Magnetospheric Magnetic Field Research Articles

Generation of EMIC Waves in the Magnetosphere and Precipitation of Energetic Protons: Comparison of the Data from THEMIS High Earth Orbiting Satellites and POES Low Earth Orbiting Satellites

Regions of the detection of electromagnetic ion-cyclotron (EMIC) waves on the THEMIS satellites near the equatorial plane and the precipitation of energetic protons on POES low Earth orbiting satellites are compared with the magnetospheric magnetic field model. It is confirmed that low Earth orbiting satellites detect the precipitation of energetic protons in the regon associated with observations of EMIC waves in the magnetosphere. This is consistent with the idea that protons are scattered in the loss cone as a result of ioncyclotron interaction. Thus, observations of fluxes of energetic protons in low Earth orbits can be used to monitor ion-cyclotron instability regions in the magnetosphere. Simultaneous observations at high and low Earth orbits contribute to the construction of a spatiotemporal pattern of the interaction region of EMIC waves and energetic protons. In addition, it is shown that proton precipitation associated with EMIC waves can cause errors in determining the latitude of the isotropic boundary (the equatorial boundary of isotropic fluxes of energetic protons), which is an indicator of the configuration of the magnetic field in the magnetosphere.

Magnetospheric access for solar protons during the January 2005 SEP event

The early phase of the extraordinary solar energetic particle 20 January, 2005 event having the highest peak flux of any SEP in the past 50 years of protons with energies > 100 MeV is studied. Solar energetic particles (>16 MeV) entry to the Earth’s magnetosphere on January 20, 2005 under northward interplanetary magnetic field conditions is considered based on multi-satellite data analysis and magnetic field simulation. Solar wind parameters and interplanetary magnetic field data, as well as calculations in terms of the A2000 magnetospheric magnetic field model were used to specify conditions in the Earth’s environment corresponding to solar proton event. It was shown that during the early phase of the event energetic particle penetration into the magnetosphere took place in the regions on the magnetopause where the magnetospheric and interplanetary magnetic field vectors are parallel. Complex analysis of the experimental data on particle fluxes in the interplanetary medium (data from ACE spacecraft) and on low-altitude (POES) and geosynchronous (GOES) orbits inside the Earth’s magnetosphere show two regions on the magnetopause responsible for particle access to the magnetosphere: the near equatorial day-side region and open field lines window at the high-latitude magnetospheric boundary. Calculations in terms of A2000 magnetospheric magnetic field model and comparison with SuperDARN images support the link between high-latitude solar energetic particle precipitations and the region at the magnetopause where the magnetospheric field is coupled with northward IMF, allowing solar particles entrance into the magnetosphere and access to the northern polar cap.

Open and partially closed models of the solar wind interaction with outer planet magnetospheres: the case of Saturn

Abstract. A wide variety of interactions take place between the magnetized solar wind plasma outflow from the Sun and celestial bodies within the solar system. Magnetized planets form magnetospheres in the solar wind, with the planetary field creating an obstacle in the flow. The reconnection efficiency of the solar-wind-magnetized planet interaction depends on the conditions in the magnetized plasma flow passing the planet. When the reconnection efficiency is very low, the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) does not penetrate the magnetosphere, a condition that has been widely discussed in the recent literature for the case of Saturn. In the present paper, we study this issue for Saturn using Cassini magnetometer data, images of Saturn's ultraviolet aurora obtained by the HST, and the paraboloid model of Saturn's magnetospheric magnetic field. Two models are considered: first, an open model in which the IMF penetrates the magnetosphere, and second, a partially closed model in which field lines from the ionosphere go to the distant tail and interact with the solar wind at its end. We conclude that the open model is preferable, which is more obvious for southward IMF. For northward IMF, the model calculations do not allow us to reach definite conclusions. However, analysis of the observations available in the literature provides evidence in favor of the open model in this case too. The difference in magnetospheric structure for these two IMF orientations is due to the fact that the reconnection topology and location depend on the relative orientation of the IMF vector and the planetary dipole magnetic moment. When these vectors are parallel, two-dimensional reconnection occurs at the low-latitude neutral line. When they are antiparallel, three-dimensional reconnection takes place in the cusp regions. Different magnetospheric topologies determine different mapping of the open-closed boundary in the ionosphere, which can be considered as a proxy for the poleward edge of the auroral oval.

