Interplanetary Magnetic Field Fluctuations Research Articles

Linking Turbulent Interplanetary Magnetic Field Fluctuations and Current Sheets

Linking Turbulent Interplanetary Magnetic Field Fluctuations and Current Sheets

Investigation of low-latitude nighttime geomagnetic pulsation events occurred under variable IMF and solar conditions

Disturbances in the Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) and solar conditions can affect the geomagnetic field measurements. In the current study, the influence of IMF and solar fluctuations on the nighttime Pc3-5 and Pi2 pulsations at low latitudes is investigated. Geomagnetic data recorded by the Egyptian geomagnetic observatories are used to examine the occurrence of nighttime pulsation events in Egypt. The corresponding daytime data from the Honolulu (HON) INTERMAGNET observatory were used for comparison between nighttime and daytime pulsation activity aiming for a better understanding of their sources. Two pulsation activities occurred on 7 and 27 February 2014 under different IMF and solar conditions were examined. Results of data analysis indicate that geomagnetic field fluctuations (Pc3-5 and Pi2 pulsations) are affected by changes in the IMF and solar conditions. The occurrence of space weather events such as geomagnetic storms and Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) can significantly affect the coherence and correlations between the pulsation wave-packets observed at nighttime and daytime suggesting different generation mechanisms for each pulsation event.

Daily geomagnetic variations under variable IMF/solar conditions and their connection with underground conductivity changes in Japan

Fluctuations in Solar Wind (SW) and Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF) significantly affect the Geomagnetic Field (GF) measurements particularly during extreme space weather events. The current study investigates the variations of horizontal (H), vertical (Z) geomagnetic components under quiet and disturbed IMF and solar conditions as well as the effect of underground conductivity on the stationary geomagnetic measurements in Japan. Results of data analysis show that the response of the GF to IMF and solar parameters fluctuations is variable. The H- and Z-components were in good harmony with high visual correlation along a latitudinal profile across Japan during quiet times. On the other hand, during the disturbed times related to a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) launched on 13 May 2005, the GF components varied with the disturbance of IMF and solar parameters. The H-components showed highly correlated variations with a significant reduction along the examined profile due to intensified ionospheric currents, while the Z-components recorded in the northern part of Japan showed abnormal daily variations pattern (positive daily variations) with an enhanced amplitude which is opposite to the normal behavior of daily variations recorded in the central and southern parts of Japan (negative daily variations). The observed enhanced and abnormal daily variation of Z-components in north Japan, which we consider a remarkable observation here, is possibly linked with underground conductivity anomaly in this region.

Kinetic numerical analysis of electromagnetic ion cyclotron instability in non-thermal Vasyliunas-Cairns distributed plasmas

Enhanced fluctuations driven by non-thermal features of particle-distributions are reported frequently in the variety of space plasma observations. In the rare-collisional plasmas, these amplified fluctuations scatter the particles in various direction and governs the dynamics of space plasma environments effectively. Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves usually responsible for low frequency interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations. These are natural emissions in numerous natural environments of plasmas which usually operates underneath the ion/proton cyclotron frequencies. These are identified as left hand circular polarization (L-mode) with a propagation directed towards the ambient magnetic field. Various space missions and in situ measurements unveil the perpendicular temperature anisotropies of non-thermal populations of ions/protons i.e. in heliospheric regions and solar wind. These proton temperature anisotropies excite EMIC instability which in turn the pitch angle scatters the ions and restrained the anisotropy in certain ranges. In Vasyliunas-Cairns distributed hybrid non-thermal electromagnetic proton plasma, the transverse dielectric response function (TDERF) is calculated for L-mode. It is then numerically solved in order to show the impact of non-thermal populations due to non-thermal parameters α and κ on the dispersion and growth rates of EMIC instability in low and high plasma beta β regimes. Possible variation in the real oscillatory and imaginary frequencies spectrum is also analyzed with the variation in the values of other pertinent parameters i.e. temperature anisotropy τ and β. The parametric numerical analysis of the present work has relevance about that plasma phenomena of space regions where non-thermal distributed populations are prevalent.

