EUV observations of the solar corona with superhigh spatial resolution in the ARCA project

Observing the Sun’s hot corona with sub-second spatial resolution is important in solving a number of basic solar physics problems. The new ARCA satellite observatory under development at the Lebedev Physical Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, will be first to provide images of the hot solar corona with a spatial resolution of about 0.18 arcsec. Scientific and technical features of the observatory are discussed.     

Simulation of the behavior of excited gaseous components in the atmosphere of the Earth: Hot oxygen

The existence of so-called hot oxygen in the atmosphere is substantiated by optical measurements of airglow at high altitudes. According to these observations, nonthermal oxygen concentration is maximum at an altitude of about 550 km, and its temperature is ∼4000 K. The presence of these atoms in the thermosphere causes changes in the thermodynamic conditions in the upper atmosphere of the Earth. In this work, we calculated the global distributions of hot oxygen concentrations and temperature using the Global Self-Consistent Model of Thermosphere, Ionosphere, and Protonosphere of the Earth (GSM TIP) taking into account the main photochemical and dynamic processes. Calculations were performed for moderate solar and geomagnetic activity and winter conditions of January, 2003. The hot oxygen maximum was located in latitude 60° South and at longitude 300° at 24 UT, and its temperature was ∼1500 K. This increased the general temperature of the atmosphere by 100 K in the daytime and 70 K at night. Changes in the speed of neutral gas reached 36 m/s.     

Parker’s Solar Wind Model for a Polytropic Gas

Parker’s hydrodynamic isothermal solar wind model is extended to apply for a more realistic polytropic gas flow that can be caused by a variable extended heating of the corona. A compatible theoretical formulation is given and detailed numerical and systematic asymptotic theoretical considerations are presented. The polytropic conditions favor an enhanced conversion of thermal energy in the solar wind into kinetic energy of the outward flow and are hence shown to enhance the acceleration of the solar wind, thus indicating a quicker loss of the solar angular momentum.     

嫦娥一号卫星太阳风离子探测器数据分析

探月航天器与月球周围等离子体环境相互作用,表面将出现充放电效应,给航天器带来很多不利影响.表面充电电位对充放电的影响至关重要.评估探月航天器的充放电效应,首先需获得月球周围等离子体环境数据.嫦娥一号上搭载的两台太阳风离子探测器SWIDA/B是用来观测月球200 km轨道附近等离子体环境的探测仪器,获得了月球附近的太阳风速度、密度和温度.本文对2008年6月一个月内太阳风离子探测器SWIDA机获得的离子微分通量进行统计平均,得到太阳风离子微分通量能谱,并计算得到了月球200 km附近的太阳风速度(300.00—600.00 km·s-1)、密度(1—10 cm-3)和温度(1—20 eV).最后采用等效电路模型的方法计算得到了探月航天器表面充电电位范围为-7—-70 V.     

On the origin of solar wind. Alfvén waves induced jump of coronal temperature

Absorption of Alfvén waves is considered to be the main mechanism of heating in the solar corona. It is concluded that the sharp increase of the plasma temperature by two orders of magnitude is related to a self-induced opacity with respect to Alfvén waves. The maximal frequency for propagation of Alfvén waves is determined by the strongly temperature dependent kinematic viscosity. In such a way the temperature jump is due to absorption of high frequency Alfvén waves in a narrow layer above the solar surface. It is calculated the power per unit area dissipated in this layer due to damping of Alfvén waves that blows up the plasma and gives birth to the solar wind. A model short wave-length (WKB) evaluation takes into account the 1/f² frequency dependence of the transversal magnetic field and velocity spectral densities. Such spectral densities agree with old magnetometric data taken by Voyager 1 and recent theoretical calculations in the framework of Langevin-Burgers MHD. The presented theory predicts existence of intensive high frequency MHD Alfvén waves in the cold layer beneath the corona. It is briefly discussed how this statement can be checked experimentally. It is demonstrated that the magnitude of the Alfvén waves generating random noise and the solar wind velocity can be expressed only in terms of satellite experimental data. It is advocated that investigation of properties of the solar surface as a random driver by optical methods is an important task for future solar physics.     

