Papers - SHIOKAWA, Kazuo

Plasma and Field Observations in the Magnetospheric Source Region of a Stable Auroral Red (SAR) Arc by the Arase Satellite on 28 March 2017 Reviewed Open Access

Yudai Inaba, Kazuo Shiokawa, Shin-ichiro Oyama, Yuichi Otsuka, Arto Oksanen, Atsuki Shinbori, Artem Yu Gololobov, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Yoichi Kazama, Shiang-Yu Wang, Sunny W. Y. Tam, Tzu-Fang Chang, Bo-Jhou Wang, Shoichiro Yokota, Satoshi Kasahara, Kunihiro Keika, Tomoaki Hori, Ayako Matsuoka, Yoshiya Kasahara, Atsushi Kumamoto, Yasumasa Kasaba, Fuminori Tsuchiya, Masafumi Shoji, Iku Shinohara, Claudia Stolle

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 10 )   2020.10

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION  

A stable auroral red (SAR) arc is an aurora with a dominant 630 nm emission at subauroral latitudes. SAR arcs have been considered to occur due to the spatial overlap between the plasmasphere and the ring-current ions. In the overlap region, plasmaspheric electrons are heated by ring-current ions or plasma waves, and their energy is then transferred down to the ionosphere where it causes oxygen red emission. However, there have been no study conducted so far that quantitatively examined plasma and electromagnetic fields in the magnetosphere associated with SAR arc. In this paper, we report the first quantitative evaluation of conjugate measurements of a SAR arc observed at 2204 UT on 28 March 2017 and investigate its source region using an all-sky imager at Nyrola (magnetic latitude: 59.4 degrees N), Finland, and the Arase satellite. The Arase observation shows that the SAR arc appeared in the overlap region between a plasmaspheric plume and the ring-current ions and that electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and kinetic Alfven waves were not observed above the SAR arc. The SAR arc was located at the ionospheric trough minimum identified from a total electron content map obtained by the GNSS receiver network. The Swarm satellite flying in the ionosphere also passed the SAR arc at similar to 2320 UT and observed a decrease in electron density and an increase in electron temperature during the SAR-arc crossing. These observations suggest that the heating of plasmaspheric electrons via Coulomb collision with ring-current ions is the most plausible mechanism for the SAR-arc generation.Plain Language Summary A stable auroral red (SAR) arc is an aurora with an optical red emission at latitudes slightly lower than the auroral zone. SAR arcs have been considered to occur due to the spatial overlap between the low-energy plasmaspheric electrons and the high-energy ring-current ions. In the overlap region, plasmaspheric electrons are heated by ring-current ions or plasma waves, and their energy is then transferred down to the upper atmosphere to cause the red emission. However, there have been no study conducted so far that quantitatively examined plasma and electromagnetic fields in the magnetospheric source region of SAR arcs. In this paper, we report the first quantitative evaluation of a SAR arc using an all-sky imager at Nyrola, Finland, and the Arase satellite. The Arase observation shows that the SAR arc appeared in the overlap region between a plasmaspheric plume and the ring-current ions in the inner magnetosphere. The electromagnetic waves associated with the SAR arc were not observed. These observations suggest that the heating of plasmaspheric electrons by ring-current ions is the most plausible mechanism for the SAR-arc generation. This result provides direct evidence of the previous theoretical expectation on the generation mechanism of red aurora at lower latitudes.

DOI： 10.1029/2020JA028068

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Statistical study of EMIC Pc1-Pc2 waves observed at subauroral latitudes Reviewed

Jong-Woo Kwon, Khan-Hyuk Kim, Ho Jin, Hyuck-Jin Kwon, Geonhwa Jee, Kazuo Shiokawa, Martin Connors

JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND SOLAR-TERRESTRIAL PHYSICS   Vol. 205   2020.9

