Faculty Profiles - OTSUKA, Yuichi

Papers - OTSUKA, Yuichi

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On post-midnight field-aligned irregularities observed with a 30.8-MHz radar at a low latitude: Comparison with F-layer altitude near the geomagnetic equator Reviewed

M. Nishioka, Y. Otsuka, K. Shiokawa, T. Tsugawa, Effendy, P. Supnithi, T. Nagatsuma, K. T. Murata

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS Vol. 117 2012.8

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

We investigated the relationship between post-midnight F-region field aligned irregularities (FAIs) and F-layer altitude by analyzing data of a 30.8-MHz radar installed 5at Kototabang, Indonesia (0.2 degrees S, 100.3 degrees E; geomagnetic latitude 10.4 degrees S) and an ionosonde installed at Chumphon, Thailand (10.7 degrees N, 99.4 degrees E; geomagnetic latitude 3.3 degrees N). Chumphon is located near the geomagnetic equator on approximately the same meridian as Kototabang. Case studies show that the altitude of the F-layer rose at Chumphon a half hour before the post-midnight FAIs appeared at Kototabang. The Doppler velocity of the E-region FAIs observed simultaneously by the 30.8-MHz radar was downward, indicating that the F-layer uplift was not caused by the electric field. We also investigated seasonal variations of the post-midnight FAI occurrence and the F-layer altitude. Both the post-midnight FAIs and the uplift of the F-layer were frequently seen around midnight between May and August. The seasonal variation of the midnight F-layer uplift around the geomagnetic equator coincided with that of the post-midnight FAI occurrence at Kototabang. These results suggest that the uplift of the F-layer would play an important role in the generation of post-midnight FAIs. We evaluated the linear growth rate of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability based on the altitude of the F-layer observed at Chumphon. The result shows that the uplift of the F-layer can enhance the growth rate because gravity-driven eastward electric current increases. Therefore, we interpret that the observed FAIs were accompanied by plasma bubble, the growth rate of which was reinforced by the uplifted F-layer.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA017692

Web of Science

Response of low-latitude ionosphere to medium-term changes of solar and geomagnetic activity Reviewed

Ivan Kutiev, Yuichi Otsuka, Dora Pancheva, Rod Heelis

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS Vol. 117 2012.8

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

The paper presents the medium-term quasi periodic (similar to 9-27 day) response of middle and low-latitude ionosphere to solar [F10.7) and geomagnetic (Kp-index) forcing. The ionospheric response is examined by wavelet analysis of the relative deviations of TEC over Japan for the period of time 2000-2008. It is found that the similar to 27-day rTEC oscillations correlate well with the same oscillations of the solar index F10.7 particularly in the solar maximum and its early declining phase (2001-2005). During the declining phase of solar activity (for example, year of 2005) the Kp-index variability exhibits additionally strong oscillations with periods 13.5- and 9-days. Similar oscillations are found in rTEC as well but they do not follow the geomagnetic forcing as faithfully as those associated with F10.7. During solar minimum the quasi periodic rTEC variability is shaped mainly by the recurrent geomagnetic activity. An attempt is made to investigate the latitudinal dependence of the similar to 9-27-day rTEC response over Japan as well as the phase relationship between the forcing and response.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA017641

Web of Science

Disappearance of equatorial plasma bubble after interaction with mid-latitude medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance Reviewed

Otsuka, Y., K. Shiokawa, and T. Ogawa

Geophys. Res. Lett. Vol. 39 ( L14105 ) 2012.7

Disappearance of equatorial plasma bubble after interaction with mid-latitude medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbance Reviewed

Y. Otsuka, K. Shiokawa, T. Ogawa

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS Vol. 39 2012.7

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

We report simultaneous observations of an equatorial plasma bubble and a Medium-Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbance (MSTID) in 630-nm airglow images taken with an all-sky airglow imager at Shigaraki (34.9 degrees N, 136.1 degrees E; dip angle of the geomagnetic field similar to 49 degrees), Japan. Clear depletion of the 630-nm airglow intensity was observed as the equatorial plasma bubble propagated eastward, whereas the MSTID, which had a wavefront aligned from northwest to southeast, propagated southwestward. This result indicates that MSTIDs do not propagate at the same velocity as the ambient plasma, which is clearly shown by the eastward motion of the plasma bubbles. We found that the airglow depletion caused by the plasma bubble disappeared when the plasma bubble encountered the MSTID. The plasma depletion could be filled with ambient rich plasma that moved into the plasma-depleted region by E x B drift associated with the MSTID, indicating that MSTIDs are accompanied by electric field perturbations.

