@article{CiemerRehmKurthsetal.2020, author = {Ciemer, Catrin and Rehm, Lars and Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Donner, Reik Volker and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Boers, Niklas}, title = {An early-warning indicator for Amazon droughts exclusively based on tropical Atlantic sea surface temperatures}, series = {Environmental Research Letters}, volume = {15}, journal = {Environmental Research Letters}, number = {9}, publisher = {IOP - Institute of Physics Publishing}, address = {Bristol}, pages = {10}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Droughts in tropical South America have an imminent and severe impact on the Amazon rainforest and affect the livelihoods of millions of people. Extremely dry conditions in Amazonia have been previously linked to sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the adjacent tropical oceans. Although the sources and impacts of such droughts have been widely studied, establishing reliable multi-year lead statistical forecasts of their occurrence is still an ongoing challenge. Here, we further investigate the relationship between SST and rainfall anomalies using a complex network approach. We identify four ocean regions which exhibit the strongest overall SST correlations with central Amazon rainfall, including two particularly prominent regions in the northern and southern tropical Atlantic. Based on the time-dependent correlation between SST anomalies in these two regions alone, we establish a new early-warning method for droughts in the central Amazon basin and demonstrate its robustness in hindcasting past major drought events with lead-times up to 18 months.}, language = {en} } @article{SeroussiNowickiPayneetal.2020, author = {Seroussi, Helene and Nowicki, Sophie and Payne, Antony J. and Goelzer, Heiko and Lipscomb, William H. and Abe-Ouchi, Ayako and Agosta, Cecile and Albrecht, Torsten and Asay-Davis, Xylar and Barthel, Alice and Calov, Reinhard and Cullather, Richard and Dumas, Christophe and Galton-Fenzi, Benjamin K. and Gladstone, Rupert and Golledge, Nicholas R. and Gregory, Jonathan M. and Greve, Ralf and Hattermann, Tore and Hoffman, Matthew J. and Humbert, Angelika and Huybrechts, Philippe and Jourdain, Nicolas C. and Kleiner, Thomas and Larour, Eric and Leguy, Gunter R. and Lowry, Daniel P. and Little, Chistopher M. and Morlighem, Mathieu and Pattyn, Frank and Pelle, Tyler and Price, Stephen F. and Quiquet, Aurelien and Reese, Ronja and Schlegel, Nicole-Jeanne and Shepherd, Andrew and Simon, Erika and Smith, Robin S. and Straneo, Fiammetta and Sun, Sainan and Trusel, Luke D. and Van Breedam, Jonas and van de Wal, Roderik S. W. and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Zhao, Chen and Zhang, Tong and Zwinger, Thomas}, title = {ISMIP6 Antarctica}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {14}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {9}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-14-3033-2020}, pages = {3033 -- 3070}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Ice flow models of the Antarctic ice sheet are commonly used to simulate its future evolution in response to different climate scenarios and assess the mass loss that would contribute to future sea level rise. However, there is currently no consensus on estimates of the future mass balance of the ice sheet, primarily because of differences in the representation of physical processes, forcings employed and initial states of ice sheet models. This study presents results from ice flow model simulations from 13 international groups focusing on the evolution of the Antarctic ice sheet during the period 2015-2100 as part of the Ice Sheet Model Intercomparison for CMIP6 (ISMIP6). They are forced with outputs from a subset of models from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 (CMIP5), representative of the spread in climate model results. Simulations of the Antarctic ice sheet contribution to sea level rise in response to increased warming during this period varies between 7:8 and 30.0 cm of sea level equivalent (SLE) under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario forcing. These numbers are relative to a control experiment with constant climate conditions and should therefore be added to the mass loss contribution under climate conditions similar to present-day conditions over the same period. The simulated evolution of the West Antarctic ice sheet varies widely among models, with an overall mass loss, up to 18.0 cm SLE, in response to changes in oceanic conditions. East Antarctica mass change varies between 6 :1 and 8.3 cm SLE in the simulations, with a significant increase in surface mass balance outweighing the increased ice discharge under most RCP 8.5 scenario forcings. The inclusion of ice shelf collapse, here assumed to be caused by large amounts of liquid water ponding at the surface of ice shelves, yields an additional simulated mass loss of 28mm compared to simulations without ice shelf collapse. The largest sources of uncertainty come from the climate forcing, the ocean-induced melt rates, the calibration of these melt rates based on oceanic conditions taken outside of ice shelf cavities and the ice sheet dynamic response to these oceanic changes. Results under RCP 2.6 scenario based on two CMIP5 climate models show an additional mass loss of 0 and 3 cm of SLE on average compared to simulations done under present-day conditions for the two CMIP5 forcings used and display limited mass gain in East Antarctica.}, language = {en} } @article{ReeseLevermannAlbrechtetal.2020, author = {Reese, Ronja and Levermann, Anders and Albrecht, Torsten and Seroussi, Helene and Winkelmann, Ricarda}, title = {The role of history and strength of the oceanic forcing in sea level projections from Antarctica with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {14}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {9}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-14-3097-2020}, pages = {3097 -- 3110}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet constitutes the largest uncertainty in projections of future sea level rise. Ocean-driven melting underneath the floating ice shelves and subsequent acceleration of the inland ice streams are the major reasons for currently observed mass loss from Antarctica and are expected to become more important in the future. Here we show that for projections of future mass loss from the Antarctic Ice Sheet, it is essential (1) to better constrain the sensitivity of sub-shelf melt rates to ocean warming and (2) to include the historic trajectory of the ice