Comparative analysis of empirical and deep learning models for ionospheric sporadic E layer prediction

Sporadic E(Es)layers in the ionosphere are characterized by intense plasma irregularities in the E region at altitudes of 90-130 km.Because they can significantly influence radio communications and navigation systems,accurate forecasting of Es layers is crucial for ensuring the precision and dependability of navigation satellite systems.In this study,we present Es predictions made by an empirical model and by a deep learning model,and analyze their differences comprehensively by comparing the model predictions to satellite RO measurements and ground-based ionosonde observations.The deep learning model exhibited significantly better performance,as indicated by its high coefficient of correlation(r=0.87)with RO observations and predictions,than did the empirical model(r=0.53).This study highlights the importance of integrating artificial intelligence technology into ionosphere modelling generally,and into predicting Es layer occurrences and characteristics,in particular.

Accurate quantification of the algebraic,multiplicative algebraic,and simultaneous iterative reconstruction techniques in ionosphere rebuilding based on the TIEGCM assessment

The algebraic reconstruction technique(ART),multiplicative algebraic reconstruction technique(MART),and simultaneous iterative reconstruction technique(SIRT)are computational methodologies extensively utilized within the field of computerized ionospheric tomography(CIT)to facilitate three-dimensional reconstruction of the ionospheric morphology.However,reconstruction accuracy elicits recurrent disputes over its practical application,and people usually attribute this issue to incomplete and uneven coverage of the measurements.The Thermosphere Ionosphere Electrodynamics General Circulation Model(TIEGCM)offers a reasonable physics-based ionospheric background and is widely utilized in ionospheric research.We use the TIEGCM simulations as the targeted ionosphere because the current measurements are far from able to realistically reproduce the ionosphere in detail.Optimized designations of satellite measurements are conducted to investigate the limiting performance of CIT methods in ionospheric reconstruction.Similar to common practice,electron density distributions from outputs of the International Reference Ionosphere(IRI)model are used as the iterative initial value in CIT applications.The outcomes suggest that despite data coverage,iterative initial conditions also play an essential role in ionospheric reconstruction.In particular,in the longitudinal sectors where the iterative initial height of the F2-layer peak electron density(hmF2)differs substantially from the background densities,none of the three CIT methods can reproduce the exact background profile.When hmF2 is close but the ionospheric F2-layer peak density(NmF2)is different between the targeted background and initial conditions,the MART performs better than the ART and SIRT,as evidenced by the correlation coefficients of MART being above 0.97 and those of ART and SIRT being below 0.85.In summary,this investigation reveals the potential uncertainties in traditional CIT reconstruction,particularly when realistic hmF2 or NmF2 values differ substantially from the initial CIT conditions.

Effects of mesoscale gravity waves on sporadic E simulated by a one-dimensional dynamic model

In addition to being driven by tidal winds,the sporadic E(Es)layers are modulated by gravity waves(GWs),although the effects are not yet comprehensively understood.In this article,we discuss the effects of mesoscale GWs on the Es layers determined by using a newly developed model,MISE-1D(one-dimensional Model of Ionospheric Sporadic E),with low numerical dissipation and high resolution.Driven by the wind fields resolved by the high-resolution version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model with thermosphere and ionosphere extension(WACCM-X),the MISE-1D simulation revealed that GWs significantly influence the evolution of the Es layer above 100 km but have a very limited effect at lower altitudes.The effects of GWs are diverse and complex,generally including the generation of fluctuating wavelike structures on the Es layer with frequencies similar to those of the GWs.The mesoscale GWs can also cause increases in the density of Es layers,or they can disperse or diffuse the Es layers and increase their thickness.In addition,the presence of GWs is a key factor in sustaining the Es layers in some cases.

An embedded electron current layer observed at the edge of the plasma sheet in the Earth’s magnetotail

The formation of an embedded electron current sheet within the magnetotail plasma sheet has been poorly understood.In this article,we present an electron current layer detected at the edge of the magnetotail plasma sheet.The ions were demagnetized inside the electron current layer,but the electrons were still frozen in with the magnetic field line.Thus,this decoupling of ions and electrons gave rise to a strong Hall electric field,which could be the reason for the formation of the embedded thin current layer.The magnetized electrons,the absence of the nongyrotropic electron distribution,and negligible energy dissipation in the layer indicate that magnetic reconnection had not been triggered within the embedded thin current layer.The highly asymmetric plasma on the two sides of the current layer and low magnetic shear across it could suppress magnetic reconnection.The observations indicate that the embedded electric current layer,probably generated by the Hall electric field,even down to electron scale,is not a sufficient condition for magnetic reconnection.