The Radial Variation of the Solar Wind Turbulence Spectra near the Kinetic Break Scale from Parker Solar Probe Measurements

In this study we examine the radial dependence of the inertial and dissipation range indices, as well as the spectral break separating the inertial and dissipation range in power density spectra of interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations using Parker Solar Probe data from the fifth solar encounter between ∼0.1 and ∼0.7 au. The derived break wavenumber compares reasonably well with previous estimates at larger radial distances and is consistent with gyro-resonant damping of Alfvénic fluctuations by thermal protons. We find that the inertial scale power-law index varies between approximately −1.65 and −1.45. This is consistent with either the Kolmogorov (−5/3) or Iroshnikov–Kraichnan (−3/2) values, and has a very weak radial dependence with a possible hint that the spectrum becomes steeper closer to the Sun. The dissipation range power-law index, however, has a clear dependence on radial distance (and turbulence age), decreasing from −3 near 0.7 au (4 days) to −4 [±0.3] at 0.1 au (0.75 days) closer to the Sun.

Kramers–Moyal analysis of interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations at sub-ion scales

In the framework of statistical time series analysis of complex dynamics, we present a multiscale characterization of solar wind turbulence in the near-earth environment. The data analysis, based on the Markov process theory, is meant to estimate the Kramers–Moyal coefficients associated with the measured magnetic field fluctuations. In fact, when the scale-to-scale dynamics can be successfully described as a Markov process, first- and second-order Kramers–Moyal coefficients provide a complete description of the dynamics in terms of Langevin stochastic process. The analysis is carried out using high-resolution magnetic field measurements gathered by Cluster during a fast solar wind period on January 20, 2007. This analysis extends recent findings in the near-Sun environment with the aim of testing the universality of the Markovian nature of the magnetic field fluctuations in the sub-ion/kinetic domain.

Shape of spectrum of galactic cosmic ray intensity fluctuations

The impact of solar wind plasma on fluxes of galactic cosmic rays (CR) penetrating from the outside into the heliosphere with energies above ~1 GeV leads to temporal variations in the CR intensity in a wide frequency range. Cosmic rays being charged particles, their modulation occurs mainly under impacts of the interplanetary magnetic field.
 It is well known that the observed spectrum of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) fluctuations in a wide frequency range ν from ~10–7 to ~10 Hz has a pronounced falling character and consists of three sections: energy, inertial, and dissipative. Each of them is described by the power law PIMF(ν)~ν–α, while the IMF spectrum index α increases with increasing frequency. The IMF fluctuations in each of these sections are also characterized by properties that depend on their nature.
 Also known are established links between fluctuation spectra of the interplanetary magnetic field and galactic cosmic rays in the case of modulation of the latter by Alfvén or fast magnetosonic waves. The theory predicts that fluctuation spectra of cosmic rays should also be described by the power law PCR(ν)~ν–γ. However, the results of many years of SHICRA SB RAS research into the nature and properties of cosmic ray intensity fluctuations based on data from neutron monitors at stations with different geomagnetic cut-offs RC from 0.5 to 6.3 GV show that the observed spectrum of fluctuations in galactic cosmic ray intensity in the frequency range above 10–4 Hz becomes flat, i.e. it is similar to white noise. This fact needs to be realized and explained.
 This paper reports the results of research into the shape of the spectrum of galactic cosmic ray intensity fluctuations within a frequency range ν from ~10–6 to ~1 Hz and compares them with model calculations of white noise spectra, using measurement data from the neutron monitor of the Apatity station. A possible physical explanation has been given for the observed shape of the cosmic ray fluctuation spectrum on the basis of the known mechanisms of their modulation in the heliosphere.