sheet. In particular, we find that while the ice sheet response in simulations using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model is comparable to the median response of models in three Antarctic Ice Sheet Intercomparison projects - initMIP, LARMIP-2 and ISMIP6 - conducted with a range of ice sheet models, the projected 21st century sea level contribution differs significantly depending on these two factors. For the highest emission scenario RCP8.5, this leads to projected ice loss ranging from 1:4 to 4:0 cm of sea level equivalent in simulations in which ISMIP6 ocean forcing drives the PICO ocean box model where parameter tuning leads to a comparably low sub-shelf melt sensitivity and in which no surface forcing is applied. This is opposed to a likely range of 9:1 to 35:8 cm using the exact same initial setup, but emulated from the LARMIP-2 experiments with a higher melt sensitivity, even though both projects use forcing from climate models and melt rates are calibrated with previous oceanographic studies. Furthermore, using two initial states, one with a previous historic simulation from 1850 to 2014 and one starting from a steady state, we show that while differences between the ice sheet configurations in 2015 seem marginal at first sight, the historic simulation increases the susceptibility of the ice sheet to ocean warming, thereby increasing mass loss from 2015 to 2100 by 5\% to 50 \%. Hindcasting past ice sheet changes with numerical models would thus provide valuable tools to better constrain projections. Our results emphasize that the uncertainty that arises from the forcing is of the same order of magnitude as the ice dynamic response for future sea level projections.}, language = {en} } @article{ZeitzLevermannWinkelmann2020, author = {Zeitz, Maria and Levermann, Anders and Winkelmann, Ricarda}, title = {Sensitivity of ice loss to uncertainty in flow law parameters in an idealized one-dimensional geometry}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {14}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {10}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-14-3537-2020}, pages = {3537 -- 3550}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Acceleration of the flow of ice drives mass losses in both the Antarctic and the Greenland Ice Sheet. The projections of possible future sea-level rise rely on numerical ice-sheet models, which solve the physics of ice flow, melt, and calving. While major advancements have been made by the ice-sheet modeling community in addressing several of the related uncertainties, the flow law, which is at the center of most process-based ice-sheet models, is not in the focus of the current scientific debate. However, recent studies show that the flow law parameters are highly uncertain and might be different from the widely accepted standard values. Here, we use an idealized flow-line setup to investigate how these uncertainties in the flow law translate into uncertainties in flow-driven mass loss. In order to disentangle the effect of future warming on the ice flow from other effects, we perform a suite of experiments with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM), deliberately excluding changes in the surface mass balance. We find that changes in the flow parameters within the observed range can lead up to a doubling of the flow-driven mass loss within the first centuries of warming, compared to standard parameters. The spread of ice loss due to the uncertainty in flow parameters is on the same order of magnitude as the increase in mass loss due to surface warming. While this study focuses on an idealized flow-line geometry, it is likely that this uncertainty carries over to realistic three-dimensional simulations of Greenland and Antarctica.}, language = {en} } @article{ReeseGudmundssonLevermannetal.2017, author = {Reese, Ronja and Gudmundsson, Gudmundur Hilmar and Levermann, Anders and Winkelmann, Ricarda}, title = {The far reach of ice-shelf thinning in Antarctica}, series = {Nature climate change}, volume = {8}, journal = {Nature climate change}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {1758-678X}, doi = {10.1038/s41558-017-0020-x}, pages = {53 -- 57}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Floating ice shelves, which fringe most of Antarctica's coastline, regulate ice flow into the Southern Ocean1,2,3. Their thinning4,5,6,7 or disintegration8,9 can cause upstream acceleration of grounded ice and raise global sea levels. So far the effect has not been quantified in a comprehensive and spatially explicit manner. Here, using a finite-element model, we diagnose the immediate, continent-wide flux response to different spatial patterns of ice-shelf mass loss. We show that highly localized ice-shelf thinning can reach across the entire shelf and accelerate ice flow in regions far from the initial perturbation. As an example, this 'tele-buttressing' enhances outflow from Bindschadler Ice Stream in response to thinning near Ross Island more than 900 km away. We further find that the integrated flux response across all grounding lines is highly dependent on the location of imposed changes: the strongest response is caused not only near ice streams and ice rises, but also by thinning, for instance, well-within the Filchner-Ronne and Ross Ice Shelves. The most critical regions in all major ice shelves are often located in regions easily accessible to the intrusion of warm ocean waters10,11,12, stressing Antarctica's vulnerability to changes in its surrounding ocean.}, language = {en} } @article{AlbrechtWinkelmannLevermann2020, author = {Albrecht, Torsten and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Levermann, Anders}, title = {Glacial-cycle simulations of the Antarctic Ice Sheet with the Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM)}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {14}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {2}, publisher = {Copernicus Publ.