bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long-term solar activity explored with wavelet methods
Authors: Lundstedt H. , Liszka L. , Lundin R. , Muscheler R.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Long-term solar activity has been studied with a set of wavelet methods. The following indicators of long-term solar activity were used; the group sunspot number, the sunspot number, and the 14C production rate. Scalograms showed the very long-term scales of 2300 years (Hallstat cycle), 900-1000 years, 400-500 years, and 200 years (de Vries cycle). Scalograms of a newly-constructed 14C production rate showed interesting solar modulation during the Maunder minimum. Multi-Resolution Analysis (MRA) revealed the modulation in detail, as well as peaks of solar activity not seen in the sunspot number. In both the group sunspot number scalogram and the 14C production rate scalogram, a process appeared, starting or ending in late 1700. This process has not been discussed before. Its solar origin is unclear. The group sunspot number ampligram and the sunspot number ampligram showed the Maunder and the Dalton minima, and the period of high solar activity, which already started about 1900 and then decreased again after mid 1990. The decrease starts earlier for weaker components. Also, weak semiperiodic activity was found. Time Scale Spectra (TSS) showed both deterministic and stochastic processes behind the variability of the long-term solar activity. TSS of the 14C production rate, group sunspot number and Mt. Wilson sunspot index and plage index were compared in an attempt to interpret the features and processes behind the long-term variability.
High-resolution vertical imaging of the troposphere and lower stratosphere using the new MU radar system
Authors: Luce H. , Hassenpflug G. , Yamamoto M. , Fukao S.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In the present paper, a new application of the range imaging technique called Frequency Interferometry Imaging (FII) or Range Imaging (RIM), performed in April 2005, is shown using the new 46.5-MHz Middle and Upper (MU) atmosphere radar system (Shigaraki, Japan). Height-time images of brightness distribution have been computed at the highest resolution ever obtained for imaging with VHF radars in the troposphere and, for the very first time, in the lower stratosphere, up to about 22 km. The images were produced by processing signals obtained with an initial range-resolution of Δr=150 m and five equally-spaced frequencies within Δf=1.0 MHz, with the adaptive Capon method. These values represent an improvement of a factor 2 over all the previous published experiments at VHF, which were performed with Δr=300 m and Δf=0.5 MHz. The Capon images present realistic and self-consistent features, and reveal many more organized structures than the height-time SNR plots at the initial range-resolution. For example, the Capon images show persistent enhanced brightness layers significantly thinner than 150 m in the stratosphere, which are impossible to track with the standard single-frequency mode owing to a lack of range resolution. These observations thus support the idea of strong stratification even at vertical scales much smaller than 100 m, as suggested by recent high-resolution temperature observations by balloons (Dalaudier et al., 1994). We also present comparisons of Capon images with patterns obtained from the dual-FDI technique and two parametric methods (the MUSIC algorithm and the newly-introduced Maximum Entropy Method based on an auto-regressive (AR) model). The comparisons confirm the insufficiencies of the dual-FDI technique and indicate that parametric methods such as MEM and the MUSIC algorithm can help to validate the Capon images when the parametric methods provide similar patterns.
Lidar observations of middle atmospheric gravity wave activity over a low-latitude site (Gadanki, 13.5° N, 79.2° E)
Authors: Sivakumar V. , Rao P. B. , Bencherif H.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The low-latitude middle atmospheric gravity wave characteristics are presented using 310 nights of Rayleigh lidar observations made at Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E) over the period from March 1998 to December 2002. The gravity wave characteristics are presented in terms of vertical wave number and frequency spectra, along with the estimated potential energy for the four seasons, namely, spring, summer, autumn and winter. The computed wave number spectra for both the stratosphere and the mesosphere are found to differ significantly from a saturated model predicted spectrum. The spectra were found to be shallower at lower wave numbers and steeper at higher wave numbers with transition at ~8.85×10-4 cy/m. The computed frequency spectra seem to follow the model plot with a power law index of -5/3 above a frequency of ~2×10-4 Hz. The estimated potential energy per unit mass increases gradually up to ~60 km and then rather rapidly above this height to reach values of the order of 200J/kg at ~70 km.
Precipitation and total power consumption in the ionosphere: Global MHD simulation results compared with Polar and SNOE observations
Authors: Palmroth M. , Janhunen P. , Germany G. , Lummerzheim D. , Liou K. , Baker D. N. , Barth C. , Weatherwax A. T. , Watermann J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We compare the ionospheric electron precipitation morphology and power from a global MHD simulation (GUMICS-4) with direct measurements of auroral energy flux during a pair of substorms on 28-29 March 1998. The electron precipitation power is computed directly from global images of auroral light observed by the Polar satellite ultraviolet imager (UVI). Independent of the Polar UVI measurements, the electron precipitation energy is determined from SNOE satellite observations on the thermospheric nitric oxide (NO) density. We find that the GUMICS-4 simulation reproduces the spatial variation of the global aurora rather reliably in the sense that the onset of the substorm is shown in GUMICS-4 simulation as enhanced precipitation in the right location at the right time. The total integrated precipitation power in the GUMICS-4 simulation is in quantitative agreement with the observations during quiet times, i.e., before the two substorm intensifications. We find that during active times the GUMICS-4 integrated precipitation is a factor of 5 lower than the observations indicate. However, we also find factor of 2-3 differences in the precipitation power among the three different UVI processing methods tested here. The findings of this paper are used to complete an earlier objective, in which the total ionospheric power deposition in the simulation is forecasted from a mathematical expression, which is a function of solar wind density, velocity and magnetic field. We find that during this event, the correlation coefficient between the outcome of the forecasting expression and the simulation results is 0.83. During the event, the simulation result on the total ionospheric power deposition agrees with observations (correlation coefficient 0.8) and the AE index (0.85).
