We present two examples from the cusp ionosphere over Svalbard, where poleward moving auroral forms (PMAFs) are causing significant phase scintillation in signals from navigation satellites. The data were obtained using a combination of ground‐based optical instruments and a newly installed multiconstellation navigation signal receiver at Longyearbyen. Both events affected signals from GPS and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS). When one intense PMAF appeared, the signal from one GPS spacecraft also experienced a temporary loss of signal lock. Although several polar cap patches were also observed in the area as enhancements in total electron content, the most severe scintillation and loss of signal lock appear to be attributed to very intense PMAF activity. This shows that PMAFs are locations of strong ionospheric irregularities, which at times may cause more severe disturbances in the cusp ionosphere for navigation signals than polar cap patches.
Abstract. The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (Super-DARN) network of HF coherent backscatter radars form a unique global diagnostic of large-scale ionospheric and magnetospheric dynamics in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. Currently the ground projections of the HF radar returns are routinely determined by a simple rangefinding algorithm, which takes no account of the prevailing, or indeed the average, HF propagation conditions. This is in spite of the fact that both direct E-and F-region backscatter and 1 1 2 -hop E-and F-region backscatter are commonly used in geophysical interpretation of the data. In a companion paper, Chisham et al. (2008) have suggested a new virtual height model for SuperDARN, based on average measured propagation paths. Over shorter propagation paths the existing rangefinding algorithm is adequate, but mapping errors become significant for longer paths where the roundness of the Earth becomes important, and a correct assumption of virtual height becomes more difficult. The SuperDARN radar at Hankasalmi has a propagation path to high power HF ionospheric modification facilities at both Tromsø on a 1 2 -hop path and SPEAR on a 1 1 2 -hop path. The SuperDARN radar at Þykkvibaer has propagation paths to both facilities over 1 1 2 -hop paths. These paths provide an opportunity to quantitatively test the available SuperDARN virtual height models. It is also possible to use HF radar backscatter which has been artificially induced by the ionospheric heaters as an accurate calibration point for the Hankasalmi elevation angle of arrival data, providing a range correction algorithm for the SuperDARN radars which directly uses elevation angle. These developments enCorrespondence to: T. K. Yeoman (tim.yeoman@ion.le.ac.uk) able the accurate mappings of the SuperDARN electric field measurements which are required for the growing number of multi-instrument studies of the Earth's ionosphere and magnetosphere.
Abstract. The first statistical study of the unstable proton populations which contain "free energy" required to drive small-scale poloidal mode ULF waves in the magnetosphere between L-shell locations of 6 and 9 is presented. The data examined are all in the form of Ion Distribution Functions (IDFs) covering a particle energy range of 0.025 keV to 328 keV, amassed over 2.5 years from the TIMAS and CAMMICE (MICS) instruments on-board the Polar spacecraft. Any free energy which is available to drive a resonant wave mode manifests itself as a positive gradient region in the IDF. A new analysis technique applied to the data, allows for the first time, the amount of free energy contained in each IDF to be quantified. The results show that IDFs are a common occurrence in the magnetosphere at these L-shells, although they are most common in the dawn/pre-noon sector. Lower energy (10-45 keV) protons are the most commonly observed unstable populations and also contain the largest amounts of free energy (>10 10 J). Positive gradient regions at higher energies (>100 keV) are rarely observed and also contain greatly reduced free energies (<10 9 J).
Abstract. HF radar backscatter, which has been artificiallyinduced by a high power RF facility such as the EISCAT heater at Tromsø, has provided coherent radar ionospheric electric field data of unprecedented temporal resolution and accuracy. Here such data are used to investigate ULF wave processes observed by both the CUTLASS HF radars and the EISCAT UHF radar. Data from the SP-UK-OUCH experiment have revealed small-scale (high azimuthal wave number, m ≈ −45) waves, predominantly in the morning sector, thought to be brought about by the drift-bounce resonance processes. Conjugate observations from the Polar CAM-MICE instrument indicate the presence of a non-Maxwellian ion distribution function. Further statistical analysis has been undertaken, using the Polar TIMAS instrument, to reveal the prevalence and magnitude of the non-Maxwellian energetic particle populations thought to be responsible for generating these wave types.
Geomagnetic pulsations in Pc5-6 band (~3-20 min) are persistent feature of ULF activity at dayside high latitudes. Magnetopause surface eigenmodes may be suggested as potential mechanism of these pulsations. One might expect the ground response of these modes to be near ionospheric projection of the open-closed field line boundary (OCB). Using data from instruments located at Svalbard we study transient geomagnetic response to impulsive "intrusion" of magnetosheath plasma into the dayside magnetosphere. These intrusions are triggered by modest changes of interplanetary magnetic field to southward, and observed as sudden shifts of equatorward red aurora boundary to lower latitudes and green line emission intensification. Each auroral disturbance is accompanied by burst of~1.7-2.0-mHz geomagnetic pulsations. Near-cusp latitudinal structure of ULF pulsations is compared with instant location of equatorward boundary of the red aurora, assumed to be a proxy of the OCB. Optical OCB latitude has been identified using data from the meridian scanning photometer. The latitudinal maximum of the transient geomagnetic response tends to be located near disturbed OCB proxy, within the error~1°-2°of the photometer and magnetometer methods. Recorded transient pulsations may be associated with the ground image of the magnetopause surface mode harmonic. Theoretical consideration indicates that after an initial excitation, surface large-scale mode converts into localized Alfvén oscillations and thus can exist for limited time only. Therefore, MHD surface modes in realistic inhomogeneous plasma cannot be considered in isolation, but as a combined system of modes with discrete and continuous spectra with irreversible transformation between them.
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