Space physics and astronomy research from Chinese polar stations: current and future directions

Space weather has a remarkable effect on modern human activities,e.g.,communication,navigation,space exploration etc.Space physics study from polar stations is as an important part of the entire solar-terrestrial space,and conducts quantitative research from the perspective of overall space plasma behavior.One of the most important issues is to identify the dominant processes that transfer plasma and momentum from the solar wind to Earth’s magnetosphere.Thus,it is necessary to carry out research for combination the observations from polar ground stations and spacecraft observations in the space.Observations at polar regions can be as a window to the space for satellite traffic controls.The operation of the observation chain―Zhongshan-Taishan-Kunlun Station could monitor polar space debris in a large area with high temporal and spatial resolution.Also,night-time measurements of astronomical seeing at Dome A in Antarctica make it less challenging to locate a telescope above it,thereby giving greater access to the free atmosphere because of a thinner boundary layer.

Neutralized solar energetic particles for SEP forecasting:Feasibility study of an innovative technique for space weather applications

Energetic neutral atoms(ENAs)are produced by the neutralization of energetic ions formed by shock-accelerated gradual solar energetic particle events(SEP).These high-energy ENAs(HENAs)can reach the Earth earlier than the associated SEPs and thus can provide information about the SEPs at the lower corona.The HENA properties observed at Earth depend on the properties of the coronal mass ejection(CME)-driven shocks that accelerate the SEPs.Using a model of HENA production in a shock-accelerated SEP event,we semi-quantitatively investigate the energy-time spectrum of HENAs depending on the width,propagation speed,and direction of the shock,as well as the density and ion abundances of the lower corona.Compared to the baseline model parameters,the cases with a wider shock width angle or a higher coronal density would increase the HENA flux observed at the Earth,while the case with an Earthpropagating shock shows a softened HENA spectrum.The comparison of expected HENA fluxes in different cases with a flight-proven ENA instrument suggests that solar HENAs can feasibly be monitored with current technologies,which could provide a lead time of 2−3 hours for SEPs at a few MeV.We propose that monitoring of solar HENAs could provide a new method to forecast shock-driven SEP events that are capable of significant space weather impacts on the near-Earth environment.

Explaining the dynamics of the sub-relativistic electron third belt in the Earth's radiation belts by using medium Earth orbit satellite observations

The Earth's electron radiation belts typically exhibit a two-belt structure.However,observations from the Van Allen Probes revealed the existence of a three-belt structure.This structure consists of an inner belt,a slot region,a remnant belt,a“second slot,”and a new outer belt(or the“third belt”).The formation of the structure involves both the partial loss of the original outer belts and the formation of the third belts.These processes are likely associated with radial diffusion induced by ultra-low-frequency(ULF)waves.In this study,we mainly analyzed electron flux data from medium Earth orbit(MEO)navigation satellites M17–M19 to supplement the observational evidence for the sub-relativistic electron(~100–500 keV)three-belt structure.Evidence of substorm injections and ULF waves during the three-belt event was identified,suggesting they played significant roles in the formation and evolution of the third belt.Substorm injections may introduce new electron populations to the third belt,whereas ULF waves may influence the evolution of the third belt through radial diffusion.Toward the end of the three-belt event,the compression of the magnetosphere by shocks may lead to the dropout of the third belt because of the magnetopause shadowing effect and outward radial diffusion,ultimately disrupting the three-belt structure.This study provides more evidence for the presence of a sub-relativistic electron three-belt structure and offers an analysis of the evolutionary mechanisms of the third belt,which may contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the electron three-belt structure in the radiation belts.