IMF effect on sporadic-E layers at two northern polar cap sites: Part I – Statistical study
Authors: Voiculescu M. , Aikio A. T. , Nygrén T. , Ruohoniemi J. M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In this paper we investigate the relationship between polar cap sporadic-E layers and the direction of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using a 2-year database from Longyearbyen (75.2 CGM Lat, Svalbard) and Thule (85.4 CGM Lat, Greenland). It is found that the MLT distributions of sporadic-E occurrence are different at the two stations, but both are related to the IMF orientation. This relationship, however, changes from the centre of the polar cap to its border. Layers are more frequent during positive By at both stations. This effect is particularly strong in the central polar cap at Thule, where a weak effect associated with Bz is also observed, with positive Bz correlating with a higher occurrence of Es. Close to the polar cap boundary, at Longyearbyen, the By effect is weaker than at Thule. On the other hand, Bz plays there an equally important role as By, with negative Bz correlating with the Es occurrence. Since Es layers can be created by electric fields at high latitudes, a possible explanation for the observations is that the layers are produced by the polar cap electric field controlled by the IMF. Using electric field estimates calculated by means of the statistical APL convection model from IMF observations, we find that the diurnal distributions of sporadic-E occurrence can generally be explained in terms of the electric field mechanism. However, other factors must be considered to explain why more layers occur during positive than during negative By and why the Bz dependence of layer occurrence in the central polar cap is different from that at the polar cap boundary.
A numerical model of the ionospheric signatures of time-varying magnetic reconnection: III. Quasi-instantaneous convection responses in the Cowley-Lockwood paradigm
Authors: Morley S. K. , Lockwood M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Using a numerical implementation of the cowlock92 model of flow excitation in the magnetosphere-ionosphere (MI) system, we show that both an expanding (on a ~12-min timescale) and a quasi-instantaneous response in ionospheric convection to the onset of magnetopause reconnection can be accommodated by the Cowley-Lockwood conceptual framework. This model has a key feature of time dependence, necessarily considering the history of the coupled MI system. We show that a residual flow, driven by prior magnetopause reconnection, can produce a quasi-instantaneous global ionospheric convection response; perturbations from an equilibrium state may also be present from tail reconnection, which will superpose constructively to give a similar effect. On the other hand, when the MI system is relatively free of pre-existing flow, we can most clearly see the expanding nature of the response. As the open-closed field line boundary will frequently be in motion from such prior reconnection (both at the dayside magnetopause and in the cross-tail current sheet), it is expected that there will usually be some level of combined response to dayside reconnection.
Prelude to THEMIS tail conjunction study
Authors: Lui A. T. Y. , Zheng Y. , Zhang Y. , Angelopoulos V. , Parks G. K. , Mozer F. S. , Rème H. , Kistler L. M. , Dunlop M. W. , Gustafsson G. , Henderson M. G.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. A close conjunction of several satellites (LANL, GOES, Polar, Geotail, and Cluster) distributed from the geostationary altitude to about 16 RE downstream in the tail occurred during substorm activity as indicated by global auroral imaging and ground-based magnetometer data. This constellation of satellites resembles what is planned for the THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscopic Interactions during Substorms) mission to resolve the substorm controversy on the location of the substorm expansion onset region. In this article, we show in detail the dipolarization and dynamic changes seen by these satellites associated with two onsets of substorm intensification activity. In particular, we find that dipolarization at ~16 RE downstream in the tail can occur with dawnward electric field and without plasma flow, just like some near-Earth dipolarization events reported previously. The spreading of substorm disturbances in the tail coupled with complementary ground observations indicates that the observed time sequence on the onsets of substorm disturbances favors initiation in the near-Earth region for this THEMIS-like conjunction.