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD  

Although the occurrence rate of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves is high in the outer magnetosphere (L > 7), it has been suggested in the past that a steep plasma density gradient region of the plasmapause is a preferred location for the generation of EMIC waves. To examine spectral properties of the EMIC waves occurred near the nominal location of the plasmapause (L = 4-5), we focus on Pc1-Pc2 waves observed at subauroral latitude Athabasca station (magnetic latitude: similar to 62 degrees, and L similar to 4.6). A statistical study of 10,494 wave samples identified from Athabasca data for 2007-2008 reveals the following wave characteristics. (1) Wave frequencies are higher in the postmidnight-to-dawn sector and lower in the late afternoon sector. (2) They mostly appear to be in frequency band between helium and oxygen gyrofrequencies (i.e., He-band) calculated from the dipole field model magnetic field intensity at L = 4.6. (3) The occurrence rate of Pc1-Pc2 waves has a peak in the prenoon sector at 0900-1100 LT under quiet geomagnetic conditions (Kp. 1), but is peaked in the afternoon sector under moderate and disturbed geomagnetic conditions (Kp. 2). (4) The Pc1-Pc2 waves observed at Athabasca were composed of a mixture of left-hand, right-hand, and linearly polarized waves. By comparing previous and recent studies with these observations, we suggest that the subauroral latitude Pc1-Pc2 waves are associated with EMIC waves generated near the plasmapause and discuss the EMIC wave properties in a region of cold and dense plasmas containing heavy ions in the inner magnetosphere.

DOI： 10.1016/j.jastp.2020.105292

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Equatorial Plasma Bubble Occurrence Under Propagation of MSTID and MLT Gravity Waves Reviewed Open Access

Takahashi H., Wrasse C. M., Figueiredo C. A. O. B., Barros D., Paulino I., Essien P., Abdu M. A., Otsuka Y., Shiokawa K.

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 9 )   2020.9

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics  

We observed a signature of equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) followed by a medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance (MSTID) crossing the solar terminator over the geomagnetic equator during the period of post-sunset rise (PSSR) of the F layer. Simultaneous observations of the EPBs and the MSTIDs by ground-based Global Navigation Satellite System receivers and OI 630-nm imagers, ionospheric parameters by ionosondes, and mesosphere–lower thermosphere (MLT) gravity waves (MLT-GWs) by OH airglow imagers have been carried out in the equatorial and low-latitude region of Brazil. On 16–17 September 2015, MSTIDs with very fast horizontal phase speeds, propagating toward northeast (NE), were observed over the latitude region of 0–30°S in the afternoon to evening time zone. It was geomagnetically quiet time (Kp: 2–3). An EPB development was observed after one of the MSTIDs crossed the solar terminator at 22:00 UT. Large-scale MLT-GWs with slower phase speeds were also observed both at São João do Cariri (7.5°S, 35.0°W) propagating from southwest (SW) to NE and Cachoeira Paulista (22.7°S, 45.0°W) propagating northward. This is to report on what we consider as a signature of direct seeding of EPBs by an MSTID that was likely induced by a secondary GW from tropospheric deep cloud convections to the south. This study highlights a possible dynamical process from the troposphere to ionosphere via this vertical coupling process over the 2,500 km of horizontal distance.

DOI： 10.1029/2019JA027566

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The Solar Wind Density Control on the Prompt Penetration Electric Field and Equatorial Electrojet Reviewed

Nilam B., Ram S. Tulasi, Shiokawa K., Balan N., Zhang Q.

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 9 )   2020.9

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics  

Prompt penetration of convection/overshielding electric fields to equatorial and low latitudes during the southward/northward turnings of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF Bz) have been widely studied in the literature. The other types of penetration electric fields due to sudden changes in the solar wind dynamic pressure, IMF By and during the onset of substorms have also been recently reported. In this paper, we present the exclusive role of solar wind density changes on the prompt equatorial electric field disturbances using the long-term observations of equatorial electrojet (EEJ) from the Indian sector. In response to the sharp increases in the solar wind density, prompt increases/decreases in the EEJ indicating the eastward/westward prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) of ~20 min periods have been consistently observed on the dayside/nightside. The prompt equatorial electric field disturbances of the opposite polarity have also been observed when the density decreases sharply. Further, the polarity of these PPEF disturbances does not show any clear dependency on the direction of IMF Bz and By. This paper is the first report with a statistically significant number of observations on the characteristics of equatorial electric field disturbances in response to the sudden enhancements/decreases in the solar wind density alone on both dayside and nightside. The underlying physical mechanisms for the prompt equatorial electric field disturbances have been discussed in light of enhanced high-latitude convection and additional field-aligned currents due to sudden enhancement of solar wind density.