Analysis of gravity wave activity during stratospheric sudden warmings in the northern hemisphere

Due to the significant changes they bring to high latitude stratospheric temperature and wind,stratospheric sudden warmings(SSWs)can have an impact on the propagation and energy distribution of gravity waves(GWs).The variation characteristics of GWs during SSWs have always been an important issue.Using temperature data from January to March in 2014−2016,provided by the Constellation Observing System for Meteorology,Ionosphere and Climate(COSMIC)mission,we have analyzed global GW activity at 15−40 km in the Northern Hemisphere during SSW events.During the SSWs that we studied,the stratospheric temperature rose in one or two longitudinal regions in the Northern Hemisphere;the areas affected extended to the east of 90°W.During these SSWs,the potential energy density(E_(p)of GWs expanded and covered a larger range of longitude and altitude,exhibiting an eastward and downward extension.The E_(p)usually increased,while partially filtered by the eastward zonal winds.When zonal winds weakened or turned westward,E_(p)began to strengthen.After SSWs,the E_(p)usually decreased.These observations can serve as a reference for analyzing the interaction mechanism between SSWs and GWs in future work.

Assessment of International GNSS Service Global Ionosphere Map products over China region based on measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China

The global ionosphere maps(GIM)provided by the International GNSS Service(IGS)are extensively utilized for ionospheric morphology monitoring,scientific research,and practical application.Assessing the credibility of GIM products in data-sparse regions is of paramount importance.In this study,measurements from the Crustal Movement Observation Network of China(CMONOC)are leveraged to evaluate the suitability of IGS-GIM products over China region in 2013-2014.The indices of mean error(ME),root mean square error(RMSE),and normalized RMSE(NRMSE)are then utilized to quantify the accuracy of IGS-GIM products.Results revealed distinct local time and latitudinal dependencies in IGS-GIM errors,with substantially high errors at nighttime(NRMSE:39%)and above 40°latitude(NRMSE:49%).Seasonal differences also emerged,with larger equinoctial deviations(NRMSE:33.5%)compared with summer(20%).A preliminary analysis implied that the irregular assimilation of sparse IGS observations,compounded by China’s distinct geomagnetic topology,may manifest as error variations.These results suggest that modeling based solely on IGS-GIM observations engenders inadequate representations across China and that a thorough examination would proffer the necessary foundation for advancing regional total electron content(TEC)constructions.

Suitable region of dynamic optimal interpolation for efficiently altimetry sea surface height mapping

The dynamic optimal interpolation(DOI)method is a technique based on quasi-geostrophic dynamics for merging multi-satellite altimeter along-track observations to generate gridded absolute dynamic topography(ADT).Compared with the linear optimal interpolation(LOI)method,the DOI method can improve the accuracy of gridded ADT locally but with low computational efficiency.Consequently,considering both computational efficiency and accuracy,the DOI method is more suitable to be used only for regional applications.In this study,we propose to evaluate the suitable region for applying the DOI method based on the correlation between the absolute value of the Jacobian operator of the geostrophic stream function and the improvement achieved by the DOI method.After verifying the LOI and DOI methods,the suitable region was investigated in three typical areas:the Gulf Stream(25°N-50°N,55°W-80°W),the Japanese Kuroshio(25°N-45°N,135°E-155°E),and the South China Sea(5°N-25°N,100°E-125°E).We propose to use the DOI method only in regions outside the equatorial region and where the absolute value of the Jacobian operator of the geostrophic stream function is higher than1×10^(-11).

Long-term variation of Arctic Sudden Stratospheric Warmings(SSW)and potential causes

Utilizing the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast(ECMWF)Reanalysis v5(ERA5),for the first time,we have confirmed close links among Sudden Stratospheric Warmings(SSWs)in the Northern Hemisphere(NH),the polar vortices,and stratospheric Planetary Waves(PWs)by analyzing and comparing their trends.Interestingly,within overall increasing trends,the duration and strength of SSWs exhibit increasing and decreasing trends before and after the winter of 2002,respectively.To reveal possible physical mechanisms driving these trends,we analyzed the long-term trends of the winter(from December to February)polar vortices and of stratospheric PWs with zonal wave number 1.Notably,our results show that in all three time periods(the entire period of 41winters,1980 to 2020,and the two subperiods—1980-2002 and 2002-2020)enhancing SSWs were always accompanied by weakening winter polar vortices and strengthening polar PWs like Stationary Planetary Waves(SPWs)and 16-day waves,and vice versa.This is the first proof,based on ERA5 long-term trend data,that weakening polar vortices and enhancing stratospheric PWs(especially SPWs)could cause an increase in SSWs.

