Quiet Activity Research Articles

Strong ambipolar‐driven ion upflow within the cleft ion fountain during low geomagnetic activity

AbstractWe investigate low‐energy (<10 eV) ion upflows (mainly O+) within the cleft ion fountain (CIF) using conjunctions of the Enhanced Polar Outflow Probe (e‐POP) satellite, the DMSP F16 satellite, the SuperDARN radar, and the Resolute Bay Incoherent Scatter Radar North (RISR‐N). The SEI instrument on board e‐POP enables us to derive ion upflow velocities from the 2‐D images of ion distribution functions with a frame rate of 100 images per second, and with a velocity resolution of the order of 25 m/s. We identify three cleft ion fountain events with very intense (>1.6 km/s) ion upflow velocities near 1000 km altitude during quiet geomagnetic activity (Kp < 3). Such large ion upflow velocities have been reported previously at or below 1000 km, but only during active periods. Analysis of the core ion distribution images allows us to demonstrate that the ion temperature within the CIF does not rise by more than 0.3 eV relative to background values, which is consistent with RISR‐N observations in the F region. The presence of soft electron precipitation seen by DMSP and lack of significant ion heating indicate that the ion upflows we observe near 1000 km altitude are primarily driven by ambipolar electric fields. DC field‐aligned currents (FACs) and convection velocity gradients accompany these events. The strongest ion upflows are associated with downward current regions, which is consistent with some (although not all) previously published results. The moderate correlation coefficient (0.51) between upflow velocities and currents implies that FACs serve as indirect energy inputs to the ion upflow process.

New chorus wave properties near the equator from Van Allen Probes wave observations

AbstractThe chorus wave properties are evaluated using Van Allen Probes data in the Earth's equatorial magnetosphere. Two distinct modes of lower band chorus are identified: a quasi‐parallel mode and a quasi‐electrostatic mode, whose wave normal direction is close to the resonance cone. Statistical results indicate that the quasi‐electrostatic (quasi‐parallel) mode preferentially occurs during relatively quiet (disturbed) geomagnetic activity at lower (higher) L shells. Although the magnetic intensity of the quasi‐electrostatic mode is considerably weaker than the quasi‐parallel mode, their electric intensities are comparable. A newly identified feature of the quasi‐electrostatic mode is that its frequency peaks at higher values compared to the quasi‐parallel mode that exhibits a broad frequency spectrum. Moreover, upper band chorus wave normal directions vary between 0° and the resonance cone and become more parallel as geomagnetic activity increases. Our new findings suggest that chorus‐driven energetic electron dynamics needs a careful examination by considering the properties of these two distinct modes.

The dependence on geomagnetic conditions and solar wind dynamic pressure of the spatial distributions of EMIC waves observed by the Van Allen Probes

AbstractA statistical examination on the spatial distributions of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves observed by the Van Allen Probes against varying levels of geomagnetic activity (i.e., AE and SYM‐H) and dynamic pressure has been performed. Measurements taken by the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science for the first full magnetic local time (MLT) precession of the Van Allen Probes (September 2012–June 2014) are used to identify over 700 EMIC wave events. Spatial distributions of EMIC waves are found to vary depending on the level of geomagnetic activity and solar wind dynamic pressure. EMIC wave events were observed under quiet (AE ≤ 100 nT, 325 wave events), moderate (100 nT < AE ≤ 300 nT, 218 wave events), and disturbed (AE > 300 nT, 228 wave events) geomagnetic conditions and are primarily observed in the prenoon sector (~800 < MLT ≤ ~1100) at L ≈ 5.5 during quiet activity times. As AE increases to disturbed levels, the peak occurrence rates shift to the afternoon sector (1200 < MLT ≤ 1800) between L = 4 and L = 6. A majority of EMIC wave events (~56%) were observed during nonstorm times (defined by SYM‐H). Consistent with the quiet AE levels, nonstorm EMIC waves are observed in the prenoon sector. EMIC waves observed through the duration of a geomagnetic storm are primarily located in the afternoon sector. High solar wind pressure (Pdyn > 3 nPa) correlates to mostly afternoon EMIC wave observations.

