Bibliography

Observation of equatorial plasma bubbles by the airglow imager on ISS-IMAP

Using 630 nm airglow data observed by an airglow imager on the International Space Station (ISS), the occurrence of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) is studied. In order to examine the physical mechanisms in the boundary region between the Earth and the outer space, an ionosphere, mesosphere, upper atmosphere, and plasmasphere mapping (IMAP) mission had been conducted onboard the ISS since October 2012. The visible light and infrared spectrum imager (VISI) is utilized in the ISS-IMAP mission for nadir-looking observation of the earth\textquoterights atmospheric airglow. In this study, we automatically select EPBs according to the criterion for extracting the tilted dark lines from VISI data. Using the selected events, the dependence of the occurrence rate of EPBs is examined. There is no other report of the occurrence rate of EPBs using downward-looking visible airglow data (630 nm). In this result, the occurrence rate is high at all longitudes in the equinoctial seasons. In the solstice seasons, in contrast, the occurrence rate is very small especially in the Pacific and American sectors. This result is basically consistent with previous studies, e.g., those determined by plasma density data on DMSP satellites.During the June solstice in 2013, EPBs were observed in association with geomagnetic storms that occurred due to a southward turning of the IMF Bz. Using these events, we examined the storm-time features of the occurrence of EPBs in the Pacific-American sectors during the June solstice. In these sectors, where the occurrence rate of EPBs is very small during solstice seasons, some EPBs were observed in the peak and recovery phases of the storms. This result shows that the prompt penetration of electric fields causes the development of EPBs, in the data we analyzed, the geomagnetic storms did not inhibit the generation of EPB in the Pacific\textendashAmerican sectors.

Nakata, Hiroyuki; Takahashi, Akira; Takano, Toshiaki; Saito, Akinori; Sakanoi, Takeshi;

Published by: Progress in Earth and Planetary Science      Published on: 12/2018

YEAR: 2018     DOI: 10.1186/s40645-018-0227-0

Link between pre-midnight second harmonic poloidal waves and auroral undulations: Conjugate observations with a Van Allen Probes spacecraft and a THEMIS all-sky imager

We report, for the first time, an auroral undulation event on 1 May 2013 observed by an all-sky imager (ASI) at Athabasca (L = 4.6), Canada, for which in situ field and particle measurements in the conjugate magnetosphere were available from a Van Allen Probes spacecraft. The ASI observed a train of auroral undulation structures emerging spontaneously in the pre-midnight subauroral ionosphere, during the growth phase of a substorm. The undulations had an azimuthal wavelength of ~180 km and propagated westward at a speed of 3\textendash4 km s^-1. The successive passage over an observing point yielded quasi-periodic oscillations in diffuse auroral emissions with a period of ~40 s. The azimuthal wave number m of the auroral luminosity oscillations was found to be m ~ -103. During the event the spacecraft \textendash being on tailward stretched field lines ~0.5 R_E outside the plasmapause that mapped into the ionosphere conjugate to the auroral undulations \textendash encountered intense poloidal ULF oscillations in the magnetic and electric fields. We identify the field oscillations to be the second harmonic mode along the magnetic field line through comparisons of the observed wave properties with theoretical predictions. The field oscillations were accompanied by oscillations in proton and electron fluxes. Most interestingly, both field and particle oscillations at the spacecraft had one-to-one association with the auroral luminosity oscillations around its footprint. Our findings strongly suggest that this auroral undulation event is closely linked to the generation of second harmonic poloidal waves

Motoba, T.; Takahashi, K.; Ukhorskiy, A.; Gkioulidou, M.; Mitchell, D.; Lanzerotti, L.; Korotova, G.; Donovan, E.; Wygant, J.; Kletzing, C.; Kurth, W.; Blake, J.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on: 02/2015

YEAR: 2015     DOI: 10.1002/2014JA020863

Variations of the neutral temperature and sodium density between 80 and 107 km above Troms\o during the winter of 2010-2011 by a new solid-state sodium lidar

A new solid-state sodium lidar installed at Ramfjordmoen, Troms\o (69.6\textdegreeN, 19.2\textdegreeE), started observations of neutral temperature together with sodium density in the mesosphere-lower thermosphere (MLT) region on 1 October 2010. The new lidar provided temperature data with a time resolution of 10 min and with good quality between \~80 and \~105 km from October 2010 to March 2011. This paper aims at introducing the new lidar with its observational results obtained over the first 6 months of observations. We succeeded in obtaining neutral temperature and sodium density data of \~255.5 h in total. In order to evaluate our observations, we compared (1) the sodium density with that published in the literature, (2) average temperature and column sodium density data with those obtained with Arctic Lidar Observatory for Middle Atmosphere Research Weber sodium lidar, and (3) the neutral temperature data with those obtained by Sounding of the Atmosphere with Broadband Emission Radiometry/Thermosphere Ionosphere Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics satellite. For the night of 5 October 2010, we succeeded in conducting simultaneous observations of the new lidar and the European Incoherent Scatter UHF radar with the tristatic Common Program 1 (CP-1) mode. Comparisons of neutral and ion temperatures showed a good agreement at 104 km between 0050 and 0230 UT on 6 October 2010 when the electric field strength was smaller, while significant deviations (up to \~25 K) are found at 107 km. We evaluated contributions of Joule heating and electron-ion heat exchange, but derived values seem to be underestimated.

