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Vol 56, No 4 (2016)

Article

Magnetospheric effects of cosmic rays. 1. Long-term changes in the geomagnetic cutoff rigidities for the stations of the global network of neutron monitors

Gvozdevskii B.B., Abunin A.A., Kobelev P.G., Gushchina R.T., Belov A.V., Eroshenko E.A., Yanke V.G.

Abstract

Vertical geomagnetic cutoff rigidities are obtained for the stations of the global network of neutron monitors via trajectory calculations for each year of the period from 1950 to 2020. Geomagnetic cutoff rigidities are found from the model of the Earth’s main field International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) for 1950–2015, and the forecast until 2020 is provided. In addition, the geomagnetic cutoff rigidities for the same period are obtained by Tsyganenko model T89 (Tsyganenko, 1989) with the average annual values of the Kp-index. In each case, the penumbra is taken into account in the approximation of the flat and power spectra of variations of cosmic rays. The calculation results show an overall decrease in geomagnetic cutoff rigidities, which is associated with the overall decrease and restructuring of the geomagnetic field during the reporting period, at almost all points.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):381-392
pages 381-392 views

Skin-layer of the eruptive magnetic flux rope in large solar flares

Kichigin G.N., Miroshnichenko L.I., Sidorov V.I., Yazev S.A.

Abstract

The analysis of observations of large solar flares made it possible to propose a hypothesis on existence of a skin-layer in magnetic flux ropes of coronal mass ejections. On the assumption that the Bohm coefficient determines the diffusion of magnetic field, an estimate of the skin-layer thickness of ~106 cm is obtained. According to the hypothesis, the electric field of ~0.01–0.1 V/cm, having the nonzero component along the magnetic field of flux rope, arises for ~5 min in the surface layer of the eruptive flux rope during its ejection into the upper corona. The particle acceleration by the electric field to the energies of ~100 MeV/nucleon in the skin-layer of the flux rope leads to their precipitation along field lines to footpoints of the flux rope. The skin-layer presence induces helical or oval chromospheric emission at the ends of flare ribbons. The emission may be accompanied by hard X-ray radiation and by the production of gamma-ray line at the energy of 2.223 MeV (neutron capture line in the photosphere). The magnetic reconnection in the corona leads to a shift of the skin-layer of flux rope across the magnetic field. The area of precipitation of accelerated particles at the flux-rope footpoints expands in this case from the inside outward. This effect is traced in the chromosphere and in the transient region as the expanding helical emission structures. If the emission extends to the spot, a certain fraction of accelerated particles may be reflected from the magnetic barrier (in the magnetic field of the spot). In the case of exit into the interplanetary space, these particles may be recorded in the Earth’s orbit as solar proton events.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):393-400
pages 393-400 views

Dependences of statistical characteristics of NmE on the month of the year at middle and low latitudes under daytime geomagnetically quiet conditions at low solar activity

Pavlov A.V., Pavlova N.M.

Abstract

Month-to-month changes in the statistical characteristics of the ionospheric E layer peak electron density NmE at medium and low geomagnetic latitudes under daytime geomagnetically quiet conditions are investigated. Critical frequencies of the ionospheric E layer measured by the middle latitude ionosonde Boulder and low latitude ionosondes Huancayo and Jicamarca at low solar activity from 1957 to 2015 have been used in the conducted statistical analysis. The mathematical expectation of NmE, standard deviation of NmE from the expectation of NmE, and NmE variation coefficient have been calculated for each month of the year. The months of the formation of extrema of these statistical parameters of NmE were found.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):401-406
pages 401-406 views

Position of projections of the nightside auroral oval equatorward and poleward edges in the magnetosphere equatorial plane

Kirpichev I.P., Yagodkina O.I., Vorobjev V.G., Antonova E.E.

Abstract

The position of the auroral oval poleward and equatorward boundary projections on the equatorial plane in the nightside MLT sector during magnetically quiet periods (|AL| < 200 nT, |Dst| < 10 nT) has been determined. The oval boundary positions were determined according to the precipitation model developed at Polar Geophysical Institute (http://apm.pgia.ru/). The isotropy of the averaged plasma pressure and the experimentally confirmed balance of pressures during the nighttime have been taken into account. The morphological mapping method has been used to map the oval poleward and equatorward edges without the use of any magnetic field model on the assumption that the condition of magnetostatic equilibrium is valid. Ion pressures at ionospheric altitudes and in the equatorial plane have been compared. It has been shown that the auroral oval equatorward boundary in the midnight sector is localized at geocentric distances of ~7 RE, which is in good agreement with the position of the energetic particle injection boundary in the equatorial plane. The oval poleward edge is localized at the ~10 RE geocentric distance, which is in good agreement with the position of the equatorward boundary of the region with a high turbulence level in the Earth’s magnetosphere plasma sheet.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):407-414
pages 407-414 views

Inverse problem for the current loop model: Possibilities and restrictions

Demina I.M., Farafonova Y.G.

