Statistical characteristics of ionospheric hiss waves

In this study, we use the observations of electromagnetic waves by DEMETER satellite to investigate propagation characteristics of low altitude ionospheric hiss. In an event study, intense hiss wave power is concentrated over a narrow frequency band with a central frequency that decreases as latitude decreases, which coincides to the variation of local proton cyclotron frequency fCH. The wave propagates obliquely to the background magnetic field and equatorward from high latitude region. We use about 6 years' observations to statistically study the dependence of ionospheric hiss wave power on location, local time, geomagnetic activity and season. The results demonstrate that the ionospheric hiss power is stronger on the dayside, under higher geomagnetic activity, in local summer and confined near the region where the local fCH is equal to the wave frequency. To explain the concentration of wave power, a ray tracing simulation is performed and reproduced the wave propagation process

Source of the low-altitude hiss in the ionosphere

We analyze the propagation properties of low-altitude hiss emission in the ionosphere observed by DEMETER (Detection of Electromagnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquake Regions). There exist two types of low-altitude hiss: type I emission at high latitude is characterized by vertically downward propagation and broadband spectra, while type II emission at low latitude is featured with equatorward propagation and a narrower frequency band above ∼fcH+. Our ray tracing simulation demonstrates that both types of the low-altitude hiss at different latitude are connected and they originate from plasmaspheric hiss and in part chorus emission. Type I emission represents magnetospheric whistler emission that accesses the ionosphere. Equatorward propagation associated with type II emission is a consequence of wave trapping mechanisms in the ionosphere. Two different wave trapping mechanisms are identified to explain the equatorial propagation of Type II emission; one is associated with the proximity of wave frequency and local proton cyclotron frequency, while the other occurs near the ionospheric density peak

Identifying the source region of plasmaspheric hiss

The presence of the plasmaspheric hiss emission around the Earth has been known for more than 50 years but its origin has remained unknown in terms of source location and mechanism. The hiss, made of whistler mode waves, exists for most of the time in the plasmasphere and is believed to control the radiation belt surrounding the Earth which makes its understanding very important. This paper presents direct observational evidence that the plasmaspheric hiss originates in the equatorial region of the plasmaspheric drainage plumes. It shows that the emissions propagate along the magnetic field lines and away from the equator in the plumes but towards the equator at lower L shells inside the plasmasphere. The observations also suggest that the hiss waves inside the plasmasphere are absorbed as they cross the equator

Shock deceleration in interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) beyond Mercury’s orbit until one AU

The CDPP propagation tool is used to propagate interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) observed at Mercury by MESSENGER to various targets in the inner solar system (VEX, ACE, STEREO-A and B). The deceleration of ICME shock fronts between the orbit of Mercury and 1 AU is studied on the basis of a large dataset. We focus on the interplanetary medium far from the solor corona, to avoid the region where ICME propagation modifications in velocity and direction are the most drastic. Starting with a catalog of 61 ICMEs recorded by MESSENGER, the propagation tool predicts 36 ICME impacts with targets. ICME in situ signatures are investigated close to predicted encounter times based on velocities estimated at MESSENGER and on the default propagation tool velocity (500 km s−1). ICMEs are observed at the targets in 26 cases and interplanetary shocks (not followed by magnetic ejecta) in two cases. Comparing transit velocities between the Sun and MESSENGER (${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{SunMess}}$) and between MESSENGER and the targets (${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$), we find an average deceleration of 170 km s−1 (28 cases). Comparing ${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$ to the velocities at the targets (v Tar), average ICME deceleration is about 160 km s−1 (13 cases). Our results show that the ICME shock deceleration is significant beyond Mercury’s orbit. ICME shock arrival times are predicted with an average accuracy of about six hours with a standard deviation of eleven hours. Focusing on two ICMEs detected first at MESSENGER and later on by two targets illustrates our results and the variability in ICME propagations. The shock velocity of an ICME observed at MESSENGER, then at VEX and finally at STEREO-B decreases all the way. Predicting arrivals of potentially effective ICMEs is an important space weather issue. The CDPP propagation tool, in association with in situ measurements between the Sun and the Earth, can permit to update alert status of such arrivals