Influence of upstream solar wind on magnetic field distribution in the Martian nightside ionosphere

Using over eight years of Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolutio N(MAVEN)data,from November 2014 to May 2023,we have investigated the Martian nightside ionospheric magnetic field distribution under the influence of upstream solar wind drivers,including the interplanetary magnetic field intensity(∣BIMF∣),solar wind dynamic pressure(PS W),solar extreme ultraviolet flux(EUV),and Martian seasons(L s).Our analysis reveals pronounced correlations between magnetic field residuals and both∣BIMF∣and PS W.Correlations observed with EUV flux and Ls were weaker—notably,magnetic field residuals increased during periods of high EUV flux and at Mars perihelion.We find that the IMF penetrates to an altitude of 200 km under a wide range of upstream conditions,penetrating notably deeper under high∣BIMF∣andPSWconditions.Our analysis also indicates that EUV flux and IMF cone angle have minimal impact on IMF penetration depth.Those findings provide useful constraints on the dynamic nature of Martian atmospheric escape processes and their evolution,suggesting that historical solar wind conditions may have facilitated deeper IMF penetration and higher rates of ionospheric escape than are observed now.Moreover,by establishing criteria for magnetic‘quiet’conditions,this study offers new insights into the planet’s magnetic environment under varying solar wind influences,knowledge that should help refine models of the Martian crustal magnetic field.

Dynamics of the inner electron radiation belt:A review

The Van Allen radiation belts are an extraordinary science discovery in the Earth magnetosphere and consist of two electron belts.The inner Van Allen belt contains electrons of 10s to 100s keV;the outer belt consists mainly of 0.1-10 MeV electrons.Their dynamics have been analyzed for decades.The newly-launched Van Allen Probes provide unprecedented opportunities to investigate the inner belt more thoroughly.Data from this advanced mission have allowed scientists to demonstrate that the inner belt was formed not only through inward transport of outer belt electrons but Cosmic Ray Albedo Neutron Decay(CRAND)has also played an important role.In addition,the inner belt electrons show energy-dependent variations and present“zebra stripe”structures in the energy spectrum.At the same time,scientists have further confirmed that the electrons in the inner radiation belt get lost through coulomb collision and wave-particle interaction.Despite these advances,important questions remain unanswered and require further investigation.The launch of Macao Science Satellite-1 mission,with its low inclination angle and low altitude orbit,will provide advanced radiation belt data for better understanding of the structure and dynamics of the inner electron radiation belt.

In situ detection of the electron diffusion region of collisionless magnetic reconnection at the high-latitude magnetopause

Magnetic reconnection is the most fundamental energy-transfer mechanism in the universe that converts magnetic energy into heat and kinetic energy of charged particles.For reconnection to occur,the frozen-in condition must break down in a localized region,commonly called the ‘diffusion region'.In Earth's magnetosphere,ion diffusion regions have already been observed,while electron diffusion regions have not been detected due to their small scales(of the order of a few km)(Paschmann,2008).In this paper we report,for the first time,in situ observations of an active electron diffusion region by the four Cluster spacecraft at the Earth's highlatitude magnetopause.The electron diffusion region is characterized by nongyrotropic electron distribution,strong field-aligned currents carried by electrons and bi-directional super-Alfvénic electron jets.Also observed were multiple micro-scale flux ropes,with a scale size of about 5 c/ω_(pe)(12 km,with c/ωpe the electron inertial length),that are crucial for electron acceleration in the guide-field reconnection process(Drake et al.,2006 a).The data demonstrate the existence of the electron diffusion region in collisionless guide-field reconnection at the magnetopause.

The effect of non-storm time substorms on the ring current dynamics

During geomagnetically active times such as geomagnetic storms,large amounts of energy can be released into the Earth’s magnetosphere and change the ring current intensity.Previous studies showed that significant enhancement of the ring current was related to geomagnetic storms,while few studies have examined substorm effects on ring current dynamics.In this study,we examine the ring current variation during non-storm time(SYM-H>−50 nT)substorms,especially during super-substorms(AE>1000 nT).We perform a statistical analysis of ring current plasma pressure and number flux of various ion species under different substorm conditions,based on Van Allen Probe observations.The plasma pressure and ion fluxes of the ring current increased dramatically during supersubstorms,while little change was observed for substorms with AE<1000 nT.The results shown in this study indicate that a non-storm time super-substorm may also have a significant contribution to the ring current.