A Dynamic Model of Mercury's Magnetospheric Magnetic Field.

Mercury's solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field environment is highly dynamic, and variations in these external conditions directly control the current systems and magnetic fields inside the planetary magnetosphere. We update our previous static model of Mercury's magnetic field by incorporating variations in the magnetospheric current systems, parameterized as functions of Mercury's heliocentric distance and magnetic activity. The new, dynamic model reproduces the location of the magnetopause current system as a function of systematic pressure variations encountered during Mercury's eccentric orbit, as well as the increase in the cross‐tail current intensity with increasing magnetic activity. Despite the enhancements in the external field parameterization, the residuals between the observed and modeled magnetic field inside the magnetosphere indicate that the dynamic model achieves only a modest overall improvement over the previous static model. The spatial distribution of the residuals in the magnetic field components shows substantial improvement of the model accuracy near the dayside magnetopause. Elsewhere, the large‐scale distribution of the residuals is similar to those of the static model. This result implies either that magnetic activity varies much faster than can be determined from the spacecraft's passage through the magnetosphere or that the residual fields are due to additional external current systems not represented in the model or both. Birkeland currents flowing along magnetic field lines between the magnetosphere and planetary high‐latitude regions have been identified as one such contribution.

Geomagnetic Effects of Corotating Interaction Regions

We present an analysis of the geoeffectiveness of corotating interaction regions (CIRs), employing the data recorded from 25 January to 5 May 2005 and throughout 2008. These two intervals in the declining phase of Solar Cycle 23 are characterised by a particularly low number of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs). We study in detail how four geomagnetic-activity parameters (the Dst, Ap, and AE indices, as well as the Dst time derivative, $\mathrm{dDst}/\mathrm{d}t$ ) are related to three CIR-related solar wind parameters (flow speed, $V$ , magnetic field, $B$ , and the convective electric field based on the southward Geocentric solar magnetospheric (GSM) magnetic field component, $\mathit{VB}_{s}$ ) on a three-hour time resolution. In addition, we quantify statistical relationships between the mentioned geomagnetic indices. It is found that Dst is correlated best to $V$ , with a correlation coefficient of $\mathrm{cc}\approx0.6$ , whereas there is no correlation between $\mathrm{dDst}/\mathrm{d}t$ and $V$ . The Ap and AE indices attain peaks about half a day before the maximum of $V$ , with correlation coefficients ranging from $\mathrm{cc}\approx0.6$ to $\mathrm{cc}\approx0.7$ , depending on the sample used. The best correlations of Ap and AE are found with $\mathit{VB}_{s}$ with a delay of 3 h, being characterised by $\mathrm{cc}\gtrsim 0.6$ . The Dst derivative $\mathrm{dDst}/\mathrm{d}t$ is also correlated with $\mathit{VB}_{s}$ , but the correlation is significantly weaker $\mathrm{cc}\approx 0.4$ – 0.5, with a delay of 0 – 3 h, depending on the employed sample. Such low values of correlation coefficients indicate that there are other significant effects that influence the relationship between the considered parameters. The correlation of all studied geomagnetic parameters with $B$ are characterised by considerably lower correlation coefficients, ranging from $\mathrm{cc}=0.3$ in the case of $\mathrm{dDst}/\mathrm{d}t$ up to $\mathrm{cc}=0.56$ in the case of Ap. It is also shown that peak values of geomagnetic indices depend on the duration of the CIR-related structures. The Dst is closely correlated with Ap and AE ( $\mathrm{cc}=0.7$ ), Dst being delayed for about 3 h. On the other hand, $\mathrm{dDst}/\mathrm{d}t$ peaks simultaneously with Ap and AE, with correlation coefficients of 0.48 and 0.56, respectively. The highest correlation ( $\mathrm{cc}=0.81$ ) is found for the relationship between Ap and AE.

