bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling currents in Jupiter's middle magnetosphere: effect of precipitation-induced enhancement of the ionospheric Pedersen conductivity
Authors: Nichols J. D. , Cowley S. W. H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We consider the effect of precipitation-induced enhancement of the Jovian ionospheric Pedersen conductivity on the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling current system which is associated with the breakdown of the corotation of iogenic plasma in Jupiter's middle magnetosphere. In previous studies the Pedersen conductivity has been taken to be simply a constant, while it is expected to be significantly enhanced in the regions of upward-directed auroral field-aligned current, implying downward precipitating electrons. We develop an empirical model of the modulation of the Pedersen conductivity with field-aligned current density based on the modelling results of Millward et al. and compute the currents flowing in the system with the conductivity self-consistently dependent on the auroral precipitation. In addition, we consider two simplified models of the conductivity which provide an insight into the behaviour of the solutions. We compare the results to those obtained when the conductivity is taken to be constant, and find that the empirical conductivity model helps resolve some outstanding discrepancies between theory and observation of the plasma angular velocity and current system. Specifically, we find that the field-aligned current is concentrated in a peak of magnitude ~0.25µAm-2 in the inner region of the middle magnetosphere at ~20 RJ, rather than being more uniformly distributed as found with constant conductivity models. This peak maps to ~17° in the ionosphere, and is consistent with the position of the main oval auroras. The energy flux associated with the field-aligned current is ~10mWm-2 (corresponding to a UV luminosity of ~100kR), in a region ~0.6° in width, and the Pedersen conductivity is elevated from a background of ~0.05mho to ~0.7mho. Correspondingly, the total equatorial radial current increases greatly in the region of peak field-aligned current, and plateaus with increasing distance thereafter. This form is consistent with the observed profile of the current derived from Galileo magnetic field data. In addition, we find that the solutions using the empirical conductivity model produce an angular velocity profile which maintains the plasma near to rigid corotation out to much further distances than the constant conductivity model would suggest. Again, this is consistent with observations. Our results therefore suggest that, while the constant conductivity solutions provide an important indication that the main oval is indeed a result of the breakdown of the corotation of iogenic plasma, they do not explain the details of the observations. In order to resolve some of these discrepancies, one must take into account the elevation of the Pedersen conductivity as a result of auroral electron precipitation.Key words. Magnetospheric physics (current systems, magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions, planetary magnetospheres)70d
Modeling study of mesospheric planetary waves: genesis and characteristics
Authors: Mayr H. G. , Mengel J. G. , Talaat E. R. , Porter H. S. , Chan K. L.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The Numerical Spectral Model (NSM) extends from the ground into the thermosphere and incorporates Hines' Doppler Spread Parameterization for small-scale gravity waves (GWs). In the present version of the model we account for a tropospheric heat source in the zonal mean (m=0), which reproduces qualitatively the observed zonal jets near the tropopause and the accompanying reversal in the latitudinal temperature variations. In the study presented here, we discuss the planetary waves (PWs) that are solely generated internally, i.e. without the explicit excitation sources related to tropospheric convection or topography. Our analysis shows that PWs are not produced when the zonally averaged heat source into the atmosphere is artificially suppressed, and that the PWs are generally weaker when the tropospheric source is not applied. Instabilities associated with the zonal mean temperature, pressure and wind fields, which still need to be explored, are exciting PWs that have amplitudes in the mesosphere comparable to those observed. Three classes of PWs are generated in the NSM. (1) Rossby type PWs, which slowly propagate westward relative to the mean zonal flow, are carried by the winds so that they appear (from the ground) to propagate, respectively, eastward and westward in the winter and summer hemispheres below 80km. Depending on the zonal wave number and magnitudes of the zonal winds, and under the influence of the equatorial oscillations, these PWs typically have periods between 2 and 20 days. Their horizontal wind amplitudes can exceed 40 m/s in the lower mesosphere. (2) Rossby-gravity waves, which propagate westward at low latitudes and have periods around 2 days for zonal wave numbers m=2 to 4. (3) Eastward propagating equatorial Kelvin waves, which are generated in the upper mesosphere with periods between 1 and 3 days depending on m. A survey of the PWs reveals that the largest wind amplitudes tend to occur below 80km in the winter hemisphere; but above that altitude the amplitudes are larger in the summer hemisphere where the winds can approach 50m/s. This pattern in the seasonal variations also appears in the baroclinity of the zonal mean (m=0). The nonmigrating tides in the mesosphere are significantly larger for the model with the tropospheric heat source, in which PWs are apparently generated by the instabilities that arise around the tropopause.
