Two methods for separating the magnetospheric solar wind charge exchange soft X-ray emission from the diffuse X-ray background

Solar wind charge exchange(SWCX)is the process of solar wind high-valence ions exchanging charges with neutral components and generating soft X-rays.Recently,detecting the SWCX emission from the magnetosphere is proposed as a new technique to study the magnetosphere using panoramic soft X-ray imaging.To better prepare for the data analysis of upcoming magnetospheric soft X-ray imaging missions,this paper compares the magnetospheric SWCX emission obtained by two methods in an XMM-Newton observation,during which the solar wind changed dramatically.The two methods differ in the data used to fit the diffuse X-ray background(DXB)parameters in spectral analysis.The method adding data from the ROSAT All-Sky Survey(RASS)is called the RASS method.The method using the quiet observation data is called the Quiet method,where quiet observations usually refer to observations made by the same satellite with the same target but under weaker solar wind conditions.Results show that the spectral compositions of magnetospheric SWCX emission obtained by the two methods are very similar,and the changes in intensity over time are highly consistent,although the intensity obtained by the RASS method is about 2.68±0.56 keV cm^(-2)s^(-1)sr^(-1)higher than that obtained by the Quiet method.Since the DXB intensity obtained by the RASS method is about 2.84±0.74 keV cm^(-2)s^(-1)sr^(-1)lower than that obtained by the Quiet method,and the linear correlation coefficient between the difference of SWCX and DXB obtained by the two methods in diffe rent energy band is close to-1,the diffe rences in magnetospheric SWCX can be fully attributed to the diffe rences in the fitted DXB.The difference between the two methods is most significant when the energy is less than 0.7 keV,which is also the main energy band of SWCX emission.In addition,the difference between the two methods is not related to the SWCX intensity and,to some extent,to solar wind conditions,because SWCX intensity typically va ries with the solar wind.In summary,both methods are robust and reliable,and should be considered based on the best available options.

Solar wind ion charge state distributions and compound cross sections for solar wind charge exchange X-ray emission

Solar Wind Charge eXchange X-ray(SWCX) emission in the heliosphere and Ea rth’s exosphere is a hard to avoid signal in soft Xray obse rvations of astrophysical targets.On the other hand,the X-ray imaging possibilities offered by the SWCX process has led to an increasing number of future dedicated space missions for investigating the solar wind-terrestrial inte ractions and magnetospheric interfaces.In both cases,accurate modelling of the SWCX emission is key to correctly interpret its signal,and remove it from obse rvations,when needed.In this paper,we compile solar wind abundance measurements from ACE for different solar wind types,and atomic data from literature,including charge exchange cross-sections and emission probabilities,used fo r calculating the compound cross-section a for the SWCX X-ray emission.We calculate a values for charge-exchange with H and He,relevant to soft X-ray energy bands(0.1-2.0 keV)for various solar wind types and solar cycle conditions.

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.

Alfvn Waves in the Solar Wind

Alfvn waves are found to be ubiquitous in the solar wind.Recent progress in observational studies of the waves is reviewed to formulate a microscopic picture for the Alfvenic fluctuations. The main aspects of the observational properties of these waves,including the wave intervals, propagation,evolution,origin and generation,are presented.Then Alfven wave heating and acceleration of the solar wind plasma are briefly introduced.The relation of the waves to rotational and tangential discontinuities,magnetic decreases,and other relatively large-scale structures such as flux tubes/ropes,magnetic clouds and interplanetary coronal mass ejections in the solar wind is particularly investigated.Finally,some remaining open questions are also indicated due to their fundamental importance of understanding of the physical nature of Alfven waves and the role of the waves in heating and accelerating the solar wind.

A statistical study of the interdependence of solar wind parameters

Correlation analysis of solar wind parameters, namely solar wind velocity, proton density, proton temperature and mean interplanetary magnetic field （IMF） from the ACE spacecraft data near Earth, was done. To our best knowledge, this study is a novel one since we consider here only the parameters inside the solar wind, including the mean IMF and, hence, the solar wind is a self consistent system. We have proposed a Multiple Linear Regression （MLR） model for the prediction of the response variable （solar wind velocity） using the parameters proton density, proton temperature and mean IMF measured as daily averages. About 60% of the observed value can be predicted using this model. It is shown that, in general, the correlation between solar wind parameters is significant. A deviation from the prediction at the solar maximum is interpreted. These results are verified by a graphical method.

