Guided waves in the plasma sheet and triggering of a substorm

A guided propagation of magnetoacoustic wave in the plasma sheet located between two lobes of the magnetotail is investigated. The dispersion equation for the wave and equation connecting a disturbance of plasma pressure inside the plasma sheet and amplitude of the plasma sheet boundary oscillations are obtained. For some value of plasma pressure disturbance, the displacement of the plasma sheet boundaries becomes of order of the half-thickness of the plasma sheet. In the case of symmetrical oscillations of the boundaries (“sausage-like” mode), it creates the favorable conditions for reconnection of the magnetic field lines in the magnetotail and may lead to triggering of a substorm. The magnetoacoustic wave may be generated by sudden impulse of the solar wind plasma pressure.     

High-resolution computed microtomography for the characterization of a diffusion tensor imaging phantom

This paper addresses the issue of the quantitative characterization of the structure of the calibration model (phantom) for b-matrix spatial distribution diffusion tensor imaging (BSD-DTI) scanners. The aim of this study was to verify manufacturing assumptions of the structure of materials, since phantoms are used for BSD-DTI calibration directly after manufacturing. Visualization of the phantoms’ structure was achieved through optical microscopy and high-resolution computed microtomography (µCT). Using µCT images, a numerical model of the materials structure was developed for further quantitative analysis. 3D image characterization was performed to determine crucial structural parameters of the phantom: porosity, uniformity and distribution of equivalent diameter of capillary bundles. Additionally calculations of hypothetical flow streamlines were also performed based on the numerical model that was developed. The results obtained in this study can be used in the calibration of DTI-BST measurements. However, it was found that the structure of the phantom exhibits flaws and discrepancies from the assumed geometry which might affect BSD-DTI calibration.     

Remotely imaging the plasma sheet with low-altitude satellite clusters

Low-altitude satellites make latitudinal cuts through the entire plasma sheet within a few minutes. We show that by combining several such satellites it is possible to form an image of a large portion of the plasma sheet within a relatively short time. Strictly speaking such a technique images the field-aligned portion of the plasma sheet, however, theoretical work as well as extensive in situ observations have demonstrated that the plasma sheet is highly isotropic. In practice the most significant limitation is that electron acceleration events (including the auroral bulge) require discarding the associated ion data. An instance when five DMSP satellites (F10–F14) went through the southern hemisphere nightside oval within a 19 min period is used to construct the first partial magnetotail image. The possibilities of combining data from other missions to construct more complete composite images is considered. This technique is also highly useful in statistical studies of the plasma sheet. Because a low-altitude spacecraft cuts through the plasma sheet about 25 times as often as a mid-altitude spacecraft, and hundreds of times more often than high-altitude spacecraft, statistically meaningful surveys of the plasma sheet as a whole are hundreds of times easier using a collection of DMSP satellites. We demonstrate herein that the dawn LLBL flank is an apparent source of cold magnetosheath plasma supplied to the central plasma sheet.     

Shear flow instabilities in the earth’s plasma sheet region

Shear flow instability arising from the velocity shear between the inner and the outer central plasma sheet regions is studied by treating the plasma as compressible. Based on the linearized MHD equations, dispersion relations for the surface wave modes occurring at the boundary of the inner central plasma sheet (ICPS) and the outer central plasma sheet (OCPS) are derived. The growth rates and the eigenmode frequencies are obtained numerically. Three data sets consisting of parameters relevant to the earth’s magnetotail are considered. The plasma sheet region is found to be stable for constant plasma flows unless M_A>9.6, where M_A is the Alfvén Mach number in the ICPS. However, for a continuously varying flow velocity profile in the ICPS, the instability is excited for M_A\geq1.4. The excited modes have oscillation periods of 2–10 min and 1.5–6 s, and typical transverse wavelengths of 30–100 R_E and 0.5–6 R_E for data sets 1 and 2 (i.e., case of no neutral sheet) respectively. For the data set 3, which corresponds to a neutral sheet at the center of the plasma sheet, the excited oscillations have periods of 2 s-1 min with transverse wavelengths of 0.02–1 R_E.     