}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-14-633-2020}, pages = {633 -- 656}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The Parallel Ice Sheet Model (PISM) is applied to the Antarctic Ice Sheet over the last two glacial cycles (approximate to 210 000 years) with a resolution of 16 km. An ensemble of 256 model runs is analyzed in which four relevant model parameters have been systematically varied using full-factorial parameter sampling. Parameters and plausible parameter ranges have been identified in a companion paper (Albrecht et al., 2020) and are associated with ice dynamics, climatic forcing, basal sliding and bed deformation and represent distinct classes of model uncertainties. The model is scored against both modern and geologic data, including reconstructed grounding-line locations, elevation-age data, ice thickness, surface velocities and uplift rates. An aggregated score is computed for each ensemble member that measures the overall model-data misfit, including measurement uncertainty in terms of a Gaussian error model (Briggs and Tarasov, 2013). The statistical method used to analyze the ensemble simulation results follows closely the simple averaging method described in Pollard et al. (2016). This analysis reveals clusters of best-fit parameter combinations, and hence a likely range of relevant model and boundary parameters, rather than individual best-fit parameters. The ensemble of reconstructed histories of Antarctic Ice Sheet volumes provides a score-weighted likely range of sea-level contributions since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) of 9.4 +/- 4.1m (or 6.5 +/- 2.0 x 10(6) km(3)), which is at the upper range of most previous studies. The last deglaciation occurs in all ensemble simulations after around 12 000 years before present and hence after the meltwater pulse 1A (MWP1a). Our ensemble analysis also provides an estimate of parametric uncertainty bounds for the present-day state that can be used for PISM projections of future sea-level contributions from the Antarctic Ice Sheet.}, language = {en} } @article{GarbeAlbrechtLevermannetal.2020, author = {Garbe, Julius and Albrecht, Torsten and Levermann, Anders and Donges, Jonathan and Winkelmann, Ricarda}, title = {The hysteresis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet}, series = {Nature : the international weekly journal of science}, volume = {585}, journal = {Nature : the international weekly journal of science}, number = {7826}, publisher = {Macmillan Publishers Limited}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {0028-0836}, doi = {10.1038/s41586-020-2727-5}, pages = {538 -- 544}, year = {2020}, abstract = {More than half of Earth's freshwater resources are held by the Antarctic Ice Sheet, which thus represents by far the largest potential source for global sea-level rise under future warming conditions(1). Its long-term stability determines the fate of our coastal cities and cultural heritage. Feedbacks between ice, atmosphere, ocean, and the solid Earth give rise to potential nonlinearities in its response to temperature changes. So far, we are lacking a comprehensive stability analysis of the Antarctic Ice Sheet for different amounts of global warming. Here we show that the Antarctic Ice Sheet exhibits a multitude of temperature thresholds beyond which ice loss is irreversible. Consistent with palaeodata(2)we find, using the Parallel Ice Sheet Model(3-5), that at global warming levels around 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, West Antarctica is committed to long-term partial collapse owing to the marine ice-sheet instability. Between 6 and 9 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels, the loss of more than 70 per cent of the present-day ice volume is triggered, mainly caused by the surface elevation feedback. At more than 10 degrees of warming above pre-industrial levels, Antarctica is committed to become virtually ice-free. The ice sheet's temperature sensitivity is 1.3 metres of sea-level equivalent per degree of warming up to 2 degrees above pre-industrial levels, almost doubling to 2.4 metres per degree of warming between 2 and 6 degrees and increasing to about 10 metres per degree of warming between 6 and 9 degrees. Each of these thresholds gives rise to hysteresis behaviour: that is, the currently observed ice-sheet configuration is not regained even if temperatures are reversed to present-day levels. In particular, the West Antarctic Ice Sheet does not regrow to its modern extent until temperatures are at least one degree Celsius lower than pre-industrial levels. Our results show that if the Paris Agreement is not met, Antarctica's long-term sea-level contribution will dramatically increase and exceed that of all other sources.
Modelling shows that the Antarctic Ice Sheet exhibits multiple temperature thresholds beyond which ice loss would become irreversible, and once melted, the ice sheet can regain its previous mass only if the climate cools well below pre-industrial temperatures.}, language = {en} } @article{SchlemmFeldmannWinkelmannetal.2022, author = {Schlemm, Tanja and Feldmann, Johannes and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Levermann, Anders}, title = {Stabilizing effect of melange buttressing on the marine ice-cliff instability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {16}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {5}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-16-1979-2022}, pages = {1979 -- 1996}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Owing to global warming and particularly high regional ocean warming, both Thwaites and Pine Island Glaciers in the Amundsen region of the Antarctic Ice Sheet could lose their buttressing ice shelves over time. We analyse the possible consequences using the parallel ice sheet model (PISM), applying a simple cliff-calving parameterization and an ice melange-buttressing model. We find that the instantaneous loss of ice-shelf buttressing, due to enforced ice-shelf melting, initiates grounding-line retreat and triggers marine ice sheet instability (MISI). As a consequence, the grounding line progresses into the interior of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet and leads to a sea level contribution of 0.6 m within 100 a. By subjecting the exposed ice cliffs to cliff calving using our simplified parameterization, we also analyse marine ice cliff instability (MICI). In our simulations it can double or even triple the sea level contribution depending on the only loosely constrained parameter that determines the maximum cliff-calving rate. The speed of MICI depends on this upper bound of the calving rate, which is given by the ice melange buttressing the glacier. However, stabilization of MICI may occur for geometric reasons. Because the embayment geometry changes as MICI advances into the interior of the ice sheet, the upper bound on calving rates is reduced and the progress of MICI is slowed down. Although we cannot claim that our simulations bear relevant quantitative estimates of the effect of ice-melange buttressing on MICI, the mechanism has the potential to stop the instability. Further research is needed to evaluate its role for the past and future evolution of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.