Dawn-dusk Asymmetry Research Articles

Distribution of the field−aligned currents in the ionosphere: dawn–dusk asymmetry and its relation to the asymmetry between the two hemispheres

The dynamics of the system of field-aligned currents (FACs) and closing ionospheric Pedersen currents is considered with the use of original processing methods and the data from four substorms of different types. The total current system comprises of two parts. One is the well-known substorm current wedge (SCW) system, in which the zonal (westward ) current closes FACs in the R1 zone (region). The component 2 consists of two pairs of meridional currents flowing equatorward and poleward in the R1 region and creating regions R0 and R2 (according to the classification of Iijima and Potemra). It is shown that the total FAC of the disturbed magnetosphere–ionosphere system is dominated by the contribution of component 2, which contradicts the original version of the SCW model but is consistent with new data. The quantitative characteristics of the dawn–dusk asymmetry are determined for the FAC distribution in the ionosphere for each substorm. It is shown that the ratio of the average intensities of FACs in the regions R0 and R2 was IR0/IR2 ≥ 0.4, which contradicts the popular opinion that there are no FACs in the polar cap. In addition, a relatively rare event of the simultaneous start of the substorm explosive phase and the SSC caused by the dynamic impact of the solar wind when the polar cap expands (rather than compresses as usual) is considered.

Dawn–dusk asymmetry and adiabatic dynamic of the radiation belt electrons during magnetic storm

The changes of the latitudinal profiles of outer belt energetic electrons during magnetic storms are mostly explained by the precipitation into the loss cone caused by VLF and EMIC waves or by the scattering into the magnetopause. In present work, energetic electron dynamics during magnetic storm of August 29–30, 2004 we attributed at most to the adiabatic transformation of the magnetic drift trajectories and Dst effect. This conclusion was based on the analysis of dawn–dusk asymmetry of the electron latitudinal profiles measured by low altitude polar orbiter SERVIS-1 and on the coincidence of pre-storm and after-storm profiles of radiation belt electrons and protons.

The dawn–dusk asymmetry of ion density in the dayside magnetosheath and its annual variability measured by THEMIS

Abstract. The local and global plasma properties in the magnetosheath play a fundamental role in regulating solar wind–magnetosphere coupling processes. However, the magnetosheath is a complex region to characterise as it has been shown theoretically, observationally and through simulations that plasma properties are inhomogeneous, non-isotropic and asymmetric about the Sun-Earth line. To complicate matters, dawn–dusk asymmetries are sensitive to various changes in the upstream conditions on an array of timescales. The present paper focuses exclusively on dawn–dusk asymmetries, in particularly that of ion density. We present a statistical study using THEMIS data of the dawn–dusk asymmetry of ion density in the dayside magnetosheath and its long-term variations between 2009 and 2015. Our data suggest that, in general, the dawn-side densities are higher, and the asymmetry grows from noon towards the terminator. This trend was only observed close to the magnetopause and not in the central magnetosheath. In addition, between 2009 and 2015, the largest asymmetry occurred around 2009 decreasing thereafter. We also concluded that no single parameter such as the Alfvén Mach number, plasma velocity, or the interplanetary magnetic field strength could exclusively account for the observed asymmetry. Interestingly, the dependence on Alfvén Mach number differed between data sets from different time periods. The asymmetry obtained in the THEMIS data set is consistent with previous studies, but the solar cycle dependence was opposite to an analysis based on IMP-8 data. We discuss the physical mechanisms for this asymmetry and its temporal variation. We also put the current results into context with the existing literature in order to relate THEMIS era measurements to those made during earlier solar cycles.