Quasi-two-day wave in an unstable summer atmosphere - some numerical results on excitation and propagation
Authors: Merzlyakov E. G. , Jacobi Ch.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Based on numerical calculations we demonstrate that small changes in the smooth climatological background atmosphere may lead to an unstable mean zonal wind distribution in the summer middle atmosphere. We relate these changes to small ones because locations and power of the main circulation structures are conserved, except for the acceleration of the easterly jet in the stratosphere/mesosphere. The instability forces oscillations propagating westward with a period of about 2 days and zonal wave numbers s=3 and/or 4. There are variations in the mean zonal wind distribution due to the excitation and transient propagation of these waves, and the numerical results correspond to features of these variations observed in experimental studies. The growing waves tend to remove the source of excitation. This process is effective enough to reduce the strong easterly jet and to remove the strong negative gradient of the zonal mean potential vorticity in the region of the instability. Therefore, when these parameters are calculated as mean values over a long time interval, the obtained values are too small to provide the instability. Strong 2-day waves, in turn, are unstable and can generate secondary waves with longer periods and lower zonal wave numbers. This effect is only significant for extremely strong 2-day waves. Another process is found to be more effective to produce secondary waves. We demonstrated that the 2-day wave with s=3 forced by nonlinear interaction between the 10-14 day planetary waves and the 2-day wave of zonal wave number 4 is unstable. This wave instability generates secondary waves with amplitudes that are large enough to be observed by ground-based radars, for example.
Testing an inversion method for estimating electron energy fluxes from all-sky camera images
Authors: Partamies N. , Janhunen P. , Kauristie K. , Mäkinen S. , Sergienko T.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. An inversion method for reconstructing the precipitating electron energy flux from a set of multi-wavelength digital all-sky camera (ASC) images has recently been developed by tomografia. Preliminary tests suggested that the inversion is able to reconstruct the position and energy characteristics of the aurora with reasonable accuracy. This study carries out a thorough testing of the method and a few improvements for its emission physics equations. We compared the precipitating electron energy fluxes as estimated by the inversion method to the energy flux data recorded by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites during four passes over auroral structures. When the aurorae appear very close to the local zenith, the fluxes inverted from the blue (427.8nm) filtered ASC images or blue and green line (557.7nm) images together give the best agreement with the measured flux values. The fluxes inverted from green line images alone are clearly larger than the measured ones. Closer to the horizon the quality of the inversion results from blue images deteriorate to the level of the ones from green images. In addition to the satellite data, the precipitating electron energy fluxes were estimated from the electron density measurements by the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR). These energy flux values were compared to the ones of the inversion method applied to over 100 ASC images recorded at the nearby ASC station in Longyearbyen. The energy fluxes deduced from these two types of data are in general of the same order of magnitude. In 35% of all of the blue and green image inversions the relative errors were less than 50% and in 90% of the blue and green image inversions less than 100%. This kind of systematic testing of the inversion method is the first step toward using all-sky camera images in the way in which global UV images have recently been used to estimate the energy fluxes. The advantages of ASCs, compared to the space-born imagers, are their low cost, good spatial resolution and the possibility of continuous, long-term monitoring of the auroral oval from a fixed position.
Dispersive changes in magnetic background noise polarization at 0.1 to 6Hz during sunset and sunrise at L=1.3
Authors: Bösinger T. , Shalimov S. L.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Polarization properties of the magnetic background noise (MBN) and the spectral resonance structure (SRS) of the ionospheric Alfvén resonator (IAR) below the first Schumann resonance but above 0.1 Hz are measured by a sensitive pulsation magnetometer at the island of Crete (L=1.3) and analyzed using the existing SRS theory by Belyaev et al. (1989b). The focus of the paper is on the systematic changes in the MBN and SRS properties associated with the transition from a sunlit to a dark ionosphere (sunset) and vice versa (sunrise). We are able to pinpoint in observations an E-region and F-region terminator effect and to simulate it by means of a simple ionosphere model, implying the formalism given by Belyaev et al. (1989b). The E-region terminator effect is associated with an apparent control for the SRS presence or absence with no clear frequency dispersion in polarization properties, whereas the F-region terminator effect exhibits strong frequency dispersion, especially in the low frequency range. This yields a change in the ellipticity of MBN, starting as early as 2 to 3h ahead of the "zero-line" of the terminator. In a 24h presentation of the ellipticity versus frequency and time, the sunrise/sunset effect produces a sharp, dispersive boundary between night and day (day and night). Only inside this boundary, during the night hours, is SRS observed, at times accompanied by a large quasi-periodic long period modulation in the azimuthal angle of the major axis of the polarization ellipse. Attention is also paid to peculiarities in the low frequency range (~0.1Hz), where especially large changes in the polarization properties occur in association with the passage of the terminator. The F-region effect is very distinct and well reproduced by our simple model. Changes in the azimuth associated with the E-region terminator effect are of the order of 20°.