Warm and Dry Spells (WDS) in Austral Winter over Central South America
Authors: Satyamurty P. , da Silva Teixeira M. , Klug Padilha C.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The horizontal and vertical structure of unusually warm and dry spells (WDS) over the central parts of South America during the winter and post-winter months (JJAS) are studied. During WDS the mean temperature and humidity anomalies over central Brazil are about +4.1°C and −13.2%, respectively. The mean duration of WDS is 11 days and their mean frequency is less than one per year during the months of JJAS. Apparently, WDS have no preference for the phase of ENSO. Widespread and persistent subsidence in the middle troposphere is observed in tropical Brazil during WDS, which renders the lower tropospheric air warm and dry. The negative anomalies of the specific humidity are observed to be associated with the subsidence regions. A strong, slow moving ridge in the eastern South Pacific and a low-pressure center in northern Argentina are important surface characteristics during the WDS. A more detailed investigation of two specific WDS events, a strong event (August–September 1999) and a moderate one (June 2002), shows a blocking-like situation in the 500-hPa geopotential and surface pressure fields in the Pacific. The South Atlantic subtropical high somewhat approaches the continent. Strong northerlies over the central and eastern parts of Brazil are also observed in the lower troposphere. During WDS the regional circulation acquires summertime characteristics, except for the absence of precipitation, and the circulation in the meridional plane is in the opposite sense from the Hadley circulation. A frontal system, supported by a 500-hPa trough, advances into central Brazil, causing the dissipation of the anomalous situation.
The QBO as potential amplifier and conduit to lower altitudes of solar cycle influence
Authors: Mayr H. G. , Mengel J. G. , Wolff C. L. , Huang F. T. , Porter H. S.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In several papers, the solar cycle (SC) effect in the lower atmosphere has been linked observationally to the Quasi-biennial Oscillation (QBO) of the zonal circulation. Salby and Callaghan (2000) in particular analyzed the QBO wind measurements, covering more than 40 years, and discovered that they contain a large SC signature at 20 km. We present here the results from a study with our 3-D Numerical Spectral Model (NSM), which relies primarily on parameterized gravity waves (GW) to describe the QBO. In our model, the period of the SC is taken to be 10 years, and the relative amplitude of radiative forcing varies exponentially with height, i.e., 0.2% at the surface, 2% at 50 km, and 20% at 100 km and above. Applying spectral analysis to identify the SC signature, the model generates a relatively large modulation of the QBO, which reproduces the observations qualitatively. The numerical results demonstrate that the QBO modulation, closely tracking the phase of the SC, is robust and persists at least for 70 years. The question is what causes the SC effect, and our analysis shows that four interlocking processes are involved: (1) In the mesosphere at around 60 km, the solar UV variations generate in the zonal winds a SC modulation of the 12-month annual oscillation, which is hemispherically symmetric and confined to equatorial latitudes like the QBO. (2) Although the amplitude of this equatorial annual oscillation (EAO) is relatively small, its SC modulation is large and extends into the lower stratosphere under the influence of, and amplified by, wave forcing. (3) The amplitude modulations of both EAO and QBO are essentially in phase with the imposed SC heating for the entire time span of the model simulation. This indicates that, due to positive feedback in the wave mechanism, the EAO apparently provides the pathway and pacemaker for the SC modulation of the QBO. (4) Our analysis demonstrates that the SC modulations of the QBO and EAO are amplified by tapping the momentum from the upward propagating gravity waves. Influenced and amplified by wave processes, the QBO thus acts as conduit to transfer to lower altitudes the larger SC variations in the UV absorbed in the mesosphere. Our model produces in the temperature variations of the QBO and EAO measurable SC modulations at polar latitudes near the tropopause. The effects are apparently generated by the meridional circulation, and planetary waves presumably, which redistribute the energy from the equatorial region where the waves are very effective in amplifying the SC influence.
The effect of subionospheric propagation on whistlers recorded by the DEMETER satellite – observation and modelling
Authors: Ferencz O. E. , Ferencz Cs. , Steinbach P. , Lichtenberger J. , Hamar D. , Parrot M. , Lefeuvre F. , Berthelier J.-J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. During a routine analysis of whistlers on the wide-band VLF recording of the DEMETER satellite, a specific signal structure of numerous fractional-hop whistlers, termed the "Spiky Whistler" (SpW) was identified. These signals appear to be composed of a conventional whistler combined by the compound mode-patterns of guided wave propagation, suggesting a whistler excited by a lightning "tweek" spheric. Rigorous, full-wave modelling of tweeks, formed by the long subionospheric guided spheric propagation and of the impulse propagation across an arbitrarily inhomogeneous ionosphere, gave an accurate description of the SpW signals. The electromagnetic impulses excited by vertical, preferably CG lightning discharge, exhibited the effects of guided behaviour and of the dispersive ionospheric plasma along their paths. This modelling and interpretation provides a consistent way to determine the generation and propagation characteristics of the recorded SpW signals, as well as to describe the traversed medium.
Features of stable diffuse arcs observed by means of auroral tomography
Authors: Dashkevich Zh. V. , Ivanov V. E. , Khudukon B. Z.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In this paper we study the spatial distribution of optical volume emission rates and peculiarities of the luminosity intensity within weak diffuse auroral arcs recovered by means of auroral tomography. The tomographic images are obtained from sets of scanning multi-channel photometer data obtained in February 1999 on the Kola Peninsula in Russia at three sites of a chain extending 226 km along the geomagnetic meridian. The 427.8- and 557.7-nm emissions of a 15-s time resolution observed within one hour during low geomagnetic activity are analyzed. We found that the intensity profile of an individual arc along the geomagnetic meridian has an inverted-V-shape. The luminosity maximum altitude decrease by 4–14 km at about 140 km distance in the south-north direction can be observed during two or more diffuse arcs. The parameters of the precipitating electron flux are obtained from an integral equation, which determines the best relationship between the 427.8-nm intensity height profile and an arbitrary particle energy spectrum. A dimensionless function of the energy dissipation is used as the core in the integral equation. The estimated average energy of electron flux, which generated the isolated diffuse arc, is 1–2 keV higher in the central part of the arc in comparison to values at its borders.