Toward an Empirical Theory of Pulsar Emission. XII. Exploring the Physical Conditions in Millisecond Pulsar Emission Regions

Abstract The five-component profile of the 2.7 ms pulsar J0337+1715 appears to exhibit the best example to date of a core/double-cone emission-beam structure in a millisecond pulsar (MSP). Moreover, three other MSPs, the binary pulsars B1913+16, B1953+29, and J1022+1001, seem to exhibit core/single-cone profiles. These configurations are remarkable and important because it has not been clear whether MSPs and slow pulsars exhibit similar emission-beam configurations, given that they have considerably smaller magnetospheric sizes and magnetic field strengths. MSPs thus provide an extreme context for studying pulsar radio emission. Particle currents along the magnetic polar flux tube connect processes just above the polar cap through the radio-emission region to the light-cylinder and the external environment. In slow pulsars, radio-emission heights are typically about 500 km around where the magnetic field is nearly dipolar, and estimates of the physical conditions there point to radiation below the plasma frequency and emission from charged solitons by the curvature process. We are able to estimate emission heights for the four MSPs and carry out a similar estimation of physical conditions in their much lower emission regions. We find strong evidence that MSPs also radiate by curvature emission from charged solitons.

Large‐scale characteristics of reconnection diffusion regions and associated magnetopause crossings observed by MMS

AbstractThe Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission was designed to make observations in the very small electron diffusion region (EDR), where magnetic reconnection takes place. From a data set of over 4500 magnetopause crossings obtained in the first phase of the mission, MMS had encounters near or within 12 EDRs. These 12 events and associated magnetopause crossings are considered as a group to determine if they span the widest possible range of external and internal conditions (i.e., in the solar wind and magnetosphere). In addition, observations from MMS are used to determine if there are multiple X‐lines present and also to provide information on X‐line location relative to the spacecraft. These 12 events represent nearly the widest possible range of conditions at the dayside magnetopause. They occur over a wide range of local times and magnetic shear angles between the magnetosheath and magnetospheric magnetic fields. Most show evidence for multiple reconnection sites.

Deformation of the magnetosphere and the penetration boundary of solar protons before the onset of the main phase of a magnetic storm

The ring current is conventionally considered responsible for the shift of the boundary of solar proton penetration into the inner Earth’s magnetosphere during magnetic storms. The cases of a boundary shift were observed in some works on the dark side before the onset of a magnetic storm, i.e., at positive values of the Dst index. In this work, this type of shift of the penetration boundary is considered in detail with two storms as examples. It is shown that the corresponding distortion of the magnetosphere configuration is induced by an increase in the solar wind pressure during the initial phase of a magnetic storm. The current induced in this case on the magnetopause is closed by a current in the equator plane, which changes the configuration of the dark side of the inner magnetosphere, weakens the magnetic field, and allows solar protons to penetrate the inner magnetosphere. The significant difference in the positions of the penetration boundary and the boundary found from models of the magnetosphere magnetic field can be explained by insufficient consideration of closing currents.

Modeling the compressibility of Saturn's magnetosphere in response to internal and external influences

AbstractThe location of a planetary magnetopause is principally determined by the balance between solar wind dynamic pressure DP and magnetic and plasma pressures inside the magnetopause boundary. Previous empirical studies assumed that Saturn's magnetopause standoff distance varies as and measured a constant compressibility parameter α corresponding to behavior intermediate between a vacuum dipole appropriate for Earth (α≈6) and a more easily compressible case appropriate for Jupiter (α≈4). In this study we employ a 2‐D force balance model of Saturn's magnetosphere to investigate magnetospheric compressibility in response to changes in DP and global hot plasma content. For hot plasma levels compatible with Saturn observations, we model the magnetosphere at a range of standoff distances and estimate the corresponding DP values by assuming pressure balance across the magnetopause boundary. We find that for “average” hot plasma levels, our estimates of α are not constant with DP but vary from ∼4.8 for high DP conditions, when the magnetosphere is compressed (≤25 RS), to ∼3.5 for low DP conditions. This corresponds to the magnetosphere becoming more easily compressible as it expands. We find that the global hot plasma content influences magnetospheric compressibility even at fixed DP, with α estimates ranging from ∼5.4 to ∼3.3 across the range of our parameterized hot plasma content. We suggest that this behavior is predominantly driven by reconfiguration of the magnetospheric magnetic field into a more disk‐like structure under such conditions. In a broader context, the compressibility of the magnetopause reveals information about global stress balance in the magnetosphere.