Tianwen-1 MINPA observations in the solar wind

The Mars Ion and Neutral Particle Analyzer(MINPA)is one of the three scientific instruments onboard the Tianwen-1 orbiter to investigate the Martian space environment.During Tianwen-1’s transfer orbit to Mars,the MINPA was switched on to measure the solar wind ions.Here,we present the first results of the MINPA observations in the solar wind.During cruise,nearly half of the MINPA ion field-of-view(FOV)was blocked by the lander capsule;thus only the solar-wind ions with azimuthal speeds pointing towards the unblocked FOV sectors could be detected.We perform a detailed comparison of the MINPA’s solar wind observations with data from Earth-based missions when MINPA reached its count-rate peak,finding a general consistency of the ion moments between them.The blocking effect due to the lander is evaluated quantitatively under varying solar-wind velocity conditions.Despite the blocking effect,the MINPA’s solar wind measurements during the transfer orbit suggest a good performance.

Ray Structure of the Coronal Streamer Belt and Its Manifestation as Sharp Large Peaks of Solar Wind Plasma Density at the Earth's Orbit

The white-light corona calibrated data with processing level L1 from the LASCO-C2/SOHO instrument, and data from the Wind spacecraft with one-hour and one-minute time resolution on quasi-stationary slow (v between 300-450 km/s at the Earth's orbit) the Solar Wind (SW) parameters in the absence of sporadic SW streams are examined. Within distances from the Sun's center less than R in the range of 20-30 Rs,(Rs, the solar radius), slow wind is known as the streamer belt, and at larger distances it is called the Heliospheric Plasma Sheet (HPS). It is shown that the streamer belt comprises a sequence of pairs of rays. In general, ray brightnesses in each pair can differ, and the magnetic field is oppositely directed in them. The neutral line of the radial magnetic field of the Sun runs along the belt between the rays of each of the pairs.The area in which the streamer belt intersects the ecliptic plane and which lies at the central meridian, will be recorded at the earth's orbit with a time delay of 5-6 days, in the form of one or several peaks with Nmax ＞ 10 cm-3. Furthermore, the simplest density profile of the portion of the HCS has the form of two peaks of a different or identical amplitude . The such a profile is observed in cases where the angle of intersection of the streamer belt with the ecliptic plane near the Sun is sufficiently large, i.e. close to 90°. The two-ray structure of the cross-section of the streamer-belt moves from the Sun to the Earth, it retains not only the angular size of the peaks but also the relative density variations, and the position of the neutral line(sector boundary) in between. At the Earth's orbit the ray structure of the streamer belt provides the source for sharp (i.e. with steep fronts of a duration of a few minutes or shorter) solar wind plasma density peaks (of a duration of several hours) with maximum values Nmax ＞ 10 cm-3.

Non-storm erosion of MeV electron outer radiation belt down to L^(*)<4.0 associated with successive enhancements of solar wind density

We report an unusual non-storm erosion event of outer zone MeV electron distribution during three successive solar wind number density enhancements(SWDEs)on November 27-30,2015.Loss of MeV electrons and energy-dependent narrowing of electron pitch angle distributions(PAD)first developed at L^(*)=5.5 and then moved down to L^(*)<4.According to the evolution of the electron phase space density(PSD)profile,losses of electrons with small pitch angles at L^(*)>4 during SWDE1 are mainly due to outward radial diffusion.However during SWDE2&3,scattering loss due to EMIC waves is dominant at 4<L^(*)<5.As for electrons with large pitch angles,outward radial diffusion is the primary loss mechanism throughout all SWDEs which is consistent with the incursion of the Last Closed Drift Shell(LCDS).The inner edge of EMIC wave activity moved from L^(*)~5 to L^(*)~4 and from L~6.4 to L~4.2 from SWDE1 to SWDE2&3,respectively,observed by Van Allen Probes and by ground stations.This is consistent with the inward penetration of anisotropic energetic protons from L^(*)=4.5 to L^(*)=3.5,suggesting that the inward extension of EMIC waves may be driven by the inward injection of anisotropic energetic protons from the dense plasma sheet.