Long-term monthly statistics of mid-latitudinal NmF2 in the northern geographic hemisphere during geomagnetically quiet and steadily low solar activity conditions

Long-term mid-latitude hourly values of NmF2 measured in 1957–2015 by 10 ionosondes in the Northern geographic hemisphere were processed to select periods of geomagnetically quiet and low solar activity conditions to calculate several descriptive statistics of the noon NmF2 for each month, including the mathematical expectation, most probable value, arithmetic average, and arithmetic average median. The month-to-month variability of these descriptors allowed us to identify months of a year when they reach their extremes (maxima, minima). The calculated month-to-month variations of the NmF2 statistical parameters made it possible to study the winter anomaly and spring–autumn asymmetry in these statistical parameters.

A new topside profiler based on Alouette/ISIS topside sounding

A new empirical model of the topside ionospheric density was developed to describe the measured topside profile accurately. This profiler is a composite of two separate layers of different ion species in the topside ionosphere, the O+ layer and the light-ions (H+ and He+) layer. The light-ions layer is characterized by an α-Chapman function with a linearly increasing scale height with altitude. This new model appears to perform the best as compared to five other typical topside profilers in representing data from ISIS-1&2 and Alouette-1&2 observations. We also analyzed the magnetic latitude dependence, seasonal variation, and day–night difference of the characteristic parameters of the light-ions layer during the magnetic quiet (Kp<4) and low solar activity (f107<120 solar flux unit, sfu) period within magnetic latitudes from −60° to 90°. The statistical results show the expected different behaviors of light-ions and O+ parameters. In addition, the portion of the light-ion components contributing to the topside-ionospheric total electron content (TTEC) was studied also. The results suggest that the light ions make a great contribution to the TTEC, especially in magnetic low- and middle-latitudes at night.

Practicing Transcendental Meditation in High Schools: Relationship to Well-being and Academic Achievement Among Students

The Quiet Time program provides a 15-min period at the beginning and end of the school day where students may practice Transcendental Meditation (TM) or another quiet activity such as reading silently to oneself. This study examined the impact of participating in Quiet Time on ninth-grade students (n = 141) by comparing their outcomes to those of a group of ninth-grade students (n = 53) attending a school that did not participate in Quiet Time. Students in both groups completed an assessment battery in early October 2012, shortly after which treatment students learned TM, and again in May 2013. Analysis of covariance was used to analyze the differences between the treatment and comparison groups. Results indicated that students who participated in Quiet Time scored significantly lower on anxiety (p < 0.05) and higher on resilience (p < 0.05) at follow-up than comparison group students. Within the treatment group, students who spent more time meditating also had higher resilience scores and higher instruction time. After participating in Quiet Time, students self-reported increases in their sleep, happiness, and self-confidence.

How can GOCE and TerraSAR-X contribute to the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere research?

In this study we analyze concurrent observations derived from two low-Earth orbit satellite missions—the GOCE (Gravity field and steady state Ocean Circulation Explorer) satellite with unprecedented low orbit of 250 km and the TerraSAR-X satellite with orbit altitude of 515 km. The science payloads of both satellites have no instruments for ionospheric research, but they include a dual-frequency GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. GPS measurements from the precise orbit determination GPS antenna on board these satellites can be used to determine TEC (total electron content) at the topside ionosphere-plasmasphere system for different conditions. Results derived from these missions are presented for the first time. The comparison was done for June and December solstice conditions at low and moderate solar activity levels for quiet geomagnetic activity. We obtain the quantitative estimates of electron content and its percentage contribution to the ground-based GPS TEC for topside ionosphere/plasmasphere at altitudes 250–500 km and above 500 km. Similarities and differences in such electron content distribution on a global scale are discussed. Distinctive features of the Weddell Sea Anomaly and equatorial ionization anomaly are evident in the topside TEC derived from GOCE GPS data. We report the Weddell Sea Anomaly presence in TEC at early morning local time.