DOI： 10.1029/2012GL052286

Web of Science

Overview of Nighttime Ionospheric Instabilities at Low- and Mid-Latitudes: Coupling Aspects Resulting in Structuring at the Mesoscale Reviewed

Jonathan J. Makela, Yuichi Otsuka

SPACE SCIENCE REVIEWS Vol. 168 ( 1-4 ) page： 419 - 440 2012.6

Language：English Publisher：SPRINGER

We present a review of the current state of understanding regarding two classes of irregularities causing mesoscale structuring (hundreds of kilometers) in the nighttime ionosphere at low- and mid-latitudes. Additionally, current state of understanding of equatorial plasma bubbles at low latitudes, and medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances at mid latitudes and their relationship to possible seeding from lower altitudes are described. In each case, well-developed linear theories exist to explain the general properties of the irregularities. However, these linear theories have growth rates too low to explain the actual observations, giving rise to the need to invoke seeding mechanisms. We describe the observational databases that have been compiled over the decades and discuss possible coupling and seeding mechanisms that would overcome the low growth rate and explain the observed structuring at the mesoscale. Future research directions are also briefly discussed.

DOI： 10.1007/s11214-011-9816-6

Web of Science

GPS total electron content variations associated with poleward moving Sun-aligned arcs Reviewed

P. T. Jayachandran, K. Hosokawa, K. Shiokawa, Y. Otsuka, C. Watson, S. C. Mushini, J. W. MacDougall, P. Prikryl, R. Chadwick, T. D. Kelly

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS Vol. 117 2012.5

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

GPS total electron content (TEC) has shown quasiperiodic oscillations of varying amplitude associated with poleward moving Sun-aligned arcs. The amplitude of TEC variations showed a maximum of similar to 3 TECU and seemed to decrease as the arcs moved poleward from the source/generation region. Simultaneous DMSP data showed that fluctuations in TEC and optical intensification were caused by precipitation of high-energy (>500 eV) particles. Concurrent ionosonde observations also exhibited quasiperiodic variations (within limit of the resolution of the data) in peak ionospheric electron density of the ionosphere. Bottom height of the ionospheric layers produced by precipitating particles varied between 130 km (upper E region) and 300 km (F region), indicating variable particle precipitation energy. Frequency analysis of high-resolution TEC data showed a broad range of discrete frequency components from 1.60 mHz to 22.80 mHz present in the TEC oscillations, which may provide insight into the energization/modulation of precipitating particles by these oscillations. A broad distribution of equivalent vertical thickness of arcs was calculated using GPS TEC and ionosonde measurements of peak electron density. This distribution showed a minimum thickness of 21 km, a maximum of 84 km, and an average of 49 km. The equivalent vertical thickness also showed a linear relationship with bottomside height of the ionospheric layer (auroral arc). The relationship showed an increase in the vertical thickness with an increase in bottomside height of the layer. This relationship is a consequence of variations in the energy of the precipitating particles causing different ionospheric production profiles.

DOI： 10.1029/2011JA017423

Web of Science

VHF Radar Observations of Post-Midnight F-Region Field-Aligned Irregularities over Indonesia during Solar Minimum Reviewed

Otsuka, Y., K. Shiokawa, M. Nishioka and Effendy

Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics (IJRSP) ( 41 ) page： 199-207 2012.4

VHF Radar Observations of Post-Midnight F-Region Field-Aligned Irregularities over Indonesia during Solar Minimum Reviewed

Otsuka, Y, K. Shiokawa, M. Nishioka, Effendy

Indian Journal of Radio and Space Physics (IJRSP) ( 41 ) page： 199-207 2012.4

Seasonal and Local Time Variations of E-Region Field-Aligned Irregularities Observed with 30.8-MHz Radar at Kototabang, Indonesia Reviewed

Otsuka, Y.