Propagation of large-scale solar wind events in the outer heliosphere from a numerical MHD simulation

Voyager 1 occasionally detected sudden jumps of the local interstellar magnetic field strength since its heliopause crossing in August 2012.These events were believed to be associated with outward propagating solar wind shocks originating in the inner heliosphere.Here we investigate the correlation between interstellar shocks and large-scale solar wind events by means of numerical MHD simulation.The solar wind is simplified as a symmetric flow near the equatorial plane,and the interstellar neutrals are treated as a constant flow with a fixed density distribution along the upwind direction of the local interstellar medium.The charge exchanges between the solar wind plasma and the interstellar neutrals are taken into account.At a heliocentric distance of 1 AU,the solar wind data from OMNI,STEREO A and B during the period between 2010 and 2017 are used as the inner boundary conditions to drive the simulation.The simulation results showed that the solar wind gradually merges into large-scale structures as the radial distance increases,consistent with observations by New Horizons.After propagating into the inner heliosheath,the shocks are fully developed and the corresponding pressure pulses roughly agree with the observations by Voyager 2 in the inner heliosheath.The arrival of the shocks beyond the heliopause is estimated and found to be consistent with the observed signatures of interstellar shocks by Voyager 1.The possible origins of interstellar shocks in the inner heliosheath are discussed based on the simulation.

Influence of solar wind energy flux on the interannual variability of ENSO in the subsequent year

Previous studies have tended to adopt the quasi-decadal variability of the solar cycle （e.g.sunspot number （SSN） or solar radio flux at 10.7 cm （F10.7） to investigate the effect of solar activity on El Ni（n）o-Southern Oscillation （ENSO）.As one of the major terrestrial energy sources,the effect of solar wind energy flux in Earth＇s magnetosphere （Ein） on the climate has not drawn much attention,due to the big challenge associated with its quantitative estimation.Based on a new Ein index estimated by three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic simulations from a previous study,this study reveals that Ein exhibits both quasi-decadal variability （periodic 11-year） and interannual （2-4 years） variability,which has rarely before been detected by SSN and F10.7.A significant interannual relationship between the annual mean Ein and subsequent early-winter ENSO is further revealed.Following high Ein,the sea level pressure in the subsequent early winter shows significant positive anomalies from Asia southward to the Maritime Continent,and significant negative anomalies over the Southeast and Northeast Pacific,resembling the Southern Oscillation.Meanwhile,significant upper-level anomalous convergence and divergence winds appear over the western and eastern Pacific,which is configured with significant lower-level anomalous divergence and convergence,indicating a weakening of the Walker circulation.Consequently,notable surface easterly wind anomalies prevail over the eastern tropical Pacific,leading to El Ni（n

Single-Fluid 2D Magnetohydrodynamic Simulation of Solar Wind Structure in Comparison to Ulysses Observations

Two dimensional Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations with and without the momentum addition respectively have been used to simulate the solar wind structure on the meridian plane. The results show that far away from the sun it isn't solar magnetic field that induces the cncave solar wind speed. Instead, there may be the fast speed streamer driven by the momentum addition and an interface between high and low speed streamers. The interaction between high and low speed streamers causes the sharp division.

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°.

Effect of change in large and fast solar wind dynamic pressure on geosynchronous magnetic field

We present a comparison of changes in large and sharp solar wind dynamic pressure, observed by several spacecraft, with fast disturbances in the magnetospheric magnetic field, measured by the geosynchronous satellites. More than 260 changes in solar wind pressure during the period 1996-2003 are selected for this study. Large statistics show that an increase （a decrease） in dynamic pressure always results in an increase （a decrease） in the magnitude of geosynchronous magnetic field. The amplitude of response to the geomagnetic field strongly depends on the location of observer relative to the noon meridian, the value of pressure before disturbance, and the change in amplitude of pressure.