Three-dimensional multispecies hybrid simulation of Titan's highly variable plasma environment
Authors: Simon S. , Boesswetter A. , Bagdonat T. , Motschmann U. , Schuele J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The interaction between Titan's ionosphere and the Saturnian magnetospheric plasma flow has been studied by means of a three-dimensional (3-D) hybrid simulation code. In the hybrid model, the electrons form a mass-less, charge-neutralizing fluid, whereas a completely kinetic approach is retained to describe ion dynamics. The model includes up to three ionospheric and two magnetospheric ion species. The interaction gives rise to a pronounced magnetic draping pattern and an ionospheric tail that is highly asymmetric with respect to the direction of the convective electric field. Due to the dependence of the ion gyroradii on the ion mass, ions of different masses become spatially dispersed in the tail region. Therefore, Titan's ionospheric tail may be considered a mass-spectrometer, allowing to distinguish between ion species of different masses. The kinetic nature of this effect is emphasized by comparing the simulation with the results obtained from a simple analytical test-particle model of the pick-up process. Besides, the results clearly illustrate the necessity of taking into account the multi-species nature of the magnetospheric plasma flow in the vicinity of Titan. On the one hand, heavy magnetospheric particles, such as atomic Nitrogen or Oxygen, experience only a slight modification of their flow pattern. On the other hand, light ionospheric ions, e.g. atomic Hydrogen, are clearly deflected around the obstacle, yielding a widening of the magnetic draping pattern perpendicular to the flow direction. The simulation results clearly indicate that the nature of this interaction process, especially the formation of sharply pronounced plasma boundaries in the vicinity of Titan, is extremely sensitive to both the temperature of the magnetospheric ions and the orientation of Titan's dayside ionosphere with respect to the corotating magnetospheric plasma flow.
A global MHD simulation of an event with a quasi-steady northward IMF component
Authors: Merkin V. G. , Lyon J. G. , Anderson B. J. , Korth H. , Goodrich C. C. , Papadopoulos K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We show results of the Lyon-Fedder-Mobarry (LFM) global MHD simulations of an event previously examined using Iridium spacecraft observations as well as DMSP and IMAGE FUV data. The event is chosen for the steady northward IMF sustained over a three-hour period during 16 July 2000. The Iridium observations showed very weak or absent Region 2 currents in the ionosphere, which makes the event favorable for global MHD modeling. Here we are interested in examining the model's performace during weak magnetospheric forcing, in particular, its ability to reproduce gross signatures of the ionospheric currents and convection pattern and energy deposition in the ionosphere both due to the Poynting flux and particle precipitation. We compare the ionospheric field-aligned current and electric potential patterns with those recovered from Iridium and DMSP observations, respectively. In addition, DMSP magnetometer data are used for comparisons of ionospheric magnetic perturbations. The electromagnetic energy flux is compared with Iridium-inferred values, while IMAGE FUV observations are utilized to verify the simulated particle energy flux.
Eigenmode analysis of ballooning perturbations in the inner magnetosphere of the Earth
Authors: Parnowski A. S.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We analyze coupled Alfvén and slow magnetosonic eigenmodes in a dipole geomagnetic field with different ionospheric conductivities in the framework of ideal magnetic hydrodynamics (MHD) with finite pressure. We use numerical and, if possible, analytical methods to describe eigenmode frequencies, growth rates and eigenfunctions. The spectrum of Alfvén and slow magnetosonic modes is discrete and equidistant. The frequencies of the first Alfvén and slow magnetosonic eigenmodes are estimated as ~1 Hz and ~1 mHz, respectively. In the case of finite conductivity, periodic and aperiodic modes are separated and their interaction analyzed. It was shown that periodic and aperiodic perturbations can mutually transform into each other. A new flute stability criterion is derived (α~4.25), which is stricter than the Gold criterion (α=20/3). Here, as usual, α=−L/p dp/dL. For flute perturbations, the deviations of transversal displacement from a constant are calculated. An approximation for longitudinal displacement is derived. We determined the position of the main longitudinal peak, which can be responsible for nonlinear structures observed by Freja. An influence of nonlinear terms in pressure is estimated as well.
