International Heliophysical Research Articles

International Heliophysical Year 2007: Building the foundation for broader growth in science

International Heliophysical Year 2007: Building the foundation for broader growth in science

Development of the Cloud-Based Magnetic Data Acquisition System for Real Time Geomagnetic Monitoring

Magnetic Data Acquisition System (MAGDAS) is a system of a real-time magnetometer data logger deployed by Kyushu Sangyo University of Fukuoka, Japan as part of Japan’s leading contribution to International Heliophysical year of the United Nations. This paper proposed a cloud-based MAGDAS for the YU-8T magnetometer. MAGDAS is the system that measures and monitors the earth’s magnetic field or geomagnetic field. Converting the old system to the new system will provide the capability to monitor the magnetic field changes continuously due to the solar activities which are harmful to the electrical appliances. To verify the workability of the system, the data from the MAGDAS Langkawi and solar event was gathered to be compared with the developed system. The location where the measurement takes place is at Pusat Sukan UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia (geographic latitude and longitude: 3.00N, 101.00E, and geomagnetic latitude and longitude: 6.37S, 173.65E. This project consists of the YU-8T magnetometer system, hardware, software, and cloud-based web-server. YU-8T magnetometer measures the voltage of Earth’s magnetic field in the form of H, D and Z parameters to be stored in the data logger. The stored data was transferred to the cloud-based web-server through the Internet of Thing (IoT) for real-time monitoring.

Integrating of GIS and GPS for ionospheric perturbations in D- and F-layers using VLF receiver

Regular monitoring of the D- and F-layers of ionosphere over Central Asia territory is being performed on the permanent basis starting year 2008 when one Very Low Frequency (VLF) receiver and two SuperSID receivers were provided to Uzbekistan IHY cite by Stanford University. The results obtained at Tashkent IHY (International Heliophysical Year) station are applied to earthquake electromagnetic precursors, lightning, and Solar flares and to ionospheric disturbances originating from gamma ray flares of Soft Gamma-Ray Repeaters. Regular monitoring of the D-layer of ionosphere over Central Asia territory has been performed on the permanent basis. Several Solar events are observed and the analysis has shown that there is simultaneous correlation between the times of change of amplitude of the waves and the Solar flares. Features of the lightning discharge generated by radio atmospherics are studied and its effectiveness in D-region ionosphere diagnostics is examined. We have mainly analyzed GPS derived TEC disturbances from two GPS stations located in Tashkent and Kitab, for possible earthquake ionospheric precursors. The solar and geomagnetic conditions were quiet during occurrence of the selected more than 30 earthquakes. We produced TEC time series over both sites and apply them to detect anomalous TEC signals preceding or accompanying the earthquakes. The results show anomalous enhancements which are examined in the earthquakes.

The First Solar Flare Effect Observation at UiTM-SID Station during Solar Cycle 23-24

International Heliophysical Year (IHY; 2007-2009) has a remarkable impact on space and earth electromagnetism research and society. For Malaysian perspectives, it acts as a spiral point to the expanding of space weather-related research. The research activities involve installation of real-time Magnetic Data Acquisition System of Circum-pan Pacific Magnetometer Network, i.e. MAGDAS/CPMN for space weather study and application, which was deployed for the IHY; 2007-2009. In addition to MAGDAS system, to understand the characteristics of the lower ionospheric layer (60-150km) during space weather events, a Very Low Frequency (VLF) monitoring system has been developed. The MAGDAS and VLF monitoring system called UiTM-SID are located at Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, UPSI (3.71’, 101.53’), Malaysia. The first observation effects of solar flare during November 2016 to March 2017, for the period of a minimum solar cycle 23-24 have been examined on sub-ionospheric VLF signals from VTX4 (19.2 kHz) and NWC (19.8 kHz) transmitter monitored at UPSI. In general, the level of amplitude reading for VTX4 signals is higher than NWC signals for quite diurnal variations. The effects of the solar flare class C7.5 on 29th November 2016 shows an enhancement of amplitude due to increase in the lower region electron density by the radiation of solar flare. The average daily amplitude reading was compared to the average value of solar flare event, the result shows the percentage difference is 12% increased in VTX4 and NWC signals.