Suprathermal ions in the solar wind during the minimum activities of the 23rd and 24th cycles at 1 AU

The energy spectra and relative ion abundances of 4He, C, O, and Fe ions with energies of 0.04–1 MeV/nucleon during the periods of quiet solar activity at 1 AU are studied using ACE/ULEIS data. The spectra and relative abundances of suprathermal ions in the solar wind from near-equatorial coronal holes were obtained during the prolonged solar activity minimum of 2007–2009. It is shown that the ratios C/O and Fe/O correspond to the relative content of ions in the fast and slow solar wind. The intensity of suprathermal ions in the particle flow from coronal holes grew along with the solar wind velocity.

Asynchronous RTK precise DGNSS positioning method for deriving a low-latency high-rate output

Low-latency high-rate ( $$>$$ 1 Hz) precise real-time kinematic (RTK) can be applied in high-speed scenarios such as aircraft automatic landing, precise agriculture and intelligent vehicle. The classic synchronous RTK (SRTK) precise differential GNSS (DGNSS) positioning technology, however, is not able to obtain a low-latency high-rate output for the rover receiver because of long data link transmission time delays (DLTTD) from the reference receiver. To overcome the long DLTTD, this paper proposes an asynchronous real-time kinematic (ARTK) method using asynchronous observations from two receivers. The asynchronous observation model (AOM) is developed based on undifferenced carrier phase observation equations of the two receivers at different epochs with short baseline. The ephemeris error and atmosphere delay are the possible main error sources on positioning accuracy in this model, and they are analyzed theoretically. In a short DLTTD and during a period of quiet ionosphere activity, the main error sources decreasing positioning accuracy are satellite orbital errors: the “inverted ephemeris error” and the integration of satellite velocity error which increase linearly along with DLTTD. The cycle slip of asynchronous double-differencing carrier phase is detected by TurboEdit method and repaired by the additional ambiguity parameter method. The AOM can deal with synchronous observation model (SOM) and achieve precise positioning solution with synchronous observations as well, since the SOM is only a specific case of AOM. The proposed method not only can reduce the cost of data collection and transmission, but can also support the mobile phone network data link transfer mode for the data of the reference receiver. This method can avoid data synchronizing process besides ambiguity initialization step, which is very convenient for real-time navigation of vehicles. The static and kinematic experiment results show that this method achieves 20 Hz or even higher rate output in real time. The ARTK positioning accuracy is better and more robust than the combination of phase difference over time (PDOT) and SRTK method at a high rate. The ARTK positioning accuracy is equivalent to SRTK solution when the DLTTD is 0.5 s, and centimeter level accuracy can be achieved even when DLTTD is 15 s.

Interplanetary magnetic field dependence of the suprathermal energetic neutral atoms originated in subsolar magnetopause

AbstractUsing energetic neutral atom (ENA) emission observations of the subsolar magnetopause measured by the Interstellar Boundary Explorer (IBEX), we study the correlation between the upstream interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions and the spectral index of the source ion population. Our ENA data set includes hour‐averaged ENA measurements at energies between ∼0.5 and ∼6 keV obtained by the IBEX High Energy ENA imager from January 2009 to May 2011. Under the condition of quiet geomagnetic activity (SYM‐H index &gt;−20 nT), we find that the shallower spectra in the suprathermal tail of the ion population of the subsolar magnetopause is weakly correlated (correlation coefficient of −0.30) with the shock angle of the Earth's bow shock, but not correlated with parameters related to magnetic reconnection (i.e., elevation and clock angle of the interplanetary magnetic field orientation). The observed correlation suggests suprathermal ion energization from diffusive shock acceleration and thus that the suprathermal ions in the subsolar magnetopause are of shocked solar wind origin. We also argue that the roles of magnetospheric ion leakage or ion acceleration by magnetic reconnection are reduced in the magnetopause emissions compared to shock acceleration processes.

