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At least 397 records · Page 22

Magnetic storm characteristics of the thermosphere

Energy and diffusive mass transport associated with the thermospheric circulation are considered in a self-consistent, though mathematically relatively simple form to describe in a three-dimensional two-constituent model magnetic storm characteristics in composition (N2, O, and He), temperature and mass-density. It is shown that during disturbed conditions the latitudinal variations of composition and gas temperature T sub g reflect the local nature of the magnetic storm heat input assumed to be primarily confined to the auroral zones. Thereby T sub g and N2 increase, He decreases and O remains constant through the auroral zones at exospheric heights (due to the superposition of temperature and diffusion effects) in agreement with OGO-6 mass spectrometer measurements. In contrast, the magnetic storm response in the total mass density is characterized by a strong world-wide component and a relatively insignificant increase toward the poles with the density peak occurring between two (poles) and eight (equator) hours after the maximum energy input, in substantial agreement with satellite drag data.

Mayr, H. G.↗

Magnetic storm characteristics of the thermosphere.

Energy and diffusive mass transport associated with the thermospheric circulation are considered in a self-consistent, though mathematically relatively simple, form to describe in a three-dimensional two-constituent model magnetic storm characteristics in composition (N2, O, and He), temperature, and mass-density. It is shown that during disturbed conditions the latitudinal variations of composition and gas temperature reflect the local nature of the magnetic storm heat input assumed to be primarily confined to the auroral zones. Thereby gas temperature and N2 increase, He decreases, and O remains constant through the auroral zones at exospheric heights (due to the superposition of temperature and diffusion effects) in agreement with Ogo 6 mass spectrometer measurements. In contrast, the magnetic storm response in the total mass density is characterized by a strong worldwide component and a relatively insignificant increase toward the poles.

Mayr, H. G.↗

Effects on the geomagnetic tail at 60 earth radii of the geomagnetic storm of April 9, 1971.

A geomagnetic storm beginning with an sc occurred on Apr. 9, 1971. During the storm the charged particle lunar environment experiment at the Apollo 14 site, the solar wind spectrometer experiment at the Apollo 12 site, and the Ames magnetometers on Explorer 35 took data in the magnetosheath, at the magnetopause, in the plasma sheet, and in the high-latitude geomagnetic tail. The MIT Faraday cup and Ames magnetometers on board Explorer 33 monitored the solar wind. The data show that the storm was caused by a corotating tangential discontinuity in the solar wind, the magnetopause position is strongly dependent on the attack angle of the solar wind, and the tail field strength was indirectly measured to increase from 10 to 14 gamma after the sc. During the main phase the field strength in the tail was observed to increase to between 28 and 34 gamma. This increase is consistent with a thermal and magnetic compression of the tail radius from about 26 to about 16 earth radii.

Burke, W. J.↗

Explorer 45 (S 3-A) observations of the magnetosphere and magnetopause during the 4-5 August 1972, magnetic storm period

The Explorer 45 satellite performed extensive field and particle measurements in the heart of the magnetosphere during the double magnetic storm period of August 4-5, 1972. Both ground level magnetic records and the magnetic field deformations measured along the orbit by the satellite indicated the existence of only a moderate ring current. This was confirmed by the measurements of the total proton energy density less than those observed during the December 1971 and June 1972 magnetic storms. The plasmapause in the noon quadrant was eroded continuously from the onset of the first storm at the beginning of August 4 to an altitude below L = 2.07 at about 18 hours on August 5. During the orbit containing the second sudden commencement a large amount of low frequency electric and magnetic field noise was encountered throughout the entire orbit. A noteworthy observation during this orbit was the contraction of the magnetopause to distances inside the satellite at L = 5.2.

Hoffman, R. A.↗

A study of geomagnetic storms

Twenty-one geomagnetic storm events during 1966 and 1970 were studied by using simultaneous interplanetary magnetic field and plasma parameters. Explorer 33 and 35 field and plasma data were analyzed on large-scale (hourly) and small-scale (3 min.) during the time interval coincident with initial phase of the geomagnetic storms. The solar-ecliptic Bz component turns southward at the end of the initial phase, thus triggering the main phase decrease in Dst geomagnetic field. When the Bz is already negative, its value becomes further negative. The By component also shows large fluctuations along with Bz. When there are no clear changes in the Bz component, the By shows abrupt changes at the main phase onet. On the small-scale behavior of the magnetic field and electric field (E=-VxB) studied in details for the three events, it is found that the field fluctuations in By, Bz and Ey and Ez are present in the initial phase. These fluctuations become larger just before the main phase of the storm begins. In the largescale behavior field remains quiet because the small scale variations are averaged out.