High-latitude ionospheric currents during very quiet times: their characteristics and predictability
Authors: Ritter P. , Lühr H. , Maus S. , Viljanen A.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. CHAMP passes the geographic poles at a distance of 2.7° in latitude, thus providing a large number of magnetic readings of the dynamic auroral regions. The data of these numerous overflights were used for a detailed statistical study on the level of activity. A large number of tracks with very low rms of the residuals between the scalar field measurements and a high degree field model were singled out over both the northern and southern polar regions, independently. Low rms values indicate best model fits and are therefore regarded as a measure of low activity, although we are aware that this indicator also has its limitations. The occurrence of quiet periods is strongly controlled by the solar zenith angle at the geomagnetic poles, indicating the importance of the ionospheric conductivity. During the dark polar season, about 30% of the passes can be qualified as quiet. The commonly used magnetic activity indices turn out not to be a reliable measure for the activity state in the polar region. Least suitable is the Dst index, followed by the Kp. Slightly better results are obtained with the PC and the IMAGE-AE indices. The latter is rather effective within a time sector of ±4 hours of magnetic local time around the IMAGE array. The orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is an important controlling factor for the activity. This is also supported by the prevailing FAC distribution during quiet times, which resembles the typical NBZ (northward Bz) pattern. In a superposed epoch analysis we show that the merging electric field is a suitable geoeffective solar wind parameter. Based on the size of this electric field and the solar zenith angle at the geomagnetic poles, a prediction method for quiet auroral region periods is proposed. This may, among others, be useful for the data selection in main field modelling approaches.
Comparison of high latitude electron density profiles obtained with the GPS radio occultation technique and EISCAT measurements
Authors: Stolle C. , Jakowski N. , Schlegel K. , Rietveld M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. To obtain a comprehensive view on high latitude processes by applying different observation techniques, the SIRCUS campaign was initiated in 2001/2002. This paper compares electron density profiles derived from CHAMP radio occultation data and those measured with the EISCAT facility. Since ionospheric profiling with the help of space-based received GPS is a relatively new technique, validations with established independent instruments are of crucial need. We present 28 profiling events for quasi-statistical analyses, which occurred during the SIRCUS campaigns and describe some of them in more detail. We found out that the majority of profile comparisons in electron density peak value and height, as well as in TEC, lie within the error ranges of the two methods. Differences in the ionospheric quantities do not necessarily occur when the locations of the occultation and of the radar site show considerable distances. Differences are more pronounced when the ionosphere is remarkably structured.
Enhancement in electron and ion temperatures due to solar flares as measured by SROSS-C2 satellite
Authors: Sharma D. K. , Rai J. , Israil M. , Subrahmanyam P. , Chopra P. , Garg S. C.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The observations on the ionospheric electron and ion temperatures (Te and Ti) measured by the RPA payload aboard the SROSS-C2 satellite have been used to study the effect of solar flares on ionospheric heating. The data on solar flare has been obtained from the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) Boulder, Colorado (USA). It has been found that the electron and ion temperatures have a consistent enhancement during the solar flares on the dayside Earth's ionosphere. The estimated enhancement for the average electron temperature is from 1.3 to 1.9 times whereas for ion temperature it is from 1.2 to 1.4 times to the normal days average temperature. The enhancement of ionospheric temperatures due to solar flares is correlated with the diurnal variation of normal days' ionospheric temperatures. The solar flare does not have any significant effect on the nightside ionosphere. A comparison with the temperature obtained from the IRI-95 model also shows a similar enhancement.
Generation mechanism for VLF chorus emissions observed at a low-latitude ground station
Authors: Singh A. K. , Rönnmark K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. A detailed spectral analysis of VLF chorus emissions observed at the low-latitude ground station Gulmarg (geomag. lat., 24° 26' N, geomag. long., 147° 9' E, L=1.28) during the strong magnetic activity on 7-8 March 1986 have been carried out, which shows that each chorus element originates from the upper edge of the underlying hiss band. To explain various temporal and spectral features of these emissions, a possible generation mechanism has been presented based on the backward wave oscillator regime of the magnetospheric cyclotron maser. On the basis of this model, we have computed various chorus parameters as well as some magnetospheric parameters affecting the generation process. A comparison of the observed chorus characteristics with the proposed generation mechanism shows a good agreement.
Spacecraft potential effects on electron moments derived from a perfect plasma detector
Authors: Génot V. , Schwartz S. J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. A complete computation of the effect of the spacecraft potential on electron moments is presented. We adopt the perfect detector concept to estimate how measured density, velocity and temperature are affected by the constraints imposed by the detector, such as the finite lower energy cutoff and the spacecraft potential. We investigate the role of the potential in different plasma regimes usually crossed by satellites. It appears that the solar wind is the region where the moments are most compromised, as the particle temperature is low. To a lesser extent the moments calculated in the magnetosheath may also deviate from the real moments, displaying up to 40% overestimation for the density under typical detector operation. The analysis allows us to identify a range of spacecraft potential values which minimizes the variation in the estimation; it is found that it corresponds to the common value adopted by potential controlling experiments.