Temperature anisotropies of electrons and two-component protons in the dusk plasma sheet
Authors: Nishino M. N. , Fujimoto M. , Terasawa T. , Ueno G. , Maezawa K. , Mukai T. , Saito Y.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. To investigate the cold plasma sheet formation under northward IMF, we study the temperature anisotropies of electrons and two-component protons observed by the Geotail spacecraft. The two-component protons, which are occasionally observed in the dusk plasma sheet near the low-latitude boundary, are the result of spatial mixing of the hot protons of the magnetosphere proper and the cold protons from the solar wind. Recent research focusing on the two-component protons reported that the cold proton component at times has a strong anisotropy, and that the sense of the anisotropy depends on the observed locations. Since electrons have been known to possess a strong parallel anisotropy around the low-latitude boundary layer, we compare anisotropies of electrons and protons to find that the strengths of parallel anisotropies of electrons and the cold proton component are in good correlation in the tail flank. The parallel anisotropy of electrons is stronger than that of the cold proton component, which is attributed to selective heating of electrons. We further find that the strengths of the parallel anisotropies in the tail flank depend on the latitudinal angle of the IMF; strong parallel anisotropies occur under strongly northward IMF. We discuss that the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices, which developed under strongly northward IMF, and the resultant magnetic reconnection therein may lead to the strong parallel anisotropies observed in the tail flank.
Aspects of solar wind interaction with Mars: comparison of fluid and hybrid simulations
Authors: Erkaev N. V. , Bößwetter A. , Motschmann U. , Biernat H. K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Mars has no global intrinsic magnetic field, and consequently the solar wind plasma interacts directly with the planetary ionosphere. The main factors of this interaction are: thermalization of plasma after the bow shock, ion pick-up process, and the magnetic barrier effect, which results in the magnetic field enhancement in the vicinity of the obstacle. Results of ideal magnetohydrodynamic and hybrid simulations are compared in the subsolar magnetosheath region. Good agreement between the models is obtained for the magnetic field and plasma parameters just after the shock front, and also for the magnetic field profiles in the magnetosheath. Both models predict similar positions of the proton stoppage boundary, which is known as the ion composition boundary. This comparison allows one to estimate applicability of magnetohydrodynamics for Mars, and also to check the consistency of the hybrid model with Rankine-Hugoniot conditions at the bow shock. An additional effect existing only in the hybrid model is a diffusive penetration of the magnetic field inside the ionosphere. Collisions between ions and neutrals are analyzed as a possible physical reason for the magnetic diffusion seen in the hybrid simulations.
ap-index solar wind driving function and its semiannual variations
Authors: Petrukovich A. A. , Zakharov M. Y.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Semiannual variation of geomagnetic activity and ap-index in particular is supposed to consist of heliospheric factor (axial hypothesis and Russell-McPherron effect) and magnetospheric/ionospheric factor (equinoctical hypothesis). In our investigation we express ap-index as a magnetospheric response function to solar wind and IMF input. Seasonal variation in ap-index on average (1963–2003) is ~4 nT and consists of ~2.1–2.3 nT of magnetospheric/ionospheric part, 0.6–1.3 nT of heliospheric part (including 0.2–0.3 nT of R-M effect), 0.1–0.4 nT is due to the non-linear term. 90% confidence range of all estimates is ~0.1–0.25 nT. While autumn/spring magnetospheric response functions are almost identical, there is substantial difference between winter and summer functions. The increase of solar wind input in autumn and spring is also different by a factor of two.
Adaptation of an empirical model for erythemal ultraviolet irradiance
Authors: Foyo-Moreno I. , Alados I. , Alados-Arboledas L.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In this work we adapt an empirical model to estimate ultraviolet erythemal irradiance (UVER) using experimental measurements carried out at seven stations in Spain during four years (2000–2003). The measurements were taken in the framework of the Spanish UVB radiometric network operated and maintained by the Spanish Meteorological Institute. The UVER observations are recorded as half hour average values. The model is valid for all-sky conditions, estimating UVER from the ozone columnar content and parameters usually registered in radiometric networks, such as global broadband hemispherical transmittance and optical air mass. One data set was used to develop the model and another independent set was used to validate it. The model provides satisfactory results, with low mean bias error (MBE) for all stations. In fact, MBEs are less than 4% and root mean square errors (RMSE) are below 18% (except for one location). The model has also been evaluated to estimate the UV index. The percentage of cases with differences of 0 UVI units is in the range of 61.1% to 72.0%, while the percentage of cases with differences of ±1 UVI unit covers the range of 95.6% to 99.2%. This result confirms the applicability of the model to estimate UVER irradiance and the UV index at those locations in the Iberian Peninsula where there are no UV radiation measurements.