Distribution of hydrogen and oxygen ion species in the plasmasheet

In this paper, using data obtained by Cluster 4 satellite from 2001 to 2012, we statistically investigate the spatial distributions of H+ and O+ in the magnetotail plasmasheet and their relation with geomagnetic indices. Our work outlines the existence of two regions with enhanced O+ concentration in the tail plasmasheet, one is located in the mid-tail plasmasheet at R>17RE, and the other is located near the inner boundary of plasmasheet at R<10RE. The existence of the depletion region of O+ between 10RE<R<17RE indicates that the O+ ions in the mid-tail plasmasheet, which come from polar cap, are not likely to be able to make important contribution to the formation of ring current. Both the distributions of density and temperature of O+ ions have a dawn–dusk asymmetry. The number density of O+ during geomagnetic active time (Dst<−20nT/AE>200nT/Kp⩾3) is much larger than that during non-storm time (Dst>−20nT/AE<200nT/Kp<3). This dawn–dusk asymmetry and the number density of O+ varying with geomagnetic activity apply for both regions (R<10RE and R>17RE) of O+. Therefore both substorm and enhanced convection provide a large number of O+ ions to the plasmasheet, which makes favorable condition for the growth of the ring current.

The dependence of the LLBL thickness on IMF [formula omitted] and [formula omitted] components

The thickness of the low latitude boundary layer (LLBL) is studied as a function of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) using the data of THEMIS mission. The data from intersections of LLBL by Themis-A and -C satellites are analyzed. Solar wind parameters are provided by Themis-B satellite located before the bow shock. We use earlier developed method of LLBL thickness determination based on the analysis of the variation of plasma velocity in the layer perpendicular to the magnetopause. The database for the present analysis consists of 109 single satellite LLBL crossings where the values of LLBL thickness are obtained. The time shift of solar wind propagation from the spacecraft performing measurements outside the bow shock to the LLBL is taken into account. We analyze the dependence of LLBL thickness on IMF Bz and By using data of IMF measurements with 3s resolution and produce the 180s averaging of these data. Large scattering of the values of LLBL thickness and the weak dependence on IMF is demonstrated. Dawn–dusk asymmetry of LLBL thickness is not observed. The dependence of LLBL thickness on IMF clock angle is discussed.

Statistical study of the ULF Pc4–Pc5 range fluctuations in the vicinity of Earth’s magnetopause and correlation with the Low Latitude Boundary Layer thickness

The main generation mechanisms for the Earth’s Low Latitude Boundary Layer (LLBL) are considered to be magnetic reconnection, viscous interactions such as Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and associated plasma mixing and diffusion. We have performed a statistical study of the Ultra Low Frequency (ULF) fluctuation power at the Pc4–Pc5 range using ≈6years of THEMIS measurements of the plasma velocity and magnetic field. The results reveal a clear dawn–dusk asymmetry showing that the fluctuation power is typically more enhanced in the vicinity of the magnetopause downstream of the quasi-parallel shock. The statistical study of the Vx-component of the plasma velocity indicates that the LLBL is also thicker on the dawn-sector. These results may suggest that the physical mechanisms that provide power in the Pc4–Pc5 range are more effective on the dawn-sector and provide a means for a more effective LLBL generation.

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION OF THE KINETIC SCALE MAGNETIC TURBULENCE AROUND THE MOON

ABSTRACT The Moon–solar wind interaction results in the formation of a complicated lunar space plasma environment. Here, we investigate the solar wind turbulence around the Moon using the magnetic field observed by the dual-probe mission Acceleration, Reconnection, Turbulence and Electrodynamics of the Moon’s Interaction with the Sun (ARTEMIS). Structure functions in a time range on kinetic scales are computed to measure the scaling index ζ, the spatial distribution of which reveals the global aspects of the lunar space plasma and shows the dependence on the local instability. On the lunar nightside, in the plasma void, the dominating magnetic pressure over the thermal pressure restrains the turbulence, and a quiet zone is built with &zeta; &Lt; &zeta; 0 ?> , where &zeta; 0 = 0.36 ?> is the scaling index in the ambient solar wind. Downstream in the lunar wake, ζ is elevated gradually and goes above &zeta; 0 ?> at a radial distance of &sim; 3 R m ?> (lunar radius), which implies that the plasma refilling process in the lunar wake begins to generate the local turbulence. On the dayside around the subsolar point, ζ is enhanced at a low altitude of ∼200 km, where the solar wind turbulence might be strengthened due to interaction with the lunar source plasma. The largest scaling indices lie around the day–night terminator with &zeta; &gt; 0.65 ?> , and the observed dawn–dusk asymmetry could be an effect of the magnetic field not being parallel with the solar wind. The correspondence between the enhanced scaling index and the local instability also raises new questions about the description of solar wind turbulence.