}, language = {en} } @article{FeldmannReeseWinkelmannetal.2022, author = {Feldmann, Johannes and Reese, Ronja and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Levermann, Anders}, title = {Shear-margin melting causes stronger transient ice discharge than ice-stream melting in idealized simulations}, series = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, volume = {16}, journal = {The Cryosphere : TC ; an interactive open access journal of the European Geosciences Union}, number = {5}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1994-0416}, doi = {10.5194/tc-16-1927-2022}, pages = {1927 -- 1940}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Basal ice-shelf melting is the key driver of Antarctica's increasing sea-level contribution. In diminishing the buttressing force of the ice shelves that fringe the ice sheet, the melting increases the ice discharge into the ocean. Here we contrast the influence of basal melting in two different ice-shelf regions on the time-dependent response of an isothermal, inherently buttressed ice-sheet-shelf system. In the idealized numerical simulations, the basal-melt perturbations are applied close to the grounding line in the ice-shelf's (1) ice-stream region, where the ice shelf is fed by the fastest ice masses that stream through the upstream bed trough and (2) shear margins, where the ice flow is slower. The results show that melting below one or both of the shear margins can cause a decadal to centennial increase in ice discharge that is more than twice as large compared to a similar perturbation in the ice-stream region. We attribute this to the fact that melt-induced ice-shelf thinning in the central grounding-line region is attenuated very effectively by the fast flow of the central ice stream. In contrast, the much slower ice dynamics in the lateral shear margins of the ice shelf facilitate sustained ice-shelf thinning and thereby foster buttressing reduction. Regardless of the melt location, a higher melt concentration toward the grounding line generally goes along with a stronger response. Our results highlight the vulnerability of outlet glaciers to basal melting in stagnant, buttressing-relevant ice-shelf regions, a mechanism that may gain importance under future global warming.}, language = {en} } @article{WunderlingWilleitDongesetal.2020, author = {Wunderling, Nico and Willeit, Matteo and Donges, Jonathan and Winkelmann, Ricarda}, title = {Global warming due to loss of large ice masses and Arctic summer sea ice}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {11}, journal = {Nature Communications}, number = {1}, publisher = {Nature Publishing Group}, address = {Berlin}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-020-18934-3}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Several large-scale cryosphere elements such as the Arctic summer sea ice, the mountain glaciers, the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheet have changed substantially during the last century due to anthropogenic global warming. However, the impacts of their possible future disintegration on global mean temperature (GMT) and climate feedbacks have not yet been comprehensively evaluated. Here, we quantify this response using an Earth system model of intermediate complexity. Overall, we find a median additional global warming of 0.43 degrees C (interquartile range: 0.39-0.46 degrees C) at a CO2 concentration of 400 ppm. Most of this response (55\%) is caused by albedo changes, but lapse rate together with water vapour (30\%) and cloud feedbacks (15\%) also contribute significantly. While a decay of the ice sheets would occur on centennial to millennial time scales, the Arctic might become ice-free during summer within the 21st century. Our findings imply an additional increase of the GMT on intermediate to long time scales. The disintegration of cryosphere elements such as the Arctic summer sea ice, mountain glaciers, Greenland and West Antarctica is associated with temperature and radiative feedbacks. In this work, the authors quantify these feedbacks and find an additional global warming of 0.43 degrees C.}, language = {en} } @article{KloseWunderlingWinkelmannetal.2021, author = {Klose, Ann Kristin and Wunderling, Nico and Winkelmann, Ricarda and Donges, Jonathan}, title = {What do we mean, 'tipping cascade'?}, series = {Environmental research letters : ERL}, volume = {16}, journal = {Environmental research letters : ERL}, number = {12}, publisher = {IOP Publ. Ltd.}, address = {Bristol}, issn = {1748-9326}, doi = {10.1088/1748-9326/ac3955}, pages = {11}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Based on suggested interactions of potential tipping elements in the Earth's climate and in ecological systems, tipping cascades as possible dynamics are increasingly discussed and studied. The activation of such tipping cascades would impose a considerable risk for human societies and biosphere integrity. However, there are ambiguities in the description of tipping cascades within the literature so far. Here we illustrate how different patterns of multiple tipping dynamics emerge from a very simple coupling of two previously studied idealized tipping elements. In particular, we distinguish between a two phase cascade, a domino cascade and a joint cascade. A mitigation of an unfolding two phase cascade may be possible and common early warning indicators are sensitive to upcoming critical transitions to a certain degree. In contrast, a domino cascade may hardly be stopped once initiated and critical slowing down-based indicators fail to indicate tipping of the following element. These different potentials for intervention and anticipation across the distinct patterns of multiple tipping dynamics should be seen as a call to be more precise in future analyses of cascading dynamics arising from tipping element interactions in the Earth system.