The SEVAN Worldwide network of particle detectors: 10 years of operation

The Space Environment Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN) aims to improve the fundamental research on particle acceleration in the vicinity of the sun, on space weather effects and on high-energy physics in the atmosphere and lightning initiation. This new type of a particle detector setup simultaneously measures fluxes of most species of secondary cosmic rays, thus being a powerful integrated device for exploration of solar modulation effects and electron acceleration in the thunderstorm atmosphere. The SEVAN modules are operating at the Aragats Space Environmental Center (ASEC) in Armenia, in Croatia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, the Czech Republic (from 2017) and in India. In this paper, we present the most interesting results of the SEVAN network operation during the last decade. We present this review on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the International Heliophysical Year in 2007.

United Nations Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI) 1991-2012 and Beyond

The present paper contains an overview and summary on the achievements of the basic space science initiative in terms of donated and provided planetariums, astronomical instruments, and space weather instruments, particularly operating in developing nations. These instruments have been made available to respective host countries, particularly developing nations, through the series of twenty basic space science workshops, organized through the United Nations Programme on Space Applications since 1991. Organized by the United Nations, the European Space Agency (ESA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the United States of America, and the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), the basic space science workshops were organized as a series of workshops that focused on basic space science (1991-2004), the International Heliophysical Year 2007 (2005-2009), and the International Space Weather Initiative (2010-2012) proposed by the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space on the basis of discussions of its Scientific and Technical Subcommittee, as reflected in the reports of the Subcommittee. Workshops on the International Space Weather Initiative in the series were hosted by the Government of Egypt in 2010 (see A/AC.105/994), the Government of Nigeria in 2011, and the Government of Ecuador in 2012 (see A/AC.105/1030). Workshops on the International Heliophysical Year 2007 were hosted by the United Arab Emirates in 2005 (see A/AC.105/856), India in 2006 (see A/AC.105/882), Japan in 2007 (see A/AC.105/902), Bulgaria in 2008 (see A/AC.105/919) and the Republic of Korea in 2009 (see A/AC.105/964). Workshops on basic space science were hosted by the Governments of India (see A/AC.105/489), Costa Rica and Colombia (see A/AC.105/530), Nigeria (see A/AC.105/560/Add.1), Egypt (see A/AC.105/580), Sri Lanka (see A/AC.105/640), Germany (see A/AC.105/657), Honduras (see A/AC.105/682), Jordan (see A/AC.105/723), France (see A/AC.105/742), Mauritius (see A/AC.105/766), Argentina (see A/AC.105/784) and China (see A/AC.105/829). All workshops were co-organized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and the Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

Investigating the effect of geomagnetic storm and equatorial electrojet on equatorial ionospheric irregularity over East African sector

The variability of the equatorial ionosphere is still a big challenge for ionospheric dependent radio wave technology users. To mitigate the effect of equatorial ionospheric irregularity on trans-ionospheric radio waves considerable efforts are being done to understand and model the equatorial electrodynamics and its connection to the creation of ionospheric irregularity. However, the effect of the East-African ionospheric electrodynamics on ionospheric irregularity is not yet well studied due to lack of multiple ground based instruments. But, as a result of International Heliophysical Year (IHY) initiative, which was launched in 2007, some facilities are being deployed in Africa since then. Therefore, recently deployed instruments, in the Ethiopian sector, such as SCINDA-GPS receiver (2.64°N dip angle) for TEC and amplitude scintillation index (S4) data and two magnetometers, which are deployed on and off the magnetic equator, data collected in the March equinoctial months of the years 2011, 2012, and 2015 have been used for this study in conjunction with geomagnetic storm data obtained from high resolution OMNI WEB data center. We have investigated the triggering and inhibition mechanisms for ionospheric irregularities using, scintillation index (S4), equatorial electrojet (EEJ), interplanetary electric field (IEFy), symH index, AE index and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz on five selected storm and two storm free days. We have found that when the eastward EEJ fluctuates in magnitude due to storm time induced electric fields at around noontime, the post-sunset scintillation is inhibited. All observed post-sunset scintillations in equinox season are resulted when the daytime EEJ is non fluctuating. The strength of noontime EEJ magnitude has shown direct relation with the strength of the post-sunset scintillations. This indicates that non-fluctuating EEJ stronger than 20nT, can be precursor for the occurrence of the evening time ionospheric irregularities. It is also found that prolonged eastward undershielding electric field during the daytime intensified the daytime EEJ magnitude and resulted in strong post-sunset scintillations. We have also observed that the rate of change of BZ (i.e. electric field produced by Faraday’s Induction law) and eastward IEFy around the PRE hour is nicely correlated with strong post-sunset scintillations. Moreover, discussions about the causes for the appearance and disappearance of ionospheric scintillation are presented in this paper.