IMF-By dependence of transient ionospheric flow perturbation associated with sudden impulses: SuperDARN observations

A statistical study using a large dataset of Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) observations is conducted for transient ionospheric plasma flows associated with sudden impulses (SI) recorded on ground magnetic field. The global structure of twin vortex-like ionospheric flows is found to be consistent with the twin vortices of ionospheric Hall current deduced by the past geomagnetic field observations. An interesting feature, which is focused on in this study, is that the flow structures show a dawn-dusk asymmetry depending on the combination of the polarity of SI and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF)-By. Detailed statistics of the SuperDARN observations reveal that the dawn-dusk asymmetry of flow vortices due to IMF-By appears during negative SIs, while such asymmetric characteristics are not seen during positive SIs. On the basis of the upstream observations, we suggest that this particular dawn-dusk asymmetry is caused by the interaction between the pre-existing round convection cell and a pair of the transient convection vortices associated with SIs.

Statistical mapping of ULF Pc3 velocity fluctuations in the Earth’s dayside magnetosheath as a function of solar wind conditions

In this paper, we present the results of a statistical study of Pc3 velocity fluctuations in the Earth’s dayside magnetosheath. There exists a notable dawn–dusk asymmetry, such that velocity fluctuations generally exhibit enhanced spectral power in the magnetosheath downstream of the quasi-parallel shock. The fluctuations in the central magnetosheath and close to bow shock tend to dampen with increasing tail-ward distance while the opposite trend is observed close to the magnetopause. This strongly suggests that velocity shear driven processes such as the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability drive Pc3 flow variations close to the magnetopause as the velocity shear increases with increasing tail-ward distance. We also show strong evidence that Pc3 velocity fluctuations are significantly enhanced during intervals of faster solar wind speeds. We see negligible differences between data collected during northward and southward IMF orientations, but in general, a dawn-favoured asymmetry persists.

The Kelvin–Helmholtz instability under Parker-Spiral Interplanetary Magnetic Field conditions at the magnetospheric flanks

We have generated fully three-dimensional, high-resolution magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations of the Kelvin–Helmholtz (KH) Instability during Parker-Spiral Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) conditions at the dawnside magnetospheric flank magnetopause. Results of these simulations show that, although the draping of a strong tangential magnetic field component around the magnetopause, tailward of the terminator (due to the Parker-Spiral orientation), tends to stabilize the growth of such instabilities within the shear-flow plane, Kelvin–Helmholtz waves with a k-vector tilted out of this plane may, nonetheless, develop into the nonlinear phase. This result suggests that obliquely propagating KH waves may contribute to the dawn-dusk asymmetries observed in plasma sheet parameters.

Asymmetries observed in Saturn's magnetopause geometry.

For over 10 years, the Cassini spacecraft has patrolled Saturn's magnetosphere and observed its magnetopause boundary over a wide range of prevailing solar wind and interior plasma conditions. We now have data that enable us to resolve a significant dawn‐dusk asymmetry and find that the magnetosphere extends farther from the planet on the dawnside of the planet by 7 ± 1%. In addition, an opposing dawn‐dusk asymmetry in the suprathermal plasma pressure adjacent to the magnetopause has been observed. This probably acts to reduce the size asymmetry and may explain the discrepancy between the degree of asymmetry found here and a similar asymmetry found by Kivelson and Jia (2014) using MHD simulations. Finally, these observations sample a wide range of season, allowing the “intrinsic” polar flattening (14 ± 1%) caused by the magnetodisc to be separated from the seasonally induced north‐south asymmetry in the magnetopause shape found theoretically (5 ± 1% when the planet's magnetic dipole is tilted away from the Sun by 10–17°).