}, language = {en} } @article{KunertPangTewsetal.2022, author = {Kunert, Nina and Pang, Peter T. H. and Tews, Ingo and Coughlin, Michael W. and Dietrich, Tim}, title = {Quantifying modeling uncertainties when combining multiple gravitational-wave detections from binary neutron star sources}, series = {Physical review D}, volume = {105}, journal = {Physical review D}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Physical Society}, address = {College Park}, issn = {2470-0010}, doi = {10.1103/PhysRevD.105.L061301}, pages = {7}, year = {2022}, abstract = {With the increasing sensitivity of gravitational-wave detectors, we expect to observe multiple binary neutron-star systems through gravitational waves in the near future. The combined analysis of these gravitational-wave signals offers the possibility to constrain the neutron-star radius and the equation of state of dense nuclear matter with unprecedented accuracy. However, it is crucial to ensure that uncertainties inherent in the gravitational-wave models will not lead to systematic biases when information from multiple detections is combined. To quantify waveform systematics, we perform an extensive simulation campaign of binary neutron-star sources and analyze them with a set of four different waveform models. For our analysis with 38 simulations, we find that statistical uncertainties in the neutron-star radius decrease to 1250 m (2\% at 90\% credible interval) but that systematic differences between currently employed waveform models can be twice as large. Hence, it will be essential to ensure that systematic biases will not become dominant in inferences of the neutron-star equation of state when capitalizing on future developments.}, language = {en} } @article{PfeiferBeierAlirezaeizanjanietal.2022, author = {Pfeifer, Veronika and Beier, S{\"o}nke and Alirezaeizanjani, Zahra and Beta, Carsten}, title = {Role of the two flagellar stators in swimming motility of pseudomonas putida}, series = {mBio}, volume = {13}, journal = {mBio}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Society for Microbiology}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2150-7511}, doi = {10.1128/mbio.02182-22}, pages = {12}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida, the motor torque for flagellar rotation is generated by the two stators MotAB and MotCD. Here, we construct mutant strains in which one or both stators are knocked out and investigate their swimming motility in fluids of different viscosity and in heterogeneous structured environments (semisolid agar). Besides phase-contrast imaging of single-cell trajectories and spreading cultures, dual-color fluorescence microscopy allows us to quantify the role of the stators in enabling P. putida's three different swimming modes, where the flagellar bundle pushes, pulls, or wraps around the cell body. The MotAB stator is essential for swimming motility in liquids, while spreading in semisolid agar is not affected. Moreover, if the MotAB stator is knocked out, wrapped mode formation under low-viscosity conditions is strongly impaired and only partly restored for increased viscosity and in semisolid agar. In contrast, when the MotCD stator is missing, cells are indistinguishable from the wild type in fluid experiments but spread much more slowly in semisolid agar. Analysis of the microscopic trajectories reveals that the MotCD knockout strain forms sessile clusters, thereby reducing the number of motile cells, while the swimming speed is unaffected. Together, both stators ensure a robust wild type that swims efficiently under different environmental conditions. IMPORTANCE Because of its heterogeneous habitat, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida needs to swim efficiently under very different environmental conditions. In this paper, we knocked out the stators MotAB and MotCD to investigate their impact on the swimming motility of P. putida. While the MotAB stator is crucial for swimming in fluids, in semisolid agar, both stators are sufficient to sustain a fast-swimming phenotype and increased frequencies of the wrapped mode, which is known to be beneficial for escaping mechanical traps. However, in contrast to the MotAB knockout, a culture of MotCD knockout cells spreads much more slowly in the agar, as it forms nonmotile clusters that reduce the number of motile cells. Because of its heterogeneous habitat, the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida needs to swim efficiently under very different environmental conditions. In this paper, we knocked out the stators MotAB and MotCD to investigate their impact on the swimming motility of P. putida.}, language = {en} } @article{MarkoetterSintschukBritzkeetal.2022, author = {Mark{\"o}tter, Henning and Sintschuk, Michael and Britzke, Ricardo and Dayani, Shahabeddin and Bruno, Giovanni}, title = {Upgraded imaging capabilities at the BAMline (BESSY II)}, series = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, volume = {29}, journal = {Journal of synchrotron radiation}, number = {5}, publisher = {International Union of Crystallography}, address = {Chester}, issn = {1600-5775}, doi = {10.1107/S1600577522007342}, pages = {1292 -- 1298}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The BAMline at the BESSY II synchrotron X-ray source has enabled research for more than 20 years in widely spread research fields such as materials science, biology, cultural heritage and medicine. As a nondestructive characterization method, synchrotron X-ray imaging, especially tomography, plays a particularly important role in structural characterization. A recent upgrade of key equipment of the BAMline widens its imaging capabilities: shorter scan acquisition times are now possible, in situ and op erando studies can now be routinely performed, and different energy spectra can easily be set up. In fact, the upgraded double-multilayer monochromator brings full flexibility by yielding different energy spectra to optimize flux and energy resolution as desired. The upgraded detector (based on an sCMOS camera) also allows exploiting the higher flux with reduced readout times. Furthermore, an installed slip ring allows the sample stage to continuously rotate. The latter feature enables tomographic observation of processes occurring in the time scale of a few seconds.