Present-day movement characteristics of the Qinghai Nanshan fault and its surrounding area from GPS observation

The Qinghai Nanshan fault is a larger fault in the Northeastern Xizang Plateau.In previous studies,its movement characteristics are mainly investigated with geological and seismic observations,and the tectonic transformation role of the fault on its east is not yet clear.This study uses data fusion to obtain denser GPS observations near the Qinghai Nanshan fault.Based on tectonic characteristics,we establish a block model to investigate the fault slip rate,locking degree,and slip deficit.The results show that the Qinghai Nanshan fault slip rate is characterized by sinistral and convergent movement.Both the sinistral and convergent rates display a decreasing trend from west to east.The locking degree and slip deficit are higher in the western segment(with an average of about 0.74 and 1.1 mm/a)and lower in the eastern segment.Then,we construct a strain rate field using GPS observations to analyze the regional strain characteristics.The results indicate that along the fault,the western segment shows a larger shear strain rate and negative dilation rate.Regional earthquake records show that the frequency of earthquakes is lower near the fault.The joint results suggest that the western segment may have a higher earthquake risk.In addition,the insignificant fault slip rate in the eastern segment may indicate that it does not participate in the tectonic transformation among the Riyueshan,Lajishan,and West Qinling faults.

Ion and electron motions in the outer electron diffusion region of collisionless magnetic reconnection

Two-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations are performed to study the coupling between ion and electron motions in collisionless magnetic reconnection.The electron diffusion region(EDR),where the electron motions are demagnetized,is found to have a two-layer structure:an inner EDR near the reconnection site and an outer EDR that is elongated to nearly 10 ion inertial lengths in the outflow direction.In the inner EDR,the speed of the electron outflow increases when the electrons move away from the X line.In the outer EDR,the speed of the electron outflow first increases and then decreases until the electrons reach the boundary of the outer EDR.In the boundary of the outer EDR,the magnetic field piles up and forms a depolarization front.From the perspective of the fluid,a force analysis on the formation of electron and ion outflows has also been investigated.Around the X line,the electrons are accelerated by the reconnection electric field in the out-of-plane direction.When the electrons move away from the X line,we find that the Lorentz force converts the direction of the accelerated electrons to the x direction,forming an electron outflow.Both electric field forces and electron gradient forces tend to drag the electron outflow.Ion acceleration along the x direction is caused by the Lorentz force,whereas the pressure gradient force tends to decelerate the ion outflow.Although these two terms are important,their effects on ions are almost offset.The Hall electric field force does positive work on ions and is not negligible.The ions are continuously accelerated,and the ion and electron outflow velocities are almost the same near the depolarization front.

Numerical simulations of earthquake rupture induced by pressure perturbation

The subsurface fluid injection can cause pressure increase within faults,leading to earthquake occurrences.However,the factors controlling earthquake rupture due to pressure perturbation remain poorly understood.To resolve this problem,we simulate the physical processes of earthquake nucleation and rupture on strike-slip faults perturbated by pressure migration based on the slip-weakening law.Multiple kinds of factors,including background stress,fluid injection rates,the area of the pressurized region,fault geometry,and fault friction coefficients,are considered in our simulations.Our simulation results reveal that the ratio of shear stress to normal stress rather than their absolute values controls the rupture behavior.With the large stress ratios,high injection rates,and large pressurized areas,earthquakes are prone to propagate as runaway ruptures.Additionally,faults with large aspect ratios of length to width are also favorable for causing runaway ruptures.In contrast,the factors of fault strike,dip angles and friction coefficients have minor influence on rupture behavior.