Corotating drift-bounce resonance of plasmaspheric electron with poloidal ULF waves

The purpose of this paper is to understand how low energy plasmaspheric electrons respond to ULF waves excited by interplanetary shocks impinging on magnetosphere. It is found that both energy and pitch angle dispersed plasmaspheric electrons with energy of a few eV to tens of eV can be generated simultaneously by the interplanetary shock. The subsequent period of successive dispersion signatures is around 40 s and is consistent with the ULF wave period(third harmonic). By tracing back the energy and pitch angle dispersion signatures, the position of the electron injection region is found to be off-equator at around -32° in the southern hemisphere. This can be explained as the result of injected electrons being accelerated by higher harmonic ULF waves(e.g. third harmonic) which carry a larger amplitude electric field off-equator. The dispersion signatures are due to the flux modulations(or accelerations) of " local" plasmaspheric electrons rather than electrons from the ionosphere. With the observed wave-borne large electric field excited by the interplanetary shock impact, the kinetic energy can increase to a maximum of 23 percent in one bouncing cycle for plasmaspheric electrons satisfying the drift-bounce resonance condition by taking account of both the corotating drift and bounce motion of the local plasmaspheric electron.

Proton loss of inner radiation belt during geomagnetic storm of 2018 based on CSES satellite observation

The proton distribution in inner radiation belt is often affected by strong geomagnetic storm disturbance.Based on the data of the sun-synchronous CSES satellite,which carries with several high energy particle payloads and was launched in February 2018,we analyzed the extensive proton variations in the inner radiation belt in a wide energy range of 2 MeV-220 MeV during 2018 major geomagnetic storm.The result indicates that the loss mechanism of protons was energy dependence which is consistent with some previous studies.For protons at low energy 2 MeV-20 MeV,the fluxes were decreased during main phase of the storm and did not come back quickly during the recovery phase,which is likely to be caused by Coulomb collision due to neutral atmosphere density variation.At higher energy 30 MeV-100 MeV,it was confirmed that the magnetic field line curvature scattering plays a significant role in the proton loss phenomenon during this storm.At highest energies>100 MeV,the fluxes of protons kept a stable level and did not exhibit a significant loss during this storm.

Analysis of the Interaction between Low-Frequency Waves and Ions in the High-Altitude Cusp Region Observed by Satellite Cluster

The energy transfer between ions （protons） and low frequency waves （LFWs） in the frequency range f1 from 0.3 to 10 Hz is observed by Cluster crossing the high-altitude polar cusp. The energy transfer between low frequency waves and ions has two means. One is that the energy is transferred from low frequency waves to ions and ions energy increases, The other is that the energy is transferred from ions to low frequency waves and the ion energy decreases. lon gyratory motion plays an important role in the energy transfer processes. The electromagnetic field of f1 LFWs can accelerate or decelerate protons along the direction of ambient magnetic field and warm or refrigerate protons in the parallel and perpendicular directions of ambient magnetic field, The peak values of proton number densities have the corresponding peak values of electromagnetic energy of low-frequency waves. This implies that the kinetic Alfven waves and solitary kinetic Alfven waves possibly exist in the high-altitude cusp region.

On Mechanisms of Proton Perpendicular Heating in the Solar Wind: Test Results Based on Wind Observations

The solar wind protons undergo significant perpendicular heating when they propagate in the interplanetary space.Stochastic heating and cyclotron resonance heating due to kinetic Alfvén waves(KAWs) are two proposed mechanisms. Which mechanism accounts for the perpendicular heating is still an open question. This paper performs tests for the two mechanisms based on Wind observations during 2004 June and 2019 May. Results show that heating rates in terms of stochastic heating theory considerably depend on the parameter of plasma β. For the solar wind with moderately high β, the theoretical heating rates are comparable to or larger than empirical heating rates, suggesting that the stochastic heating could be a powerful mechanism. For the solar wind with low β, on the contrary, the majority of data have theoretical heating rates much lower than empirical heating rates, showing that the stochastic heating seems to be weak in this case. On the other hand, it is found that, when the propagation angles of KAWs are around 70°, theoretically predicted damping wavenumbers of KAWs are equal to the observed wavenumbers at which magnetic energy spectra become significantly steep. This may imply that resonance heating due to cyclotron damping of KAWs could be another mechanism if KAWs have propagation angles around 70°.