Longitudinal variations of the nighttime E layer electron density in the auroral zone

AbstractLongitudinal variations of the nighttime E layer electron density (21:00–03:00 magnetic local time) in the auroral zone are investigated, and their sources are discussed in terms of auroral precipitation and solar radiation. The electron density data used in this study are retrieved from Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate radio occultation observations during 2006–2009 under quiet geomagnetic activity (Kp ≤ 3) and solar minimum conditions. The main conclusions of this study are as follows: (1) the nighttime E layer electron density had pronounced longitudinal variations in the auroral zone. These variations depended on season and had large hemispheric asymmetry for all seasons. In winter, relatively larger electron density was located in 120–310° magnetic longitude (MLON) in the northern hemisphere and in 170–360° MLON in the southern hemisphere, and greater maximum density occurred in the northern hemisphere than in the southern one. In summer and equinox, the longitudinal asymmetry was greater in the southern hemisphere. (2) The peaks of the E layer electron density along latitude generally occurred between 65° and 70° magnetic latitude in the auroral zone in all seasons for both hemispheres except for the sunlit sector of the southern summer. (3) The greater electron density in local winter in the auroral zone was generally associated with the more intense auroral precipitation intensity at roughly the same longitude, whereas the longitudinal patterns of the electron density were under the combined impact of both auroral precipitation and solar radiation in the local summer and equinoxes.

Vertical and Horizontal Polarization Observations of Slowly Varying Solar Emissions from Operational Swiss Weather Radars

The electromagnetic power that arrives from the Sun in the C-band has been used to check the quality of the polarimetric, Doppler weather radar network that has recently been installed in Switzerland. The operational monitoring of this network is based on the analysis of Sun signals in the polar volume data produced during the MeteoSwiss scan program. It relies on a method that has been developed to: (1) determine electromagnetic antenna pointing; (2) monitor receiver stability; and (3) assess the differential reflectivity offset. Most of the results from such a method had been derived using data acquired in 2008, which was a period of quiet solar flux activity. Here, it has been applied, in simplified form, to the currently active Sun period. This note describes the results that have been obtained recently thanks to an inter-comparison of three polarimetric operational radars and the Sun’s reference signal observed in Canada in the S-band by the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO). The focus is on relative calibration: horizontal and vertical polarization are evaluated versus the DRAO reference and mutually compared. All six radar receivers (three systems, two polarizations) are able to capture and describe the monthly variability of the microwave signal emitted by the Sun. It can be concluded that even this simplified form of the method has the potential to routinely monitor dual-polarization weather radar networks during periods of intense Sun activity.

What causes nitric oxide to infiltrate the ozone layer?

At the Earth's poles, energetic particles that are injected into the atmosphere can chemically react and form nitric oxide (NO) molecules, which then descend through the atmosphere and can destroy ozone there. Previous studies have found that intense geomagnetic events lead to the largest descents of NO, but more recent research—following a large flux of NO in a period of quiet geomagnetic activity—suggests that such fluxes can have different origins.

Evolution of relativistic outer belt electrons during an extended quiescent period

AbstractTo effectively study loss due to hiss‐driven precipitation of relativistic electrons in the outer radiation belt, it is useful to isolate this loss by studying a time of relatively quiet geomagnetic activity. We present a case of initial enhancement and slow, steady decay of 700 keV–2 MeV electron populations in the outer radiation belt during an extended quiescent period from ∼15 December 2012 to 13 January 2013. We incorporate particle measurements from a constellation of satellites, including the Colorado Student Space Weather Experiment (CSSWE) CubeSat, the Van Allen Probes twin spacecraft, and Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS), to understand the evolution of the electron populations across pitch angle and energy. Additional data from calculated phase space density, as well as hiss and chorus wave data from Van Allen Probes, help complete the picture of the slow precipitation loss of relativistic electrons during a quiet time. Electron loss to the atmosphere during this event is quantified through use of the Loss Index Method, utilizing CSSWE measurements at low Earth orbit. By comparing these results against equatorial Van Allen Probes electron flux data, we conclude the net precipitation loss of the outer radiation belt content to be greater than 92%, suggesting no significant acceleration during this period, and resulting in faster electron loss rates than have previously been reported.