}, language = {en} } @article{CestnikMauRosenblum2022, author = {Cestnik, Rok and Mau, Erik T. K. and Rosenblum, Michael}, title = {Inferring oscillator's phase and amplitude response from a scalar signal exploiting test stimulation}, series = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, volume = {24}, journal = {New journal of physics : the open-access journal for physics}, number = {12}, publisher = {Dt. Physikalische Ges., IOP}, address = {Bad Honnef, London}, issn = {1367-2630}, doi = {10.1088/1367-2630/aca70a}, pages = {27}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The phase sensitivity curve or phase response curve (PRC) quantifies the oscillator's reaction to stimulation at a specific phase and is a primary characteristic of a self-sustained oscillatory unit. Knowledge of this curve yields a phase dynamics description of the oscillator for arbitrary weak forcing. Similar, though much less studied characteristic, is the amplitude response that can be defined either using an ad hoc approach to amplitude estimation or via the isostable variables. Here, we discuss the problem of the phase and amplitude response inference from observations using test stimulation. Although PRC determination for noise-free neuronal-like oscillators perturbed by narrow pulses is a well-known task, the general case remains a challenging problem. Even more challenging is the inference of the amplitude response. This characteristic is crucial, e.g. for controlling the amplitude of the collective mode in a network of interacting units-a task relevant to neuroscience. Here, we compare the performance of different techniques suitable for inferring the phase and amplitude response, particularly with application to macroscopic oscillators. We suggest improvements to these techniques, e.g. demonstrating how to obtain the PRC in case of stimuli of arbitrary shape. Our main result is a novel technique denoted by IPID-1, based on the direct reconstruction of the Winfree equation and the analogous first-order equation for isostable dynamics. The technique works for signals with or without well-pronounced marker events and pulses of arbitrary shape; in particular, we consider charge-balanced pulses typical in neuroscience applications. Moreover, this technique is superior for noisy and high-dimensional systems. Additionally, we describe an error measure that can be computed solely from data and complements any inference technique.}, language = {en} } @article{WoodfieldHorneGlauertetal.2018, author = {Woodfield, Emma E. and Horne, Richard B. and Glauert, S. A. and Menietti, J. D. and Shprits, Yuri and Kurth, William S.}, title = {Formation of electron radiation belts at Saturn by Z-mode wave acceleration}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {9}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-07549-4}, pages = {7}, year = {2018}, abstract = {At Saturn electrons are trapped in the planet's magnetic field and accelerated to relativistic energies to form the radiation belts, but how this dramatic increase in electron energy occurs is still unknown. Until now the mechanism of radial diffusion has been assumed but we show here that in-situ acceleration through wave particle interactions, which initial studies dismissed as ineffectual at Saturn, is in fact a vital part of the energetic particle dynamics there. We present evidence from numerical simulations based on Cassini spacecraft data that a particular plasma wave, known as Z-mode, accelerates electrons to MeV energies inside 4 RS (1 RS = 60,330 km) through a Doppler shifted cyclotron resonant interaction. Our results show that the Z-mode waves observed are not oblique as previously assumed and are much better accelerators than O-mode waves, resulting in an electron energy spectrum that closely approaches observed values without any transport effects included.}, language = {en} } @article{CaoNiSummersetal.2019, author = {Cao, Xing and Ni, Binbin and Summers, Danny and Shprits, Yuri and Gu, Xudong and Fu, Song and Lou, Yuequn and Zhang, Yang and Ma, Xin and Zhang, Wenxun and Huang, He and Yi, Juan}, title = {Sensitivity of EMIC wave-driven scattering loss of ring current protons to wave normal angle distribution}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {46}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1029/2018GL081550}, pages = {590 -- 598}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves have long been recognized to play a crucial role in the dynamic loss of ring current protons. While the field-aligned propagation approximation of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves was widely used to quantify the scattering loss of ring current protons, in this study, we find that the wave normal distribution strongly affects the pitch angle scattering efficiency of protons. Increase of peak normal angle or angular width can considerably reduce the scattering rates of <= 10 keV protons. For >10 keV protons, the field-aligned propagation approximation results in a pronounced underestimate of the scattering of intermediate equatorial pitch angle protons and overestimates the scattering of high equatorial pitch angle protons by orders of magnitude. Our results suggest that the wave normal distribution of electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves plays an important role in the pitch angle evolution and scattering loss of ring current protons and should be incorporated in future global modeling of ring current dynamics.}, language = {en} } @article{KurthsAgarwalShuklaetal.2019, author = {Kurths, J{\"u}rgen and Agarwal, Ankit and Shukla, Roopam and Marwan, Norbert and Maheswaran, Rathinasamy and Caesar, Levke and Krishnan, Raghavan and Merz, Bruno}, title = {Unravelling the spatial diversity of Indian precipitation teleconnections via a non-linear multi-scale approach}, series = {Nonlinear processes in geophysics}, volume = {26}, journal = {Nonlinear processes in geophysics}, number = {3}, publisher = {Copernicus}, address = {G{\"o}ttingen}, issn = {1023-5809}, doi = {10.5194/npg-26-251-2019}, pages = {251 -- 266}, year = {2019}, abstract = {A better understanding of precipitation dynamics in the Indian subcontinent is required since India's society depends heavily on reliable monsoon forecasts. We introduce a non-linear, multiscale approach, based on wavelets and event synchronization, for unravelling teleconnection influences on precipitation. We consider those climate patterns with the highest relevance for Indian precipitation. Our results suggest significant influences which are not well captured by only the wavelet coherence analysis, the state-of-the-art method in understanding linkages at multiple timescales. We find substantial variation across India and across timescales. In particular, El Ni{\~n}o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) mainly influence precipitation in the south-east at interannual and decadal scales, respectively, whereas the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) has a strong connection to precipitation, particularly in the northern regions. The effect of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) stretches across the whole country, whereas the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) influences precipitation particularly in the central arid and semi-arid regions. The proposed method provides a powerful approach for capturing the dynamics of precipitation and, hence, helps improve precipitation forecasting.