Ion velocity distributions within the LLBL and their possible implication to multiple reconnections
Authors: Vaisberg O. L. , Avanov L. A. , Moore T. E. , Smirnov V. N.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We analyze two LLBL crossings made by the Interball-Tail satellite under a southward or variable magnetosheath magnetic field: one crossing on the flank of the magnetosphere, and another one closer to the subsolar point. Three different types of ion velocity distributions within the LLBL are observed: (a) D-shaped distributions, (b) ion velocity distributions consisting of two counter-streaming components of magnetosheath-type, and (c) distributions with three components, one of which has nearly zero parallel velocity and two counter-streaming components. Only the (a) type fits to the single magnetic flux tube formed by reconnection between the magnetospheric and magnetosheath magnetic fields. We argue that two counter-streaming magnetosheath-like ion components observed by Interball within the LLBL cannot be explained by the reflection of the ions from the magnetic mirror deeper within the magnetosphere. Types (b) and (c) ion velocity distributions would form within spiral magnetic flux tubes consisting of a mixture of alternating segments originating from the magnetosheath and from magnetospheric plasma. The shapes of ion velocity distributions and their evolution with decreasing number density in the LLBL indicate that a significant part of the LLBL is located on magnetic field lines of long spiral flux tube islands at the magnetopause, as has been proposed and found to occur in magnetopause simulations. We consider these observations as evidence for multiple reconnection Χ-lines between magnetosheath and magnetospheric flux tubes. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers; solar wind-magnetosphere interactions)
Simultaneous observations of magnetopause flux transfer events and of their associated signatures at ionospheric altitudes
Authors: McWilliams K. A. , Sofko G. J. , Yeoman T. K. , Milan S. E. , Sibeck D. G. , Nagai T. , Mukai T. , Coleman I. J. , Hori T. , Rich F. J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. An extensive variety of instruments, including Geotail, DMSP F11, SuperDARN, and IMP-8, were monitoring the dayside magnetosphere and ionosphere between 14:00 and 18:00 UT on 18 January 1999. The location of the instruments provided an excellent opportunity to study in detail the direct coupling between the solar wind, the magnetosphere, and the ionosphere. Flux transfer events were observed by Geotail near the magnetopause in the dawn side magnetosheath at about 4 magnetic local time during exclusively northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions. Excellent coverage of the entire dayside high-latitude ionosphere was achieved by the Northern Hemisphere SuperDARN radars. On the large scale, temporally and spatially, the dayside magnetosphere convection remained directly driven by the interplanetary magnetic field, despite the highly variable interplanetary magnetic field conditions, including long periods of northward field. The SuperDARN radars in the dawn sector also measured small-scale temporally varying convection velocities, which are indicative of flux transfer event activity, in the vicinity of the magnetic footprint of Geotail. DMSP F11 in the Southern Hemisphere measured typical cusp precipitation simultaneously with and magnetically conjugate to a single flux transfer event signature detected by Geotail. A study of the characteristics of the DMSP ion spectrogram revealed that the source plasma from the reconnection site originated downstream of the subsolar point. Detailed analyses of locally optimised coordinate systems for individual flux transfer events at Geotail are consistent with a series of flux tubes protruding from the magnetopause, and originating from a high-latitude reconnection site in the Southern Hemisphere. This high-latitude reconnection site agrees with plasma injected away from the subsolar point. This is the first simultaneous and independent determination from ionospheric and space-based data of the location of magnetic reconnection.
Distinct solar wind pressure pulses producing convection twin-vortex systems in the ionosphere
Authors: Sarafopoulos D. V.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We provide conclusive observational evidence demonstrating that a solar wind pressure pulse produces a twin-vortex system of ionospheric currents, while a stepwise pressure increase/decrease creates a single vortex structure, at high-latitude ground magnetograms. Multi-satellite (Wind, Geotail, Interball, IMP 8 and GOES 8) and multi-instrument observations of plasma and magnetic field confirm with in situ measurements that solar wind inherent pressure pulses and stepwise variations strike on the Earth's magnetosphere in a global scale. The ground signatures are scrutinized in detail and the twin- or single-vortex current systems are studied using the IMAGE array stations. One more finding of this work is that a single vortex can produce monopolar and bipolar features, depending on the station position relative to the overhead travelling convection vortex (TCV). All of the above observational evidence confirms Glassmeier's (1992) prediction model that associates solar wind's steep changes of pressure with ionospheric TCVs.