Formation of the equatorial thermosphere anomaly trough: Local time and solar cycle variations

AbstractThis paper evaluates the formation and behavior of the equatorial thermosphere anomaly (ETA) trough in neutral temperature and mass density using the National Center for Atmospheric Research thermosphere‐ionosphere electrodynamics general circulation model under quiet geomagnetic activity and March equinox conditions. The driving mechanism for the generation of the ETA trough in the model is field‐aligned ion drag. In our simulations, during the daytime, field‐aligned ion drag on the north‐south flanks of the magnetic equator causes a divergence in meridional winds, leading to an upward change in vertical winds, adiabatic cooling, and a reduction in neutral temperature of about 30 K over the magnetic equator near 400 km. This response closely links ETA behavior to variations in the equatorial ionosphere anomaly (EIA) associated with local time and solar cycle. As the EIA begins to disappear in the evening, the processes in the ETA mechanism recede, causing the ETA trough to subside. The ETA trough is not completely eliminated until about after 23:00 LT. In our simulations, the trough becomes more prominent as the solar cycle progresses from low (F10.7=80) to high (F10.7=180), in agreement with observations. The neutral‐ion collision frequency (proportional to variations in electron density) controls ETA day‐to‐night and solar cycle variations, while plasma scale height and gradients in electron number density and plasma temperature produce a secondary structure in ETA local time behavior that varies with solar cycle levels.

Simulation of high-energy radiation belt electron fluxes using NARMAX-VERB coupled codes.

This study presents a fusion of data-driven and physics-driven methodologies of energetic electron flux forecasting in the outer radiation belt. Data-driven NARMAX (Nonlinear AutoRegressive Moving Averages with eXogenous inputs) model predictions for geosynchronous orbit fluxes have been used as an outer boundary condition to drive the physics-based Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code, to simulate energetic electron fluxes in the outer radiation belt environment. The coupled system has been tested for three extended time periods totalling several weeks of observations. The time periods involved periods of quiet, moderate, and strong geomagnetic activity and captured a range of dynamics typical of the radiation belts. The model has successfully simulated energetic electron fluxes for various magnetospheric conditions. Physical mechanisms that may be responsible for the discrepancies between the model results and observations are discussed.

COMPARISON OF COSEISMIC IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCE WAVEFORMS REVISITED: STRIKE-SLIP, NORMAL, AND REVERSE FAULT EARTHQUAKE

Using Total Electron Content (TEC) measurements with Global Positioning System we studied ionospheric responses to three large earthquakes with difference focal mechanism that occurred in the Sumatra Andaman 26 December 2004, North off Sumatra 11 April 2012, and North Japan 7 December 2012. These earthquakes have different focal mechanisms, i.e. high-angle reverse, strike-slip, and normal faulting, respectively. TEC responses to the Sumatra Andaman 2004 and north Japan 2012 events initiated with positive changes. On the other hand, the initial TEC changes in the Sumatra 2012 earthquake showed both positive and negative polarities depending on the azimuth around the focal area. Such a variety may reflect differences in coseismic vertical crustal displacements, which are dominated by uplift and subsidence in the Sumatra 2012 event. This phenomena has same characteristic with 1994 Kuril Arch earthquake. There are three different propagation velocity in the Sumatra 2012 earthquake, within the first 300 km until 430 km, the CID propagation velocity was ~3 km/s, which is equal to the secod sound speed at the height of the ionospheric F-layer. Starting from 380 km until 750 km out from the epicenter, the disturbance seems to divide into two separate perturbations, with each propagating at a different velocity, about 1 km/s for the one and about 0.4 m/s for the other. The apparent velocity in the Sumatra Andaman 2004 and Japan 2012 propagated ~ 1 km/s and ~ 0.3 km/s, consistent with the sound speed at the ionospheric F layer height and internal gravity wave respectively. Resonant oscillation of TEC with a frequency of ~ 3.7 mHZ and ~4.4 mHz have been found in the Sumatra 2012 and Sumatra Andaman 2004 events. Those earthquakes, which occurred during a period of quiet geomagnetic activity, also showed clear preseismic TEC anomalies similar to those before the 2011 Tohoku-Oki and 2007 Bengkulu earthquake. The positive anomalies started 30-60 minutes before the earthquake to the north of the fault region. However, preseismic ionospheric anomalies of the 2012 Japan earthquake could not be observed because moment magnitude of the earthquake is smaller than Mw 8.2