Patel, V. L.↗

Interplanetary field and plasma during initial phase of geomagnetic storms

Twenty-three geomagnetic storm events during 1966 to 1970 were studied by using simultaneous interplanetary magnetic field and plasma parameters. Explorer 33 and 35 field and plasma data were analyzed on large-scale (hourly) and small-scale (3 min.) during the time interval coincident with the initial phase of the geomagnetic storms. The solar-ecliptic Bz component turns southward at the end of the initial phase, thus triggering the main phase decrease in Dst geomagnetic field. The By component also shows large fluctuations along with Bz. When there are no clear changes in the Bz component, the By shows abrupt changes at the main phase onset. On the small-scale, behavior of the magnetic field and electric field were studied in detail for the three events; it is found that the field fluctuations in By, Bz and Ey and Ez are present in the initial phase. In the large-scale, the behavior field remains quiet because the small-scale variations are averaged out. It appears that large as well as small time scale fluctuations in the interplanetary field and plasma help to alter the internal electromagnetic state of the magnetosphere so that a ring current could causing a geomagnetic storm decrease.

Patel, V. L.↗

The major Martian dust storms of 1971 and 1973

Comparison of the major features of the two largest Martian dust storms on photographic record, namely those of 1971 and 1973. Maps of the first nine days of both storms are presented to facilitate a comparison of their initial outbreaks and growth. The frequency and regularity of storms of this size are uncertain because of the lack of comprehensive photographic observation during past apparitions.

Martin, L. J.↗

VLF emissions and whistlers observed during geomagnetic storms

Whistler-triggered emissions and a narrowband hiss are described which were observed over Japan by ISIS 2 during the main phase of the geomagnetic storm of August 9, 1972. The characteristics of the narrowband hiss and increases in the whistler rate during the storm are discussed, and the ISIS-2 data are compared with data on whistler cutoffs and VLF noise breakups obtained by OGO 4 and Alouette I. Since the whistlers and narrowband hiss are usually observed inside and outside the plasmapause, it is thought that the plasmapause may have been located near the low-latitude end of the narrowband hiss during the main phase of the storm. It is suggested that the increases in the whistler rate may have been caused by the formation of whistler ducts in the disturbed plasmapause.

Ondoh, T.↗

The storm and poststorm evolution of energetic /35-560 keV/ radiation belt electron distributions

Detailed Explorer 45 equatorial observations of the storm and poststorm structure of radiation-belt electrons (35 to 560 keV) for L values between 1.7 and 5.2 are presented. Injection during major storms results in electron pitch-angle distributions and radial profiles that are greatly distorted from their quiet-time equilibrium structure. Following storms, the pitch-angle distributions return to their prestorm shape over a period of several days. This shape is maintained as electron fluxes decay back to the quiet-time levels. The equatorial radial profiles slowly return to their prestorm equilibrium structure over a period of a few weeks and then maintain that structure.

Lyons, L. R.↗

Explorer 45 /S3-A/ observations of the magnetosphere and magnetopause during the August 4-6, 1972, magnetic storm period

The Explorer 45 (S3-A) satellite performed extensive field and particle measurements in the heart of the magnetosphere during the double magnetic storm period of August 4-6, 1972. Both the ground level magnetic records and the magnetic field deformations measured along the orbit by the satellite indicated the existence of only a moderate ring current. This was confirmed by the measurements of the total proton energy density by the on-board particle detectors, which showed a maximum energy density less than the densities observed during the December 1971 and June 1972 magnetic storms. The plasmapause in the noon quadrant was eroded continuously from the onset of the first storm at the beginning of August 4 to an altitude below L = 2.07 at about 1800 hours on August 5. Throughout the entire orbit during which the second sudden commencement occurred, a large amount of low-frequency electric and magnetic field noise was encountered. The most remarkable observation during this orbit was the contraction of the magnetopause to distances inside the satellite location at L = 5.2.

Hoffman, R. A.↗

The morphology of energetic O/+/ ions during two magnetic storms - Latitudinal variations

Results are presented for a statistical analysis of the latitudinal variations of precipitating O(+) and H(+) ions with energies between 0.7 and 12 keV during the magnetic storms of Dec. 16 and 17, 1971. Particular attention is given to some typical characteristics of the O(+) energy spectra along with an intercomparison of the O(+) and H(+) average energies during each storm. Major findings are that (1) the O(+) energy spectra were quite structured, one or more peaks being frequently observed; (2) the O(+) energy spectra which were still rising at 12 keV were not uncommon, especially at high latitudes; and (3) a significant hardening of the O(+) spectrum with increasing latitude was observed at the higher latitudes during the December 17 storm, along with a significant hardening with decreasing latitude at the low-latitude edge of the precipitation zone on the night side. A statistically significant difference in average energies between the two ionic species was revealed.