Solar wind modulation of the Martian ionosphere observed by Mars Global Surveyor
Authors: Wang J.-S. , Nielsen E.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Electron density profiles in the Martian ionosphere observed by the radio occultation experiment on board Mars Global Surveyor have been analyzed to determine if the densities are influenced by the solar wind. Evidence is presented that the altitude of the maximum ionospheric electron density shows a positive correlation to the energetic proton flux in the solar wind. The solar wind modulation of the Martian ionosphere can be attributed to heating of the neutral atmosphere by the solar wind energetic proton precipitation. The modulation is observed to be most prominent at high solar zenith angles. It is argued that this is consistent with the proposed modulation mechanism.
On the origin of field-aligned beams at the quasi-perpendicular bow shock: multi-spacecraft observations by Cluster
Authors: Kucharek H. , Möbius E. , Scholer M. , Mouikis C. , Kistler L. M. , Horbury T. , Balogh A. , Réme H. , Bosqued J. M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Two distinct populations of reflected and accelerated ions are known to originate from quasi-perpendicular shocks, gyrating ions and reflected ion beams. Recent observations under such bow shock conditions with Cluster have shown strong evidence that both particle distributions appear to emerge from the same reflection process. In this paper the basic production mechanism of field-aligned beams has been investigated by using CLUSTER multi-spacecraft measurements. We have analyzed several quasi-perpendicular shocks with the Cluster Ion Spectrometry experiment (CIS) and followed the spatial and temporal evolution of the reflected and transmitted ion populations across the shock. These observations show that the field-aligned beams most likely result from effective scattering in pitch angle during reflection in the shock ramp. Investigating a low Mach number shock, leakage of a fraction of the thermalized ion distribution in the downstream region does not appear to be the source as the volume in phase space occupied by beam ions is empty downstream of the shock ramp.
Ionospheric plasma density structures associated with magnetopause motion: a case study using the Cluster spacecraft and the EISCAT Svalbard Radar
Authors: Pitout F. , Escoubet C. P. , Lucek E. A.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. On 5 January 2003, the footprint of the Cluster spacecraft, then orbiting in the dayside magnetosphere near the magnetopause, was in the close vicinity of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) in the dayside afternoon sector. This configuration made possible the study of the magnetopause motion and its direct consequences on the ionospheric plasma at high latitude. Cluster observed multiple magnetopause crossings despite its high latitude, while on the ground the magnetic activity was very low, whereas the ionospheric plasma sounded by the ESR exhibited poleward moving plasma density structures. In this paper, we compare the satellite and radar data, in order to show that the plasma density structures are directly related to the magnetopause motion and its associated pulsed ionospheric flow. We propose that the variations in electric field make the convection velocity vary enough to alter the electron population by accelerating the chemistry in the F-region and act as a source of electron depletion. The magnetopause motion is in this case, a source of plasma density structures in the polar dayside ionosphere.
Reconstruction of the magnetopause and low-latitude boundary layer topology using Cluster multi-point measurements
Authors: De Keyser J. , Gustafsson G. , Roth M. , Darrouzet F. , Dunlop M. , Rème H. , Fazakerley A. , Décréau P. , Cornilleau-Wehrlin N.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Multi-spacecraft data from Cluster allow for a more detailed magnetopause and boundary layer structure determination than ever before. Reconstruction methods, in which the time variability observed during a pass is interpreted as being due to boundary motion and/or spatial structure, are particularly well suited for this task. Such methods rely on the availability of plasma and field data and adopt the tangential discontinuity hypothesis to determine the motion, acceleration, boundary structure, boundary curvature and surface wave speed over an extended time interval. In this paper one- and two-dimensional reconstruction methods are applied to multi-spacecraft data for the first time.
Spatial and temporal variations of the high-altitude cusp precipitation
Authors: Němeček Z. , Šimůnek J. , Šafránková J. , Přech L.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Structured dispersion patterns of the ion precipitation in low- and mid-altitude cusp regions have been reported by many authors. These patterns are interpreted either as temporal features in terms of the pulsed reconnection model or as spatial changes caused by a combination of the particle velocity with the convection of magnetic field lines. It is generally expected that the spatial dispersion is predominantly observed in lower altitudes where the spacecraft crosses a wide range of geomagnetic coordinates in a short time, whereas the high-altitude spacecraft observes temporal changes because it stays nearly on the same field line for a long time. We have analyzed one pass of the INTERBALL-1/MAGION-4 satellite pair through the high-altitude cusp and found that both temporal and spatial dispersion effects are important even in the magnetopause vicinity. The analysis of the present event shows a spatial nature of the observed dispersion in the LLBL and in the plasma mantle. We have identified two sources of a mantle precipitation operating simultaneously. Our investigations suggest that besides already reported latitudinal dispersion, the longitudinal dispersion can be observed during intervals of sufficiently high east-west interplanetary magnetic field component.