О форме спектра флуктуаций интенсивности галактических космических лучей

The impact of solar wind plasma on fluxes of galactic cosmic rays (CR) penetrating from the outside into the heliosphere with energies above ~1 GeV leads to temporal variations in the CR intensity in a wide frequency range. Cosmic rays being charged particles, their modulation occurs mainly under impacts of the interplanetary magnetic field.
 It is well known that the observed spectrum of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) fluctuations in a wide frequency range ν from ~10–7 to ~10 Hz has a pronounced falling character and consists of three sections: energy, inertial, and dissipative. Each of them is described by the power law PIMF(ν)~ν–α, while the IMF spectrum index α increases with increasing frequency. The IMF fluctuations in each of these sections are also characterized by properties that depend on their nature.
 Also known are established links between fluctuation spectra of the interplanetary magnetic field and galactic cosmic rays in the case of modulation of the latter by Alfvén or fast magnetosonic waves. The theory predicts that fluctuation spectra of cosmic rays should also be described by the power law PCR(ν)~ν–γ. However, the results of many years of SHICRA SB RAS research into the nature and properties of cosmic ray intensity fluctuations based on data from neutron monitors at stations with different geomagnetic cut-offs RC from 0.5 to 6.3 GV show that the observed spectrum of fluctuations in galactic cosmic ray intensity in the frequency range above 10–4 Hz becomes flat, i.e. it is similar to white noise. This fact needs to be realized and explained.
 This paper reports the results of research into the shape of the spectrum of galactic cosmic ray intensity fluctuations within a frequency range ν from ~10–6 to ~1 Hz and compares them with model calculations of white noise spectra, using measurement data from the neutron monitor of the Apatity station. A possible physical explanation has been given for the observed shape of the cosmic ray fluctuation spectrum on the basis of the known mechanisms of their modulation in the heliosphere.

Properties of Magnetic Field Fluctuations in Long-Lasting Radial IMF Events from Wind Observation

Long-lasting radial interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) intervals in which IMF points along the solar wind velocity for several hours have many interesting properties. We investigate the average parameters and the behavior of magnetic field fluctuations within 419 such radial intervals. The power spectral density (PSD) calculated over 1-h intervals of a radial IMF is compared with PSDs in adjacent regions prior to and after the radial IMF. We concentrate on (1) the power of IMF fluctuations, (2) the median slopes of PSDs in both inertial and kinetic ranges, (3) the proton temperature and its anisotropy, and (4) the occurrence rate of wavy structures and their polarization. We have shown that the fluctuation amplitude is low in the radial IMF intervals in both magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and kinetic ranges, and the spectral power increases with the cone angle in the MHD range. We discuss this effect in the light of present knowledge on plasma turbulence and peculiarities of observations of magnetic field variations under the radial background magnetic field. We found that in the radial IMF events, the proton temperature is more isotropic, the occurrence rate of waves is higher, and the waves have no preferred polarization in the frequency range from 0.1 to 1 Hz. It suggests that the radial IMF structure leads to a different development of turbulence than the typical Parker-spiral structure.

The Role of Storm‐Time Electrodynamics in the Dawn and Dusk Sectors Across Equatorial and Low‐Latitude Ionosphere During December 19–21, 2015

AbstractWe present the distinct responses of the nighttime ionosphere due to an intense and long lasting geomagnetic storm of December 19–21, 2015 using a chain of ionosondes from magnetic equator to anomaly crest region over India. The observations exhibited unique features throughout the night including dawn and dusk sectors. The results showed twin episodes of pre‐reversal enhancement (PRE) in dusk sector associated with oscillatory vertical plasma drift due to shielding electric field that produced briefly post‐sunset equatorial spread F (ESF) irregularities. Accordingly, relative dominance of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and auroral electrojet (AE) related electric field fluctuations in vertical and zonal drifts at different times are investigated throughout the night. Also the application of wavelet/wavelet coherence analysis on interplanetary and geomagnetic conditions and ionospheric data showed distinct relationships. The results showed that vertical drift is in phase with interplanetary electric fields (IEFy) with period of ∼30 min at ∼18:30 IST (13:00 UT) that drives first PRE whereas ∼60 min period in AE which is in phase with vertical drifts drives second PRE at ∼20:30 IST (15:00 UT). However, other short term periods in vertical drifts are in phase with IEFy and AE at other times suggesting that both are contributing to the drift variations. The simultaneous upliftment of F layer at all stations producing fresh ESF irregularities in the dawn sector is attributed to the unique electrodynamical response of the Indian low latitude stations to the eastward disturbance dynamo electric fields (DDEFs). These results are also in concomitant with satellite observations and thermospheric ionospheric electrodynamics general circulation model (TIE‐GCM) drifts.