International Journal of Geophysics Vol. 2012 ( 695793 ) 2012.3

Polarization of Pc1/EMIC waves and related proton auroras observed at subauroral latitudes Reviewed

R. Nomura, K. Shiokawa, K. Sakaguchi, Y. Otsuka, M. Connors

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS Vol. 117 2012.2

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

We have investigated the polarization of Pc1 geomagnetic pulsations and related proton auroras at subauroral latitudes, using an induction magnetometer and an all-sky camera at Athabasca, Canada (54.7 degrees N, 246.7 degrees E, magnetic latitude (mlat) 61.7 degrees N). Isolated proton auroras often appear in association with Pc1 pulsations, because of proton scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves in the magnetosphere. We used the proton aurora as a proxy for the location and size of the Pc1 ionospheric source. For 27 Pc1 events with simultaneously observed proton auroras over 4 years from September 7, 2005 to September 6, 2009, we calculated the distances between the Pc1 ionospheric source and the observation site, normalized by the scale size of the source. We tried three different definitions of the scale size of Pc1 ionospheric source to calculate the normalized distances. We found that the rotation angle theta between the Pc1 polarization ellipse and the direction to the proton aurora changes from 90 degrees to 0 degrees as the normalized distance increases. For the definition of the scale sizes that gives most clear theta-transition from 90 degrees to 0 degrees, the transition occurs at the normalized distance similar to 2.0-4.0, while it was similar to 1.0-2.0 by the model calculation of Fujita and Tamao (1988). The averaged major axes tend to point toward the proton aurora at larger distances. The difference of the transition location may imply that the Pc1 ionospheric sources are larger than the isolated proton auroras, or that the inhomogenuity of the ionospheric conductivity by the proton precipitation affects the transition distances.

DOI： 10.1029/2011JA017241

Web of Science

Ionospheric and thermospheric storms at equatorial latitudes observed by CHAMP, ROCSAT, and DMSP Reviewed

N. Balan, J. Y. Liu, Y. Otsuka, S. Tulasi Ram, H. Luehr

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS Vol. 117 2012.1

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

Analysis of the dayside electron density (Ne) and neutral mass density (N) at 400 km height measured by CHAMP during 12 intense geomagnetic storms in 2000-2004, and ion densities at 600 km and 840 km heights measured by ROCSAT and DMSP during a few of the intense storms, reveal some new aspects. Thermospheric storms (change of N) reach the equator within 1.5 to 3 hours from the main phase (MP) onset of intense storms having short and steady MPs. The responses of the equatorial ionosphere (at CHAMP) to both MPs and RPs (recovery phases) of the storms are generally opposite to those at higher latitudes. In addition to the known opposite responses during MPs, the analysis reveals that positive ionospheric storms develop at equatorial latitudes (within about +/- 15 degrees magnetic latitudes) during daytime RPs, while conventional negative storms occur at higher latitudes. Ionospheric storms also extend to the topside ionosphere beyond 850 km height and are generally positive (at DMSP), especially during MPs. The positive storms around the equatorial ionospheric peak during RPs are interpreted in terms of the potential sources such as (1) zero or westward electric fields due to disturbance dynamo and/or prompt penetration, (2) plasma convergence due to the mechanical effects of storm-time equatorward neutral winds and waves, (3) increase of atomic oxygen density and decrease of molecular nitrogen density due to the downwelling effect of the winds, and (4) photoionization. The positive storms in the topside ionosphere during MPs involve the rapid upward drift of plasma due to eastward PPEFs, reduction in the downward diffusion of plasma along the field lines, and plasma convergence due to equatorward winds and waves.

DOI： 10.1029/2011JA016903

Web of Science

A comparative study of equatorial daytime vertical e × B drift in the Indian and Indonesian sectors based on 150 km echoes Reviewed

A. K. Patra, P. Pavan Chaitanya, N. Mizutani, Y. Otsuka, T. Yokoyama, M. Yamamoto

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 11 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