Shell-like configuration in O+ ion velocity distribution at high altitudes in the dayside magnetosphere observed by Cluster/CIS
Authors: Joko S. , Nilsson H. , Lundin R. , Popielawska B. , Rème H. , Bavassano-Cattaneo M. B. , Paschmann G. , Korth A. , Kistler L. M. , Parks G. K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We report shell-like configurations seen in O+ ion velocity distributions. One case was observed above 8RE in radial distance in the dayside magnetosphere, presumably in the mantle region, during the observation period of 09:30-10:00 UT on 12 April 2001 by the CIS instrument on board the Cluster satellite. This shell-like configuration was different from so-called "conics" or "beams": the lower energy (cold) population and the higher energy partial shell part were seen together, but there was no obvious signature of heating process. With respect to H+ ion velocity distributions observed simultaneously, transverse heating (so-called in "pan-cake" shape) or field-aligned energisation configurations were seen as the result of heating/energisation processes and the upward-going part of the distribution also formed a half spherical thick shell configuration. Concerning O+ ion heating in the case of 12 April 2001, it was obviously observed when the spacecraft passed through the mantle region close to the poleward cusp. As the spacecraft moved toward the dayside cusp shell-like (or dome shape) velocity distributions appeared apparently and continued to be observed until the spacecraft reached the magnetopause according to two other different cases (13 February 2001 and 14 April 2001). Two other cases were observed in the Southern Hemisphere and the spacecraft was supposed to pass through the dayside cusp toward the mantle region at higher altitudes (9-11RE). O+ ion velocity distributions in these cases show pre-/post-structured shell-like configurations, depending on the observation sites (mantle or dayside cusp).
3-D force-balanced magnetospheric configurations
Authors: Zaharia S. , Cheng C. Z. , Maezawa K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The knowledge of plasma pressure is essential for many physics applications in the magnetosphere, such as computing magnetospheric currents and deriving mag-netosphere-ionosphere coupling. A thorough knowledge of the 3-D pressure distribution has, however, eluded the community, as most in situ pressure observations are either in the ionosphere or the equatorial region of the magnetosphere. With the assumption of pressure isotropy there have been attempts to obtain the pressure at different locations,by either (a) mapping observed data (e.g. in the ionosphere) along the field lines of an empirical magnetospheric field model, or (b) computing a pressure profile in the equatorial plane (in 2-D) or along the Sun-Earth axis (in 1-D) that is in force balance with the magnetic stresses of an empirical model. However, the pressure distributions obtained through these methods are not in force balance with the empirical magnetic field at all locations. In order to find a global 3-D plasma pressure distribution in force balance with the magnetospheric magnetic field, we have developed the MAG-3-D code that solves the 3-D force balance equation computationally. Our calculation is performed in a flux coordinate system in which the magnetic field is expressed in terms of Euler potentials as . The pressure distribution, , is prescribed in the equatorial plane and is based on satellite measurements. In addition, computational boundary conditions for ψ surfaces are imposed using empirical field models. Our results provide 3-D distributions of magnetic field, plasma pressure, as well as parallel and transverse currents for both quiet-time and disturbed magnetospheric conditions. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (magnetospheric configuration and dynamics; magnetotail; plasma sheet)
Multi-scale analysis of turbulence in the Earth's current sheet
Authors: Volwerk M. , Vörös Z. , Baumjohann W. , Nakamura R. , Runov A. , Zhang T. L. , Glassmeier K.-H. , Treumann R. A. , Klecker B. , Balogh A. , Rème H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. A multi-scale analysis of magnetotail turbulence in the Earth's tail current sheet is presented based on Cluster magnetometer observations. Both Fourier and wavelet analysis is used to describe the spectral index and scaling indices of the turbulence for different frequency regions. Flows in the tail are very important for driving the observed turbulence. There is a strong correlation between the maximum perpendicular flow velocity and the turbulence power for maximum velocities km/s. At higher maximum flow velocities the turbulence power levels out, showing a saturation of the generation mechanism. The suspected presence of breaks in the slope of the spectrum at two frequencies (f1 and f2) can be confirmed for f1≈0.08Hz, but based on the data analysis the second break at f2 is expected at a frequency higher than 12.5Hz, where the data cannot significantly be evaluated. A schematic turbulence power spectrum is presented based on the Cluster magnetic field measurements. Dependent on the presence of BBFs the spectral index or scaling index varies significantly.