“Energy levels and spectral lines of Ne?viii ” [Eur. Phys. J. D 39 , 173–188 (2006)]

Kramida and Buchet-Poulizac [Eur. Phys. J. D 39, 173 (2006)] provide a comprehensive compilation of Ne VIII energy levels and spectral lines. We are concerned about the data of one line treated in the second paragraph of Section 2, the line at 77.0 nm. This line is very important for solar physics investigations as it is a bright line emitted in the lower corona of the Sun, where mass flux and energy transport determine the properties of the nascent solar wind. Consequently, it has been studied in a number of investigations, of which we want to mention two. The results are published by Peter and Judge [Astrophys. J. 522, 1148 (1999)] and Dammasch et al. [Astron. Astrophys. 346, 285 (1999)]. Both these studies concluded that the rest wavelength of the Ne VIII line in question is 77.0428 nm with standard uncertainties of 0.7 pm and 0.3 pm, respectively. Dammasch et al. discussed, in particular, the uncertainty level of 0.5 pm stated by Bockasten et al. [Proc. Phys. Soc. 81, 522 (1963)]. The conclusion was that it is far too optimistic and not reliable. So, we take issue with the statement of the authors that the Bockasten et al. measurements of this line are the most accurate in the literature. If the Bockasten et al. value (77.0409 nm ± 0.0005 nm) [Proc. Phys. Soc. 81, 522 (1963)] for the rest wavelength of this line were true, it would imply downward movements in the solar corona that are in conflict with the measurements in other lines.     

Performance optimization of solar chimney power plant using electric/corona wind

The effect of the corona wind on the natural convection at absorber of a solar chimney power plant pilot was investigated experimentally. The aim of the study is to improve the efficiency of SCPP through enhanced the heat transfer coefficient of absorber with corona wind. The results show that corona wind enhanced the absorber convective heat transfer coefficient leading to increment in air the velocity and the output power of the SCPP. The amount of heat transfer of pilot increased more than 14.5% when applying voltage of 15 KV and the speed in chimney experienced about 72% amelioration.     

太阳日冕物质抛射的磁流体力学性质

太阳是离地球最近的一颗恒星，太阳日冕物质抛射是太阳大气中最剧烈的一种活动现象．当日冕物质抛射爆发时，大量的等离子体物质从接近太阳日面的低日冕被抛出，瞬时释放出巨大的能量．当一部分这些物质和能量传播到地球附近时，可以造成短波通讯中断、卫星工作失常等破坏性现象．文章作者认为，是缠绕的太阳磁场提供了足够的能量，使这些日冕物质可以克服恒星的重力以及周边磁场的束缚抛射出来；而磁螺度在日冕中的不断积累，不仅为日冕物质抛射提供了能量基础，而且使爆发在一定程度上成为一种日冕演化的必然。     

多普勒测风激光雷达风场探测结果分析

为了验证自行研制的瑞利散射测风激光雷达的性能及应用价值,将激光雷达测量的风速风向廓线与探空气球测量结果进行对比,结果吻合得较好,高度10 km以下风速最大差距3.0 m/s,20 km以下最大差距4.5 m/s;风向除拐点外标准差最大32。连续探测结果显示了强劲的西风急流和风向转换特征,急流中心的高度一般在10~12 km,中心最大风速接近70 m/s,最小风速不低于30 m/s,20 km左右拐点最小风速不足1 m/s,20 km以上风速逐渐增加 ;在20 km以下风向为西风,在270左右变化,20 km以上为东风,在90左右变化。探测结果表明瑞利散射测风激光雷达既能跟踪大尺度季节性气候特征的变化规律,又能突出小尺度瞬态气候特征的形成、演化过程。     

Numerical Simulation of the 12 May 1997 CME Event

Our newly developed CESE MHD model is used to simulate sun-earth connection event with the well-studied 12 May 1997 CME event as an example. The main features and approximations of our numerical model are as follows： （1） The modifed conservation element and solution element （CESE） numerical scheme in spherical geometry is implemented in our code. （2） The background solar wind is derived from a 3D time-dependent numerical MHD model by input measured photospheric magnetic fields. （3） Transient disturbances are derived from solar surface by introducing a mass flow of hot plasma. The numerical simulation has enabled us to predict the arrival of the interplanetary shock and provided us with a relatively satisfactory comparison with the WIND spacecraft observations.     

Interaction of high-speed and transient fluxes of solar wind at the maximum of solar cycle 24

The interaction of the interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) and the high-speed solar wind flux (HSSWF) associated with the coronal hole (CH) is considered. By the examples of two events at the maximum of solar cycle 24 from June 4 to June 16 and from June 30 to July 10, 2012 it is shown that the temperature-dependent parameters of the SW ionic composition appear closer to the values in the HSSWF than in the ICME due to mixing of fluxes in the corona when the ICME source is near the CH boundary.     

Some features of solar wind protons, α particles and heavy ions behaviour: The Prognoz 7 and Prognoz 8 experimental results

The paper describes the results of investigations of the solar wind ions, carried out on board the high apogee Prognoz 7 and Prognoz 8 Earth's satellites with the aid of an SKS instrument (USSR) and a Monitor instrument (USSR-SSR). Behaviour of proton and that of components on the front of Earth's bow and interplanetary shock waves were compared by means of the energoanalysis and energy-mass analysis techniques. In several long-term periods of observation the solar wind heavy ions — oxygen, silicon and iron were determined. It enabled us to estimate the solar corona chemical composition and electron temperature.Presented at the 5th General Assembly IAGA/IAMAP August 5–17, 1985, Prague, Czechoslovakia.     