Ionospheric precursors of earthquakes recorded by VLF receiver at Tashkent IHY station

Tashkent International Heliophysical Year (IHY) station is a member of Atmospheric Weather Electromagnetic System for Observation, Modeling and Education (AWESOME) network being operated globally to study the ionosphere and the magnetosphere with the help of electromagnetic waves in Very Low Frequency (VLF) band. Regular monitoring of the D- and F-layers of ionosphere over Central Asia territory is being performed on the permanent basis starting year 2008. We have studied VLF amplitude anomalies related to the EQs occurred in 2008–2009years with magnitude more than 5 on the path way from the VLF transmitters to the Tashkent station assuming that propagation of VLF ground-based transmitters signals can be perturbed by EQ preparation detectable from the ground-based measurements in the VLF bands. For analyzing narrowband data we have used the nighttime fluctuation (NF) method paying attention to the data obtained during the local nighttime (20:00LT–04:00LT) in Tashkent where the VLF receiver is operating. The mean nighttime amplitude (or trend) and nighttime fluctuation are found to increase significantly before the EQ occurred on the path way from the transmitters to the receiver. The obtained results have revealed an agreement with VLF amplitude anomalies observed in Tashkent VLF station during the strong EQs occurred on the path way from the transmitters to the receiver. Some results are presented to show the probing potentiality of VLF waves to predict short term EQs with high magnitude.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL MORPHOLOGY OF A CORONAL PROMINENCE CAVITY

We present a three-dimensional density model of coronal prominence cavities, and a morphological fit that has been tightly constrained by a uniquely well-observed cavity. Observations were obtained as part of an International Heliophysical Year campaign by instruments from a variety of space- and ground-based observatories, spanning wavelengths from radio to soft X-ray to integrated white light. From these data it is clear that the prominence cavity is the limb manifestation of a longitudinally extended polar-crown filament channel, and that the cavity is a region of low density relative to the surrounding corona. As a first step toward quantifying density and temperature from campaign spectroscopic data, we establish the three-dimensional morphology of the cavity. This is critical for taking line-of-sight projection effects into account, since cavities are not localized in the plane of the sky and the corona is optically thin. We have augmented a global coronal streamer model to include a tunnel-like cavity with elliptical cross-section and a Gaussian variation of height along the tunnel length. We have developed a semi-automated routine that fits ellipses to cross-sections of the cavity as it rotates past the solar limb, and have applied it to Extreme Ultraviolet Imager observations from the two Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory spacecraft. This defines the morphological parameters of our model, from which we reproduce forward-modeled cavity observables. We find that cavity morphology and orientation, in combination with the viewpoints of the observing spacecraft, explain the observed variation in cavity visibility for the east versus west limbs.

RADIAL EVOLUTION OF SOLAR WIND TURBULENCE DURING EARTH ANDULYSSESALIGNMENT OF 2007 AUGUST

At the end of 2007 August, during the minimum of solar cycle 23, a lineup of Earth and Ulysses occurred, giving the opportunity to analyze, for the first time, the same plasma sample at different observation points, namely at 1 and 1.4 AU. In particular, it allowed us to study the radial evolution of solar wind turbulence typical of fast wind streams as proposed in a Coordinated Investigation Programme for the International Heliophysical Year. This paper describes both the macrostructure and the fluctuations at small scales of this event. We find that soon after detecting the same fast stream, the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) observed a change of magnetic polarity being the interplanetary current sheet located between the orbits of the two spacecraft. Moreover, we observe that the compression region formed in front of the fast stream detected at ACE's location evolves in a fast forward shock at Ulysses' orbit. On the other hand, small-scale analysis shows that turbulence is evolving. The presence of a shift of the frequency break separating the injection range from the inertial range toward lower frequencies while distance increases is a clear indication that nonlinear interactions are at work. Moreover, we observe that intermittency, as measured by the flatness factor, increases with distance. This study confirms previous analyses performed using Helios observations of the same fast wind streams at different heliocentric distances, allowing us to relax about the hypothesis of the stationarity of the source regions adopted in previous studies. Consequently, any difference noticed in the solar wind parameters would be ascribed to radial (time) evolution.