DOI： 10.1029/2020JA027869

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Spatial Extent of Quasiperiodic Emissions Simultaneously Observed by Arase and Van Allen Probes on 29 November 2018 Reviewed Open Access

C. Martinez‐Calderon, F. Němec, Y. Katoh, K. Shiokawa, C. Kletzing, G. Hospodarsky, O. Santolik, Y. Kasahara, S. Matsuda, A. Kumamoto, F. Tsuchiya, A. Matsuoka, M. Shoji, M. Teramoto, S. Kurita, Y. Miyoshi, M. Ozaki, N. Nishitani, A. V. Oinats, V. I. Kurkin

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics   Vol. 125 ( 9 )   2020.9

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：American Geophysical Union (AGU)  

DOI： 10.1029/2020JA028126

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Other Link： https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full-xml/10.1029/2020JA028126

Ionospheric Plasma Density Oscillation Related to EMIC Pc1 Waves Reviewed Open Access

Hyangpyo Kim, Kazuo Shiokawa, Jaeheung Park, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Yukinaga Miyashita, Claudia Stolle, Khan-Hyuk Kim, Juergen Matzka, Stephan Buchert, Tanja Fromm, Junga Hwang

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS   Vol. 47 ( 15 )   2020.8

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We report the first observation of plasma density oscillations coherent with magnetic Pc1 waves. Swarm satellites observed compressional Pc1 wave activity in the 0.5-3 Hz band, which was coherent with in situ plasma density oscillations. Around the Pc1 event location, the Antarctic Neumayer Station III (L similar to 4.2) recorded similar Pc1 events in the horizontal component while NOAA-15 observed isolated proton precipitations at energies above 30 keV. All these observations support that the compressional Pc1 waves at Swarm are oscillations converted from electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves coming from the magnetosphere. The magnetic field and plasma density oscillate in-phase. We compared the amplitudes of density and magnetic field oscillations normalized to background values and found that the density power is much larger than the magnetic field power. This difference cannot be explained by a simple magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model, although steep horizontal/vertical gradients of background ionospheric density can partly reconcile the discrepancy.

DOI： 10.1029/2020GL089000

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Oxygen torus and its coincidence with EMIC wave in the deep inner magnetosphere: Van Allen Probe B and Arase observations Reviewed Open Access

M. Nosé, A. Matsuoka, A. Kumamoto, Y. Kasahara, M. Teramoto, S. Kurita, J. Goldstein, L. M. Kistler, S. Singh, A. Gololobov, K. Shiokawa, S. Imajo, S. Oimatsu, K. Yamamoto, Y. Obana, M. Shoji, F. Tsuchiya, I. Shinohara, Y. Miyoshi, W. S. Kurth, C. A. Kletzing, C. W. Smith, R. J. MacDowall, H. Spence, G. D. Reeves

Earth, Planets and Space   Vol. 72 ( 1 ) page： 111   2020.8

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Springer Science and Business Media LLC  