The substorm cycle as reproduced by global MHD models

AbstractRecently, Gordeev et al. (2015) suggested a method to test global MHD models against statistical empirical data. They showed that four community‐available global MHD models supported by the Community Coordinated Modeling Center (CCMC) produce a reasonable agreement with reality for those key parameters (the magnetospheric size, magnetic field, and pressure) that are directly related to the large‐scale equilibria in the outer magnetosphere. Based on the same set of simulation runs, here we investigate how the models reproduce the global loading‐unloading cycle. We found that in terms of global magnetic flux transport, three examined CCMC models display systematically different response to idealized 2 h north then 2 h south interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz variation. The LFM model shows a depressed return convection and high loading rate during the growth phase as well as enhanced return convection and high unloading rate during the expansion phase, with the amount of loaded/unloaded magnetotail flux and the growth phase duration being the closest to their observed empirical values during isolated substorms. Two other models exhibit drastically different behavior. In the BATS‐R‐US model the plasma sheet convection shows a smooth transition to the steady convection regime after the IMF southward turning. In the Open GGCM a weak plasma sheet convection has comparable intensities during both the growth phase and the following slow unloading phase. We also demonstrate potential technical problem in the publicly available simulations which is related to postprocessing interpolation and could affect the accuracy of magnetic field tracing and of other related procedures.

Global real-time dose measurements using the Automated Radiation Measurements for Aerospace Safety (ARMAS) system

The Automated Radiation Measurements for Aerospace Safety (ARMAS) program has successfully deployed a fleet of six instruments measuring the ambient radiation environment at commercial aircraft altitudes. ARMAS transmits real-time data to the ground and provides quality, tissue-relevant ambient dose equivalent rates with 5-minute latency for dose rates on 213 flights up to 17.3 km (56,700 ft.). We show five cases from different aircraft; the source particles are dominated by Galactic Cosmic Rays but include particle fluxes for minor radiation periods and geomagnetically disturbed conditions. The measurements from 2013–2016 do not cover a period of time to quantify Galactic Cosmic Rays’ (GCRs) dependence on solar cycle variation and their effect on aviation radiation. However, we report on small radiation “clouds” in specific magnetic latitude regions and note that active geomagnetic, variable space weather conditions may sufficiently modify the magnetospheric magnetic field that can enhance the radiation environment, particularly at high altitudes and mid- to high-latitudes. When there is no significant space weather, high latitude flights produce a dose rate analogous to a chest X-ray every 12.5 hours, every 25 hours for mid-latitudes, and every 100 hours for equatorial latitudes at typical commercial flight altitudes of 37,000 ft. (~11 km). The dose rate doubles every 2 km altitude increase, suggesting a radiation event management strategy for pilots or air traffic control, i.e., where event-driven radiation regions can be identified, they can be treated like volcanic ash clouds to achieve radiation safety goals with slightly lower flight altitudes or more equatorial flight paths.