Abstract

The possibilities of determining arbitrary current loop parameters based on the spatial structures of the magnetic field components generated by this loop on a sphere with a specified radius have been considered with the use of models. The model parameters were selected such that anomalies created by current loops on a sphere with a radius of 6378 km would be comparable in value with the different-scale anomalies of the observed main geomagnetic field (MGF). The least squares method was used to solve the inverse problem. Estimates close to the specified values were obtained for all current loop parameters except the current strength and radius. The radius determination error can reach ±120 km; at the same time, the magnetic moment value is determined with an accuracy of ±1%. The resolvability of the current force and radius can to a certain degree be improved by decreasing the observation sphere radius such that the ratio of the source distance to the current loop radius would be at least smaller than eight, which can be difficult to reach when modeling MGF.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):415-425
pages 415-425 views

Properties of daytime long-period pulsations during magnetospheric storm commencement

Klibanova Y.Y., Mishin V.V., Tsegmed B., Moiseev A.V.

Abstract

Long-period geomagnetic pulsations during the SSC of July 14, 2012, are studied. The prenoon longitudinal sector (09:20–11:30) MLT, from the boundaries of which pulsations propagate azimuthally onto the dawn and dusk sides with an opposite polarization direction and increased amplitude, has been distinguished. The position of this sector relative to noon (a shift to the dawn side) depends on the front azimuthal inclination. It has been found that the polarization direction reverses in going from low (<30°) to middle/subauroral (≥50°) latitudes on the entire dayside. The geomagnetic pulsations mainly fluctuate near the f1 = 2.9 and f2 = 4.4 mHz frequencies. Fluctuations with frequency f1, which coincide with the fluctuation frequency of the IMF х component, predominate at the polar cap latitudes (the open field line region) in the form of rapidly attenuating impulses and at low latitudes with a much smaller amplitude. Fluctuations with frequency f2 are globally registered at all latitudes in the dayside sector below the magnetopause projection as a train of several fluctuations. It is assumed that fluctuations with frequency f1 penetrate from the solar wind, and fluctuations with frequency f2 are radial magnetopause oscillations.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):426-440
pages 426-440 views

Effect of the ponderomotive force caused by Alfvén waves on a background plasma in the dayside magnetosphere

Nekrasov A.K., Feygin F.Z.

Abstract

The effect of the ponderomotive force on the background plasma modification near magnetic holes, which form at the dayside magnetospheric boundary under the action of the solar wind, has been studied. It was shown that this effect results in a substantial increase in a nonlinear plasma density disturbance. The dependence of the ponderomotive force on the magnetospheric parameters (the magnetic longitude, distance from the Earth’s surface, ratio of the wave frequency to the proton gyrofrequency, and ionospheric ion cyclotron wave amplitude) has been studied. Nonlinear plasma density disturbances will be maximal in the region of magnetic holes, which are located in the dayside magnetosphere at λ ~ 0°−30° geomagnetic longitudes (λ = 0° corresponds to noon), where the effect of the solar wind pressure is maximal. A similar effect is also observed in the dependence of a nonlinear plasma density disturbance on other magnetospheric parameters.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):441-447
pages 441-447 views

Anomalous phenomena on HF radio paths during geomagnetic disturbances

Blagoveshchenskii D.V.

Abstract

We analyze ionospheric oblique sounding data on three high-latitude and one high-latitude–midlatitude HF radio paths for February 15 and 16, 2014, when two substorms and one magnetic storm occurred. We investigate cases of anomalous propagation of signals: their reflection from sporadic layer Es, lateral reflections, type “M” or “N” modes, the presence of traveling ionospheric disturbances, and the diffusivity of signals and triplets. The most significant results are the following. In geomagnetically undisturbed times, sporadic Es-layers with reduced maximum observed frequencies (MOFEs) on three high-latitude paths were observed in both days. The values of MOFEs during disturbances are large, which leads to the screening of other oblique sounding signals reflected from the ionosphere. On all four paths, the most frequently traveling ionospheric disturbances due to the terminator were observed in quiet hours from 03:00 to 15:00 UT on the first day and from 06:00 to 13:00 UT on the second day of the experiment. In addition, both the sunset terminator and the magnetic storm on the high-latitude–mid-latitude path were found to generate traveling ionospheric disturbances jointly. No such phenomenon was found on high-latitude paths.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):448-456
pages 448-456 views

Improving capabilities of broadband differential satellite navigation systems via radio occultation technology

Myslivtsev T.O., Nikiforov S.V., Pogoreltsev A.I., Savochkin P.V., Sakhno I.V., Semenov A.A., Troitsky B.V.