Generation of mesoscale F layer structure and electric fields by the combined Perkins and Es layer instabilities, in simulations
Authors: Cosgrove R. B.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The generic equilibrium configuration of the nighttime midlatitude ionosphere consists of an F layer held up against gravity by winds and/or electric fields, and a sporadic E (Es) layer located by a sheared wind field, which experiences the same electric fields as the F layer. This configuration is subject to two large-scale (e.g. >10 km) "layer instabilities": one of the F layer known as the Perkins instability, and another of the Es layer which has been called the Es layer instability. Electric fields on scales larger than (about) 10 km map very efficiently between the Es and F layers, and the two instabilities have a similar geometry, allowing them to interact with one another. As shown through a linear growth rate analysis, the two most important parameters governing the interaction are the relative horizontal velocity between the Es and F layers, and the integrated conductivity ratio ΣH/ΣPF, where ΣH and ΣPF are the field line integrated Hall conductivity of the Es layer, and the field line integrated Pedersen conductivity of the F layer, respectively. For both large and small relative velocities the growth rate was found to be more than double that of the Perkins instability alone, when ΣHΣPF=1.8. However, the characteristic eigenmode varies considerably with relative velocity, and different nonlinear behavior is expected in these two cases. As a follow up to the linear growth rate analysis, we explore in this article the nonlinear evolution of the unstable coupled system subject to a 200 km wavelength initial perturbation of the F layer, using a two-dimensional numerical solution of the two-fluid equations, as a function of relative horizontal velocity and ΣHΣPF. We find that when ΣHΣPF⪝0.5 the Perkins instability is able to control the dynamics and modulate the F layer altitude in 2 to 3 h time. However, the electric fields remain small until the altitude modulation is extremely large, and even then they are not large enough to account for the observations of large midlatitude electric fields. When ΣHΣPF⪞1 the Es layer becomes a major contributor to the F layer dynamics. The Es layer response involves the breaking of a wave, with associated polarization electric fields, which modulate the F layer. Larger electric fields form when the relative velocity between the Es and F layers is large, whereas larger modulations of the F layer altitude occur when the relative velocity is small. In the latter case the F layer modulation grows almost twice as fast (for ΣHΣPF=1) as when no Es layer is present. In the former case the electric fields associated with the Es layer are large enough to explain the observations (~10 mV/m) , but occur over relatively short temporal and spatial scales. In the former case also there is evidence that the F layer structure may present with a southwestward trace velocity induced by Es layer motion.
Multi-scale observations of magnetotail flux transport during IMF-northward non-substorm intervals
Authors: Grocott A. , Yeoman T. K. , Milan S. E. , Amm O. , Frey H. U. , Juusola L. , Nakamura R. , Owen C. J. , Rème H. , Takada T.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Simultaneous observations by the Cluster spacecraft and SuperDARN radars are presented of magnetotail flux transport during northward, but BY-dominated IMF. Two events are discussed, which occurred on 14 August 2004 and 17 September 2005, during intervals of negative and positive IMF BY, respectively. During both intervals the Cluster spacecraft observed isolated bursts of Earthward plasma convection in the central plasma sheet. During the first event, the flows observed by Cluster also had a significant V⊥Y component in the duskward direction, consistent with westward azimuthal flows observed in the midnight sector by the Northern Hemisphere SuperDARN radars. During the second event, Cluster 4 observed a significant dawnward V⊥Y component, again consistent with the Northern Hemisphere SuperDARN observations which revealed eastward azimuthal flow. In this instance, however, Cluster 3 observed a duskward V⊥Y component which was more consistent with the duskward sense of the convection observed by the Southern Hemisphere SuperDARN radars. This implies that Cluster 3 and Cluster 4 were located on different field lines which experienced opposite net azimuthal forces and hence observed oppositely directed convection. These observations are consistent with previous SuperDARN studies of nightside flows under northward IMF and, more importantly, provide the first simultaneous in-situ evidence for a mode of tail reconnection occurring during non-substorm intervals in an asymmetric tail.
Anomalous behavior of cutoff rigidity variation in the region of the Mexico station during a magnetic superstorm on 20 November 2003
Authors: Pchelkin V. V. , Pchelkina E. V. , Golovchanskaya I. V.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The pioneering storm-time model of magnetospheric magnetic field T01S made possible trajectory calculations for the events of giant magnetic storms. We have performed such calculations for a unique magnetic storm on 20 November 2003. In our previous paper, Belov et al. (2005), dedicated to the magnetospheric effects of cosmic rays (CR) during this storm, we revealed an anomalous behavior of a cutoff rigidity variation at the Mexico station. Here, by trajectory calculations, we demonstrate that this peculiarity persists in the latitudinal and longitudinal curves of cutoff rigidity (Rc) for both quiet and storm-time conditions and thus should be considered as physically meaningful.
An observational study of the evolution of the atmospheric boundary-layer over Cabo Frio, Brazil
Authors: Franchito S. H. , Brahmananda Rao V. , Oda T. O. , Conforte J. C.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The effect of coastal upwelling on the evolution of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) in Cabo Frio (Brazil) is investigated. For this purpose, radiosounding data collected in two experiments made during the austral summer (upwelling case) and austral winter (no upwelling case) are analysed. The results show that during the austral summer, cold waters that crop up near the Cabo Frio coast favour the formation of an atmospheric stable layer, which persists during the upwelling episode. Due to the low SSTs, the descending branch of the sea-breeze circulation is located close to the coast, inhibiting the development of a mixed layer mainly during the day. At night, with the reduction of the land-sea thermal contrast the descending motion is weaker, allowing a vertical mixing. The stable ABL favours the formation of a low level jet, which may also contribute to the development of a nocturnal atmospheric mixed layer. During the austral winter, due to the higher SSTs observed near the coast, the ABL is less stable compared with that in the austral summer. Due to warming, a mixed layer is observed during the day. The observed vertical profiles of the zonal winds show that the easterlies at low levels are stronger in the austral summer, indicating that the upwelling modulates the sea-breeze signal, thus confirming model simulations.