Analysis of the Distribution,Rotation and Scale Characteristics of Solar Wind Switchbacks:Comparison between the First and Second Encounters of Parker Solar Probe

The S-shaped magnetic structure in the solar wind formed by the twisting of magnetic field lines is called a switchback,whose main characteristics are the reversal of the magnetic field and the significant increase in the solar wind radial velocity.We identify 242 switchbacks during the first two encounters of Parker Solar Probe.Statistics methods are applied to analyze the distribution and the rotation angle and direction of the magnetic field rotation of the switchbacks.The diameter of switchbacks is estimated with a minimum variance analysis(MVA)method based on the assumption of a cylindrical magnetic tube.We also make a comparison between switchbacks from inside and the boundary of coronal holes.The main conclusions are as follows:(1)the rotation angles of switchbacks observed during the first encounter seem larger than those of the switchbacks observed during the second encounter in general;(2)the tangential component of the velocity inside the switchbacks tends to be more positive(westward)than in the ambient solar wind;(3)switchbacks are more likely to rotate clockwise than counterclockwise,and the number of switchbacks with clockwise rotation is 1.48 and 2.65 times those with counterclockwise rotation during the first and second encounters,respectively;(4)the diameter of switchbacks is about 10;km on average and across five orders of magnitude(10^(3)–10^(7)km).

Testing the effect of solar wind parameters and geomagnetic storm indices on Galactic cosmic ray flux variation with automatically-selected Forbush decreases

Forbush decrease(FD),discovered by Scott E.Forbush about 80 years ago,is referred to as the non-repetitive short-term depression in Galactic cosmic ray(GCR)flux,presumed to be associated with large-scale perturbations in solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field(IMF).It is the most spectacular variability in the GCR intensity which appears to be the compass for investigators seeking solar-terrestrial relationships.The method of selection and validation of FD events is very important to cosmic ray(CR)scientists.We have deployed new computer software to determine the amplitude and timing of FDs from daily-averaged CR data at Oulu Neutron Monitor station.The code selected 230 FDs between 1998 and 2002.In an attempt to validate the new FD automated catalog,the relationship between the amplitude of FDs,and IMF,solar wind speed(SWS)and geomagnetic storm indices(Dst,kp,ap)is tested here.A two-dimensional regression analysis indicates significant linear relationship between large FDs(CR(%)≤-3)and solar wind data and geomagnetic storm indices in the present sample.The implications of the relationship among these parameters are discussed.

Proton and He^(2+) Temperature Anisotropies in the Solar Wind Driven by Ion Cyclotron Waves

We carried out one-dimensional hybrid simulations of resonant scattering of protons and He2+ ions by ion cyclotron waves in an initially homogeneous, collisionless and magnetized plasma. The initial ion cyclotron waves have a power spectrum and propagate both outward and inward. Due to the resonant interaction with the protons and He2+ ions, the wave power will be depleted in the resonance region. Both the protons and He2+ ions can be resonantly heated in the direction perpendicular to the ambient magnetic field and leading to anisotropic velocity distributions, with the anisotropy higher for the He2+ ions than for the protons. At the same time, the anisotropies of the protons and He2+ ions are inversely correlated with the plasma β||p= 8πnpkBT||p/b02, consistent with the prediction of the quasilinear theory (QLT).

Numerical simulation of superhalo electrons generated by magnetic reconnection in the solar wind source region

Superhalo electrons appear to be continuously present in the interplane- tary medium, even during very quiet times, with a power-law spectrum at energies above ～2 keV. Here we numerically investigate the generation of superhalo electrons by magnetic reconnection in the solar wind source region, using magnetohydrody- namics and test particle simulations for both single X-line reconnection and multiple X-line reconnection. We find that the direct current electric field, produced in the mag- netic reconnection region, can accelerate electrons from an initial thermal energy of T ～105 K up to hundreds of keV. After acceleration, some of the accelerated elec- trons, together with the nascent solar wind flow driven by the reconnection, propagate upwards along the newly-opened magnetic field lines into interplanetary space, while the rest move downwards into the lower atmosphere. Similar to the observed superhalo electrons at 1 AU, the flux of upward-traveling accelerated electrons versus energy dis- plays a power-law distribution at ～ 2-100 keV, f（E）～ E^-δ, with a 6 of ～1.5 - 2.4. For single （multiple） X-line reconnection, the spectrum becomes harder （softer） as the anomalous resistivity parameter a （uniform resistivity η） increases. These modeling results suggest that the acceleration in the solar wind source region may contribute to superhalo electrons.