Ion abundances of low-energy quiet period particle fluxes at 1 AU

The ion abundances of charged particle fluxes with energies of 0.032–1.28 MeV/nucleon during the quiet period of solar activity are investigated using spacecraft data. The values of Fe/O ratios obtained in 35 such periods in the 23rd solar cycle are compared with the mean ion abundances in the solar corona, in the gradual and impulsive solar energetic particle events, and in the solar wind. It is believed that coronal holes near the equator could be one of possible source of background low energy particle fluxes.     

On the negative corona and ionic wind over water electrode surface

The DC corona discharge in air and the induced ionic wind were investigated in the needle-to-water system at atmospheric pressure. The water deformation was measured under various conditions, and wind pressure and active areas were estimated accordingly. The effects of applied voltage, gap spacing and tip radius on the corona ionic wind were studied and the qualitative analysis was provided. Self-rotation of corona discharge was observed in experiments. The results show that higher voltage or electric field strength results in a stronger ionic wind. The active area increases with applied voltage below a voltage threshold. There is an optimal gap distance for a wider as well as stronger ionic wind and blunter needle we used leads to an enhancement on both the active area and the wind strength. The wind velocity reaches 7 m/s at optimized condition in the present system. The rotation of corona discharge helps to improve the active area and uniformity of the treating area which may be associated with the chemical reaction of the water surface.     

Prediction of geoeffective solar wind streams near earth according to solar observational data

A semi-empirical model for predicting solar wind (SW) streams is developed based on satellite images of the Sun and corona using a hierarchical approach. The model allows simultaneous calculation of the parameters of all three SW components, i.e., slow SW, high-speed streams from coronal holes, and interplanetary coronal mass ejections, as well as the detection of their possible interaction in the heliosphere.     

Long-term evolution of the solar wind transition region

The results of observations of radio wave scattering due to the circumsolar plasma using several natural sources simultaneously are presented. The outlines of the inner and outer boundaries of the solar wind transition region are derived from the radial dependence of the radio wave scattering. Radio maps in the form of two-dimensional representations of the transition region are constructed to follow the evolution of the solar wind stream structure in the 11-year sunspot cycle. The results of the 1989–1994 radioastronomical observations combined with the optical corona data show that the phenomena in the immediate vicinity of the solar surface play a dominant role in the hypersonic solar wind generation.     

Empirical correlation for performance evaluation of electric/corona wind on natural convection

The effect of the corona wind on the natural convection at a rectangular channel was investigated experimentally. The results indicate that the natural convection in the absence of electric/corona wind at obtuse angles outperforms than acute angles and keeps improving by increasing the angle. However, the efficiency of the electric/corona wind at acute angles is higher than obtuse angles. Generally, in the presence of electric/corona wind, heat transfer coefficient was increased. The effect of the electric/corona wind was decreased by raising heat flux. This mainly stems from the fact that the temperature gradient raises the thermal boundary layer and reduces the secondary flow power. Eventually, empirical correlation for the estimation of Nusselt number was achieved.     

Mechanism of proton anisotropic velocity distribution in the solar wind

Although it has been long that spacecraft observed the anisotropy of velocity protons in the solar wind, there is still not a reasonable explanation. In this paper we try to give an explanation from the diffusion plateau of protoncyclotron resonance predicted by the quasi-linear theory for the resonance between the protons and the parallel propagating waves. We consider the effect of dispersion relation on diffusion plateau and notice that the diffusion plateau we have got by using cold plasma dispersion relation accords with the density contours in the velocity phase space detected at 0.3 AU in fast solar wind. For explaining proton distributions obtained in the fast solar wind from 0.7 AU to 1 AU hot plasma dispersion relation should be considered. We also give a theoretical relation of proton thermal anisotropy A and plasma parameter β.     

MHD waves and instabilities in flowing solar flux-tube plasmas in the framework of Hall magnetohydrodynamics

It is well established now that the solar atmosphere, from photosphere to the corona and the solar wind is a highly structured medium. Satellite observations have confirmed the presence of steady flows. Here, we investigate the parallel propagation of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) surface waves travelling along an ideal incompressible flowing plasma slab surrounded by flowing plasma environment in the framework of the Hall magnetohydrodynamics. The propagation properties of the waves are studied in a reference frame moving with the mass flow outside the slab. In general, flows change the waves’ phase velocities compared to their magnitudes in a static MHD plasma slab and the Hall effect limits the range of waves’ propagation. On the other hand, when the relative Alfvénic Mach number is negative, the flow extends the waves propagation range beyond that limit (owing to the Hall effect) and can cause the triggering of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability whose onset begins at specific critical wave numbers. It turns out that the interval of Alfvénic Mach numbers for which the surface modes are unstable critically depends on the ratio between mass densities outside and inside the flux tube.