Shock deceleration in interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) beyond Mercury’s orbit until one AU

The CDPP propagation tool is used to propagate interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) observed at Mercury by MESSENGER to various targets in the inner solar system (VEX, ACE, STEREO-A and B). The deceleration of ICME shock fronts between the orbit of Mercury and 1 AU is studied on the basis of a large dataset. We focus on the interplanetary medium far from the solor corona, to avoid the region where ICME propagation modifications in velocity and direction are the most drastic. Starting with a catalog of 61 ICMEs recorded by MESSENGER, the propagation tool predicts 36 ICME impacts with targets. ICME in situ signatures are investigated close to predicted encounter times based on velocities estimated at MESSENGER and on the default propagation tool velocity (500 km s−1). ICMEs are observed at the targets in 26 cases and interplanetary shocks (not followed by magnetic ejecta) in two cases. Comparing transit velocities between the Sun and MESSENGER ( v ̅ SunMess ${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{SunMess}}$ ) and between MESSENGER and the targets ( v ̅ MessTar ${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$ ), we find an average deceleration of 170 km s−1 (28 cases). Comparing v ̅ MessTar ${\bar{v}}_{\mathrm{MessTar}}$ to the velocities at the targets (v Tar), average ICME deceleration is about 160 km s−1 (13 cases). Our results show that the ICME shock deceleration is significant beyond Mercury’s orbit. ICME shock arrival times are predicted with an average accuracy of about six hours with a standard deviation of eleven hours. Focusing on two ICMEs detected first at MESSENGER and later on by two targets illustrates our results and the variability in ICME propagations. The shock velocity of an ICME observed at MESSENGER, then at VEX and finally at STEREO-B decreases all the way. Predicting arrivals of potentially effective ICMEs is an important space weather issue. The CDPP propagation tool, in association with in situ measurements between the Sun and the Earth, can permit to update alert status of such arrivals

Scattering by whistler-mode waves during a quiet period perturbed by substorm activity

International audienceWe study the dynamics of radiation belt electrons during a 10-day quiet period perturbed by substorm activity and preceding a high-speed stream (HSS), aiming at a global description of the radiation belts in L-shell, L in [2, 6], and energy [0.1, 10] MeV. We combine Van Allen Probes observations and Fokker-Planck numerical simulations of pitch-angle diffusion. The Fokker-Planck model uses event-driven pitch angle diffusion coefficients from whistler-mode waves, built from the wave properties and the ambient plasma density measurements from the Van Allen Probes. We first find this event has some similar characteristics to regular quiet times previously studied; a widely extended plasmasphere within which we observe strong and varying whistler-mode waves. These ambient conditions lead to strong pitch-angle scattering, which contributes to the creation of a wide slot region as well as a significant decay of the outer radiation belts, which are observed and qualitatively well simulated. In addition, we find the substorm activity causes short duration (within ± 4h) decay of the plasma density and a lowering amplitude of the whistler-mode waves within the plasmasphere, both causing opposite effects in terms of pitch angle diffusion. This leads to a diminution of pitch-angle diffusion at the time of the main substorm activity. Conversely, whistler-mode waves become enhanced in the time periods between the substorm injections. All effects cumulated, we find an enhancement of pitch angle diffusion by whistler-mode waves above L~4.7 during the 10-day period. This directly relates to the combination of quietness and substorm activity which allows pitch angle diffusing of up to 1 MeV electrons in the outer belt. Relativistic electrons of 1–2 MeV remain trapped in the outer belt, from L~4.7 to L~5.2, forming, in both the observations and the simulations, a distinct pocket of remnant electrons