Double peak structure and diamagnetic wings of the magnetotail current sheet
Authors: Zimbardo G. , Greco A. , Veltri P. , Taktakishvili A. L. , Zelenyi L. M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Recent Cluster observations in the magnetotail at about 20 Earth radii downtail have unambiguously shown that sometimes the current sheet is bifurcated, i.e. it is divided in two layers. We report numerical simulations of the ion dynamics in a quasi-neutral sheet in the presence of magnetic turbulence, which is often observed in the magnetotail, and for various anisotropies of the ion distribution function. Ions are injected at the boundary of the simulation box with a velocity distribution corresponding to a shifted Maxwellian. The simulation parameters, are adjusted to be similar to those of Cluster observations. We find that even for moderate fluctuation levels, the computed current density profile develops a double peak, in agreement with the observations. By varying the anisotropy of the injected distribution function, we are able to reproduce, for weak anisotropy, the magnetic field overshoots which are sometimes observed prior to magnetotail traversals. Therefore, we suggest an ion current profile with a double peak due to magnetic turbulence, and with possible diamagnetic current wings, present in the case of weak anisotropy of the ion distribution function.
Forced current sheet structure, formation and evolution: application to magnetic reconnection in the magnetosphere
Authors: Domrin V. I. , Kropotkin A. P.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. By means of a simulation model, the earlier predicted nonlinear kinetic structure, a Forced Kinetic Current Sheet (FKCS), with extremely anisotropic ion distributions, is shown to appear as a result of a fast nonlinear process of transition from a previously existing equilibrium. This occurs under triggering action of a weak MHD disturbance that is applied at the boundary of the simulation box. In the FKCS, current is carried by initially cold ions which are brought into the CS by convection from both sides, and accelerated inside the CS. The process then appears to be spontaneously self-sustained, as a MHD disturbance of a rarefaction wave type propagates over the background plasma outside the CS. Comparable to the Alfvénic discontinuity in MHD, transformation of electromagnetic energy into the energy of plasma flows occurs at the FKCS. But unlike the MHD case, ``free" energy is produced here: dissipation should occur later, through particle interaction with turbulent waves generated by unstable ion distribution being formed by the FKCS action. In this way, an effect of magnetic field ``annihilation" appears, required for fast magnetic reconnection. Application of the theory to observations at the magnetopause and in the magnetotail is considered.
Density structures inside the plasmasphere: Cluster observations
Authors: Darrouzet F. , Décréau P. M. E. , De Keyser J. , Masson A. , Gallagher D. L. , Santolik O. , Sandel B. R. , Trotignon J. G. , Rauch J. L. , Le Guirriec E. , Canu P. , Sedgemore F. , André M. , Lemaire J. F.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The electron density profiles derived from the EFW and WHISPER instruments on board the four Cluster spacecraft reveal density structures inside the plasmasphere and at its outer boundary, the plasmapause. We have conducted a statistical study to characterize these density structures. We focus on the plasmasphere crossing on 11 April 2002, during which Cluster observed several density irregularities inside the plasmasphere, as well as a plasmaspheric plume. We derive the density gradient vectors from simultaneous density measurements by the four spacecraft. We also determine the normal velocity of the boundaries of the plume and of the irregularities from the time delays between those boundaries in the four individual density profiles, assuming they are planar. These new observations yield novel insights about the occurrence of density irregularities, their geometry and their dynamics. These in-situ measurements are compared with global images of the plasmasphere from the EUV imager on board the IMAGE satellite.
Systematic analysis of equatorial noise below the lower hybrid frequency
Authors: Santolík O. , Němec F. , Gereová K. , Macúšová E. , de Conchy Y. , Cornilleau-Wehrlin N.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We report results of a systematic analysis of a large number of observations of equatorial noise between the local proton cyclotron frequency and the local lower hybrid frequency. The analysis is based on the data collected by the STAFF-SA instruments on board the four Cluster spacecraft. The data set covers their first two years of measurement in the equatorial magnetosphere at radial distances between 3.9 and 5 Earth radii. Inspection of 781 perigee passages shows that the occurrence rate of equatorial noise is approximately 60%. We identify equatorial noise by selecting data with nearly linearly polarized magnetic field fluctuations. These waves are found within 10° of the geomagnetic equator, consistent with the published past observations. Our results show that equatorial noise has the most intense magnetic field fluctuations among all the natural emissions in the given interval of frequencies and latitudes. Electric field fluctuations of equatorial noise are also more intense compared to the average of all detected waves. Equatorial noise thus can play a non-negligible role in the dynamics of the internal magnetosphere.