}, language = {en} } @article{NiCaoShpritsetal.2018, author = {Ni, Binbin and Cao, Xing and Shprits, Yuri and Summers, Danny and Gu, Xudong and Fu, Song and Lou, Yuequn}, title = {Hot Plasma Effects on the Cyclotron-Resonant Pitch-Angle Scattering Rates of Radiation Belt Electrons Due to EMIC Waves}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {45}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1002/2017GL076028}, pages = {21 -- 30}, year = {2018}, abstract = {To investigate the hot plasma effects on the cyclotron-resonant interactions between electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves and radiation belt electrons in a realistic magnetospheric environment, calculations of the wave-induced bounce-averaged pitch angle diffusion coefficients are performed using both the cold and hot plasma dispersion relations. The results demonstrate that the hot plasma effects have a pronounced influence on the electron pitch angle scattering rates due to all three EMIC emission bands (H+, He+, and O+) when the hot plasma dispersion relation deviates significantly from the cold plasma approximation. For a given wave spectrum, the modification of the dispersion relation by hot anisotropic protons can strongly increase the minimum resonant energy for electrons interacting with O+ band EMIC waves, while the minimum resonant energies for H+ and He+ bands are not greatly affected. For H+ band EMIC waves, inclusion of hot protons tends to weaken the pitch angle scattering efficiency of >5MeV electrons. The most crucial differences introduced by the hot plasma effects occur for >3MeV electron scattering rates by He+ band EMIC waves. Mainly due to the changes of resonant frequency and wave group velocity when the hot protons are included, the difference in scattering rates can be up to an order of magnitude, showing a strong dependence on both electron energy and equatorial pitch angle. Our study confirms the importance of including hot plasma effects in modeling the scattering of ultra-relativistic radiation belt electrons by EMIC waves.}, language = {en} } @article{BernardiBerdjaDaniGuzmanetal.2021, author = {Bernardi, Rafael L. and Berdja, Amokrane and Dani Guzman, Christian and Torres-Torriti, Miguel and Roth, Martin M.}, title = {Restoration of images with a spatially varying PSF of the T80-S telescope optical model using neural networks}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {510}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {3}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnras/stab3400}, pages = {4284 -- 4294}, year = {2021}, abstract = {Most image restoration methods in astronomy rely upon probabilistic tools that infer the best solution for a deconvolution problem. They achieve good performances when the point spread function (PSF) is spatially invariant in the image plane. However, this condition is not always satisfied in real optical systems. We propose a new method for the restoration of images affected by static and anisotropic aberrations using Deep Neural Networks that can be directly applied to sky images. The network is trained using simulated sky images corresponding to the T80-S Telescope optical model, a 80-cm survey imager at Cerro Tololo (Chile), which are synthesized using a Zernike polynomial representation of the optical system. Once trained, the network can be used directly on sky images, outputting a corrected version of the image that has a constant and known PSF across its field of view. The method is to be tested on the T80-S Telescope. We present the method and results on synthetic data.}, language = {en} } @article{GuoNiFuetal.2022, author = {Guo, Yingjie and Ni, Binbin and Fu, Song and Wang, Dedong and Shprits, Yuri and Zhelavskaya, Irina and Feng, Minghang and Guo, Deyu}, title = {Identification of controlling geomagnetic and solar wind factors for magnetospheric chorus intensity using feature selection techniques}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : A, Space physics}, volume = {127}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : A, Space physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {Wiley}, address = {Hoboken, NJ}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2021JA029926}, pages = {14}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Using over-5-year EMFISIS wave measurements from Van Allen Probes, we present a detailed survey to identify the controlling factors among the geomagnetic indices and solar wind parameters for the 1-min root mean square amplitudes of lower band chorus (LBC) and upper band chorus (UBC). A set of important features are automatically determined by feature selection techniques, namely, Random Forest and Maximum Relevancy Minimum Redundancy. Our analysis results indicate the AE index with zero-time-delay dominates the intensity evolution of LBC and UBC, consistent with the evidence that chorus waves prefer to occur and amplify during enhanced substorm periods. Regarding solar wind parameters, solar wind speed and IMF B-z are identified as the controlling factors for chorus wave intensity. Using the combination of all these important features, a predictive neural network model of chorus wave intensity is established to reconstruct the temporal variations of chorus wave intensity, for which application of Random Forest produces the overall best performance. Plain Language Summary Whistler mode chorus waves are electromagnetic waves observed in the low-density region near the geomagnetic equator outside the plasmapause. The dynamics of Earth's radiation belts are largely influenced by chorus waves owing to their dual contributions to both radiation belt electron acceleration and loss. In this study, we use feature selection techniques to identify the controlling geomagnetic and solar wind factors for magnetospheric chorus waves. Feature selection techniques implement the processes which can select the features most influential to the output. In this study, the inputs are geomagnetic indices and solar wind parameters and the output is the chorus wave intensity. The results indicate that AE index with zerotime delay dominates the chorus wave intensity. Furthermore, solar wind speed and IMF B-z are identified as the most important solar wind drivers for chorus wave intensity. On basis of the combination of all these important geomagnetic and solar wind controlling factors, we develop a neural network model of chorus wave intensity, and find that the model with the inputs identified using the Random Forest method produces the overall best performance.