High-speed solar wind streams and polar mesosphere winter echoes at Troll, Antarctica

Abstract. A small, 54 MHz wind-profiler radar, MARA, was operated at Troll, Antarctica (72° S, 2.5° E), continuously from November 2011 to January 2014, covering two complete Antarctic winters. Despite very low power, MARA observed echoes from heights of 55–80 km (polar mesosphere winter echoes, PMWE) on 60% of all winter days (from March to October). This contrasts with previous reports from radars at high northern latitudes, where PWME have been reported only by very high power radars or during rare periods of unusually high electron density at PMWE heights, such as during solar proton events. Analysis shows that PWME at Troll were not related to solar proton events but were often closely related to the arrival of high-speed solar wind streams (HSS) at the Earth, with PWME appearing at heights as low as 56 km and persisting for up to 15 days following HSS arrival. This demonstrates that HSS effects penetrate directly to below 60 km height in the polar atmosphere. Using local observations of cosmic-noise absorption (CNA), a theoretical ionization/ion-chemistry model and a statistical model of precipitating energetic electrons associated with HSS, the electron density conditions during the HSS events are estimated. We find that PMWE detectability cannot be explained by these variations in electron density and molecular-ion chemistry alone. PWME become detectable at different thresholds depending on solar illumination and height. In darkness, PWME are detected only when the modelled electron density is above a threshold of about 1000 cm−3, and only above 75 km height, where negative ions are few. In daylight, the electron density threshold falls by at least 2 orders of magnitude and PWME are found primarily below 75 km height, even in conditions when a large proportion of negative ions is expected. There is also a strong dawn–dusk asymmetry with PWME detected very rarely during morning twilight but often during evening twilight. This behaviour cannot be explained if PMWE are caused by small-scale structure in the neutral/molecular-ion gas alone but may be explained by the presence of charged meteoric dust.

Climatology of GPS phase scintillation at northern high latitudes for the period from 2008 to 2013

Abstract. Global positioning system scintillation and total electron content (TEC) data have been collected by ten specialized GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitors (GISTMs) of the Canadian High Arctic Ionospheric Network (CHAIN). The phase scintillation index σΦ is obtained from the phase of the L1 signal sampled at 50 Hz. Maps of phase scintillation occurrence as a function of the altitude-adjusted corrected geomagnetic (AACGM) latitude and magnetic local time (MLT) are computed for the period from 2008 to 2013. Enhanced phase scintillation is collocated with regions that are known as ionospheric signatures of the coupling between the solar wind and magnetosphere. The phase scintillation mainly occurs on the dayside in the cusp where ionospheric irregularities convect at high speed, in the nightside auroral oval where energetic particle precipitation causes field-aligned irregularities with steep electron density gradients and in the polar cap where electron density patches that are formed from a tongue of ionization. Dependences of scintillation occurrence on season, solar and geomagnetic activity, and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation are investigated. The auroral phase scintillation shows semiannual variation with equinoctial maxima known to be associated with auroras, while in the cusp and polar cap the scintillation occurrence is highest in the autumn and winter months and lowest in summer. With rising solar and geomagnetic activity from the solar minimum to solar maximum, yearly maps of mean phase scintillation occurrence show gradual increase and expansion of enhanced scintillation regions both poleward and equatorward from the statistical auroral oval. The dependence of scintillation occurrence on the IMF orientation is dominated by increased scintillation in the cusp, expanded auroral oval and at subauroral latitudes for strongly southward IMF. In the polar cap, the IMF BY polarity controls dawn–dusk asymmetries in scintillation occurrence collocated with a tongue of ionization for southward IMF and with sun-aligned arcs for northward IMF. In investigating the shape of scintillation-causing irregularities, the distributions of scintillation occurrence as a function of "off-meridian" and "off-shell" angles that are computed for the receiver–satellite ray at the ionospheric pierce point are found to suggest predominantly field-aligned irregularities in the auroral oval and L-shell-aligned irregularities in the cusp.