Estimate of the atmospheric turbidity from three broad-band solar radiation algorithms. A comparative study
Authors: López G. , Batlles F. J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Atmospheric turbidity is an important parameter for assessing the air pollution in local areas, as well as being the main parameter controlling the attenuation of solar radiation reaching the Earth's surface under cloudless sky conditions. Among the different turbidity indices, the Ångström turbidity coefficient β is frequently used. In this work, we analyse the performance of three methods based on broad-band solar irradiance measurements in the estimation of β. The evaluation of the performance of the models was undertaken by graphical and statistical (root mean square errors and mean bias errors) means. The data sets used in this study comprise measurements of broad-band solar irradiance obtained at eight radiometric stations and aerosol optical thickness measurements obtained at one co-located radiometric station. Since all three methods require estimates of precipitable water content, three common methods for calculating atmospheric precipitable water content from surface air temperature and relative humidity are evaluated. Results show that these methods exhibit significant differences for low values of precipitable water. The effect of these differences in precipitable water estimates on turbidity algorithms is discussed. Differences in hourly turbidity estimates are later examined. The effects of random errors in pyranometer measurements and cloud interferences on the performance of the models are also presented. Examination of the annual cycle of monthly mean values of β for each location has shown that all three turbidity algorithms are suitable for analysing long-term trends and seasonal patterns.
Toroidal and poloidal Alfvén waves with arbitrary azimuthal wavenumbers in a finite pressure plasma in the Earth's magnetosphere
Authors: Klimushkin D. Yu. , Mager P. N. , Glassmeier K.-H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In this paper, in terms of an axisymmetric model of the magnetosphere, we formulate the criteria for which the Alfvén waves in the magnetosphere can be toroidally and poloidally polarized (the disturbed magnetic field vector oscillates azimuthally and radially, respectively). The obvious condition of equality of the wave frequency ω to the toroidal (poloidal) eigenfrequency ΩTN (ΩPN) is a necessary and sufficient one for the toroidal polarization of the mode and only a necessary one for the poloidal mode. In the latter case we must also add to it a significantly stronger condition ∣ΩTN–ΩPN∣/ΩTN ≫ m–1 where m is the azimuthal wave number, and N is the longitudinal wave number. In cold plasma (the plasma to magnetic pressure ratio β = 0) the left-hand side of this inequality is too small for the routinely recorded (in the magnetosphere) second harmonic of radially polarized waves, therefore these waves must have nonrealistically large values of m. By studying several models of the magnetosphere differing by the level of disturbance, we found that the left-hand part of the poloidality criterion can be satisfied by taking into account finite plasma pressure for the observed values of m ∼ 50 – 100 (and in some cases, for even smaller values of the azimuthal wave numbers). When the poloidality condition is satisfied, the existence of two types of radially polarized Alfvén waves is possible. In magnetospheric regions, where the function ΩPN is a monotonic one, the mode is poloidally polarized in a part of its region of localization. It propagates slowly across magnetic shells and changes its polarization from poloidal to toroidal. The other type of radially polarized waves can exist in those regions where this function reaches its extreme values (ring current, plasmapause). These waves are standing waves across magnetic shells, having a poloidal polarization throughout the region of its existence. Waves of this type are likely to be exemplified by giant pulsations. If the poloidality condition is not satisfied, then the mode is toroidally polarized throughout the region of its existence. Furthermore, it has a resonance peak near the magnetic shell, the toroidal eigenfrequency of which equals the frequency of the wave. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (plasmasphere; MHD waves and instabilities) – Space plasma physics (kinetic and MHD theory)
An alternative explanation of PMSE-like scatter in MF radar data
Authors: Jones G. O. L. , Clilverd M. A. , Espy P. J. , Chew S. , Fritts D. C. , Riggin D. M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. There have been reports in the literature that spaced-antenna MF radars may provide a source of data on Polar Mesospheric Summer Echoes (PMSE). Even though the expected scatter from PMSE at MF frequencies is very much weaker than at VHF, the wide distribution of sites and long duration of data sets for MF radar systems could provide valuable information about the occurrence of PMSE. This paper tests whether there is any evidence of PMSE in the profiles derived using the MF radar at Rothera, Antarctica, one of the few such radars at high southern latitudes. Over a year of data during 1997/1998 has been analysed for the occurrence of persistent features around midday in the altitude range 60-95km. Criteria were chosen to test the likelihood that some of the narrow peaks in the power profiles were manifestations of electron density structures associated with PMSE. Although a small number of persistent features were seen at altitudes of 80-85km that are typically associated with PMSE, there was no seasonality in their occurrence. A detailed analysis of specific days showed that two peaks were often seen with altitude separations consistent with the vertical wavelength of the diurnal tide. Persistent features were also detected at altitudes of 70km and 90km during the winter months, thus showing a quite different seasonality to that of PMSE. An estimate of the turbulence caused by the breaking of gravity waves that have propagated up from the lower atmosphere shows that at Rothera significant energy is deposited near 80km during summer, and near 70 and 90km during winter. This seasonal variability is driven by the screening effect of stratospheric winds, and it appears that breaking gravity wave dynamics, rather than PMSE phenomena, can explain many of the localised altitude features in the MF radar data.