In this paper, we study for the first time the daytime vertical E × B drift velocities from Gadanki and Kototabang using the Doppler shifts of the 150-km echoes observed during 2008-2010, a period of low solar activity. Drift velocities are mostly positive and confined to 35 m s-1 at both the locations, except for Gadanki where on a few occasions negative drift velocities have been observed in the afternoon hours. Drift velocities generally show a decreasing trend with local time and the largest drift is generally observed in the forenoon hours consistent with extensively reported observations and models of E × B drift. Drift velocities from Gadanki and Kototabang compared exceeding well on some days and differed remarkably on many days despite the fact that they are longitudinally separated by only 20. The day-to-day variation in the drift velocity could be as high as 15 m s-1 at Gadanki and 7 m s-1 at Kototabang. Seasonal mean drifts over Gadanki are found to be generally larger than those of Kototabang. The observations have been compared in detail with those reported earlier based on ground-and satellite-based observations and also with the Scherliess-Fejer model. The observed differences in the drifts at the two locations, including the downward drifts, have been discussed in the light of current understanding of the longitudinal variability of E × B drift.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA018053

Scopus

Development of low-cost sky-scanning Fabry-Perot interferometers for airglow and auroral studies Reviewed

K. Shiokawa, Y. Otsuka, S. Oyama, S. Nozawa, M. Satoh, Y. Katoh, Y. Hamaguchi, Y. Yamamoto, J. Meriwether

EARTH PLANETS AND SPACE Vol. 64 ( 11 ) page： 1033 - 1046 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：TERRA SCIENTIFIC PUBL CO

We have developed new Fabry-Perot interferometers (FPIs) that are designed to measure thermospheric winds and temperatures as well as mesospheric winds through the airglow/aurora emissions at wavelengths of 630.0 nm and 557.7 nm, respectively. One FPI (FP01), possessing a large aperture etalon (diameter: 116 mm), was installed at the EISCAT Tromso site in 2009. The other FPIs, using 70-mm diameter etalons, were installed in Thailand, Indonesia, and Australia in 2010-2011 (FP02-FP04) by the Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, and in Peru (Nazca and Jicamarca) and Alaska (Poker Flat) by Clemson University. The FPIs with 70-mm etalons are low-cost compact instruments, suitable for multipoint network observations. All of these FPIs use low-noise cooled-CCD detectors with 1024 x 1024 pixels combined with a 4-stage thermoelectric cooling system that can cool the CCD temperature down to -80 degrees C. The large incident angle (maximum: 1.3 degrees-1.4 degrees) to the etalon achieved by the use of multiple orders increases the throughput of the FPIs. The airglow and aurora observations at Tromso by FP01 show wind velocities with typical random errors ranging from 2 to 13 m s(-1) and from 4 to 27 m s(-1) for mesosphere (557.7 nm) and thermosphere (630.0 nm) measurements, respectively. The 630.0-nm airglow observations at Shigaraki, Japan, by FP02-FP04 and by the American FPI instruments give thermospheric wind velocities with typical random errors that vary from 2 m s(-1) to more than 50 m s(-1) depending on airglow intensity.

DOI： 10.5047/eps.2012.05.004

Web of Science

Early observation and future plan of the Ionosphere, Mesosphere, upper Atmosphere, and Plasmasphere mapping observation mission

SAITO Akinori, YAMAZAKI Atsushi, SAKANOI Takeshi, YOSHIKAWA Ichiro, ABE Takumi, OTSUKA Yuichi, TAGUCHI Makoto, SUZUKI Makoto, KIKUCHI Masayuki, NAKAMURA Takuji, YAMAMOTO Mamoru, KAWANO Hideaki, LIU Huixin, ISHII Mamoru, TSUGAWA Takuya, SAKANOI Kazuyo, FUJIWARA Hitoshi, KUBOTA Minoru, EJIRI Mitsumu K, SAITO Akinori

地球電磁気・地球惑星圏学会総会及び講演会予稿集(CD-ROM) Vol. 132nd page： ROMBUNNO.B005-18 2012

Ionospheric and thermospheric storms at equatorial latitudes observed by CHAMP, ROCSAT, and DMSP Reviewed