О возможной связи землетрясений со сменой знака радиальной компоненты межпланетного магнитного поля

This work is devoted to an experimental study of the possible relationship between earthquakes and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variations. For the analysis, we use world and regional catalogs of earthquakes and a catalog containing data on the IMF sector structure for several decades. The main methodological technique consists in a comparative analysis of the occurrence rate of earthquakes on the days when Earth crosses the boundary between IMF sectors with the days when Earth is inside the sector. The sign of the IMF radial component is utilized as an indicator of the events on which the oscillation mode of Earth's magnetosphere depends. The sign reversal signals the probable crossing of the boundary between the IMF sectors by Earth, or, in other words, the crossing of the heliospheric current sheet by Earth. The hypothesis about the relationship between IMF variations and seismic activity is that IMF fluctuations, penetrating into the magnetosphere, excite ULF electromagnetic oscillations in the magnetosphere, which, in principle, can affect the physical processes in upcoming earthquake sources. We have found a weak, but statistically significant relationship between IMF variations and seismic activity. We also consider other IMF parameters that control ultra-low-frequency oscillations of the geomagnetic field.

On possible relation of earthquakes with the sign change of the interplanetary magnetic field radial component

This work is devoted to an experimental study of the possible relationship between earthquakes and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variations. For the analysis, we use world and regional catalogs of earthquakes and a catalog containing data on the IMF sector structure for several decades. The main methodological technique consists in a comparative analysis of the occurrence rate of earthquakes on the days when Earth crosses the boundary between IMF sectors with the days when Earth is inside the sector. The sign of the IMF radial component is utilized as an indicator of the events on which the oscillation mode of Earth's magnetosphere depends. The sign reversal signals the probable crossing of the boundary between the IMF sectors by Earth, or, in other words, the crossing of the heliospheric current sheet by Earth. The hypothesis about the relationship between IMF variations and seismic activity is that IMF fluctuations, penetrating into the magnetosphere, excite ULF electromagnetic oscillations in the magnetosphere, which, in principle, can affect the physical processes in upcoming earthquake sources. We have found a weak, but statistically significant relationship between IMF variations and seismic activity. We also consider other IMF parameters that control ultra-low-frequency oscillations of the geomagnetic field.

Effects of Solar Activity on Taylor Scale and Correlation Scale in Solar Wind Magnetic Fluctuations

Abstract The correlation scale and the Taylor scale are evaluated for interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations from two-point, single time correlation function using the Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), Wind, and Cluster spacecraft data during the time period from 2001 to 2017, which covers over an entire solar cycle. The correlation scale and the Taylor scale are respectively compared with the sunspot number to investigate the effects of solar activity on the structure of the plasma turbulence. Our studies show that the Taylor scale increases with the increasing sunspot number, which indicates that the Taylor scale is positively correlated with the energy cascade rate, and the correlation coefficient between the sunspot number and the Taylor scale is 0.92. However, these results are not consistent with the traditional knowledge in hydrodynamic dissipation theories. One possible explanation is that in the solar wind, the fluid approximation fails at the spatial scales near the dissipation ranges. Therefore, the traditional hydrodynamic turbulence theory is incomplete for describing the physical nature of the solar wind turbulence, especially at the spatial scales near the kinetic dissipation scales.