Sharp, R. D.↗

The storm-time equatorial electrojet

A Petrel rocket carrying a double cell rubidium magnetometer was launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station during the early main phase of a magnetic storm. No ionospheric currents associated with the storm were observed and the large field depression, at the flight time, must therefore be attributed to currents at higher altitudes. The equatorial enhancement of ionospheric magnetic storm currents, predicted on the basis of theory and earlier ground data, was not observed.

Burrows, K.↗

Coastal wave measurements during passage of tropical storm Amy

Aerial photographic and laser profilometer data of waves generated by tropical storm Amy are presented. The data mission consisted primarily of two legs, one in the direction of the wind waves, and the second along the direction of swell propagation, using Jennette's Pier at Nags Head, North Carolina, as a focal point. At flight time, Amy's center was 512 nmi from shore and had maximum winds of 60 knots. The storm's history is presented, along with a satellite photograph, showing the extent of the storm on the day of the flight. Flight ground tracks are presented along with sample aerial photographs of the wave conditions showing approximate wavelength and direction. Sample wave energy spectra are presented both from the laser profilometer onboard the aircraft, and from the Corps of Engineers Research Center (CERC) shore gauge at Nags Head, North Carolina.

Morris, W. D.↗

Influence of planetary-scale topography on the diurnal thermal tide during the 1971 Martian dust storm

Data obtained with the Mariner 9 infrared spectroscopy experiment during the Martian dust storm of 1971-72 are examined for evidence of topographic influence on the atmospheric thermal structure. Temperature perturbations which are well correlated with the planetary-scale topography are found superposed on the large-amplitude diurnal thermal tide previously reported. Applications of tidal theory to the data indicate that the observed perturbations result from the kinematic interaction of the westward traveling diurnal wave with the large-scale components of topography. The dominant mode is excited by the wavenumber 2 topography component and is a vertically evanescent, eastward traveling wave with an equivalent depth comparable to the atmospheric-scale height. The principle dynamic effect of this mode is the enhancement of the amplitude of the near-surface diurnal wind to over 40 m/s in limited areas near 30 deg S latitude. Thus, it appears likely that dust was injected into the atmosphere in these regions during the storm. Other waves excited include vertically propagating modes which produce little effect in the lower atmosphere, but may represent a source of energy for the upper atmosphere during dust storm conditions.

Conrath, B. J.↗

The storm-time equatorial electrojet

A Petrel rocket carrying a double cell rubidium magnetometer was launched from the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station during the early main phase of a magnetic storm. No ionospheric currents associated with the storm were observed, and the large field depression at the flight time must therefore be attributed to currents at higher altitudes. The equatorial enhancement of ionospheric magnetic storm currents, predicted on the basis of theory and earlier ground data, was not observed.

Burrows, K.↗

Satellite observations of the onset and growth of severe local storms

The mesoscale nature of the forcing and evolution of these storms was investigated, with emphasis on techniques to aid in the early detection of such severe events. In the pre-storm environment (t-4 to t-2 hours), the satellite wind fields were combined with moisture parameters to derive horizontal moisture flux information. Low level moisture convergence was indicative of regions of subsequent severe storm genesis. Dynamic parameters such as boundary layer vorticity production and relative vorticity were also useful prognosticators of subsequent severe activity.

Negri, A. J.↗

Vertical lifting of ionization during geomagnetic storms from satellite measurements of ion composition

Magnetic-storm phenomena at low latitudes are discussed based on ion-composition /O(+), H(+), He(+)/ and electron- and ion-temperature measurements from the OGO-4 and Isis-2 satellites. For the moderately severe storms considered, the effects of changes in the neutral composition and in the neutral and plasma temperatures are discussed, and it is shown that these changes would not produce the observed O(+) increase during storms at low latitudes. It is suggested that the observed increase in O(+) in the topside region is a manifestation of the vertical lifting of ionization of the F-layer. The argument in favor of vertical lifting is further substantiated by the observed changes in the F-region critical frequency and the height parameters.

Goel, M. K.↗

The spectrum and position of solar noise storms at decameter wavelengths

Decametric storm radiation during the period July-August 1970 has been observed simultaneously with a high sensitivity spectrograph at Arecibo Observatory and with the log-periodic, swept-frequency array of the Clark Lake Radio Observatory. The observations complement each other; different types of fine structure emissions can be easily identified on the spectrograph records and their position can be determined from the swept-frequency recordings. The relative positions of the different emissions which have been observed during the storms are studied. Four distinct sources appear to be present. The continuum emission, the type I bursts and the flare-related type III's are all emitted at different locations. The storm type III bursts, type IIIb's and drift pairs overlap in position, but appear at different locations than the previously mentioned sources.

De La Noe, J.↗