Kelvin Helmholtz Instability in Planetary Magnetospheres

Kelvin–Helmholtz instability plays a particularly important role in plasma transport at magnetospheric boundaries because it can control the development of a turbulent boundary layer, which governs the transport of mass, momentum, and energy across the boundary. Waves generated at the interface can also couple into body modes in the plasma sheet and inner magnetosphere where they can play an important role in plasma sheet transport and particle energization in the inner magnetosphere. Kinetic and electron-scale effects are important for the development of K–H instability, leading to secondary instabilities and plasma mixing. The development of vortices that entwine magnetosheath field lines with magnetospheric field lines also allows reconnection and the interchange of plasma blobs from open to closed field lines. Dawn-dusk asymmetries in Kelvin–Helmholtz development at planetary boundary layers may result from several effects including plasma corotation, kinetic effects, magnetic geometry, or asymmetric distribution of plasma. Examples are provided throughout the solar system illustrating the pervasive effects of the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability on plasma transport.

Radial distribution of magnetic field in earth magnetotail current sheet

Knowing the magnetic field distribution in the magnetotail current sheet (CS) is essential for exploring magnetotail dynamics. In this study, using a joint dataset of Cluster/TC-1, the radial profile of the magnetic field in the magnetotail CS with radial distances covering 8<r<20RE under different geomagnetic activity states (i.e., AE≤100nT for quiet intervals while AE>100nT for active times) and solar wind parameters are statistically surveyed. Our new findings demonstrate that, independent of the activity state, the field strength and Bz component (GSM coordinates) start the monotonic increase prominently as r decreases down to ~11.5RE, which means the dipole field starts to make a significant contribution from there. At least in the surveyed radial range, the Bz component is found to be weaker in the midnight and dusk sectors than that in the dawn sector, displaying a dawn–dusk asymmetry. The occurrence rate of negative Bz in active times also exhibits a similar asymmetric distribution, which implies active dynamics may occur more frequently at midnight and dusk flank. In comparison with that in quiet intervals, several features can be seen in active times: (1) a local Bz minimum between 10.5<r<12.5RE is found in the dusk region, (2) the Bz component around the midnight region is generally stronger and experiences larger fluctuations, and (3) a sharp positive/negative-excursion of the By component occurs at the dawn/dusk flank regions inside r<10RE. The response to solar wind parameters revealed that the Bz component is generally stronger under higher dynamic pressure (Pdy>5nPa), which may support the dawn–dusk squeezing effect as presented by Miyashita et al. (2010). The CS By is generally correlated with the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component, and the correlation quality is found to be better with higher penetration coefficient (the ratio of CS By to IMF By) when IMF Bz is positive. The implications of the present results are discussed.

Dawn–dusk asymmetries in the coupled solar wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere system: a review

Abstract. Dawn–dusk asymmetries are ubiquitous features of the coupled solar-wind–magnetosphere–ionosphere system. During the last decades, increasing availability of satellite and ground-based measurements has made it possible to study these phenomena in more detail. Numerous publications have documented the existence of persistent asymmetries in processes, properties and topology of plasma structures in various regions of geospace. In this paper, we present a review of our present knowledge of some of the most pronounced dawn–dusk asymmetries. We focus on four key aspects: (1) the role of external influences such as the solar wind and its interaction with the Earth's magnetosphere; (2) properties of the magnetosphere itself; (3) the role of the ionosphere and (4) feedback and coupling between regions. We have also identified potential inconsistencies and gaps in our understanding of dawn–dusk asymmetries in the Earth's magnetosphere and ionosphere.