<title>Abstract</title>
We investigate the longitudinal structure of the oxygen torus in the inner magnetosphere for a specific event found on 12 September 2017, using simultaneous observations from the Van Allen Probe B and Arase satellites. It is found that Probe B observed a clear enhancement in the average plasma mass (<italic>M</italic>) up to 3–4 amu at <italic>L</italic> = 3.3–3.6 and magnetic local time (MLT) = 9.0 h. In the afternoon sector at MLT ~ 16.0 h, both Probe B and Arase found no clear enhancements in <italic>M</italic>. This result suggests that the oxygen torus does not extend over all MLT but is skewed toward the dawn. Since a similar result has been reported for another event of the oxygen torus in a previous study, a crescent-shaped torus or a pinched torus centered around dawn may be a general feature of the O⁺ density enhancement in the inner magnetosphere. We newly find that an electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave in the H⁺ band appeared coincidently with the oxygen torus. From the lower cutoff frequency of the EMIC wave, the ion composition of the oxygen torus is estimated to be 80.6% H⁺, 3.4% He⁺, and 16.0% O⁺. According to the linearized dispersion relation for EMIC waves, both He⁺ and O⁺ ions inhibit EMIC wave growth and the stabilizing effect is stronger for He⁺ than O⁺. Therefore, when the H⁺ fraction or <italic>M</italic> is constant, the denser O⁺ ions are naturally accompanied by the more tenuous He⁺ ions, resulting in a weaker stabilizing effect (i.e., larger growth rate). From the Probe B observations, we find that the growth rate becomes larger in the oxygen torus than in the adjacent regions in the plasma trough and the plasmasphere.

DOI： 10.1186/s40623-020-01235-w

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Other Link： http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40623-020-01235-w/fulltext.html

Arase observation of the source region of auroral arcs and diffuse auroras in the inner magnetosphere Reviewed

K. Shiokawa, M. Nosé, S. Imajo, Y. Tanaka, Y. Miyoshi, K. Hosokawa, M. Connors, M. Engebretson, Y. Kazama, S.‐Y. Wang, S. W. Y. Tam, Tzu‐Fang Chang, Bo‐Jhou Wang, K. Asamura, S. Kasahara, S. Yokota, T. Hori, K. Keika, Y. Kasaba, M. Shoji, Y. Kasahara, A. Matsuoka, I. Shinohara

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics   Vol. 125 ( 8 )   2020.8

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DOI： 10.1029/2019JA027310

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Long-Lasting Ground-Satellite High Coherence of Compressional Dayside Pc3-Pc4 Pulsations Reviewed Open Access

Gi-Jeong Kim, Khan-Hyuk Kim, Hyuck-Jin Kwon, Kazuo Shiokawa, Kazue Takahashi, Junga Hwang

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 8 )   2020.8

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION  

We present observations of broadband (similar to 10-50 mHz) Pc3-Pc4 waves on 4 January 2014. The waves were detected on the dayside simultaneously in a compressional component (delta B-z) at the Radiation Belt Storm Probes A (RBSP-A) in the inner magnetosphere and in the north-south component (delta H) on the ground at a low-latitude Bohyun (BOH) station (L = 1.3) during an interval of small interplanetary magnetic field cone angle, suggesting that upstream ultralow frequency (ULF) waves were the source of the magnetospheric Pc3-Pc4 waves. We observed the ground-satellite high coherence between RBSP-A delta B-z and BOH delta H for a prolonged time interval lasting 6.5hr, which has not been reported previously, during which RBSP-A was on the inbound and outbound legs moving from L = similar to 3.3 to similar to 6.3. In order to understand the spatial mode structure of the compressional waves, we examined the ground-satellite cross phase for the high-coherence interval and found that the waves observed in and out of the plasmasphere propagated earthward at the average fast-mode speed of similar to 700-1,000km/s. We also observed cross-phase values smoothly changing with the radial distance of the spacecraft across the plasmapause. This indicates that the presence of the plasmapause has little effect on our fast-mode waves propagating into the inner magnetosphere and to the ground low-latitude station.