Geomagnetism and Aeronomy activities in Italy during IGY, 1957/58

In 2007 several events were organized to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the International Geophysical Year (IGY, 1957-1958). The celebrations will last until 2009 and are taking place within different contexts: the International Polar Year (IPY), the International Heliophysical Year (IHY), the electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) and the International Year of Planet Earth (IYPE). IGY offered a very appropriate and timely occasion to undertake a series of coordinated observations of various geophysical phenomena all over the globe. Italy took part in the broad international effort stimulated by IGY. In fact, Italy participated in observations and studies in many of the proposed scientific areas, in particular Geomagnetism and Aeronomy. The Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica (ING) started the installation of observatories, and updated and ensured continuous recording of geophysical observations. Geomagnetism, ionospheric physics, seismology, and other geophysical disciplines, were advanced. Although much of the work was undertaken in Italy, some attention was also devoted to other areas of the world, in particular Antarctica, where Italy participated in seismological observations. This paper gives a summary of the Geomagnetism and Ionospheric Physics activities within IGY. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of this historical event and its outcomes for the improvement of geophysical observations and the post-IGY growth of scientific investigations in Italy.

Progress in basic space science education and research: The UNBSSI

This report describes recent progress in the UN Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI), which aims to facilitate space science education and research, and attendant resources in developing countries. In addition to holding workshops across the developing world, the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) successfully implemented the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) as a catalyst for improving understanding of the Sun and of solar-terrestrial physics. Building on this it is now preparing for the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI). Achievements of the former are discussed, as are the goals and anticipated activities of the latter.

The Future of IHY Campaigns: Transition to the International Space Weather Initiative

AbstractWe will present the relevant activities performed during the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) program during the 5 year period 2004 - 2008. The IHY was a major international effort that involved the deployment of new instrumentation, new observations from the ground and in space, and a strong education component. Under the United Nations Office for Outer Space program called Basic Space Science Initiative (UNBSSI), instrument arrays have been deployed to provide global measurements of heliophysical phenomena. As a result, significant scientific and educational collaborations emerged between the organizing groups and the host country teams. In view of the great successes achieved by the IHY during these years, we propose to continue the highly successful collaboration with the UN program to study the universal processes in the solar system that affect the interplanetary and terrestrial environments, and to continue to coordinate the deployment and operation of new and existing instrumentation arrays aimed at understanding the impacts of Space Weather on Earth and the near-Earth environment. To this end, we propose a new program, the International Space Weather Initiative (ISWI). The ISWI strongly complements the International Living With a Star (ILWS) program, providing more attention nationally, regionally, and internationally for the ILWS program. Based on a three-year program activity, the ISWI would provide the opportunity for scientists around the world to participate in this exciting quest to understand the effect of space disturbances on our Earth environment.

Whole Heliosphere Interval: Overview of JD16

AbstractThe Whole Heliosphere Interval is an international observing and modeling effort to characterize the three-dimensional interconnected solar-heliospheric-planetary system, i.e., the “heliophysical” system. WHI was part of the International Heliophysical Year, on the 50th anniversary of the International Geophysical Year, and benefited from hundreds of observatories and instruments participating in IHY activities. WHI describes the 3-D heliosphere originating from solar Carrington Rotation 2068, March 20–April 16, 2008. The focus of IAU JD16 was on analyses of observations obtained during WHI, and simulations and modeling involving those data and that period. Consideration of the WHI interval in the context of surrounding solar rotations and/or compared to last solar minimum was also encouraged. Our goal was to identify connections and commonalities between the various regions of the heliosphere.

Heliophysics: A Field With Its Own Universal Laws?: AGU Chapman Conference on Universal Heliophysical Processes; Savannah, Georgia, 10–14 November 2008

If one might be so bold as to draw an analogy with the “spirit of Copenhagen”—the atmosphere created by Niels Bohr in which a small group of physicists developed the field of quantum mechanics—then the “spirit of Savannah” might describe the atmosphere at the Chapman Conference on Universal Heliophysical Processes, held there in November under the umbrella of the International Heliophysical Year. Whether or not the analogy will hold depends upon whether some subset of the Space Physics and Aeronomy community continues a movement to establish “heliophysics” as a field with universal laws of its own—a project that has become surprisingly controversial. Extensive, lively debate at the conference among researchers in very different fields who otherwise would rarely meet, along with uniformly excellent conference presentations tailored to communicate across disciplines, suggests a positive future for the project.