N. Balan, J. Y. Liu, Y. Otsuka, S. Tulasi Ram, H. Lühr

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 1 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Analysis of the dayside electron density (Ne) and neutral mass density (N) at 400km height measured by CHAMP during 12 intense geomagnetic storms in 2000-2004, and ion densities at 600km and 840km heights measured by ROCSAT and DMSP during a few of the intense storms, reveal some new aspects. Thermospheric storms (change of N) reach the equator within 1.5 to 3 hours from the main phase (MP) onset of intense storms having short and steady MPs. The responses of the equatorial ionosphere (at CHAMP) to both MPs and RPs (recovery phases) of the storms are generally opposite to those at higher latitudes. In addition to the known opposite responses during MPs, the analysis reveals that positive ionospheric storms develop at equatorial latitudes (within about ±15° magnetic latitudes) during daytime RPs, while conventional negative storms occur at higher latitudes. Ionospheric storms also extend to the topside ionosphere beyond 850km height and are generally positive (at DMSP), especially during MPs. The positive storms around the equatorial ionospheric peak during RPs are interpreted in terms of the potential sources such as (1) zero or westward electric fields due to disturbance dynamo and/or prompt penetration, (2) plasma convergence due to the mechanical effects of storm-time equatorward neutral winds and waves, (3) increase of atomic oxygen density and decrease of molecular nitrogen density due to the downwelling effect of the winds, and (4) photoionization. The positive storms in the topside ionosphere during MPs involve the rapid upward drift of plasma due to eastward PPEFs, reduction in the downward diffusion of plasma along the field lines, and plasma convergence due to equatorward winds and waves.

DOI： 10.1029/2011JA016903

Scopus

GPS total electron content variations associated with poleward moving Sun-aligned arcs Reviewed

P. T. Jayachandran, K. Hosokawa, K. Shiokawa, Y. Otsuka, C. Watson, S. C. Mushini, J. W. MacDougall, P. Prikryl, R. Chadwick, T. D. Kelly

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 5 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Blackwell Publishing Ltd

GPS total electron content (TEC) has shown quasiperiodic oscillations of varying amplitude associated with poleward moving Sun-aligned arcs. The amplitude of TEC variations showed a maximum of ∼3 TECU and seemed to decrease as the arcs moved poleward from the source/generation region. Simultaneous DMSP data showed that fluctuations in TEC and optical intensification were caused by precipitation of high-energy (&gt
500 eV) particles. Concurrent ionosonde observations also exhibited quasiperiodic variations (within limit of the resolution of the data) in peak ionospheric electron density of the ionosphere. Bottom height of the ionospheric layers produced by precipitating particles varied between 130km (upper E region) and 300km (F region), indicating variable particle precipitation energy. Frequency analysis of high-resolution TEC data showed a broad range of discrete frequency components from 1.60 mHz to 22.80 mHz present in the TEC oscillations, which may provide insight into the energization/modulation of precipitating particles by these oscillations. A broad distribution of equivalent vertical thickness of arcs was calculated using GPS TEC and ionosonde measurements of peak electron density. This distribution showed a minimum thickness of 21km, a maximum of 84km, and an average of 49km. The equivalent vertical thickness also showed a linear relationship with bottomside height of the ionospheric layer (auroral arc). The relationship showed an increase in the vertical thickness with an increase in bottomside height of the layer. This relationship is a consequence of variations in the energy of the precipitating particles causing different ionospheric production profiles. Copyright 2012 by the American Geophysical Union.

DOI： 10.1029/2011JA017423

Scopus

Low-latitude mesosphere, thermosphere, and ionosphere Reviewed

Y. Sahai, R. S. Dabas, Y. Otsuka, M. Klimenko

International Journal of Geophysics Vol. 2012 2012

On post-midnight field-aligned irregularities observed with a 30.8-MHz radar at a low latitude: Comparison with F-layer altitude near the geomagnetic equator Reviewed

M. Nishioka, Y. Otsuka, K. Shiokawa, T. Tsugawa, Null Effendy, P. Supnithi, T. Nagatsuma, K. T. Murata

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 8 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Blackwell Publishing Ltd