Near-simultaneous magnetotail flux rope observations with Cluster and Double Star
Authors: Walsh A. P. , Fazakerley A. N. , Wilson R. J. , Alexeev I. V. , Henderson P. D. , Owen C. J. , Lucek E. , Carr C. , Dandouras I.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. We present observations of three magnetic flux ropes in the tail of the Earth's magnetosphere on 7 August 2004 by the Cluster and Double Star TC-1 spacecraft. The first two flux rope signatures were observed, near-simultaneously, by Cluster and TC-1, which were located at (–16.3, –8.7, 0.10) RE GSM and (–10.3, –7.11, 0.81) RE GSM, respectively, a separation of 6.3 RE. A third signature was observed some four minutes later by two of the four Cluster spacecraft, while the other two spacecraft observed a feature resembling a Travelling Compression Region (TCR). These observations are interpreted as three individual flux ropes existing in the magnetotail, the first two, at least, simultaneously. The formation mechanism of the flux ropes and the consequences of their presence for the structure of the magnetotail on this day are discussed in the context of multiple X-point reconnection.
Magnetic field of the transition current system: dawn-dusk asymmetry
Authors: Belenkaya E. S. , Alexeev I. I. , C. R. Clauer
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In this paper we consider the interactions of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with the Earth's magnetosphere for the specific case in which there is a sharp increase in the dynamic pressure (interplanetary shock) that is associated with a simultaneous northward turning of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) from the near horizontal direction. Previously, we have shown that under such circumstances, the so-called transition current systems arise. These temporary high-latitude current systems create a low-latitude asymmetric magnetic field on the ground with a large northward field enhancement on the nightside and little or no field increase near local noon. Here we investigate the dawn-dusk asymmetry of the low-latitude on-ground magnetic field of the transition current system caused by the IMF. Analysis of the Region 1 current circuit for northward IMF shows a change in its shape controlled by different IMF components. Due to this geometrical effect, the maximum and minimum magnetic field disturbances appear to be shifted. The obtained results supplement and define more precisely the locations of the magnetic disturbance extrema retrieved recently by Clauer et al. (2001). The results of this study are compared with the available observations. A good accordance is demonstrated.
Observational evidence for the generation of a 4-day oscillation in the low-latitude middle atmosphere associated with an anomalous stratospheric cooling
Authors: Deepa V. , Ramkumar G. , Kumar K. K.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. Altitude profiles of temperature in the stratosphere and lower mesosphere over Gadanki (13.5° N, 79.2° E), based on lidar observations during the Equatorial Wave Study campaign (29 February–2 April 2000), showed an anomalous cooling of the stratosphere, lasting for about 4–5 days. Immediately following this stratospheric cooling, a prominent ~4-day period oscillation is observed in the zonal, as well as meridional wind in the 30–50 km altitude region, obtained from simultaneous rocketsonde and balloon wind measurements. The amplitude of this wave is in the range of 5–15 ms−1 in this altitude region. The altitude profiles of phase of this 4-day oscillation show a constant phase with height indicating that the wave is not propagating vertically. The causative mechanism for the sudden cooling is investigated by examining the day-to-day variation in the total atmospheric column ozone. Zonal and meridional wind components of this oscillation are approximately in quadrature phase, with zonal wind leading the meridional wind. Strikingly, while the 4-day wave is clearly observable in the zonal and meridional winds, it is almost absent in the temperature.
Auroral ion outflow: low altitude energization
Authors: Lynch K. A. , Semeter J. L. , Zettergren M. , Kintner P. , Arnoldy R. , Klatt E. , LaBelle J. , Michell R. G. , MacDonald E. A. , Samara M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The SIERRA nightside auroral sounding rocket made observations of the origins of ion upflow, at topside F-region altitudes (below 700 km), comparatively large topside plasma densities (above 20 000/cc), and low energies (10 eV). Upflowing ions with bulk velocities up to 2 km/s are seen in conjunction with the poleward edge of a nightside substorm arc. The upflow is limited within the poleward edge to a region (a) of northward convection, (b) where Alfvénic and Pedersen conductivities are well-matched, leading to good ionospheric transmission of Alfvénic power, and (c) of soft electron precipitation (below 100 eV). Models of the effect of the soft precipitation show strong increases in electron temperature, increasing the scale height and initiating ion upflow. Throughout the entire poleward edge, precipitation of moderate-energy (100s of eV) protons and oxygen is also observed. This ion precipitation is interpreted as reflection from a higher-altitude, time-varying field-aligned potential of upgoing transversely heated ion conics seeded by the low altitude upflow.