DOI： 10.1029/2020JA028074

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The Long-Lasting QP Emissions Observed On Arase Satellite And Lovozero Station Reviewed

V.B. Belakhovsky, K. Shiokawa, A. Matsuoka, Y. Kasahara, I. Shinohara, Y. Miyoshi, S.-Y. Wang, Y. Kazama, S. Kasahara, S. Yokota

2020 XXXIIIrd General Assembly and Scientific Symposium of the International Union of Radio Science     2020.8

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)   Publisher：IEEE  

DOI： 10.23919/ursigass49373.2020.9232442

Asymmetric Development of Auroral Surges in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres Reviewed Open Access

Uchida H. A., Kataoka R., Kadokura A., Murase K., Yukimatu A. S., Miyoshi Y., Shiokawa K., Ebihara Y., Hosokawa K., Matsuoka A., Kurita S., Fujita S., Shinohara I

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS   Vol. 47 ( 13 )   2020.7

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Simultaneous eastward and westward traveling surges were observed at Tjörnes, Iceland, and Syowa station, Antarctica, respectively. Several remarkable differences were identified. (1) The position of the initial bright spot was shifted by 1.7 to 2.3 MLT between both hemispheres. (2) The surges differ in traveling speed between the eastward traveling surge (6.5 km s−1) and the westward traveling surge (1.3 km s−1). (3) The Arase satellite was located on a geomagnetic field line connecting both ground stations and observed a significant excess in westward component of the magnetic field, which is consistent with the large shifts of the initial bright spots in both hemispheres. (4) The background Hall current flows eastward (Northern Hemisphere) and westward (Southern Hemisphere). The observed north-south asymmetry of the traveling surges suggests that the ionosphere can play an essential role in controlling the fundamental spatiotemporal development of auroras in both hemispheres.

DOI： 10.1029/2020GL088750

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Dilatory and Downward Development of 3-m Scale Irregularities in the Funnel-Like Region of a Rapidly Rising Equatorial Plasma Bubble Reviewed Open Access

S. Tulasi Ram, K. K. Ajith, T. Yokoyama, M. Yamamoto, K. Hozumi, K. Shiokawa, Y. Otsuka, G. Li

Geophysical Research Letters   Vol. 47 ( 13 )   2020.7

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The equatorial plasma bubbles, once developed, grow nonlinearly into topside ionosphere, and simultaneous secondary instabilities lead to the development of shorter scale irregularities. The altitudinal growth and generation of smaller scale irregularities determine the spatio-temporal occurrence and the intensity of ionospheric scintillations at wide spectrum of radio waves and have significant implications on the GNSS/Satellite Based Augmentation Systems. In this letter, we present a unique equatorial plasma bubble observation from equatorial atmosphere radar that provides hitherto undisclosed evidence for the smaller (3-m) scale irregularities initially developing at higher altitudes and subsequently developing to lower altitudes in a narrow funnel-like structure. The responsible mechanisms for early development of shorter scale irregularities in the topside and their subsequent development at lower altitudes are discussed in light of difference between the time scales of altitudinal growth and cascading rate of secondary instabilities through high-resolution bubble model simulations.

DOI： 10.1029/2020GL087256

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Severe Magnetic Fluctuations in the Near-Earth Magnetotail: Spectral Analysis and Dependence on Solar Activity Reviewed Open Access

Heqiucen Xu, Kazuo Shiokawa

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 7 )   2020.7

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION  

Magnetic fluctuations in the near-Earth magnetotail are an important signature of substorm onset. In a previous statistical study, we reported their occurrence rates, spatial distributions, and relationship with plasma flows. In the present study, we investigated their spectral properties using 11 years of measurements from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms mission for 2008-2018. We found 10,848 severe magnetic fluctuation events with sigma(B)/(B) over bar) > 0.5, where sigma(B) and (B) over bar are the standard deviation and average, respectively, of the magnetic field intensity for the local proton gyroperiod. The occurrence rates of severe magnetic fluctuations show no clear dependence on the F-10.7 index in one solar cycle. We extracted 36 dipolarization events with severe magnetic fluctuations. In the power spectral density (PSD) of the magnetic fluctuations during dipolarizations, the steepness of the spectral slope increased with increasing frequency in almost all the events. The average PSDs are shown sorted by (a) distance to the neutral sheet and (b) ambient magnetic field intensity. In all groups, the slopes of the average PSDs increased abruptly from below similar to 10(-1.3) Hz (0.05 Hz) to above similar to 10(-1.3) Hz, which is close to the gyrofrequency of O+ ions. It is the first time that a change of slope near the proton gyrofrequency (frequency range: 0.05-1 Hz) was found in cases of larger ambient magnetic field intensity, implying that the magnetic fluctuations were relatively strong near the proton gyrofrequency. These results suggest that the magnetic fluctuations contribute to the nonmagnetohydrodynamic effect in the ion motion.

