliess and Fejer (1999)), in combination with the corrected wind-induced plasma drift along magnetic field lines, provides the development of the nighttime enhancements in NmF2 observed over Manila during 17-22 March 1990. As a result, the new physical mechanism of the nighttime NmF2 enhancement formation close to the geomagnetic equator includes the nighttime weakening of the equatorial zonal electric field and equatorward nighttime plasma drift along magnetic field lines caused by neutral wind in the both geomagnetic hemispheres. It is found that the latitudinal positions of the crests depend on the E×B drift velocity and on the neutral wind velocity. The relative role of the main mechanisms of the equatorial anomaly suppression observed during geomagnetic storms is studied for the first time in terms of storm-time variations of the model crest-to-trough ratios of the equatorial anomaly. During most of the studied time period, a total contribution from meridional neutral winds and variations in the zonal electric field to the equatorial anomaly changes is larger than that from geomagnetic storm disturbances in the neutral temperature and densities. Vibrationally excited N2 and O2 promote the equatorial anomaly enhancement during the predominant part of the studied time period, however, the role of vibrationally excited N2 and O2 in the development of the equatorial anomaly is not significant. The asymmetries in the neutral wind and densities relative to the geomagnetic equator are responsible for the north-south asymmetry in NmF2 and hmF2, and for the asymmetry between the values of the crest-to-trough ratios of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The model simulations provide evidence in favor of an asymmetry in longitude of the energy input into the auroral region of the Northern Hemisphere on 21 March 1990.
Modulation of radio frequency signals by ULF waves
Authors: Waters C. L. , Yeoman T. K. , Sciffer M. D. , Ponomarenko P. , Wright D. M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The ionospheric plasma is continually perturbed by ultra-low frequency (ULF; 1–100 mHz) plasma waves that are incident from the magnetosphere. In this paper we present a combined experimental and modeling study of the variation in radio frequency of signals propagating in the ionosphere due to the interaction of ULF wave energy with the ionospheric plasma. Modeling the interaction shows that the magnitude of the ULF wave electric field, e, and the geomagnetic field, B0, giving an e×B0 drift, is the dominant mechanism for changing the radio frequency. We also show how data from high frequency (HF) Doppler sounders can be combined with HF radar data to provide details of the spatial structure of ULF wave energy in the ionosphere. Due to spatial averaging effects, the spatial structure of ULF waves measured in the ionosphere may be quite different to that obtained using ground based magnetometer arrays. The ULF wave spatial structure is shown to be a critical parameter that determines how ULF wave effects alter the frequency of HF signals propagating through the ionosphere.
Morphology of quantified ionospheric range spread-F over a wide range of midlatitudes in the Australian longitudinal sector
Authors: Hajkowicz L. A.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Ionograms from a standard vertical-incidence ionosonde chain (nine stations), obtained over a wide range of southern latitudes (in geom.lat. range: 23°–52° S), were digitally scanned at 5-min intervals at nighttime (18:00–06:00 LT) for 13 months (January 2004–January 2005). An important parameter of the F-region, so-called range spread-F (Sr), was for the first time quantified in km. Maximum in Sr was recorded at a sounding frequency of 1.8 MHz for each night and for each ionosonde station. A distinct pattern in the magnitude (in km) and in the percentage occurrence of the range spread-F was present in southern winter only (the June solstice). The sub-auroral region (geom. lat. ≥52° S) is characterised by consistently high spread-F (average Sr≈100 km) on 80–100 per cent of the observed nights. There is a sharp equatorward boundary in the spread-F activity in a latitudinal range: 52°–48° S followed by a midlatitude region (44°–48° S) which exhibits a peak in Sr (≈50 km) in winter only, observed on half of the nights. The midlatitude activity reaches its minimum at 42°–43° S, with Sr less than 20 km on one third of the nights. The low midlatitudes (23°–36° S) are characterised by a strong peak in Sr again in winter, centred at about 30° S (average Sr≈70 km) on 80 per cent of the nights. The pattern becomes largely absent during other seasons particularly in southern summer (the December solstice) when spread-F activity shifts to sub-auroral latitudes. The pattern in the occurrence of spread-F appears to have a global character as the enhanced spread-F activity is observed in the Japanese sector in local summer (i.e. the June solstice). It appears that the midlatitude spread-F minimum is only apparent but not real. It delineates the boundary between aurorally generated spread-F (due to travelling ionospheric disturbances, TIDs) and low midlatitude spread-F whose origin is not known.
Proton temperature anisotropy in the magnetosheath: comparison of 3-D MHD modelling with Cluster data
Authors: Samsonov A. A. , Alexandrova O. , Lacombe C. , Maksimovic M. , Gary S. P.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We study four intervals of Cluster data, lasting from five to eight hours, in the flanks of the magnetosheath. In a first part, we make numerical simulations of these magnetosheath crossings, using a three-dimensional double-adiabatic MHD model of the magnetosheath and assuming that the proton temperature anisotropy is bounded by the kinetic thresholds of the Alfvén proton cyclotron instability and of the mirror instability. The conditions at the upstream boundary of the numerical domain are given by the solar wind parameters observed by ACE. We assume that the magnetopause is a fixed and impenetrable boundary, i.e. without magnetic reconnection. The global agreement between the observations and the simulations confirms the validity of the model in the magnetosheath flanks. We discuss the consequences of different models of the magnetopause on some simulation results. In a second part, we compare the observed proton temperature anisotropy and the kinetic anisotropy thresholds of the two above-mentioned instabilities which are local functions of the proton β. In the intervals with a low proton β, the observed temperature anisotropy agrees well with the kinetic threshold of the proton-cyclotron instability; in the intervals with a higher β, the observed anisotropy is close to both the proton-cyclotron and the mirror thresholds. This confirms that the observed proton anisotropy is indeed bounded by the instability thresholds. We then analyse the magnetic field power spectra in a frequency range 0.003–10 Hz during four 18-min intervals for different values of β. If β<1, transverse (i.e. Alfvénic) fluctuations are dominant at every frequency. For β≥1, a mixture of compressive (i.e. mirror) and transverse waves is usually observed. For a case with β≃10, there is no frequency where compressive waves are dominant. The values of β and of the proton temperature anisotropy are thus important but not the only parameters which determine the dominant mode, compressive or transverse, at the proton scales in the magnetosheath.
