Space environment (natural and artificial). Cosmic ray and solar energetic particle penetration inward the magnetosphere. Method of determination of the effective vertical cut-off rigidity

2016 ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 769-778 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. Mironova ◽  
I. G. Usoskin ◽  
G. A. Kovaltsov ◽  
S. V. Petelina

Abstract. Energetic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization of the low-middle atmosphere, leading to associated changes in atmospheric properties. Via the hypothetical influence of ionization on aerosol growth and facilitated formation of clouds, this may be an important indirect link relating solar variability to climate. This effect is highly debated, however, since the proposed theoretical mechanisms still remain illusive and qualitative, and observational evidence is inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, important questions regarding the existence and magnitude of the effect, and particularly the fraction of aerosol particles that can form and grow, are still open. Here we present empirical evidence of the possible effect caused by cosmic rays upon polar stratospheric aerosols, based on a case study of an extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from different satellites with optical instruments that were operating during January 2005, such as the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), and Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), we found a significant simultaneous change in aerosol properties in both the Southern and Northern Polar regions in temporal association with the SEP event. We speculate that ionization of the atmosphere, which was abnormally high in the lower stratosphere during the extreme SEP event, might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles in the polar stratospheric region. However, a detailed interpretation of the effect is left for subsequent studies. This is the first time high vertical resolution measurements have been used to discuss possible production of stratospheric aerosols under the influence of cosmic ray induced ionization. The observed effect is marginally detectable for the analyzed severe SEP event and can be undetectable for the majority of weak-moderate events. The present interpretation serves as a conservative upper limit of solar energetic particle effect upon polar stratospheric aerosols.


2010 ◽  
Vol 62 (3) ◽  
pp. 333-345 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anja Stadelmann ◽  
Joachim Vogt ◽  
Karl-Heinz Glassmeier ◽  
May-Britt Kallenrode ◽  
Gerd-Hannes Voigt

2019 ◽  
Vol 625 ◽  
pp. A153 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Marquardt ◽  
B. Heber

Context. The HELIOS solar observation probes provide unique data regarding their orbit and operation time. One of the onboard instruments, the Experiment 6 (E6), is capable of measuring ions from 4 to several hundred MeV nucleon−1. Aims. In this paper we aim to demonstrate the relevance of the E6 data for the calculation of galactic cosmic ray (GCR), anomalous cosmic ray (ACR), and solar energetic particle (SEP) fluxes for different distances from the sun and time periods. Methods. Several corrections have been applied to the raw data: determination of the Quenching factor of the scintillator, correction of the temperature dependent electronics, degradation of the scintillator as well as the effects on the edge of semi-conductor detectors. Results. Fluxes measured by the E6 are in accordance with the force field solution for the GCR and match models of the anomalous cosmic ray propagation. GCR radial gradients in the inner heliosphere show a different behaviour than in the outer heliosphere.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. A9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatsuhiko Sato ◽  
Ryuho Kataoka ◽  
Daikou Shiota ◽  
Yûki Kubo ◽  
Mamoru Ishii ◽  
...  

Real-time estimation of cosmic-ray fluxes on satellite orbits is one of the greatest challenges in space weather research. Therefore, we develop a system for nowcasting and forecasting the galactic cosmic ray (GCR) and solar energetic particle (SEP) fluxes at any location in the magnetosphere and ionosphere during ground-level enhancement (GLE) events. It is an extended version of the WArning System for AVIation Exposure to SEP (WASAVIES), which can determine event profiles by using real-time data of the count rates of several neutron monitors (NMs) at the ground level and high-energy proton fluxes observed by Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) satellites. The extended version, called WASAVIES-EO, can calculate the GCR and SEP fluxes outside a satellite based on its two-line element (TLE) data. Moreover, organ absorbed-dose and dose-equivalent rates of astronauts in the International Space Station (ISS) can be estimated using the system, considering its shielding effect. The accuracy of WASAVIES-EO was validated based on the dose rates measured in ISS, as well as based on high-energy proton fluxes observed by POES satellites during large GLEs that have occurred in the 21st century. Agreement between the nowcast and forecast dose rates in ISS, especially in terms of their temporal structures, indicates the usefulness of the developed system for future mission operations.


2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 14003-14029
Author(s):  
I. A. Mironova ◽  
I. G. Usoskin ◽  
G. A. Kovaltsov ◽  
S. V. Petelina

Abstract. Energetic cosmic rays are the main source of ionization of the low-middle atmosphere, leading to associated changes in atmospheric properties. Via the hypothetical influence of ionization on aerosol growth and facilitated formation of cloud condensation nuclei, this may be an important indirect link relating solar variability to climate. This effect is highly debated, however, since the proposed theoretical mechanisms still remain illusive and qualitative, and observational evidence is inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, important questions regarding the existence and magnitude of the effect, and particularly the fraction of aerosol particles that can be formed and grow large enough to influence cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), are still open. Here we present empirical evidence of the possible effect caused by cosmic rays upon polar stratospheric aerosols, based on a case study of an extreme solar energetic particle (SEP) event of 20 January 2005. Using aerosol data obtained over polar regions from different satellites with optical instruments that were operating during January 2005, such as the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment III (SAGE III), and Optical Spectrograph and Infrared Imaging System (OSIRIS), we found a significant simultaneous change in aerosol properties in both the southern and northern polar regions in temporal association with the SEP event. We speculate that ionization of the atmosphere, which was abnormally high during this extreme SEP event, might have led to formation of new particles and/or growth of preexisting ultrafine particles up to the size of CCN. However, a detailed interpretation of the effect is left for subsequent studies. This is the first time high vertical resolution measurements have been used to provide evidence for the probable production of stratospheric CCN from cosmic ray induced ionization.


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