DOI： 10.1029/2020JA027834

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Modulation of Pc1 Wave Ducting by Equatorial Plasma Bubble Reviewed Open Access

Hyangpyo Kim, Kazuo Shiokawa, Jacheung Park, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Junga Hwang, Akira Kadokura

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS   Vol. 47 ( 9 )   2020.5

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Ducting Pc1 waves are observed over a wide latitudinal range by the low-Earth orbit satellites as compressional mode. In this paper, we present the first observation of the modulation of ducting Pc1 waves by equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) based on the Swarm satellites. We show two ducting Pc1 events propagating across EPBs that occurred on 7 April 2016 and on 27 September 2017. We found that the EPBs modulate the Pc1 wave propagation by setting up reflection boundaries and leakage holes in the ionospheric waveguide. We also found that changes of Pc1 wave intensities generally follow the electron density variation and that the intensity is stronger at higher density region. From the comparison between Swarm-A and Swarm-C observations, we conclude that ionospheric plasma plays an important role for Pc1 waveguide even though their density is significantly low in EPBs.

DOI： 10.1029/2020GL088054

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Observations of equatorial plasma bubbles using a low-cost 630.0-nm all-sky imager in Ishigaki Island, Japan Reviewed Open Access

Keisuke Hosokawa, Kohei Takami, Susumu Saito, Yasunobu Ogawa, Yuichi Otsuka, Kazuo Shiokawa, Chia-Hung Chen, Chien-Hung Lin

EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE   Vol. 72 ( 1 )   2020.5

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Here, we introduce a low-cost airglow imaging system developed for observing plasma bubble signatures in 630.0-nm airglow emission from the F region of the ionosphere. The system is composed of a small camera, optical filter, and fish-eye lens, and is operated using free software that automatically records video from the camera. A pilot system was deployed in Ishigaki Island in the southern part of Japan (Lat 24.4, Lon 124.4, Mlat 19.6) and was operated for similar to 1.5 years from 2014 to 2016 corresponding to the recent solar maximum period. The pilot observations demonstrated that it was difficult to identify the plasma bubble signature in the raw image captured every 4 s. However, the quality of the image could be improved by reducing the random noise of instrumental origin through an integration of 30 consecutive raw images obtained in 2 min and further by subtracting the 1-h averaged background image. We compared the deviation images to those from a co-existing airglow imager of OMTIs, which is equipped with a back-illuminated cooled CCD camera with a high quantum efficiency of similar to 90%. It was confirmed that the low-cost airglow imager is capable of imaging the spatial structure of plasma bubbles, including their bifurcating traces. The results of these pilot observations in Ishigaki Island will allow us to distribute the low-cost imager in a wide area and construct a network for monitoring plasma bubbles and their space weather impacts on satellite navigation systems.

DOI： 10.1186/s40623-020-01187-1

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Development of low-cost multi-wavelength imager system for studies of aurora and airglow Reviewed Open Access

Y. Ogawa, Y. Tanaka, A. Kadokura, K. Hosokawa, Y. Ebihara, T. Motoba, B. Gustavsson, U. Brändström, Y. Sato, S. Oyama, M. Ozaki, T. Raita, F. Sigernes, S. Nozawa, K. Shiokawa, M. Kosch, K. Kauristie, C. Hall, S. Suzuki, Y. Miyoshi, A. Gerrard, H. Miyaoka, R. Fujii