The semiannual variation of transpolar arc incidence and its relationship to the Russell–McPherron effect

Earth’s aurora is a luminescent phenomenon generated by the interaction between magnetospheric precipitating particles and the upper atmosphere;it plays an important role in magnetosphere–ionosphere(M-I)coupling.The transpolar arc(TPA)is a discrete auroral arc distributed in the noon-midnight direction poleward of the auroral oval and connects the dayside to the nightside sectors of the auroral oval.Studying the seasonal variation of TPA events can help us better understand the long-term variation of the interaction between the solar wind,the magnetosphere,and M-I coupling.However,a statistical study of the seasonal variation of TPA incidence has not previously been carried out.In this paper,we have identified 532 TPA events from the IMAGE database(2000–2005)and the Polar database(1996–2002),and calculated the incidence of TPA events for different months.We find a semiannual variation in TPA incidence.Clear peaks in the incidence of TPAs occur in March and September;a less pronounced peak appears in November.We also examine seasonal variation in the northward interplanetary magnetic field(IMF)over the same time period.The intensity and occurrence rate of the northward IMF exhibit patterns similar to that of the TPA incidence.Having studied IMF Bz before TPA onset,we find that strong and steady northward IMF conditions are favorable for TPA formation.We suggest that the semiannual variation observed in TPA incidence may be related to the Russell–McPherron(R-M)effect due to the projection effect of the IMF By under northward IMF conditions.

A method of estimating the Martian neutral atmospheric density at 130 km, and comparison of its results with Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Odyssey aerobraking observations based on the Mars Climate Database outputs

Profiles of the Martian dayside ionosphere can be used to derive the neutral atmospheric densities at 130 km,which can also be obtained from the Mars Climate Database(MCD)and spacecraft aerobraking observations.In this research,we explain the method used to calculate neutral densities at 130 km via ionosphere observations and three long-period 130-km neutral density data sets at northern high latitudes(latitudes>60°)acquired through ionospheric data measured by the Mars Global Surveyor(MGS)Radio Occultation Experiment.The calculated 130-km neutral density data,along with 130-km density data from the aerobraking observations of the MGS and Mars Odyssey(ODY)in the northern high latitudes,were compared with MCD outputs at the same latitude,longitude,altitude,solar latitude,and local time.The 130-km density data derived from both the ionospheric profiles and aerobraking observations were found to show seasonal variations similar to those in the MCD data.With a negative shift of about 2×10^10 cm^−3,the corrected 130-km neutral densities derived from MCD v4.3 were consistent with those obtained from the two different observations.This result means that(1)the method used to derive the 130-km neutral densities with ionospheric profiles was effective,(2)the MCD v4.3 data sets generally overestimated the 130-km neutral densities at high latitudes,and(3)the neutral density observations from the MGS Radio Science Experiment could be used to calibrate a new atmospheric model of Mars.

Large-scale episodic enhancements of relativistic electron intensities in Jupiter's radiation belt

Previous studies indicate that,in the Jovian magnetosphere,the long-term trend of the radial profile of relativistic electron intensities is primarily shaped by slow radial diffusion.However,measurements by the Galileo spacecraft reveal the existence of transient increases in MeV electron intensities well above the ambient distribution.It is unclear how common such transient enhancements are,and to which dynamic processes in Jupiter's magnetosphere their occurrence is linked.We investigate the radial distributions of >11 MeV and >1 MeV electron intensities from 9R_(J) to 40R_(J)(R_(J)=71492km denotes the Jovian radius),measured by the Galileo spacecraft from 1996 to 2002.We find transient enhancements of MeV electrons during seven Galileo crossings,mostly occurring around~20R_(J).An apparent dawn-dusk asymmetry of their occurrence is resolved,with a majority of events discovered at dawn.This dawn-dusk asymmetry,as well as the average recurrence time scale of a few days,implies a potential relationship between the MeV electron transients and the storm-like dynamics in the middle and outer magnetosphere detected using a variety of Galileo,Juno and remote sensing aurora observations.We suggest that the observations of some of these transients in the inner magnetosphere may result from a synergy between the convective transport by a large-scale dawn-dusk electric field and the sources provided by injections in the middle magnetosphere.