MESSENGER observations of cusp plasma filaments at Mercury

AbstractThe MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft while in orbit about Mercury observed highly localized, ~3‐s‐long reductions in the dayside magnetospheric magnetic field, with amplitudes up to 90% of the ambient intensity. These magnetic field depressions are termed cusp filaments because they were observed from just poleward of the magnetospheric cusp to midlatitudes, i.e., ~55° to 85°N. We analyzed 345 high‐ and low‐altitude cusp filaments identified from MESSENGER magnetic field data to determine their physical properties. Minimum variance analysis indicates that most filaments resemble cylindrical flux tubes within which the magnetic field intensity decreases toward its central axis. If the filaments move over the spacecraft at an estimated magnetospheric convection speed of ~35 km/s, then they have a typical diameter of ~105 km or ~7 gyroradii for 1 keV H+ ions in a 300 nT magnetic field. During these events, MESSENGER's Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer observed H+ ions with magnetosheath‐like energies. MESSENGER observations during the spacecraft's final low‐altitude campaign revealed that these cusp filaments likely extend down to Mercury's surface. We calculated an occurrence‐rate‐normalized integrated particle precipitation rate onto the surface from all filaments of (2.70 ± 0.09) × 1025 s−1. This precipitation rate is comparable to published estimates of the total precipitation rate in the larger‐scale cusp. Overall, the MESSENGER observations analyzed here suggest that cusp filaments are the magnetospheric extensions of the flux transfer events that form at the magnetopause as a result of localized magnetic reconnection.

Magnetospheric dynamics during the storm of February 14, 2009

The structure of the magnetic field in the magnetospheric during the storm of February 14, 2009 is studied. The model parameters that characterize the magnetospheric magnetic field are calculated every hour on the basis of solar wind data and the evolution of the magnetic field during the storm is reproduced using the A2000 model of the Earth’s magnetosphere. It is shown that extremely quiet geomagnetic conditions in 2009 promoted the expansion of the magnetosphere and were favorable for the formation of magnetic-island-like structures (plasmoids) in the geomagnetic tail. It is ascertained that negative variations in the B z component could occur in the nightside magnetosphere in situations where the magnetic flux through the tail lobes exceeded certain thresholds, which depend on the parameters of the magnetospheric current systems. It is shown that the formation of magnetic islands decreases the magnetic flux through the tail lobes and prevents excessively strong development of the magnetic field in the tail.

Reconstructing the magnetosphere from data using radial basis functions

AbstractA new method is proposed to derive from data magnetospheric magnetic field configurations without any a priori assumptions on the geometry of electric currents. The approach utilizes large sets of archived satellite data and uses an advanced technique to represent the field as a sum of toroidal and poloidal parts, whose generating potentials Ψ1 and Ψ2 are expanded into series of radial basis functions (RBFs) with their nodes regularly distributed over the 3‐D modeling domain. The method was tested by reconstructing the inner and high‐latitude field within geocentric distances up to 12RE on the basis of magnetometer data of Geotail, Polar, Cluster, Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms, and Van Allen space probes, taken during 1995–2015. Four characteristic states of the magnetosphere before and during a disturbance have been modeled: a quiet prestorm period, storm deepening phase with progressively decreasing SYM‐H index, the storm maximum around the negative peak of SYM‐H, and the recovery phase. Fitting the RBF model to data faithfully resolved contributions to the total magnetic field from all principal sources, including the westward and eastward ring current, the tail current, diamagnetic currents associated with the polar cusps, and the large‐scale effect of the field‐aligned currents. For two main phase conditions, the model field exhibited a strong dawn‐dusk asymmetry of the low‐latitude magnetic depression, extending to low altitudes and partly spreading sunward from the terminator plane in the dusk sector. The RBF model was found to resolve even finer details, such as the bifurcation of the innermost tail current. The method can be further developed into a powerful tool for data‐based studies of the magnetospheric currents.

Assessing the performance of community‐available global MHD models using key system parameters and empirical relationships