Effects of a dipole-like crustal field on solar wind interaction with Mars

A three-dimensional four species multi-fluid magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model was constructed to simulate the solar wind global interaction with Mars. The model was augmented to consider production and loss of the significant ion species in the Martian ionosphere, i.e., H^+, O2^+, O^+, CO^+2, associated with chemical reactions among all species. An ideal dipole-like local crustal field model was used to simplify the empirically measured Martian crustal field. Results of this simulation suggest that the magnetic pile-up region (MPR) and the velocity profile in the meridian plane are asymmetric, which is due to the nature of the multi-fluid model to decouple individual ion velocity resulting in occurrence of plume flow in the northern Martian magnetotail. In the presence of dipole magnetic field model, boundary layers, such as bow shock (BS) and magnetic pile-up boundary (MPB), become protuberant. Moreover, the crustal field has an inhibiting effect on the flux of ions escaping from Mars, an effect that occurs primarily in the region between the terminator (SZA 90°) and the Sun Mars line of the magnetotail (SZA 180°), partially around the terminator region. In contrast, near the tailward central line the crustal field has no significant impact on the escaping flux.

Small-scale ion flux and magnetic field fluctuations in solar wind, foreshock and magnetosheath

We have continued investigation of waves in the regions of undisturbed solar wind, foreshock and magnetosheath. The analysis of ion flux and magnetic field variations with the time interval 1-240s was performed in the regions above. Very large variation in such a time interval can be considered the common feature of the foreshock and magnetosheath. The results of case and statistical studies showed that the level of relative variations of ion flux and magnetic field magnitude in foreshock is about 3 times larger than in undisturbed solar wind. Variations of these parameters in the magnetosheath topologically connected with the quasi-parallel bow shock are about two times larger than those behind the quasi-perpendicular. We also compared the results from Interball-1 data analysis with those from statistical analysis of cluster magnetic field measurements. The magnetic field variations obtained from the different satellite data coincide with each other very well not only in quality but also in quantity.

Effect of solar wind plasma parameters on space weather

Today’s challenge for space weather research is to quantitatively predict the dynamics of the magnetosphere from measured solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field（IMF） conditions. Correlative studies between geomagnetic storms（GMSs）and the various interplanetary（IP） field/plasma parameters have been performed to search for the causes of geomagnetic activity and develop models for predicting the occurrence of GMSs, which are important for space weather predictions. We find a possible relation between GMSs and solar wind and IMF parameters in three different situations and also derived the linear relation for all parameters in three situations.On the basis of the present statistical study, we develop an empirical model. With the help of this model, we can predict all categories of GMSs. This model is based on the following fact： the total IMF Btotalcan be used to trigger an alarm for GMSs, when sudden changes in total magnetic field Btotaloccur. This is the first alarm condition for a storm’s arrival. It is observed in the present study that the southward Bzcomponent of the IMF is an important factor for describing GMSs. A result of the paper is that the magnitude of Bzis maximum neither during the initial phase（at the instant of the IP shock） nor during the main phase（at the instant of Disturbance storm time（Dst） minimum）. It is seen in this study that there is a time delay between the maximum value of southward Bzand the Dst minimum, and this time delay can be used in the prediction of the intensity of a magnetic storm two-three hours before the main phase of a GMS. A linear relation has been derived between the maximum value of the southward component of Bzand the Dst, which is Dst =（-0.06） ＋（7.65）Bz＋ t.Some auxiliary conditions should be fulfilled with this, for example the speed of the solar wind should, on average, be 350 km s-1 to 750 km s-1, plasma β should be low and, most importantly, plasma temperature should be low for intense storms. If the plasma temperature is less than 0.5 × 106 K then the Dst value will be greater than the predicted value of Dst or if temperature is greater than 0.5 × 106 K then the Dst value will be less（some nT）.