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Kitamura N, Seki K, Keika K, Nishimura Y, Hori T, Hirahara M, Lund EJ, Kistler LM, Strangeway RJ. On the relationship between energy input to the ionosphere and the ion outflow flux under different solar zenith angles. EARTH, PLANETS, AND SPACE : EPS 2021; 73:202. [PMID: 34790028 PMCID: PMC8572202 DOI: 10.1186/s40623-021-01532-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The ionosphere is one of the important sources for magnetospheric plasma, particularly for heavy ions with low charge states. We investigate the effect of solar illumination on the number flux of ion outflow using data obtained by the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) satellite at 3000-4150 km altitude from 7 January 1998 to 5 February 1999. We derive empirical formulas between energy inputs and outflowing ion number fluxes for various solar zenith angle ranges. We found that the outflowing ion number flux under sunlit conditions increases more steeply with increasing electron density in the loss cone or with increasing precipitating electron density (> 50 eV), compared to the ion flux under dark conditions. Under ionospheric dark conditions, weak electron precipitation can drive ion outflow with small averaged fluxes (~ 107 cm-2 s-1). The slopes of relations between the Poynting fluxes and outflowing ion number fluxes show no clear dependence on the solar zenith angle. Intense ion outflow events (> 108 cm-2 s-1) occur mostly under sunlit conditions (solar zenith angle < 90°). Thus, it is presumably difficult to drive intense ion outflows under dark conditions, because of a lack of the solar illumination (low ionospheric density and/or small scale height owing to low plasma temperature).
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Affiliation(s)
- Naritoshi Kitamura
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kanako Seki
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunihiro Keika
- Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukitoshi Nishimura
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and Center for Space Physics, Boston University, Boston, MA USA
| | - Tomoaki Hori
- Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masafumi Hirahara
- Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Eric J. Lund
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA
- College Brook Scientific, Durham, NH USA
| | - Lynn M. Kistler
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA
- Department of Physics, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH USA
| | - Robert J. Strangeway
- Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, CA USA
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Ogasawara K, George DE, Goldstein J, Hwang KJ, Nishimura Y, Ruggles DA, Stange JL. 3DI: A novel ion composition and three-dimensional velocity analyzer for the topside ionosphere. Sci Rep 2020; 10:7967. [PMID: 32409754 PMCID: PMC7224187 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-64407-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
A new ion composition and three-dimensional velocity analyzer, 3-Dimensional ion velocity and mass Imager (3DI), measures 3D velocity distribution functions (VDFs) for each major ion species in Earth's topside ionosphere. The 3DI instrument is composed of a miniaturized electrostatic analyzer (ESA) and a deflector, backed by a static, magnet-based, mass spectrometer. We have developed a micro-pixel read-out anode technique that significantly saves power in the particle detection system, and integrated it into an imaging microchannel plate (MCP). We tested the ESA and deflector, magnet-based mass spectrometer, and anode in the laboratory to demonstrate the 3DI prototype's performance. We have applied numerical calculations to evaluate and discuss 3DI's performance and dynamic range. Due to complexities associated with imaging 3D distribution functions during fast spacecraft motion, we also discuss the operation strategy for 3DI to capture and resolve the VDF within the field of view. Once applied to flight investigations, the 3DI observations will be extremely useful in identifying ionosphere composition, mass-dependent ion transport such as upflows, and mass-dependent ion heating. Furthermore, the precise measurement of non-thermal plasma VDFs provides information to improve ionospheric environment modeling and ground-based radar observations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Don E George
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA
| | - Jerry Goldstein
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA.,The University of Texas at San Antonio, 1 UTSA circle, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | | | | | | | - Jason L Stange
- Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, TX, 78238, USA
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Brambles OJ, Lotko W, Zhang B, Wiltberger M, Lyon J, Strangeway RJ. Magnetosphere sawtooth oscillations induced by ionospheric outflow. Science 2011; 332:1183-6. [PMID: 21636770 DOI: 10.1126/science.1202869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
The sawtooth mode of convection of Earth's magnetosphere is a 2- to 4-hour planetary-scale oscillation powered by the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere (SW-M-I) interaction. Using global simulations of geospace, we have shown that ionospheric O(+) outflows can generate sawtooth oscillations. As the outflowing ions fill the inner magnetosphere, their pressure distends the nightside magnetic field. When the outflow fluence exceeds a threshold, magnetic field tension cannot confine the accumulating fluid; an O(+)-rich plasmoid is ejected, and the field dipolarizes. Below the threshold, the magnetosphere undergoes quasi-steady convection. Repetition and the sawtooth period are controlled by the strength of the SW-M-I interaction, which regulates the outflow fluence.
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Affiliation(s)
- O J Brambles
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA.