Energetic particle sounding of the magnetospheric cusp with ISEE-1
Authors: Whitaker K. E. , Fritz T. A. , Chen J. , Klida M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Observations on 30 October 1978 show the ISEE-1 spacecraft passing though the high-altitude dayside northern magnetospheric cusp region from roughly 16:00 to 18:30 UT, during a slow solar wind period (~380 km/s). More than two orders of magnitude enhancements of the cusp energetic particle (CEP) fluxes were observed along with a depressed and turbulent local magnetic field. The observed variations of the pitch angle distributions (PAD) provide a unique opportunity to determine the structure of the cusp and the origin of the CEP. Through a boundary sounding technique, the location and orientation of the cusp poleward (or backside) boundary was observed for almost 10 min during which time it appeared initially to be stationary in the GSM/GSE X-direction and then moved sunward about 0.12 Earth radii (RE). The orientation remained approximately perpendicular to the GSM/GSE X-axis until it was observed to rotate by 60 degrees in ~3 min before ISEE-1 was fully inside the cusp cavity. The cavity itself was filled with CEP fluxes displaying large anisotropies, indicative of their source being located below (Earthward) of the satellite location. The spacecraft entered from the backside of the cusp, then traveled ~4 RE through the cavity, and exited through the "top" of the cavity leaving a region of energetic ions below. The PADs demonstrate that the bow shock cannot be the main source of the observed CEPs. The CEP fluxes were measured at about 8.5 h MLT when the IMF had both an 8–10 nT duskward and southward component.
Reference solar irradiance spectra and consequences of their disparities in remote sensing of the ocean colour
Authors: Shanmugam P. , Ahn Y. H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Satellite ocean colour missions require a standard extraterrestrial solar irradiance spectrum in the visible and near-infrared (NIR) for use in the process of radiometric calibration, atmospheric correction and normalization of water-leaving radiances from in-situ measurements. There are numerous solar irradiance spectra (or models) currently in use within the ocean colour community and related domains. However, these irradiance spectra, constructed from single and/or multiple measurements sets or models, have noticeable differences – ranging from about ±1% in the NIR to ±6% in the short wavelength region (ultraviolet and blue) – caused primarily by the variation in the solar activity and uncertainties in experimental data from different instruments. Such differences between the applied solar irradiance spectra may have quite important consequences in reconciliation, comparison and validation of the products resulting from different ocean colour instruments. Thus, it is prudent to examine the model-to-model differences and ascertain an appropriate solar irradiance spectrum for use in future ocean colour research and validation purposes. This study first describes the processes which generally require the application of a solar irradiance spectrum, and then investigates the eight solar irradiance spectra (widely in use within the remote sensing community) selected on the basis of the following criteria: minimum spectral range of 350–1200 nm with adequate spectral resolution, completely or mostly based on direct measurements, minimal error range, intercomparison with other experiments and update of data. The differences in these spectra in absolute terms and in the SeaWiFS and MERIS in-band irradiances and their consequences on the retrieval algorithms of chlorophyll and suspended sediment are analyzed. Based on these detailed analyses, this study puts forward the solar irradiance spectrum most appropriate for all aspects of research, calibration and validation in ocean colour remote sensing. For an improved approximation of the extraterrestrial solar spectrum in the ultraviolet-NIR domain this study also proposes a new solar constant value determined from space-borne measurements of the last three decades.
A time-localized response of wave growth process under turbulent winds
Authors: Ge Z. , Liu P. C.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Very short time series (with lengths of approximately 40 s or 5~7 wave periods) of wind velocity fluctuations and wave elevation were recorded simultaneously and investigated using the wavelet bispectral analysis. Rapid changes in the wave and wind spectra were detected, which were found to be intimately related to significant energy transfers through transient quadratic wind-wave and wave-wave interactions. A possible pattern of energy exchange between the wind and wave fields was further deduced. In particular, the generation and variation of the strong wave-induced perturbation velocity in the wind can be explained by the strengthening and diminishing of the associated quadratic interactions, which cannot be unveiled by linear theories. On small time scales, the wave-wave quadratic interactions were as active and effective in transferring energy as the wind-wave interactions. The results also showed that the wind turbulence was occasionally effective in transferring energy between the wind and the wave fields, so that the background turbulence in the wind cannot be completely neglected. Although these effects are all possibly significant over short times, the time-localized growth of the wave spectrum may not considerably affect the long-term process of wave development.
Orographic influences on the Adriatic sirocco wind
Authors: Pasarić Z. , Belušić D. , Klaić Z. B.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Differences between meteorological fields over the Adriatic Sea as predicted by the mesoscale meteorological model ALADIN/HR and global ECMWF model, for sirocco episodes between November 2002 and September 2003, are analysed. Results indicate that the orography, namely Gargano Mountains and Apennines, may have a significant effect on the sirocco airflow. A brief discussion is given on the impact of the sirocco wind curl on the Western Adriatic Current (WAC).