On the magnetic field diffusion in mhd modeling of the inner coma of comet halley

Abstract

Some approaches of one-dimensional time-dependent magneto-hydrodynamic modeling of the structure of the inner coma of comet Halley are considered. The influence of the magnetic field diffusion on this structure is studied. The solution of Cravens (1989) approach containing classic magnetic diffusion is compared with an approach containing a specific diffusion, caused by non-instantaneous mass-loading of new ions. A case with no magnetic field is also considered. Common features of all the solutions are obtained. Special attention is paid to the sharp velocity jump, synchronized with a local density pick. Some differences between two types of magnetic field diffusion are discussed. A possible connection is supposed between this consideration and the large-scale shock fitting modeling of the solar plasma-comet interaction.     

Travelling convection vortices in the ionosphere map to the central plasma sheet

We investigate the magnetospheric domain responsible for the generation of ionospheric travelling convection vortices (TCV) by comparing the location of the TCV to the locations of the low-altitude particle-precipitation boundaries deduced from the DMSP satellite measurements. For three very well documented TCV events we are able to identify suitable satellite passes, in the sense that for each event we can identify two to three passes occurring close to the TCV observation in both time and space. In all three cases the comparisons place the TCV centres at or equatorward of the central plasma sheet/boundary plasma sheet precipitation boundary. Thus our results indicate that the field-aligned currents related to the TCV originate in the plasma sheet rather than at the magnetopause or in the low-latitude boundary layer, as previous studies suggest.Permanent address: Polar Geophysical Institute, Apatity, Murmansk region, 184200, Russia     

Estimation of the eddy-diffusion coefficients in the plasma sheet using THEMIS satellite data

We have studied the turbulent processes in the central plasma sheet using the tailward alignments of THEMIS satellites. Fluctuations of the plasma bulk velocity and corresponding eddy-diffusion coefficients were calculated using the simultaneous data obtained by THEMIS satellites situated inside the central plasma sheet between approximately 5 and 30 Earth's radii. The instantaneous profiles of eddy-diffusion coefficients show an increase with distance from the Earth in the tailward direction. This result agrees with previous statistical studies, and it is relevant for the understanding of the dynamics of the turbulent plasma sheet.     

近地等离子体片中磁场扰动和离子速度扰动的统计研究

利用THEMIS THC卫星观测数据统计分析近地等离子体片中磁场扰动和等离子体整体流的速度扰动的关系,研究Alfven波动的活动性.研究结果表明:1)等离子体整体流的速度扰动幅度依赖于平均速度的大小,速度扰动幅度随平均速度的增加而增加;2)速度扰动幅度与磁场扰动幅度存在较强的正相关性;3)磁场扰动幅度与AE指数密切相关,磁场扰动幅度随着AE指数增加而增加,而速度扰动幅度与AE指数之间没有明显的相关性;4)Alfven比与AE指数的相关系数较小,但能够看出Alfven比随着AE指数增加而减小的趋势;5)速度扰动幅度和磁场扰动幅度与尾向距离及距中性片距离的关系不明显.     

Compressional wave events in the dawn plasma sheet observed by Interball-1

Compressional waves with periods greater than 2 min (about 10–30 min) at low geomagnetic latitudes, namely compressional Pc5 waves, are studied. The data set obtained with magnetometer MIF-M and plasma analyzer instrument CORALL on board the Interball-1 are analyzed. Measurements performed in October 1995 and October 1996 in the dawn plasma sheet at −30 R_E ≤ X_GSM and |Z_GSM| ≤ 10 R_E are considered. Anti-phase variations of magnetic field and ion plasma pressures are analyzed by searching for morphological similarities in the two time series. It is found that longitudinal and transverse magnetic field variations with respect to the background magnetic field are of the same order of magnitude. Plasma velocities are processed for each time period of the local dissimilarity in the pressure time series. VeloCity disturbances occur mainly transversely to the local field line. The data reveal the rotation of the veloCity vector. Because of the field line curvature, there is no fixed position of the rotational plane in the space. These vortices are localized in the regions of anti-phase variations of the magnetic field and plasma pressures, and the vortical flows are associated with the compressional Pc5 wave process. A theoretical model is proposed to explain the main features of the nonlinear wave processes. Our main goal is to study coupling of drift Alfven wave and magnetosonic wave in a warm inhomogeneous plasma. A vortex is the partial solution of the set of the equations when the compression is neglected. A compression effect gives rise to a nonlinear soliton-like solution.     