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Ogawa Y, Buchert SC, Häggström I, Rietveld MT, Fujii R, Nozawa S, Miyaoka H. On the statistical relation between ion upflow and naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines observed with the EISCAT Svalbard radar. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1029/2010ja015827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Y. Ogawa
- National Institute of Polar Research; Tokyo Japan
| | | | | | | | - R. Fujii
- Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory; Nagoya University; Nagoya Japan
| | - S. Nozawa
- Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory; Nagoya University; Nagoya Japan
| | - H. Miyaoka
- National Institute of Polar Research; Tokyo Japan
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Horwitz JL, Zeng W. Physics-based formula representations of high-latitude ionospheric outflows: H+and O+densities, flow velocities, and temperatures versus soft electron precipitation, wave-driven transverse heating, and solar zenith angle effects. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009. [DOI: 10.1029/2008ja013595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. L. Horwitz
- Department of Physics; University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington Texas USA
| | - W. Zeng
- Department of Physics; University of Texas at Arlington; Arlington Texas USA
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Yamauchi M, Wahlund JE. Role of the ionosphere for the atmospheric evolution of planets. ASTROBIOLOGY 2007; 7:783-800. [PMID: 17963477 DOI: 10.1089/ast.2007.0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We have synthesized current understanding, mainly observations, with regard to ion escape mechanisms to space from the ionosphere and exosphere of Titan and Earth-type planets, with the intent to provide an improved input for models of atmospheric evolution on early Earth and Earth-type planets and exoplanets. We focus on the role of the ionosphere and its non-linear response to solar parameters, all of which have been underestimated in current models of ancient atmospheric escape (4 billion years ago). Factors that have been overlooked include the following: (1) Much larger variation of O(+) outflow than H(+) outflow from the terrestrial ionosphere, depending on solar and geomagnetic activities (an important consideration when attempting to determine the oxidized state of the atmosphere of early Earth); (2) magnetization of the ionopause, which keeps ionospheric ions from escaping and controls many other escape processes; (3) extra ionization by, for example, the critical ionization velocity mechanism, which expands the ionosphere to greater altitudes than current models predict; and (4) the large escape of cold ions from the dense, expanded ionosphere of Titan. Here we offer, as a guideline for quantitative simulations, a qualitative diagnosis of increases or decreases of non-thermal escape related to the ionosphere for magnetized and unmagnetized planets in response to changes in solar parameters (i.e., solar EUV/FUV flux, solar wind dynamic pressure, and interplanetary magnetic field).
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Voitenko Y, Goossens M. Cross-scale nonlinear coupling and plasma energization by Alfvén waves. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 94:135003. [PMID: 15904001 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.135003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2004] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We present a new channel for the nonlocal transport of wave energy from the large (MHD) scales to the small (kinetic) scales generated by the resonant decay of MHD Alfvén waves into kinetic Alfvén waves. This process does not impose any restriction on the wave numbers or frequencies of initial MHD waves, which makes it superior compared to the mechanisms of spectral transport studied before. Because of dissipative properties of the nonlinearly driven kinetic Alfvén waves, the decay leads to plasma heating and particle acceleration, which is observed in a variety of space and astrophysical plasmas. Two examples in the solar corona and the terrestrial magnetosphere are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Voitenko
- Centre for Plasma Astrophysics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200B, 3001 Heverlee, Belgium.
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Wilson GR, Ober DM, Germany GA, Lund EJ. Nightside auroral zone and polar cap ion outflow as a function of substorm size and phase. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004. [DOI: 10.1029/2003ja009835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. R. Wilson
- Mission Research Corporation; Nashua New Hampshire USA
| | - D. M. Ober
- Mission Research Corporation; Nashua New Hampshire USA
| | - G. A. Germany
- Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research; University of Alabama in Huntsville; Huntsville Alabama USA
| | - E. J. Lund
- Space Science Center; University of New Hampshire; Durham New Hampshire USA
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Lynch KA. Return current region aurora:E∥,jz, particle energization, and broadband ELF wave activity. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2002. [DOI: 10.1029/2001ja900134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Wilson GR, Ober DM, Germany GA, Lund EJ. The relationship between suprathermal heavy ion outflow and auroral electron energy deposition: Polar/Ultraviolet Imager and Fast Auroral Snapshot/Time-of-Flight Energy Angle Mass Spectrometer observations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000ja000434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Stevenson BA, Horwitz JL, Germany G, Moore TE, Giles BL, Craven PD, Chandler MO, Su YJ, Parks GK. Polar observations of topside field-aligned O+flows and auroral forms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2001. [DOI: 10.1029/2000ja003042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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Strangeway RJ, Russell CT, Carlson CW, McFadden JP, Ergun RE, Temerin M, Klumpar DM, Peterson WK, Moore TE. Cusp field-aligned currents and ion outflows. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2000. [DOI: 10.1029/2000ja900032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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