Comparison of the Coronal Green-line Intensities with the EUV Measurements from SDO/AIA

The intensity of the green line(Fe ⅩⅣ 5303 A) is the strongest in the visible spectrum of the solar corona,and this line has been used as long-term powerful diagnostic tools for studying the coronal configurations and hot plasma dynamics.However,it remains unclear and an open question whether there exists close relationship between the green line intensities and the coronal extreme ultraviolet(EUV) line emissions for various coronal structures.In this paper,we use the green-line data by the Lijiang YOGIS Lyot coronagraph and the EUV data from the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly instruments in order to perform direct comparisons and analyses,based on two algorithms developed to extract particular features in the low corona.It is found that,among the correlation coefficients obtained between the intensities of 5303 A and the EUV lines,the coefficients between the green line and the 211 A wavelength for different coronal structures and different limb locations always keep the highest values(ranging from 0.89 to 0.99),which has not been reported before.This result can be helpful and promising to link together the various physical processes involved at different heights in the corona by precisely tracking the bright loops or other features observed in 5303 A above the limb down to the correct surface locations revealed by the 211 A data.Furthermore,the ground-based observations of the coronal green line and the space-based EUV observations at 211 A can advantageously complement each other when there is a need.

EUV-dependence of Venusian dayside ionopause altitude:VEX and PVO observations

The Venusian dayside ionosphere, similar to other planetary ionospheres, is produced primarily by ionization of its neutral upper atmosphere due to solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation. It has become clear that the expansion of the ionosphere may be strongly controlled by the EUV level, as exhibited in data collected by the Pioneer Venus Orbiter (PVO) during one solar cycle (1978 1992). However, the EUV-dependence of the Venusian dayside ionopause altitude, which defines the outer boundary of the ionosphere, remains obscure because the PVO crossed the dayside ionopause only during the solar maximum;its periapsis lifted too high during the solar minimum. Recently, during the period 2006 2014, which included the longest and quietest solar minimum of the past several decades, Venus Express (VEX) provided measurements of the photoelectron boundary (PEB) over the northern high-latitude region. Since the photoelectron boundary is closely related to the ionopause, we have an opportunity to analyze the EUV effect on the dayside ionopause by combining PVO and VEX observations. We have evaluated and then reduced the orbit bias effect in data from both PVO and VEX, and then used the results to derive a relationship between solar EUV level and the dayside ionopause altitude. We find that the dayside ionopause altitude increases as the solar EUV level increases, which is consistent with theoretical expectations.

Alpha/proton Instability in the Presence of Proton and Alpha Temperature Anisotropy and its Application to the Deceleration of Alpha Particles in the Solar Wind