Environmental Conditions During the Reported Charging Anomalies of the Two Geosynchronous Satellites: Telstar 401 and Galaxy 15

AbstractCharging and subsequent electrostatic discharge is recognized as a serious operational threat to spacecraft. This paper concentrates on an analysis of the environmental conditions (geomagnetic measurables, but not the particle fluxes, that were associated with the geomagnetic disturbances) and the interplanetary signatures prior to the anomalies that affected the two geostationary satellites Telstar 401 and Galaxy 15, which were believed to have been caused by spacecraft charging/electrostatic discharge. In terms of geomagnetic conditions, the planetary Kp index was very different around the two events, despite Kp commonly being used to characterize periods that are hazardous for spacecraft charging. On the contrary, local geomagnetic records, both from GOES satellites and from ground records, reveal that each anomaly took place during the expansion phase of a triggered substorm. Combined with a large and south directed interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz, northward turnings of negative IMF Bz and large fluctuations in IMF By played major roles in the magnetospheric responses of the substorms. The interplanetary features of the two events were also similar: the interplanetary counterpart of coronal mass ejections interacted with high‐speed streams, favoring the substorm triggers. Although there are several differences in the preconditioning and the inner conditions of the magnetosphere before the anomalies, in each case the respective spacecraft crossed the plasma sheet in the magnetotail during enhanced substorm activity, with a dipolarization event that took place close to the spacecraft location, indicating that each satellite was in the wrong place at a critical moment.

Evolutionary Characteristics of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field Intensity

Abstract We use several mathematical methods, such as the continuous wavelet transform, the wavelet coherence (WTC), and the partial wavelet coherence, to investigate the distribution and oscillation periods of the daily interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) intensity as well as the connection between IMF fluctuations and solar activity indices (the magnetic plage strength index and the Mount Wilson sunspot index). The daily IMF intensity generally approximately follows a log-normal distribution that is directly related to the distribution of the active region flux. The short-term periods of the IMF are about 13.7, 27.6, 37.1, and 75.3 days. They are driven by the quasi-periodicity of the magnetic surges on the solar surface. The medium-term periods of 1.07 and 1.82 years need to be derived from the stochastic interaction of local fields and meridional flows, since coronal holes reflect the transport of the magnetic flux on the solar surface and variations in the meridional flow are seen in the heliosphere. The 10.9-year period is the Schwabe solar cycle and is to be mentioned first. The solar cycle variation of the IMF is not thought to be related to weak solar magnetic activity, but is dominated by the strong solar magnetic field activity seen on the disk, because the footpoints of the time-varying component of the interplanetary magnetic flux are rooted in regions that are located near the sources of coronal mass ejections that are related to active regions, while the constant component in the IMF is thought to initially and mainly come from the weak solar magnetic field activity. Finally, the slow variation of the IMF indicates that it may have a period of longer than 50 years.

Evidence for Neutrals‐Foreshock Electrons Impact at Mars

AbstractBackstreaming electrons emanating from the bow shock of Mars reported from the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN/Solar Wind Electron Analyzer observations show a flux fall off with the distance from the shock. This feature is not observed at the terrestrial foreshock. The flux decay is observed only for electron energy E ≥ 29 eV. A reported recent study indicates that Mars foreshock electrons are produced at the shock in a mirror reflection of a portion of the solar wind electrons. In this context, and given that the electrons are sufficiently energetic to not be affected by the interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations, the observed flux decrease appears problematic. We investigate the possibility that the flux fall off with distance results from the impact of backstreaming electrons with Mars exospheric neutral hydrogen. We demonstrate that the flux fall off is consistent with the electron‐atomic hydrogen impact cross section for a large range of energy. A better agreement is obtained for energy where the impact cross section is the highest. One important consequence is that foreshock electrons can play an important role in the production of pickup ions at Mars far exosphere.