Gravity wave propagation in the realistic atmosphere based on a three-dimensional transfer function model
Authors: Sun L. , Wan W. , Ding F. , Mao T.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. In order to study the filter effect of the background winds on the propagation of gravity waves, a three-dimensional transfer function model is developed on the basis of the complex dispersion relation of internal gravity waves in a stratified dissipative atmosphere with background winds. Our model has successfully represented the main results of the ray tracing method, e.g. the trend of the gravity waves to travel in the anti-windward direction. Furthermore, some interesting characteristics are manifest as follows: (1) The method provides the distribution characteristic of whole wave fields which propagate in the way of the distorted concentric circles at the same altitude under the control of the winds. (2) Through analyzing the frequency and wave number response curve of the transfer function, we find that the gravity waves in a wave band of about 15–30 min periods and of about 200–400 km horizontal wave lengths are most likely to propagate to the 300-km ionospheric height. Furthermore, there is an obvious frequency deviation for gravity waves propagating with winds in the frequency domain. The maximum power of the transfer function with background winds is smaller than that without background winds. (3) The atmospheric winds may act as a directional filter that will permit gravity wave packets propagating against the winds to reach the ionospheric height with minimum energy loss.
The measurements of light high-energy ions in NINA-2 experiment
Authors: Leonov A. , Cyamukungu M. , Cabrera J. , Leleux P. , Grégoire Gh. , Benck S. , Mikhailov V. , Bakaldin A. , Galper A. , Koldashov S. , Voronov S. , Casolino M. , De Pascale M. P. , Picozza P. , Sparvoli R. , Ricci M.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The flux of energetic light ions at low altitude is both an important input and output for self-consistent calculations of albedo particles resulting from the interaction of trapped and cosmic ray particles, with the upper atmosphere. In addition, data on the flux of light ions are needed to evaluate radiation damages on space-borne instruments and on space mission crews. In spite of that, sources of data on the flux of energetic ions at LEO are roughly limited to the AP-8 model, CREME/CREME96 codes and the SAMPEX, NOAA/TIROS satellites. The existing and operational European SAC-C/ICARE and PROBA-1/SREM instruments could also be potential sources for proton data at LEO. Although AP-8 and SAMPEX/PSB97 may be publicly accessed through the SPENVIS, they exhibit an order of magnitude difference in low altitude proton fluxes and they do not contain helium fluxes. Therefore, improved light ion radiation models are still needed. In this paper we present a procedure to identify and measure the energy of ions that are not stopped in the NINA-2 instrument. Moreover, problems related to particles that cross the instrument in the opposite direction are addressed and shown to be a possible cause of particle misidentification. Measuring fluxes of low abundance elements like energetic helium ions requires a good characterisation of all possible sources of backgrounds in the detector. Hints to determine the several contributions to the background are presented herein and may be applied to extract an order of magnitude of energetic ions fluxes from existing data sets, while waiting for dedicated high performance instruments.
The driving mechanisms of particle precipitation during the moderate geomagnetic storm of 7 January 2005
Authors: Longden N. , Honary F. , Kavanagh A. J. , Manninen J.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. The arrival of an interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) triggered a sudden storm commencement (SSC) at ~09:22 UT on the 7 January 2005. The ICME followed a quiet period in the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). We present global scale observations of energetic electron precipitation during the moderate geomagnetic storm driven by the ICME. Energetic electron precipitation is inferred from increases in cosmic noise absorption (CNA) recorded by stations in the Global Riometer Array (GLORIA). No evidence of CNA was observed during the first four hours of passage of the ICME or following the sudden commencement (SC) of the storm. This is consistent with the findings of Osepian and Kirkwood (2004) that SCs will only trigger precipitation during periods of geomagnetic activity or when the magnetic perturbation in the magnetosphere is substantial. CNA was only observed following enhanced coupling between the IMF and the magnetosphere, resulting from southward oriented IMF. Precipitation was observed due to substorm activity, as a result of the initial injection and particles drifting from the injection region. During the recovery phase of the storm, when substorm activity diminished, precipitation due to density driven increases in the solar wind dynamic pressure (Pdyn) were identified. A number of increases in Pdyn were shown to drive sudden impulses (SIs) in the geomagnetic field. While many of these SIs appear coincident with CNA, SIs without CNA were also observed. During this period, the threshold of geomagnetic activity required for SC driven precipitation was exceeded. This implies that solar wind density driven SIs occurring during storm recovery can drive a different response in particle precipitation to typical SCs.
Origin of temperature anisotropies in the cold plasma sheet: Geotail observations around the Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices
Authors: Nishino M. N. , Fujimoto M. , Ueno G. , Mukai T. , Saito Y.
Published: June 2010

Abstract. To further our understanding of the solar wind entry across the magnetopause under northward IMF, we perform a case study of a duskside Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortex event on 24 March 1995. We have found that the protons consist of two separate (cold and hot) components in the magnetosphere-like region inside the KH vortical structure. The cold proton component occasionally consisted of counter-streaming beams near the current layer in the KH vortical structure. Low-energy bidirectional electron beams or flat-topped electron distribution functions in the direction along the local magnetic field were apparent on the magnetosphere side of the current layer. We discuss that the bidirectionality of the electrons and the cold proton component implies magnetic reconnection inside the KH vortical structure. In addition, we suggest selective heating of electrons inside the vortical structure via wave-particle interactions. Comparing temperatures in the magnetosphere-like region inside the vortical structure with those in the cold plasma sheet, we show that further heating of both the electrons and the cold proton component is taking place in the cold plasma sheet or on the way from the vortices to the cold plasma sheet.