Observations of solar wind plasma find that the drift velocity between alpha beams and protons,vα,is reduced with the heliocentric distance,but the ratio of vαto vA(the local Alfven velocity)does not vary obviously and has a typical velocity ratio of vα/vA≤1.The alpha beam instability is believed to be responsible for the deceleration of alpha beams in the solar wind.However,the role of the temperature anisotropy of ions(protons and alpha particles)on the alpha beam instability has not been examined.Based on the kinetic theory of the PDRK solver,this study systemically investigates the alpha beam instability in the presence of proton and alpha temperature anisotropies and considers the effects of these temperature anisotropies on the instability at an arbitrary propagation angle relative to the ambient magnetic field.It is found that the real frequencies,growth rates and threshold conditions of the excited waves sensitively depend on the proton temperature anisotropy T_(i⊥)/T_(i‖)and the alpha temperature anisotropy T_(α⊥)/T_(α‖),as well as the parallel electron betaβe‖.In particular,for both alpha beam and proton temperature anisotropy driven cases,the parallel magnetosonic/whistler(PM/W),backward magnetosonic/whistler(BM/W)and oblique Alfvén/ion cyclotron(OA/IC)waves arise when T_(i⊥)/T_(i‖)<1,and the PM/W,OA/IC,parallel Alfven/ion cyclotron(PA/IC)and mirror waves occur when T_(i⊥)/T_(i‖)>1.The presence of anisotropic protons leads to a lower velocity threshold for the OA/IC and BM/W waves at T_(i⊥)/T_(i‖)<1 and for the OA/IC,PA/IC and mirror waves at T_(i⊥)/T_(i‖)>1.For both alpha beam and alpha temperature anisotropy driven cases,the PM/W and OA/IC waves are unstable when T_(α⊥)/T_(α‖)<1,and the PM/W,OA/IC,PA/IC,oblique magnetosonic/whistler(OM/W)and mirror waves are likely to grow as T_(α⊥)/T_(α‖)>1.The presence of anisotropic alpha particles results in a lower threshold velocity for the PM/W wave at T_(α⊥)/T_(α‖)<1 and for the PA/IC,OM/W and mirror waves at T_(α⊥)/T_(α‖)>1.On account of the influences of the anisotropic proton and alpha,these alpha beam instabilities can effectively constrain the alpha-beam drift velocity to less than or equal to the local Alfven velocity.These results may shed light on the evolution and deceleration mechanism of alpha particles in the solar wind.

DESIGN OF POLYPHASE WAVE DIGITAL FILTERS WITH APPROXIMATELY LINEAR PHASE

It is well known that IIR digital filters require quite fewer computations,comparedwith FIR filters,in order to meet stringent magnitude specifications when the phase distortioncan be tolerated.An approximately linear phase,however,can be also obtained with the IIRfilter by making use of a technique without increasing the complexity.Based on a certain numberof attenuation zeros in the pass band,a new approach is developed for the design of polyphasewave digital filters with exact magnitude responses and Chebyshev approximation of the desiredphase responses.The minimum number of attenuation zeros is estimated,and some examples areincluded.

Calculation of Ion Equilibrium Temperature in Ultracold Neutral Plasmas

We provide a fast iteration method to calculate the ion equilibrium temperature in an ultracold neutral plasma(UNP).The temperature as functions of electron initial temperature and ion density is obtained and compared with the recent UNP experimental data.The theoretical predictions agree with the experimental results very well.The calculated ion equilibrium temperature by this method can be applied to study the UNP expansion process more effectively.

Effects of displacement current on wave dispersion relation and polarization properties in auroral plasmas

In-situ observations from the FREJA magnetospheric research satellite and the Fast Auroral SnapshoT satellite have shown that plasma waves are frequently observed in the auroral plasma,which are believed to be fundamentally important in wave energy dissipation and particle energization.However,the effects of a displacement current on these waves have not been examined.Based on the two-fluid theory,we investigate the dispersion relation and polarization properties of fast,Alfven,and slow modes in the presence of a displacement current,and the effects of the displacement current on these waves are also considered.The results show that the wave frequency,polarization,magnetic helicity and other properties for the fast and Alfven modes are highly sensitive to the normalized Alfven velocity v_(A)/c,plasma beta β,and propagation angle θ,while for the slow mode the dependence is minor.In particular,for both fast and Alfven modes,the magnetic helicity is obviously different with and without the displacement current,especially for the Alfven mode with the helicity reversals from right-handed to left-handed when v_(A)/c increases from 0 to 0.3.The charge-neutral condition of both fast and Alfven modes with frequencies larger than the proton cyclotron frequency is invalid in the presence of the displacement current.Moreover,the presence of the displacement current leads to relatively large magnetic compressibility for the Alfven mode and relatively large electron compressibility for the fast mode.These results can be useful for a comprehensive understanding of the wave properties and the physics of particle energization phenomena in auroral plasmas.