Cosmic ray effects in the global atmospheric electric circuit

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Scientific paper

Solar (SCR) and galactic (GCR) cosmic ray variations and their effects on the global electric circuit have been investigated using atmospheric electricity observations made at auroral station Apatity (geomagnetic latitude: 63.8), polar cap station Vostok, Antarctica (geomagnetic latitude: -89.3), and middle latitude station Voyeikovo, St.-Petersburg (geomagnetic latitude: 56.1). Three powerful solar proton events of Ground Level Enhancement (GLE) type (15 April 2001, 18 April 2001, and 4 November 2001) and their signatures in atmospheric electricity (vertical electric field) were analyzed. The April 15, 2001 solar flare is one of the most powerful events recorded over the last 25 years. The flare was classified as an X14 on the scale of solar flare strengths and followed by a GLE. A significant disturbance in atmospheric electric field has been observed at the time of solar flare. Note that the beginning of electric field perturbation at Apatity has been detected a some time (2-3 hours) ahead of the X-ray burst (13.50 UT) and GLE onset (14.10 UT). Atmospheric electric field records at Vostok and Voyeikovo showed a similar disturbance at the same time. Effects of Forbush decreases of GCR on atmospheric electric field have been analyzed by the superposed epoch analysis, using observations made at Apatity in 2001-2002. The results of analysis showed the atmospheric potential gradient decreases on the day before, and increases on the fourth day after it by about 30%. The study of SCR and GCR effects in atmospheric electricity, taking into account ion nucleation and "electrofreezing" mechanisms, can help us to understand better the character of solar activity influence on climate change. This work was supported by EC (grant INTAS 97-31008).

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Cosmic ray effects in the global atmospheric electric circuit does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Cosmic ray effects in the global atmospheric electric circuit, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Cosmic ray effects in the global atmospheric electric circuit will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-841287

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.