We investigated the relationship between post-midnight F-region field aligned irregularities (FAIs) and F-layer altitude by analyzing data of a 30.8-MHz radar installed 5at Kototabang, Indonesia (0.2S, 100.3E
geomagnetic latitude 10.4S) and an ionosonde installed at Chumphon, Thailand (10.7N, 99.4E
geomagnetic latitude 3.3N). Chumphon is located near the geomagnetic equator on approximately the same meridian as Kototabang. Case studies show that the altitude of the F-layer rose at Chumphon a half hour before the post-midnight FAIs appeared at Kototabang. The Doppler velocity of the E-region FAIs observed simultaneously by the 30.8-MHz radar was downward, indicating that the F-layer uplift was not caused by the electric field. We also investigated seasonal variations of the post-midnight FAI occurrence and the F-layer altitude. Both the post-midnight FAIs and the uplift of the F-layer were frequently seen around midnight between May and August. The seasonal variation of the midnight F-layer uplift around the geomagnetic equator coincided with that of the post-midnight FAI occurrence at Kototabang. These results suggest that the uplift of the F-layer would play an important role in the generation of post-midnight FAIs. We evaluated the linear growth rate of the Rayleigh-Taylor instability based on the altitude of the F-layer observed at Chumphon. The result shows that the uplift of the F-layer can enhance the growth rate because gravity-driven eastward electric current increases. Therefore, we interpret that the observed FAIs were accompanied by plasma bubble, the growth rate of which was reinforced by the uplifted F-layer. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA017692

Scopus

Observation of equatorial nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances in 630-nm airglow images over 7 years Reviewed

D. Fukushima, K. Shiokawa, Y. Otsuka, T. Ogawa

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 10 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal)

[1] We report on nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) observed at Kototabang, Indonesia (geographic longitude: 100.3°E
geographic latitude: 0.2°S
and geomagnetic latitude: 10.6°S) during a 7-year period from October 2002 to October 2009. MSTIDs were observed in 630-nm nighttime airglow images by using a highly sensitive all-sky airglow imager at Kototabang. The averages and standard deviations of horizontal phase velocity, period, and horizontal wavelength of MSTIDs observed during the 7 years were 320 ±170 m/s, 42 ±11 min, and 790 ± 440 km, respectively. The occurrence rate of the observed MSTIDs decreased with decreasing solar activity. The average horizontal wavelength of MSTIDs increased with decreasing solar activity. Southward MSTIDs were dominant throughout the 7 years of observations. These facts are consistent with the hypothesis that the observed MSTIDs are caused by gravity waves in the thermosphere. Moreover, we compared the propagation directions of the observed MSTIDs with the locations of tropospheric convection activity for the events where gravity waves producing the observed MSTIDs could have existed in the lower atmosphere. Strong tropospheric convection was found within ±30 degrees from the source directions of MSTIDs in 81% of the MSTID events. In such events, gravity waves were possibly generated from deep convection in the troposphere and directly propagated into the thermosphere. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA017758

Scopus

Motion of high-latitude nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances associated with auroral brightening Reviewed

K. Shiokawa, M. Mori, Y. Otsuka, S. Oyama, S. Nozawa

Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics Vol. 117 ( 10 ) 2012

Language：English Publishing type：Research paper (scientific journal) Publisher：Blackwell Publishing Ltd

We report for the first time the rapid oscillating motion of nighttime medium-scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs) based on airglow imaging observations at Troms (magnetic latitude: 67.1N), Norway on 8 December, 2009. The MSTIDs appeared in 630-nm airglow images at 1530 UT as wave-like structures south of Troms with a horizontal wavelength of ∼200km and a phase surface of north to south. They moved eastward with velocities of 30-60m/s. The velocity was faster in the poleward-side of the MSTIDs, forming a northeast-southwest phase surface at later times. This phase surface direction is opposite to that of midlatitude MSTIDs. The MSTIDs show sudden oscillations and phase jump in the east-west direction with a timescale of ∼10min at 1730 UT. The oscillations were associated with an auroral brightening observed at the poleward edge of the images and small magnetic field perturbations observed by ground magnetometers. The Doppler measurement of the 630-nm airglow by a Fabry-Perot interferometer at Troms showed a stable southeastward thermospheric wind with a velocity of ∼150m/s. These observations indicate that the MSTID oscillations were linked to auroral electric field in the ionosphere, implying that the observed MSTIDs are ionospheric plasma structures. We suggest that the observed MSTIDs were created by atmospheric gravity waves at the beginning, left as fossil plasma structures even after the gravity wave packet dissipated in the thermosphere, moved eastward according to the background electric field driven by the F-region dynamo, and oscillated associated with the auroral electric field. © 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.

DOI： 10.1029/2012JA017928

Scopus

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Papers - OTSUKA, Yuichi