Polar Science   Vol. 23   2020.3

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© 2019 Elsevier B.V. and NIPR This paper introduces a new system that can monitor aurora and atmospheric airglow using a low-cost Watec monochromatic imager (WMI) equipped with a sensitive camera, a filter with high transmittance, and the non-telecentric optics. The WMI system with 486-nm, 558-nm, and 630-nm band-pass filters has observable luminosity of about ~200–4000 Rayleigh for 1.07-sec exposure time and about ~40–1200 Rayleigh for 4.27-sec exposure time, for example. It is demonstrated that the WMI system is capable of detecting 428-nm auroral intensities properly, through comparison with those measured with a collocated electron-multiplying charge-coupled device (EMCCD) imager system with narrower band-pass filter. The WMI system has two distinct advantages over the existing system: One makes it possible to reduce overall costs, and the other is that it enables the continuous observation even under twilight and moonlight conditions. Since 2013 a set of multi-wavelength WMIs has been operating in northern Scandinavia, Svalbard, and Antarctica to study meso- and large-scale aurora and airglow phenomena. Future development of the low-cost WMI system is expected to provide a great opportunity for constructing a global network for multi-wavelength aurora and airglow monitoring.

DOI： 10.1016/j.polar.2019.100501

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Wavenumber Spectra of Atmospheric Gravity Waves and Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Based on More Than 10-Year Airglow Images in Japan, Russia, and Canada Reviewed Open Access

Satoshi Tsuchiya, Kazuo Shiokawa, Yuichi Otsuka, Takuji Nakamura, Mamoru Yamamoto, Martin Connors, Ian Schofield, Boris Shevtsov, Igor Poddelsky

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 3 )   2020.3

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We have studied atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) by applying three-dimensional spectral analysis technique to 557.7- and 630.0-nm airglow images at Shigaraki (SGK) (35 degrees N, 136 degrees E, 1999-2017) and Rikubetsu (RIK) (44 degrees N, 144 degrees E, 1999-2017), Japan, Athabasca (ATH), Canada, (55 degrees N, 247 degrees E, 2005-2017), and Magadan (MGD), Russia (60 degrees N, 151 degrees E, 2008-2017), focusing on their horizontal wavenumber spectra. For the AGWs in 557.7-nm images, the power spectra in summer are stronger than in other seasons, probably due to stronger tropospheric convection. The highest energy content of the waves are mostly at wavelengths between 20 and 300 km at MGD, ATH, and RIK, while it is above 200 km at SGK. The largest power spectral density is obtained at RIK at wavelengths of 30-100 km and then ATH. The slopes of the horizontal wavenumber spectra varies from -2.77 to -3.22. From the MSTIDs in 630.0-nm images, the power spectra in summer at RIK and SGK are stronger than those in other seasons regardless of solar activity. The power spectra in solar quiet time are stronger than those in solar active time at all four stations. These features can be explained by the Perkins instability with coupling between sporadic E and F layers. The spectral slope decreases with increasing latitudes. Weak positive correlations were obtained between the daily wave power of AGWs in 557.7-nm images and MSTIDs in 630.0-nm images, suggesting that the MSTIDs in the thermosphere may be partially generated by the AGWs from the mesopause region.Plain Language Summary In this paper we study atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) and nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed at four stations in Japan, Canada, and Russia, in 557.7- and 630.0-nm airglow images over more than 10 years. The 557.7-nm airglow has an emission layer at altitudes of 90-100 km (mesopause region). The waves seen in the 557.7-nm airglow images mainly indicates AGWs. The 630.0-nm airglow has an emission layer at altitudes of 200-300 km (bottomside ionosphere). The waves seen in the 630.0-nm airglow images mainly indicates MSTIDs in the ionosphere. The AGWs in the mesopause region are the main driver of global atmospheric circulation in the middle atmosphere. The MSTIDs in the bottomside ionosphere are one of the causes of the satellite positioning error. We show typical energy content, propagation direction, and wavelengths of these waves at these two altitudes and discuss possible reason of the observed characteristics. These results contribute to our understanding of generation and propagation of AGWs and MSTIDs in the upper atmosphere.