The Effect of IMF Fluctuations on the Subsolar Magnetopause Position: A Study Using a Global MHD Model

AbstractDuring southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, the subsolar magnetopause moves inward even under steady solar wind pressure. This is generally referred to as “erosion.” Empirical and computational studies have been conducted to quantify the effect of magnetopause erosion; however, they generally use steady state IMF conditions. Solar wind conditions are not usually constant for very long, especially during such conditions as are present in high‐speed streams, which typically have large fluctuations in the IMF. These IMF fluctuations can occur on a range of times scales and amplitudes, resulting in a series of northward and southward IMF intervals imposed on the magnetosphere. We have simulated the effect of such IMF variations on the magnetopause position using a global magnetohydrodynamic model. We find that there are both time lag and hysteresis‐like effects on the motion of the magnetopause due to the variation in the magnitude of the southward IMF and that the instantaneous position of the magnetopause can be significantly different from what one would expect from steady state conditions.

Generation of Kappa Distributions in Solar Wind at 1 au

Abstract We examine the generation of kappa distributions in the solar wind plasma near 1 au. Several mechanisms are mentioned in the literature, each characterized by a specific relationship between the solar wind plasma features, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), and the kappa index—the parameter that governs the kappa distributions. This relationship serves as a signature condition that helps the identification of the mechanism in the plasma. In general, a mechanism that generates kappa distributions involves a single or a series of stochastic or physical processes that induces local correlations among particles. We identify three fundamental solar wind plasma conditions that can generate kappa distributions, noted as (i) Debye shielding, (ii) frozen IMF, and (iii) temperature fluctuations, each one prevailing in different scales of solar wind plasma and magnetic field properties. Moreover, our findings show that the kappa distributions, and thus, their generating mechanisms, vary significantly with solar wind features: (i) the kappa index has different dependence on the solar wind speed for slow and fast modes, i.e., slow wind is characterized by a quasi-constant kappa index, κ ≈ 4.3 ± 0.7, while fast wind exhibits kappa indices that increase with bulk speed; (ii) the dispersion of magnetosonic waves is more effective for lower kappa indices (i.e., further from thermal equilibrium); and (iii) the kappa and polytropic indices are positively correlated, as it was anticipated by the theory.

Solar flares associated coronal mass ejection accompanied with DH type II radio burst in relation with interplanetary magnetic field, geomagnetic storms and cosmic ray intensity

In this paper, we have selected 114 flare-CME events accompanied with Deca-hectometric (DH) type II radio burst chosen from 1996 to 2008 (i.e., solar cycle 23). Statistical analyses are performed to examine the relationship of flare-CME events accompanied with DH type II radio burst with Interplanetary Magnetic field (IMF), Geomagnetic storms (GSs) and Cosmic Ray Intensity (CRI). The collected sample events are divided into two groups. In the first group, we considered 43 events which lie under the CME span and the second group consists of 71 events which are outside the CME span. Our analysis indicates that flare-CME accompanied with DH type II radio burst is inconsistent with CSHKP flare-CME model. We apply the Chree analysis by the superposed epoch method to both set of data to find the geo-effectiveness. We observed different fluctuations in IMF for arising and decay phase of solar cycle in both the cases. Maximum decrease in Dst during arising and decay phase of solar cycle is different for both the cases. It is noted that when flare lie outside the CME span CRI shows comparatively more variation than the flare lie under the CME span. Furthermore, we found that flare lying under the CME span is more geo effective than the flare outside of CME span. We noticed that the time leg between IMF Peak value and GSs, IMF and CRI is on average one day for both the cases. Also, the time leg between CRI and GSs is on average 0 to 1 day for both the cases. In case flare lie under the CME span we observed high correlation (0.64) between CRI and Dst whereas when flare lie outside the CME span a weak correlation (0.47) exists. Thus, flare position with respect to CME span play a key role for geo-effectiveness of CME.

Effect of the meridional velocity gradient on the anisotropy of turbulence in the solar wind

In this paper, the heliolatitude dependence of the anisotropy of hourly interplanetary magnetic field fluctuations under conditions characteristic of low solar activity is studied. Measurements carried out by the Ulysses spacecraft in 1992–1994 and 1995–1997 are analyzed. It is found that the minimum fluctuation variance axis has a significant tilt toward the helioequator at low heliolatitudes. The Ulysses data processing has shown that this feature can be caused by the inclination of magnetohydrodynamic waves under the influence of the solar wind meridional velocity gradient.