Variation of the plasma turbulence in the central plasma sheet during substorm phases observed by the interball/tail satellite

Fluctuations of the plasma bulk velocity across the plasma sheet are studied using single-point measurements from the Corall instrument on board the Interball/Tail satellite. Several hour-long intervals of continuous data corresponding to quiet geomagnetic conditions and different phases of isolated substorms are analyzed. The plasma sheet flow appears to be strongly turbulent, i.e. dominated by fluctuations that are unpredictable. Corresponding eddy diffusion coefficients were obtained as a function of the autocorrelation time and rms velocity of the fluctuations. It was found that the amplitude of the turbulence and the values of eddy-diffusion coefficients increase significantly during substorm growth and expansion phases and they decrease to their initial level during the recovery phase. We also studied a relationship between the eddy-diffusion coefficients and the absolute value of the geomagnetic field, also measured by the Interball/Tail satellite. It was found that this relationship varies depending on the phase of substorm, indicating possible change in the turbulence regimen with substorm phase.     

Spatial structure of the plasma sheet boundary layer at distances greater than 180 RE as derived from energetic particle measurements on GEOTAIL

We have analyzed the onsets of energetic particle bursts detected by the ICS and STICS sensors of the EPIC instrument on board the GEOTAIL spacecraft in the deep magnetotail (i.e., at distances greater than 180 RK). Such bursts are commonly observed at the plasma-sheet boundary layer (PSBL) and are highly collimated along the magnetic field. The bursts display a normal velocity dispersion (i.e., the higher-speed particles are seen first, while the progressively lower speed particles are seen later) when observed upon entry of the spacecraft from the magnetotail lobes into the plasma sheet. Upon exit from the plasma sheet a reverse velocity dispersion is observed (i.e., lower-speed particles disappear first and higher-speed particles disappear last). Three major findings are as follows. First, the tailward-jetting energetic particle populations of the distant-tail plasma sheet display an energy layering: the energetic electrons stream along open PSBL field lines with peak fluxes at the lobes. Energetic protons occupy the next layer, and as the spacecraft moves towards the neutral sheet progressively decreasing energies are encountered systematically. These plasma-sheet layers display spatial symmetry, with the plane of symmetry the neutral sheet. Second, if we consider the same energy level of energetic particles, then the H layer is confined within that of the energetic electron, the He⁺⁺ layer is confined within that of the proton, and the oxygen layer is confined within the alpha particle layer. Third, whenever the energetic electrons show higher fluxes inside the plasma sheet as compared to those at the boundary layer, their angular distribution is isotropic irrespective of the Earthward or tailward character of fluxes, suggesting a closed field line topology.     

Strong atmospheric disturbances as a possible origin of inner zone particle diffusion

A new mechanism of the atmosphere-magnetosphere interaction, which might be called “acoustic-magnetospheric cyclotron accelerator”, is proposed. The idea of this mechanism stems from the fact that strong acoustical perturbations in the ionosphere (e.g., due to earthquakes, thunderstorms, etc.) may generate magnetic disturbances in the magnetosphere. Then, the latter will induce local resonant acceleration and subsequent inward diffusion of trapped particles. This idea may be fruitful in the interpretation of some occasional increases in inner zone particle fluxes which do not correlate with the solar or magnetospheric activities.     