Nozawa, S.; Kawahara, T.; Saito, N.; Hall, C.; Tsuda, T.; Kawabata, T.; Wada, S.; Brekke, A.; Takahashi, T.; Fujiwara, H.; Ogawa, Y.; Fujii, R.;

Published by: Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics      Published on: 01/2014

YEAR: 2014     DOI: 10.1002/2013JA019520

Joule heating; neutral temperature; polar MLT; sodium lidar

Equatorial ionization anomaly development as studied by GPS TEC and foF2 over Brazil: A comparison of observations with model results from SUPIM and IRI-2012

The equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA) development is studied using the total electron content (TEC) observed by the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites, the F2-layer critical frequency (foF2) as measured by digisondes operated in the Brazilian sector, and by model simulation using the SUPIM (Sheffield University Plasmasphere Ionosphere Model). We have used two indices based on foF2 and TEC to represent the strength of the EIA Southern Anomaly Crest (SAC), which are denoted, respectively, by SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC). Significant differences in the local time variations of the EIA intensity, as represented by these two indices, are investigated. The observed SAC indices are compared with their values modeled by the SUPIM and also by the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI)\textemdash2012. The SUPIM simulations that use the standard E\texttimesB plasma drift and neutral air wind models are found to provide acceptable representations of the observed foF2 and TEC, and hence the indices SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC) during daytime, whereas the IRI-2012 model is not, except during the post-midnight/sunrise hours. It is found that the differences in the local time variations between the SAC(foF2) and SAC(TEC) can be reduced by limiting the TEC integrations in height up to an altitude of 630\ km in the SUPIM calculations. It is also found that when the EIA intensity is calculated for an intermediate dip latitude (12\textdegreeS) the difference between the local time variation patterns of the two corresponding indices in the experimental data and in the SUPIM results is reduced. For the IRI-2012 values, the subequatorial station modification does not appear to have any effect.

Nogueira, P.A.B.; Abdu, M.A.; Souza, J.R.; Batista, I.S.; Bailey, G.J.; Santos, A.M.; Takahashi, H.;

Published by: Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics      Published on: 11/2013

YEAR: 2013     DOI: 10.1016/j.jastp.2013.08.013

Equatorial anomaly; foF2; Ionospheric modeling; TEC

Overview and summary of the Spread F Experiment (SpreadFEx)

We provide here an overview of, and a summary of results arising from, an extensive experimental campaign (the Spread F Experiment, or SpreadFEx) performed from September to November 2005, with primary measurements in Brazil. The motivation was to define the potential role of neutral atmosphere dynamics, specifically gravity wave motions propagating upward from the lower atmosphere, in seeding Rayleigh-Taylor instability (RTI) and plasma bubbles extending to higher altitudes. Campaign measurements focused on the Brazilian sector and included ground-based optical, radar, digisonde, and GPS measurements at a number of fixed and temporary sites. Related data on convection and plasma bubble structures were also collected by GOES 12, and the GUVI instrument aboard the TIMED satellite.\ 

Initial results of our SpreadFEx analyses are described separately by Fritts et al. (2009). Further analyses of these data provide additional evidence of 1) gravity wave (GW) activity near the mesopause apparently linked to deep convection predominantly to the west of our measurement sites, 2) small-scale GWs largely confined to lower altitudes, 3) larger-scale GWs apparently penetrating to much higher altitudes, 4) substantial GW amplitudes implied by digisonde electron densities, and 5) apparent influences of these perturbations in the lower F-region on the formation of equatorial spread F, RTI, and plasma bubbles extending to much higher altitudes. Other efforts with SpreadFEx data have also yielded 6) the occurrence, locations, and scales of deep convection, 7) the spatial and temporal evolutions of plasma bubbles, 8) 2-D (height-resolved) structures in electron density fluctuations and equatorial spread F at lower altitudes and plasma bubbles above, and 9) the occurrence of substantial tidal perturbations to the large-scale wind and temperature fields extending to bottomside F-layer and higher altitudes. Collectively, our various SpreadFEx analyses suggest direct links between deep tropical convection and large GW perturbations at large spatial scales at the bottomside F-layer and their likely contributions to the excitation of RTI and plasma bubbles extending to much higher altitudes.