The anisotropy of suprathermal electrons in the Martian ionosphere

Suprathermal electrons are an important population of the Martian ionosphere, either produced by photoionization of atmospheric neutrals or supplied from the Solar Wind (SW). This study is dedicated to an in-depth investigation of the pitch angle distribution of suprathermal electrons at two representative energies, 19−55 eV and 124−356 eV, using the extensive measurements made by the Solar Wind Electron Analyzer on board the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution. Throughout the study, we focus on the overall degree of anisotropy, defined as the standard deviation of suprathermal electron intensity among different directions which is normalized by the mean omni-directional intensity. The available data reveal the following characteristics: (1) In general, low energy electrons are more isotropic than high energy electrons, and dayside electrons are more isotropic than nightside electrons;(2) On the dayside, the anisotropy increases with increasing altitude at low energies but remains roughly constant at high energies, whereas on the nightside, the anisotropy decreases with increasing altitude at all energies;(3) Electrons tend to be more isotropic in strongly magnetized regions than in weakly magnetized regions, especially on the nightside. These observations indicate that the anisotropy is a useful diagnostic of suprathermal electron transport, for which the conversion between the parallel and perpendicular momenta as required by the conservation of the first adiabatic invariant, along with the atmospheric absorption at low altitudes, are two crucial factors modulating the observed variation of the anisotropy. Our analysis also highlights the different roles on the observed anisotropy exerted by suprathermal electrons of different origins.

Mesospheric tide comparisons at low latitudes observed by two collocated meteor radars

Accurate knowledge of mesospheric winds and waves is essential for studying the dynamics and climate in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere(MLT)region.In this study,we conduct a comparative analysis of the mesosphere tidal results obtained from two adjacent meteor radars at low latitudes in Kunming,China,from November 2013 to December 2014.These two radars operate at different frequencies of 37.5 MHz and 53.1 MHz,respectively.However,overall good agreement is observed between the two radars in terms of horizontal winds and tide observations.The results show that the dominant tidal waves of the zonal and meridional winds are diurnal and semidiurnal tides.Moreover,we conduct an exhaustive statistical analysis to compare the tidal amplitudes and vertical wavelengths recorded by the dual radar systems,which reveals a high degree of alignment in tidal dynamics.The investigation includes variances and covariances of tidal amplitudes,which demonstrate remarkable consistency across measurements from both radars.This finding highlights clear uniformity in the mesospheric tidal patterns observed at low latitudes by the two neighboring meteor radars.Results of the comparative analysis specifically underscore the significant correlation in vertical wavelength measurements,validating the robustness of radar observations for tidal research.

Mars Orbiter magnetometer of China’s First Mars Mission Tianwen-1

As one of the seven scientific payloads on board the Tianwen-1 orbiter,the Mars Orbiter Magnetometer(MOMAG)will measure the magnetic fields of and surrounding Mars to study its space environment and the interaction with the solar wind.The instrument consists of two identical triaxial fluxgate magnetometer sensors,mounted on a 3.19 meter-long boom with a seperation of about 90 cm.The dual-magnetometers configuration will help eliminate the magnetic field interference generated by the spacecraft platform and payloads.The sensors are controlled by an electric box mounted inside the orbiter.Each magnetometer measures the ambient vector magnetic field over a wide dynamic range(to 10,000 nT per axis)with a resolution of 1.19 pT.Both magnetometers sample the ambient magnetic field at an intrinsic frequency of 128 Hz,but will operate in a model with alternating frequency between 1 and 32 Hz to meet telemetry allocations.

Propagation of an Airy–Gaussian beam in uniaxial crystals

Under the paraxial approximation, the analytical propagation expression of an Airy–Gaussian beam（Ai GB） in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis is investigated. The propagation dynamics of the Ai GB is given for different ratios of the extraordinary index to the ordinary refractive index. It has been found that the continuity and the self-bending effect of Ai GB become weaker when the ratio increases. From the figure of the maximum intensity of Ai GB, one can see that the maximum intensity is not monotone decreasing due to the anisotropic effect of the crystals. The intensity distribution of Ai GB in different distribution factors is shown. The Ai GB converges toward a Gaussian beam as the distribution factor increases.

Detection of different-time-scale signals in the length of day variation based on EEMD analysis technique

Scientists pay great attention to different-time-scale signals in the lengllh of day （LOD） variations △LOD, which provide signatures of the Earth＇s interior structure, couplings among different layers, and potential excitations of ocean and atmosphere. In this study, based on the ensemble empirical mode decomposition （EEMD）, we analyzed the latest time series of △LOD data spanning from January 1962 to March 2015. We observed the signals with periods and amplitudes of about 0.5 month and 0.19 ms, 1.0 month and 0.19 ms, 0.5 yr and 0.22 ms, 1.0 yr and 0.18 ms, 2.28 yr and 0.03 ms, 5.48 yr and 0.05 ms, respectively, in coincidence with the results of predecessors. In addition, some signals that were previously not definitely observed by predecessors were detected in this study, with periods and amplitudes of 9.13 d and 0.12 ms, 13.69 yr and 0.10 ms, respectively. The mechanisms of the LOD fluctuations of these two signals are still open.