Variability of the spatial structure of intense Mediterranean precipitation

Intense Mediterranean precipitation can generate devastating flash floods. A better understanding of the spatial structure of intense rainfall is critical to better identify catchments that will produce strong hydrological responses. We focus on two intense Mediterranean rain events of different types that occured in 2002. Radar and rain gauge measurements are combined to have a data set with a high spatial (1 × 1 km²) and temporal (5 min) resolution. Two thresholds are determined using the quantiles of the rain rate values, corresponding to the precipitating system at large and to the intense rain cells. A method based on indicator variograms associated with the thresholds is proposed in order to automatically quantify the spatial structure at each time step during the entire rain events. Therefore, its variability within intense rain events can be investigated. The spatial structure is found to be homogeneous over periods that can be related to the dynamics of the events. Moreover, a decreasing time resolution (i.e., increasing accumulation period) of the rain rate data will stretch the spatial structure because of the advection of rain cells by the wind. These quantitative characteristics of the spatial structure of intense Mediterranean rainfall will be useful to improve our understanding of the dynamics of flash floods.     

Dependence of magnetic activity on the plasma sheet location relative to the geomagnetic equator

Geomagnetic activity variations depending on the angle between the planes of geomagnetic equator and plasma sheet of the magnetosphere are considered on the basis of data of midlatitude stations. The dependences of diurnal variations proceeding in the universal time with opposite phases in winter and summer months, as well as the well-known semiannual variations in magnetic activity, on this angle are established. The amplitude of the diurnal wave displays substantial semiannual variations with maximums in the periods of solstices.     

The effect of nested grid sampling on the parameter estimation of a spatial Gompertz diffusion

This paper evaluates the effects of using data observed on regular nested grids on the parameter estimates of a two-parameter Gompertz diffusion model. This new spatial diffusion process represents a technically more complex stage of Gompertz modeling. Firstly, the diffusion model is introduced through an appropriate transformation of a two-parameter Gaussian diffusion process. Probabilistic characteristics of this model, such as the transition densities and the trend functions, are obtained. Secondly, statistical estimation is considered using data obtained on a regular or irregular grid; the explicit expression of the likelihood equations and the parameter estimators are given for regular grids. Finally, a simulation experiment illustrates the results of this paper.     

Effect of zero measurements on the spatial correlation structure of rainfall

In this study, the effect of zero measurements on the spatial correlation function of rainfall is analyzed for the quantification of a rainfall field. The use of a bivariate mixed distribution function made it possible to analyze and compare the spatial correlation functions for these three different data sets: only the positive measurements at both gauge locations, positive measurements at either one or both gauge locations, and all measurements including zero at both locations. As an example, the spatial correlation functions are derived for the Geum River Basin, Korea and evaluated for the wet and dry seasons, respectively. Results show that the effect of zero measurements on spatial correlation structures is significant during the wet season, when the inter-station correlations were estimated significantly lower than those during the dry season. It was also found that only the case considering positive measurements are valid for the quantification of rainfall field. Even during the wet season, the inter-station correlation coefficients derived by considering the zero measurements show their high variability along with many abnormally looking high estimates, which made the quantification of the spatial correlation function become very ambiguous.     

Non-stationary spatial covariance structure estimation in oversampled domains by cluster differences scaling with spatial constraints

In the analysis of spatiotemporal processes underlying environmental studies, the estimation of the non-stationary spatial covariance structure is a well known issue in which multidimensional scaling (MDS) provides an important methodological approach (Sampson and Guttorp in J Am Stat Assoc 87:108–119, 1992). It is also well known that approximating dispersion by a non-metric MDS procedure offers, in general, low precision when accurate differences in spatial dispersion are needed for interpolation purposes, specially if a low dimensional configuration is employed besides a high number of stations in oversampled domains. This paper presents a modification, consisting of including geographical spatial constraints, of Heiser and Groenen’s (Psychometrika 62:63–83, 1997) cluster differences scaling algorithm by which not the original stations but the cluster centres can be represented, while the stations and clusters retain their spatial relationships. A decomposition of the sum of squared dissimilarities into contributions from several sources of variation can be employed for an exploratory diagnosis of the model. Real data are analyzed and differences between several cluster-MDS strategies are discussed.