Fritts, D.; Abdu, M.; Batista, B.; Batista, I.; Batista, P.; Buriti, R.; Clemesha, B.; Dautermann, T.; de Paula, E.; Fechine, B.; Fejer, B.; Gobbi, D.; Haase, J.; Kamalabadi, F.; Kherani, E.; Laughman, B.; Lima, P.; Liu, H.-L.; Medeiros, A.; Pautet, P.-D.; Riggin, D.; Rodrigues, F.; Sabbas, F.; Sobral, J.; Stamus, P.; Takahashi, H.; Taylor, M.; Vadas, S.; Vargas, F.; Wrasse, C.;

Published by: Annales Geophysicae      Published on: Jan-01-2009

YEAR: 2009     DOI: 10.5194/angeo-27-2141-2009

Simultaneous observation of ionospheric plasma bubbles and mesospheric gravity waves during the SpreadFEx Campaign

Takahashi, H.; Taylor, M.; Pautet, P.-D.; Medeiros, A.; Gobbi, D.; Wrasse, C.; Fechine, J.; Abdu, M.; Batista, I.; Paula, E.; Sobral, J.; Arruda, D.; Vadas, S.; Sabbas, F.; Fritts, D.;

Published by: Annales Geophysicae      Published on: Jan-01-2009

YEAR: 2009     DOI: 10.5194/angeo-27-1477-2009

Simultaneous observations of equatorial F-region plasma depletions over Brazil during the Spread-F Experiment (SpreadFEx)

Pautet, P.-D.; Taylor, M.; Chapagain, N.; Takahashi, H.; Medeiros, A.; Sabbas, F.; Fritts, D.;

Published by: Annales Geophysicae      Published on: Jan-01-2009

YEAR: 2009     DOI: 10.5194/angeo-27-2371-2009

Gravity wave and tidal influences on equatorial spread F based on observations during the Spread F Experiment (SpreadFEx)

The Spread F Experiment, or SpreadFEx, was performed from September to November 2005 to define the potential role of neutral atmosphere dynamics, primarily gravity waves propagating upward from the lower atmosphere, in seeding equatorial spread F (ESF) and plasma bubbles extending to higher altitudes. A description of the SpreadFEx campaign motivations, goals, instrumentation, and structure, and an overview of the results presented in this special issue, are provided by Fritts et al. (2008a). The various analyses of neutral atmosphere and ionosphere dynamics and structure described in this special issue provide enticing evidence of gravity waves arising from deep convection in plasma bubble seeding at the bottomside F layer. Our purpose here is to employ these results to estimate gravity wave characteristics at the bottomside F layer, and to assess their possible contributions to optimal seeding conditions for ESF and plasma instability growth rates. We also assess expected tidal influences on the environment in which plasma bubble seeding occurs, given their apparent large wind and temperature amplitudes at these altitudes. We conclude 1) that gravity waves can achieve large amplitudes at the bottomside F layer, 2) that tidal winds likely control the orientations of the gravity waves that attain the highest altitudes and have the greatest effects, 3) that the favored gravity wave orientations enhance most or all of the parameters influencing plasma instability growth rates, and 4) that gravity wave and tidal structures acting together have an even greater potential impact on plasma instability growth rates and plasma bubble seeding.

Fritts, D.; Vadas, S.; Riggin, D.; Abdu, M.; Batista, I.; Takahashi, H.; Medeiros, A.; Kamalabadi, F.; Liu, H.-L.; Fejer, B.; Taylor, M.;

Published by: Annales Geophysicae      Published on: 10/2008

YEAR: 2008     DOI: 10.5194/angeo-26-3235-2008

Simultaneous observation of ionospheric plasma bubble and mesospheric gravity wave activities during CAWSES 2005 SpreadFEx Campaign

During the SpreadFEx campaign from September 22 to November 8, 2005, two airglow CCD imagers, located at near Brasilia (14.8S, 47.6W, Mag. 10S) and at Cariri (7.4S, 36.5W, Mag. 9S) were operated simultaneously and measured the equatorial ionospheric bubble structures and their time evolution by monitoring the OI 6300 emission. From the 10 nights of coincident data, we observed that on some nights the bubbles was formed at the west of Cariri, but not seen from the Brasilia site. This suggests that the bubble formation and development started near the Cariri observation site. Identification of a longitudinal zone where the SpF is seeding is very important in order to find the mechanism of formation. The present paper will discuss SpF seeding mechanisms and possible contribution of the mesospheric gravity wave activity.

Takahashi*, H.; Pautet, P.-D.; Fechine, J.; Abdu, M.; Batista, I.; Paula, E.; Sobral, J.H.A.; Gobbi, D.; Arruda, D.; Batista, P.; Sabba, F.; Taylor, M.; Medeiros, A.; Buriti, R.; Wrasse, C.; Fritts, D.;

Published by:       Published on:

YEAR: 2007     DOI: 10.1190/sbgf2007-404