DOI： 10.1029/2019JA026807

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Web of Science

ULF Modulation of Energetic Electron Precipitations Observed by VLF/LF Radio Propagation Invited Reviewed

Takuya Miyashita, Hiroyo Ohya, Fuminori Tsuchiya, Asuka Hirai, Mitsunori Ozaki, Kazuo Shiokawa, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Nozomu Nishitani, Mariko Teramoto, Martin Connors, Simon G. Shepherd, Yoshiya Kasahara, Atsushi Kumamoto, Masafumi Shoji, Iku Shinohara, Hiroyuki Nakata, Toshiaki Takano

Radio Science Bulletin     2020.3

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (international conference proceedings)  

Multievent Analysis of Oscillatory Motion of Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances Observed by a 630-nm Airglow Imager Over Tromso Reviewed Open Access

Yadav Sneha, Shiokawa K., Oyama S., Otsuka Y.

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 3 )   2020.3

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics  

We present a comprehensive investigation on the propagation characteristics of duskside medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) using 630.0-nm airglow emissions over Tromsø (69.6°N, 19.2°E; magnetic latitude: 66.7°N). The unique points of our observation are (1) duskside MSTIDs primarily exhibited eastward motion under quiet conditions but turned to the westward direction associated with geomagnetic disturbances, (2) the westward moving MSTIDs again turned to the eastward direction when the geomagnetic disturbance ceased, (3) the turning of MSTIDs to the westward direction was invariably associated with an increase of the northward component of the magnetic field observed by the local ground-based magnetometers and with the equatorward expansion of the auroral oval, and (4) the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network convection maps revealed that the location of Tromsø was inside (outside) the duskside convection cell during the time of appearance of westward (eastward) moving MSTIDs. The average eastward and westward velocities of MSTIDs were ~25–80 and ~40–140 m/s, respectively. The Doppler shift measurement of the 630-nm airglow by a Fabry-Perot interferometer at Tromsø showed that northeastward winds were predominant during the appearance of eastward moving MSTIDs. These experimental evidences suggest that the oscillatory motion of MSTIDs over high latitudes is driven by the convection electric field. The MSTIDs tend to move eastward under geomagnetically quiet conditions but show westward motion under the influence of convection electric field associated with auroral activities in the duskside of two-cell convection pattern.

DOI： 10.1029/2019JA027598

Open Access

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Fine-Scale Visualization of Aurora in a Wide Area Using Color Digital Camera Images From the International Space Station Reviewed Open Access

Sota Nanjo, Yuta Hozumi, Keisuke Hosokawa, Ryuho Kataoka, Yoshizumi Miyoshi, Shin-ichiro Oyama, Mitsunori Ozaki, Kazuo Shiokawa, Satoshi Kurita

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS   Vol. 125 ( 3 )   2020.3

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Language：English   Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)   Publisher：AMER GEOPHYSICAL UNION  

The full-color photographs of aurora have been taken with digital single-lens reflex cameras mounted on the International Space Station (ISS). Since these photographs do not have accurate time and geographical information, in order to use them as scientific data, it is necessary to calibrate the imaging parameters (such as looking direction and angle of view of the camera) of the photographs. For this purpose, we calibrated the imaging parameters using a city light image taken from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite following the method of Hozumi et al. (2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40623-016-0532-z). We mapped the photographs onto the geographic coordinate system using the calibrated imaging parameters. To evaluate the accuracy of the mapping, we compared the aurora taken simultaneously from ISS and ground. Comparing the spatial structure of discrete aurora and the temporal variation of pulsating aurora, the accuracy of the data set is less than 0.3 s in time and less than 5 km in space in the direction perpendicular to the looking direction of the camera. The generated data set has a wide field of view (similar to 1,100 x 900 km), and their temporal resolution is less than 1 s. Not only that, the field of view can sweep a wide area (similar to 3,000km in longitude) in a short time (similar to 10 min). Thus, this new imaging capability will enable us to capture the evolution of fine-scale spatial structure of aurora in a wide area.

DOI： 10.1029/2019JA027729

Web of Science

Scopus