Delivery of Space Weather Information in Collaboration with the International Space Environment Service (ISES)

Studying space weather is an excellent subject for getting people interested in space science in general; therefore, it is being included as part of the education and public outreach activities being organized during the International Heliophysical Year (IHY). The general public find the subject interesting because variation in the space environment, i.e., space weather, can be related to their daily lives. The international organization concerned with space weather is called the International Space Environment Service (ISES). This organization is composed of the World Warning Agency (WWA) and 11 Regional Warning Centers (RWCs). The WWA and RWCs collect, collate, and disseminate space weather information on a regular basis. This report contains history and activities of the ISES.

Ionospheric Tomography Network of Egypt: A New Receiver Network in Support of the International Heliophysical Year

The International Heliophysical Year (IHY) 2007 is an international scientific program designed to coordinate observations of the heliosphere, the region of space from the solar surface through the solar wind and various planetary magnetospheres to the planetary upper atmospheres. A particular emphasis is given to the development of long-term international collaborations that will study the external drivers to the space environment and climate. The Ionospheric Tomography Network of Egypt (ITNE) is one such collaboration. It is a new chain of ionospheric tomography receivers that will be deployed to investigate the equatorial regions of the Earth’s ionosphere. The distribution of plasma density within 20° of the magnetic equator is highly sensitive to forcing from the solar wind through a process known as the equatorial fountain. ITNE will provide new observations of the density structures associated with the equatorial fountain.

Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN)

The United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs and the International Heliophysical Year (IHY) community have joined hands to deploy arrays of small, inexpensive instruments around the world. The small instrument programme is envisioned as a partnership between instrument providers, and instrument hosts in developing countries as one of United Nations Basic Space Science (UNBSS) activity. A network of particle detectors located at middle to low latitudes, Space Environmental Viewing and Analysis Network (SEVAN), aims to improve fundamental research of the particle acceleration in the vicinity of the sun and the space environment. The new type of particle detectors will simultaneously measure changing fluxes of most species of secondary cosmic rays, thus turning into a powerful integrated device used for exploration of solar modulation effects. The first SEVAN modules are under test operation at Aragats Space Environmental Center in Armenia. The network will grow in 2008 by detectors deployed in Croatia, Bulgaria and India. We present the first results of SEVAN module operation as well as a description of the DAQ electronics and software.

QSAT: The Satellite for Polar Plasma Observation

This paper introduces QSAT, the satellite for polar plasma observation. The QSAT project began in 2006 as an initiative by graduate students of Kyushu University, and has the potential to contribute greatly to IHY (International Heliophysical Year) by showing to the world the beauty, importance, and relevance of space science. The primary objectives of the QSAT mission are (1) to investigate plasma physics in the Earth’s aurora zone in order to better understand spacecraft charging, and (2) to conduct a comparison of the field-aligned current observed in orbit with ground-based observations. The QSAT project can provide education and research opportunities for students in an activity combining space sciences and satellite engineering. The QSAT satellite is designed to be launched in a piggyback fashion with the Japanese launch vehicle H-IIA. The spacecraft bus is being developed at the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics of Kyushu University with collaboration of Fukuoka Institute of Technology. Regarding the payload instruments, the Space Environment Research Center of Kyushu University is developing the magnetometers, whereas the Laboratory of Spacecraft Environment Interaction Engineering of Kyushu Institute of Technology is developing the plasma probes. We aim to be ready for launch in 2009 or later.

Preliminary Results from the Magnetic Field Measurements Using MAGDAS at Ilorin, Nigeria

MAGDAS, the Magnetic Data Acquisition System, was successfully installed at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria—an equatorial station—in August 2006. MAGDAS is an important component of the International Heliophysical Year, IHY. We examined the preliminary results obtained from the analysis of the geomagnetic data obtained from the MAGDAS measurement. Diurnal variations of the solar quiet daily variation in the three geomagnetic elements, H, D, Z were studied. The obtained signatures of the magnetic field variations were discussed in the context of the literature. The day-to-day variability of the horizontal and vertical intensities as well as the declination of the geomagnetic field were examined. The study justified the need for a partner magnetic field observatory along same meridian as Ilorin, north or south of it, to facilitate synthesis of the equatorial electrojet effect.