AbstractGlobal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) modeling is a powerful tool in space weather research and predictions. There are several advanced and still developing global MHD (GMHD) models that are publicly available via Community Coordinated Modeling Center's (CCMC) Run on Request system, which allows the users to simulate the magnetospheric response to different solar wind conditions including extraordinary events, like geomagnetic storms. Systematic validation of GMHD models against observations still continues to be a challenge, as well as comparative benchmarking of different models against each other. In this paper we describe and test a new approach in which (i) a set of critical large‐scale system parameters is explored/tested, which are produced by (ii) specially designed set of computer runs to simulate realistic statistical distributions of critical solar wind parameters and are compared to (iii) observation‐based empirical relationships for these parameters. Being tested in approximately similar conditions (similar inputs, comparable grid resolution, etc.), the four models publicly available at the CCMC predict rather well the absolute values and variations of those key parameters (magnetospheric size, magnetic field, and pressure) which are directly related to the large‐scale magnetospheric equilibrium in the outer magnetosphere, for which the MHD is supposed to be a valid approach. At the same time, the models have systematic differences in other parameters, being especially different in predicting the global convection rate, total field‐aligned current, and magnetic flux loading into the magnetotail after the north‐south interplanetary magnetic field turning. According to validation results, none of the models emerges as an absolute leader. The new approach suggested for the evaluation of the models performance against reality may be used by model users while planning their investigations, as well as by model developers and those interesting to quantitatively evaluate progress in magnetospheric modeling.

Planetary period oscillations in Saturn's magnetosphere: Examining the relationship between abrupt changes in behavior and solar wind‐induced magnetospheric compressions and expansions

AbstractWe examine planetary period oscillations (PPOs) observed in Saturn's magnetospheric magnetic field data from the time of Saturn's equinox in 2009. In particular, we focus on the time period commencing February 2011, when the oscillations started to display sudden and unexpected changes in behavior at ~100–200 day intervals. These were characterized by large simultaneous changes in the amplitude of the northern and southern PPO systems, together with small changes in period and jumps in phase. Nine significant abrupt changes have been observed in the postequinox interval to date, commencing as the Sun started to emerge from a long extended solar minimum. We perform a statistical study to determine whether these modulations in PPO behavior were associated with changes in the solar and/or upstream solar wind conditions. We report that the upstream solar wind conditions show elevated values of solar wind dynamic pressure and density around the time of PPO behavioral transitions, as opposed to before and after these times. We suggest that abrupt changes in PPO behavior may be related to significant changes in the size of the Saturnian magnetosphere in response to varying solar wind conditions.

A forecasting model of the magnetosphere driven by an optimal solar wind coupling function

AbstractA new empirical magnetospheric magnetic field model is described, driven by interplanetary parameters including a coupling function by Newell et al. (2007), termed henceforth as “N index.” The model uses data from Polar, Geotail, Cluster, and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms satellites, obtained in 1995–2013 at distances 3–60 RE. The model magnetopause is based on Lin et al. (2010) boundary driven by the solar wind pressure, IMF Bz, and the geodipole tilt. The model field includes contributions from the symmetric ring current (SRC), partial ring current (PRC) with associated Region 2 field‐aligned currents (R2 FAC), tail, Region 1 (R1) FAC, and a penetrated IMF. Increase in the N index results in progressively larger magnitudes of all the field sources, the most dramatic and virtually linear growth being found for the PRC and R1 FAC. The solar wind dynamic pressure Pdyn affects the model magnetotail current in proportion to the factor , where the exponent ζ on the order of 0.4–0.6 steadily decreases with increasing N index. The PRC peaks near midnight at N ∼ 0 but turns duskward with growing N. At ionospheric altitudes, both R1 and R2 FAC expand equatorward with growing N and Pdyn, and the R2 zone rotates westward. Larger values of N result in a more efficient penetration of the IMF into the magnetosphere and larger magnetic flux connection across the magnetopause. Growing dipole tilt is accompanied by a persistent and significant decrease of the total current in all magnetospheric field sources.