Propagation of Airy Gaussian vortex beams in uniaxial crystals

The propagation dynamics of the Airy Gaussian vortex beams in uniaxial crystals orthogonal to the optical axis has been investigated analytically and numerically. The propagation expression of the beams has been obtained. The propagation features of the Airy Gaussian vortex beams are shown with changes of the distribution factor and the ratio of the extraordinary refractive index to the ordinary refractive index. The correlations between the ratio and the maximum intensity value during the propagation, and its appearing distance have been investigated.

Simulation analysis of regional surface mass anomalies inversion based on different types of constraints

Surface mass anomalies estimated by mass concentration(mascon)approach using Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment(GRACE)observations with regularization constraints generally present higher spatial resolution than the spheric harmonic(SH)solutions.To analyze the influence of different types of constraints on the estimation of mascon solutions,we carried out a closed-loop simulation experiment to estimate surface mass anomalies over South America based on simulated GRACE intersatellite geopotential differences.Tikhonov regularization with spatial constraint(SC),uniform weighting constraint(UWC),and a prior information constraint(APC)were employed to stabilize the mascon solutions,and the corresponding optimal regularization parameters were determined based on the minimum residual root-mean-square(RMS)criterion.The results show that mascon solutions estimated under different types of constraints are consistent and equivalent when the optimal regularization parameters are selected.The spatial distributions and main characteristics of regional surface mass anomalies estimated by the three types of constraints agree well,and the values of residual RMS with different constraints are very close.But due to the smoothing effect of regularization,the signal strength of mascon solutions is a bit weaker than that of original true signal,especially in the regions with strong signals.In addition,due to the ill-conditioned problem is more serious for higher grid resolution,the relative contribution of the three types of constraints to the final mascon solutions would be stronger.The results show that the averages of relative contribution percentages of these constraints for 2°×2° mascon grids are 80%-90%,while the corresponding values for 4°×4° mascon grids are 30%-60%.However,based on the minimum residual RMS criterion,the accuracy of estimation results is not affected by the type of constraints and their relative contribution to the final mascon solutions.

Readout electronics of a prototype time-of-flight ion composition analyzer for space plasma

Readout electronics is developed for a prototype time-of-flight(TOF) ion composition spectrometer for in situ measurement of the mass/charge distributions of major ion species from 200 to 100 ke V/e in space plasma.By utilizing a constant fraction discriminator(CFD) and time-to-digital converter(TDC), challenging dynamic range measurements were performed with high time resolution and event rates. CFD was employed to discriminate the TOF signals from the micro-channel plate and channel electron multipliers. TDC based on the combination of counter and OR-gate delay chain was designed in a highreliability flash field programmable gate array. Owing to the non-uniformity of the delay chain, a correction algorithm based on integral nonlinearity compensation was implemented to reduce the time uncertainty. The test results showed that the electronics achieved a low timingerror of < 200 ps in the input range from 35 to 500 m V for the CFD, and a time resolution of ～550 ps with time uncertainty < 180 ps after correction and a time range of6.4 ls for the TDC. The TOF spectrum from an electron beam experiment of the impacting N_2 gas further indicated the good performance of this readout electronic.

Automatic calculation of the magnetometer zero offset using the interplanetary magnetic field based on the Wang-Pan method

The space-borne fluxgate magnetometer(FGM)requires regular in-flight calibration to obtain its zero offset.Recently,Wang GQ and Pan ZH(2021a)developed a new method for the zero offset calibration based on the properties of Alfvén waves.They found that an optimal offset line(OOL)exists in the offset cube for a pure Alfvén wave and that the zero offset can be determined by the intersection of at least two nonparallel OOLs.Because no pure Alfvén waves exist in the interplanetary magnetic field,calculation of the zero offset relies on the selection of highly Alfvénic fluctuation events.Here,we propose an automatic procedure to find highly Alfvénic fluctuations in the solar wind and calculate the zero offset.This procedure includes three parts:(1)selecting potential Alfvénic fluctuation events,(2)obtaining the OOL,and(3)determining the zero offset.We tested our automatic procedure by applying it to the magnetic field data measured by the FGM onboard the Venus Express.The tests revealed that our automatic procedure was able to achieve results as good as those determined by the Davis-Smith method.One advantage of our procedure is that the selection criteria and the process for selecting the highly Alfvénic fluctuation events are simpler.Our automatic procedure could also be applied to find fluctuation events for the Davis-Smith method.