Weak ionization of the global ionosphere in solar cycle 24

Abstract. Following prolonged and extremely quiet solar activity from 2008 to 2009, the 24th solar cycle started slowly. It has been almost 5 years since then. The measurement of ionospheric critical frequency (foF2) shows the fact that solar activity has been significantly lower in the first half of cycle 24, compared to the average levels of cycles 19 to 23; the data of global average total electron content (TEC) confirm that the global ionosphere around the cycle 24 peak is much more weakly ionized, in contrast to cycle 23. The weak ionization has been more notable since the year 2012, when both the ionosphere and solar activity were expected to be approaching their maximum level. The undersupply of solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) irradiance somewhat continues after the 2008–2009 minimum, and is considered to be the main cause of the weak ionization. It further implies that the thermosphere and ionosphere in the first solar cycle of this millennium would probably differ from what we have learned from the previous cycles of the space age.

Geomagnetic activity effect on the global ionosphere during the 2007–2009 deep solar minimum

AbstractIn this paper the significant effect of weaker geomagnetic activity during the 2007–2009 deep solar minimum on ionospheric variability on the shorter‐term time scales of several days was highlighted via investigating the response of daily mean global electron content (GEC, the global area integral of total electron content derived from ground‐based GPS measurements) to geomagnetic activity index Ap. Based on a case during the deep solar minimum, the effect of the recurrent weaker geomagnetic disturbances on the ionosphere was evident. Statistical analyses indicate that the effect of weaker geomagnetic activity on GEC variations on shorter‐term time scales was significant during 2007–2009 even under relatively quiet geomagnetic activity condition; daily mean GEC was positively correlated with geomagnetic activity. However, GEC variations on shorter‐term time scales were poorly correlated with geomagnetic activity during the solar cycle descending phase of 2003–2005 except under strong geomagnetic disturbance condition. Statistically, the effects of solar EUV irradiance, geomagnetic activity, and other factors (e.g., meteorological sources) on GEC variations on shorter‐term time scales were basically equivalent during the 2007–2009 solar minimum.

Altitude variations in the thermosphere mass density response to geomagnetic activity during the recent solar minimum

AbstractAccelerometer data from coplanar orbits of Challenging Minisatellite Payload (CHAMP) and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites were used to study the complex altitude and latitude variations of the thermosphere mass density response to geomagnetic activity during 1–10 December 2008 near 09 LT. Helium number densities near 500 km altitude were extracted from the CHAMP and GRACE measurements and clearly show the presence of a winter hemisphere helium bulge. This recent extreme solar minimum indicates that wintertime helium concentrations exceed NRLMSISE‐00 model estimates by 30%–70% during quiet geomagnetic activity after adjusting F10.7 input into MSIS. The perturbation in mass density from quiet to active conditions is found to be less enhanced in the winter hemisphere at the higher GRACE altitudes (25%) than at the lower CHAMP altitudes (60%) and is attributed to dynamic behavior in the helium/oxygen transition. The investigation revealed the maximum storm time density perturbation to occur near the He/O transition region with a much weaker maximum near the O/N2 transition region. The altitude of maximum density perturbation occurs where the perturbation in the weighted pressure scale height is equal and opposite to the perturbation in the weighted mean molecular weight scale height. The altitude structure of density scale height perturbation is significantly influenced by the changes in the molecular weight scale height and can account for 50% of the change in mass density scale height in a region correspondingly close to the He/O transition during the 2008 solar minimum period.