Variations of nitric oxide in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere over Antarctica associated with a magnetic storm in April 2012

We report extreme enhancements of the nitric oxide (NO) column density observed with the ground-based millimeter-wave spectroscopic radiometer installed at Syowa Station, Antarctica, during a large geomagnetic storm in April 2012. From the NO spectrum line shape and NO column density relationship with solar radiation, we concluded that the NO was emitted in the altitude range between 75 km and 100 km. The column density of NO gradually increased during the recovery phase. In addition to variations on a time frame of several days, we found diurnal variations. The increase of NO was related to precipitated electrons in the energy range of 30–300 keV observed by Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite (POES)/The Meteorological Operational (METOP). We found a rapid response (within 1 h) and a one-to-one correspondence between them. For the first time, we show that a remarkable increase of the column density of NO is caused by dawn-dusk asymmetry of the plasma sheet electrons.

IMF By-controlled field-aligned currents in the magnetotail during northward interplanetary magnetic field

The influence of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component on the field-aligned currents (FACs) in the plasma sheet boundary layer (PSBL) in the magnetotail during the northward IMF were investigated using the data from Cluster. There are 748 FACs cases selected to do analysis. We present that the IMF By component plays a very important role in controlling the flow direction of the FACs in the PSBL in the magnetotail. In the northern hemisphere, the influence of the positive (negative) IMF By is an earthward (tailward) FACs. To the contrary, in the southern hemisphere, the effect of the positive (negative) IMF By is a tailward (earthward) FACs. There is a clear north–south asymmetry of the polarity of the FACs in the PSBL when IMF By is positive or negative, and this asymmetry of the polarity is more distinct when IMF By is positive. The FAC density is controlled by IMF By only when |IMF By| is large. When |IMF By| is more than 10nT the absolute FAC density in the PSBL has an obvious positive correlation with the |IMF By|. When |IMF By| is less than 10nT, there is no correlation between the absolute FAC density and |IMF By|. There is a clear dusk–dawn asymmetry in the current densities for the FACs in the PSBL, with the dawn currents appearing larger than the dusk currents. The FAC with the largest (smallest) density is located in the range of 0100≤MLT<0200 (2100≤MLT<2200).

ULF waves in the outer magnetosphere: Geotail observation 1 transverse waves

A survey of ULF waves in the Pc 5 frequency range during the six year period (1995–2000) has been made for the field line resonance waves in the outer magnetosphere, using plasma flow and magnetic field measurements with the Geotail spacecraft. On the morning side a series of wave trains often appears during several hours. In contrast such a series of wave trains with a long duration is rarely observed in the afternoon to evening sector. Most of waves in the afternoon sector are isolated, of which duration is approximately one hour. The existence of a set of preferential frequencies and the pronounced dawn-dusk asymmetry of wave occurrence and wave features, which were found in ground-based and ionospheric measurements of geomagnetic ULF pulsations, were statistically confirmed. It is also noted that the background plasma flow is sunward in the evening sector without exception. Transverse waves are generally observed in the condition of plasma β below 1.5. High β cases are mostly associated with events on the dusk side. As for the relation to solar wind conditions, Pc 5 waves tend to occur under the condition of more radial than the average IMF spiral angle, or of low cone angle. Key words: Pc 5 waves, dawn-dusk asymmetry of occurrence, radial IMF.

Dawn–dusk asymmetry in the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability at Mercury

The NASA MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft entered orbital phase around Mercury on 18 March 2011. A surprising consistent feature in the data returned is large-scale vortices that form exclusively on the dusk side of the magnetosphere. Here we present global kinetic hybrid simulations that explain these observations. It is shown that vortices are excited by a Kelvin-Helmholtz instability near the subsolar point, which grows convectively along the dusk-side magnetopause. Virtual time series along a track approximating a flyby of the MESSENGER show correspondence with the satellite data; the data contain sawtooth oscillations in plasma density, flow and magnetic field, and exhibit the observed dawn-dusk asymmetry. It is shown that asymmetry between dawn and dusk at Mercury is controlled by the finite gyroradius of ions and by convection electric fields. Mercury's magnetosphere offers a natural laboratory for studying plasma regimes not present in other planetary magnetospheres or the laboratory.