Abstract

The existent satellite system for radio occultation monitoring the Earth’s neutral atmosphere and ionosphere (COSMIC) provides data to consumers in the regions with limited possibilities of constructing dense measurement networks (e.g., in the World Ocean area). A forthcoming increase of LEO small spacecrafts and the deployment of new satellite radio navigation systems will result in a pronounced increase in the efficiency of radio occultation method and its space resolution. As a result, the Space-Based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) broadband differential system will become global, or the quality of corrections delivered to single-frequency consumers of individual systems, e.g., the Augmentation and Monitoring System, will be improved. Therefore, the methods for processing and analyzing obtained radio occultation data should be improved. A simple method to reconstruct the electron density profile at radio occultation points, based on the total electron content measurement on the satellite–satellite path and the IRI-type ionospheric model has been proposed. The method needs initial information, it does not require refraction measurements, and it is free of the assumption that the ionosphere is spherically stratified in the occultation region. Verification of the proposed method based on data for 121 radio occultation cases across Europe in May 2013 demonstrated good agreement with the vertical sounding data.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):457-463
pages 457-463 views

Numerical simulation of the interaction between two high-energy plasma bunches in the ionosphere

Motorin A.A., Stupitsky E.L., Kholodov A.S.

Abstract

The 3D MHD algorithm developed by us has been adapted to modeling the interaction between two plasma bunches in the ionosphere, mainly in order to sufficiently correctly describe the physics of the interaction between two plasma regions with regard to the ionospheric inhomogeneity and the geomagnetic field action. Modeling has been performed for several versions of location of the plasma region centers.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):464-474
pages 464-474 views

Approximate method for estimating plasma ionization characteristics based on numerical simulation of the dynamics of a plasma bunch with a high specific energy in the upper ionosphere

Motorin A.A., Stupitsky E.L., Kholodov A.S.

Abstract

The spatiotemporal pattern for the development of a plasma cloud formed in the ionosphere and the main cloud gas-dynamic characteristics have been obtained from 3D calculations of the explosion-type plasmodynamic flows previously performed by us. An approximate method for estimating the plasma temperature and ionization degree with the introduction of the effective adiabatic index has been proposed based on these results.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):475-481
pages 475-481 views

Longitudinal statistics of plasma bubbles: Possible tropospheric influence

Sidorova L.N., Filippov S.V.

Abstract

The assumption about the possible influence of a tropospheric source on the nature of the longitudinal statistics variation (relative frequency of observation) of plasma bubbles determined by the He+ density in the upper ionosphere altitudes is tested. To do this, the statistics are comparatively analyzed with a number of characteristics of the ionosphere and thermosphere, the longitudinal changes of which can be related to the DE3 tidal wave generated in the troposphere. Evidence of the possible influence of the troposphere on the longitudinal statistics of plasma bubbles has been obtained. Based on qualitative analysis, it was found that the thermospheric winds modulated by the DE3 tidal wave can link these statistics with processes in the troposphere.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):482-492
pages 482-492 views

Changes in the ionosphere prior to weak earthquakes in the Irkutsk region

Korsunova L.P., Chistuakova L.V., Khegai V.V.

Abstract

Data from 15-minute measurements at the vertical ionospheric sounding station in Irkutsk during the summer months of 2008–2011 are analyzed in order to detect in the ionosphere effects of preparation of weak earthquakes of the K = 10–12 energy class. The method of revealing disturbances in ionospheric parameters by simultaneous observations of the sporadic E layer and regular F2 layer, which was previously applied by the authors in the case of stronger earthquakes, was used. The efficiency of using this method to detect ionospheric disturbances preceding earthquakes also in the case of weak earthquakes is demonstrated. Possible ionospheric precursors of the selected series of earthquakes are identified. For them, an empirical dependence relating the time of advance of the shock moment by the probable ionospheric precursor on the energy class of the earthquake and the epicenter distance to the observation point is found.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):493-502
pages 493-502 views

Registration of weak ULF/ELF oscillations of the surface electric field strength

Boldyrev A.I., Vyazilov A.E., Ivanov V.N., Kemaev R.V., Korovin V.Y., Melyashinskii A.V., Pamukhin K.V., Panov V.N., Shvyrev Y.N.

Abstract

Measurements of the atmospheric electric field strength made by an electrostatic fluxmeter with a unique threshold sensitivity for such devices (6 × 10–2–10–3 V m–1 Hz–1/2 in the 10–3–25 Hz frequency range) and wide dynamic (120 dB) and spectral (0–25 Hz) ranges, are presented. The device parameters make it possible to observe the electric component of global electromagnetic Schumann resonances and long-period fluctuations in the atmospheric electric field strength.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. 2016;56(4):503-512
pages 503-512 views