Relativistic electron response to the combined magnetospheric impact of a coronal mass ejection overlapping with a high‐speed stream: Van Allen Probes observations

AbstractDuring early November 2013, the magnetosphere experienced concurrent driving by a coronal mass ejection (CME) during an ongoing high‐speed stream (HSS) event. The relativistic electron response to these two kinds of drivers, i.e., HSS and CME, is typically different, with the former often leading to a slower buildup of electrons at larger radial distances, while the latter energizing electrons rapidly with flux enhancements occurring closer to the Earth. We present a detailed analysis of the relativistic electron response including radial profiles of phase space density as observed by both Magnetic Electron and Ion Sensor (MagEIS) and Relativistic Electron Proton Telescope instruments on the Van Allen Probes mission. Data from the MagEIS instrument establish the behavior of lower energy (<1 MeV) electrons which span both intermediary and seed populations during electron energization. Measurements characterizing the plasma waves and magnetospheric electric and magnetic fields during this period are obtained by the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science instrument on board Van Allen Probes, Search Coil Magnetometer and Flux Gate Magnetometer instruments on board Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms, and the low‐altitude Polar‐orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites. These observations suggest that during this time period, both radial transport and local in situ processes are involved in the energization of electrons. The energization attributable to radial diffusion is most clearly evident for the lower energy (<1 MeV) electrons, while the effects of in situ energization by interaction of chorus waves are prominent in the higher‐energy electrons.

Filamented ion tail structures at Titan: A hybrid simulation study

This study investigates the processes that lead to the detection of split signatures in ion density during several crossings of the Cassini spacecraft through Titan's mid-range plasma tail (T9, T63, and T75). During each of these flybys, the Cassini Plasma Spectrometer detected Titan's ionospheric ion population twice; i.e., the spacecraft passed through two spatially separated regions where cold ions were detected, with the regions also being dominated by ions of different masses in the case of T9. Whether this filamented tail structure is an omnipresent feature of Titan's plasma interaction or a result of non-stationary upstream conditions during specific flybys is still unclear. To explain these features, we apply the hybrid simulation code AIKEF (kinetic ions and fluid electrons). Our model includes chemical reactions as well as a realistic photoionization model for a sophisticated description of the ionospheric composition of Titan. Our simulations show that the filamentation of Titan's tail is indeed a common feature of the moon's plasma interaction. Light ionospheric species escape along draped magnetic field lines to form a parabolically shaped filament structure, which is mainly seen in planes that contain the upstream magnetospheric magnetic field and the upstream flow direction. In addition, transport of ions of all species from the ramside towards downstream produces a cone structure behind Titan, with a region of decreased density inside and filaments of 1–2 RT (RT=2575km) thickness and enhanced density at the surface of the cone. Spacecraft trajectories that penetrate these structures allow for the detection of split signatures in the tail. The orientation of the upstream magnetic field and plasma flow as well as local time effects (i.e., Titan's orbital position) influence the location of the filaments in the tail and can also cause asymmetries in their sizes and densities. The detection of the split signatures along a spacecraft trajectory may therefore be made possible or completely prevented by moving the narrow filaments in or out of the way of the spacecraft. Our results imply that the detections of split signatures during T9, T63 and T75 are consistent by Cassini penetrating through parts of these filament structures.

Вариации жесткостей обрезания космических лучей во время сильной геомагнитной бури в ноябре 2004 г.

Very strong interplanetary and magnetospheric disturbance observed on 7–13 November 2004 can be regarded as one of the strongest events during the entire period of space observations. In this paper, we report on the studies of cosmic ray cutoff rigidity variations during 7–13 November 2004 showing how storm conditions can affect the direct cosmic ray access to the inner magnetosphere. Effective cutoff rigidities have been calculated for selected points on the ground by tracing trajectories of cosmic ray particles through the magnetospheric magnetic field of the “storm-oriented” Tsyganenko 2003 model [Tsyganenko, 2002a, b; Tsyganenko et al., 2003]. Cutoff rigidity variations have also been determined by the spectrographic global survey method on the basis of experimental data of the neutron monitor network. Correlations between the calculated and experimental cutoff rigidities, as well as between geomagnetic Dst index and interplanetary parameters have been investigated. Correlation coefficients between the cutoff rigidities obtained by the trajectory tracing method and the spectrographic global survey method have been found to be in the limits of 0.76–0.89 for all stations except the low-latitude station Tokyo (0.35). The most pronounced correlation has been revealed between the cutoff rigidities that exhibited a very large variation of 1–1.5 GV during the magnetic storm, and the Dst index.