}, language = {en} } @article{WangShpritsZhelayskayaetal.2019, author = {Wang, Dedong and Shprits, Yuri and Zhelayskaya, Irina S. and Agapitov, Oleksiy and Drozdov, Alexander and Aseev, Nikita}, title = {Analytical chorus wave model derived from van Allen Probe Observations}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {2}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2018JA026183}, pages = {1063 -- 1084}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Chorus waves play an important role in the dynamic evolution of energetic electrons in the Earth's radiation belts and ring current. Using more than 5 years of Van Allen Probe data, we developed a new analytical model for upper-band chorus (UBC; 0.5fce < f < fce) and lower-band chorus (LBC; 0.05fce < f < 0.5fce) waves, where fce is the equatorial electron gyrofrequency. By applying polynomial fits to chorus wave root mean square amplitudes, we developed regression models for LBC and UBC as a function of geomagnetic activity (Kp), L, magnetic latitude (λ), and magnetic local time (MLT). Dependence on Kp is separated from the dependence on λ, L, and MLT as Kp-scaling law to simplify the calculation of diffusion coefficients and inclusion into particle tracing codes. Frequency models for UBC and LBC are also developed, which depends on MLT and magnetic latitude. This empirical model is valid in all MLTs, magnetic latitude up to 20°, Kp ≤ 6, L-shell range from 3.5 to 6 for LBC and from 4 to 6 for UBC. The dependence of root mean square amplitudes on L are different for different bands, which implies different energy sources for different wave bands. This analytical chorus wave model is convenient for inclusion in quasi-linear diffusion calculations of electron scattering rates and particle simulations in the inner magnetosphere, especially for the newly developed four-dimensional codes, which require significantly improved wave parameterizations.}, language = {en} } @article{SmirnovKronbergLatallerieetal.2019, author = {Smirnov, Artem G. and Kronberg, Elena A. and Latallerie, F. and Daly, Patrick W. and Aseev, Nikita and Shprits, Yuri and Kellerman, Adam C. and Kasahara, Satoshi and Turner, Drew L. and Taylor, M. G. G. T.}, title = {Electron Intensity Measurements by the Cluster/RAPID/IES Instrument in Earth's Radiation Belts and Ring Current}, series = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, volume = {17}, journal = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2018SW001989}, pages = {553 -- 566}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Plain Language Summary Radiation belts of the Earth, which are the zones of charged energetic particles trapped by the geomagnetic field, comprise enormous and dynamic systems. While the inner radiation belt, composed mainly of high-energy protons, is relatively stable, the outer belt, filled with energetic electrons, is highly variable and depends substantially on solar activity. Hence, extended reliable observations and the improved models of the electron intensities in the outer belt depending on solar wind parameters are necessary for prediction of their dynamics. The Cluster mission has been measuring electron flux intensities in the radiation belts since its launch in 2000, thus providing a huge dataset that can be used for radiation belts analysis. Using 16 years of electron measurements by the Cluster mission corrected for background contamination, we derived a uniform linear-logarithmic dependence of electron fluxes in the outer belt on the solar wind dynamic pressure.}, language = {en} } @article{DobyndeEffenbergerKartashovetal.2019, author = {Dobynde, M. I. and Effenberger, Frederic and Kartashov, D. A. and Shprits, Yuri and Shurshakov, V. A.}, title = {Ray-tracing simulation of the radiation dose distribution on the surface of the spherical phantom of the MATROSHKA-R experiment onboard the ISS}, series = {Life sciences in space research}, volume = {21}, journal = {Life sciences in space research}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam}, issn = {2214-5524}, doi = {10.1016/j.lssr.2019.04.001}, pages = {65 -- 72}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Space radiation is one of the main concerns for human space flights. The prediction of the radiation dose for the actual spacecraft geometry is very important for the planning of long-duration missions. We present a numerical method for the fast calculation of the radiation dose rate during a space flight. We demonstrate its application for dose calculations during the first and the second sessions of the MATROSHKA-R space experiment with a spherical tissue-equivalent phantom. The main advantage of the method is the short simulation time, so it can be applied for urgent radiation dose calculations for low-Earth orbit space missions. The method uses depth-dose curve and shield-and-composition distribution functions to calculate a radiation dose at the point of interest. The spacecraft geometry is processed into a shield-and-composition distribution function using a ray-tracing method. Depth-dose curves are calculated using the GEANT4 Monte-Carlo code (version 10.00.P02) for a double-layer aluminum-water shielding. Aluminum-water shielding is a good approximation of the real geometry, as water is a good equivalent for biological tissues, and aluminum is the major material of spacecraft bodies.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhuChenLiuetal.2019, author = {Zhu, Hui and Chen, Lunjin and Liu, Xu and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Modulation of locally generated equatorial noise by ULF wave}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {4}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2018JA026199}, pages = {2779 -- 2787}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In this paper we report a rare and fortunate event of fast magnetosonic (MS, also called equatorial noise) waves modulated by compressional ultralow frequency (ULF) waves measured by Van Allen Probes. The characteristics of MS waves, ULF waves, proton distribution, and their potential correlations are analyzed. The results show that ULF waves can modulate the energetic ring proton distribution and in turn modulate the MS generation. Furthermore, the variation of MS intensities is attributed to not only ULF wave activities but also the variation of background parameters, for example, number density. The results confirm the opinion that MS waves are generated by proton ring distribution and propose a new modulation phenomenon.}, language = {en} } @article{ShpritsMeniettiDrozdovetal.2018, author = {Shprits, Yuri and Menietti, J. D. and Drozdov, Alexander and Horne, Richard B. and Woodfield, Emma E. and Groene, J. B. and de Soria-Santacruz, M. and Averkamp, T. F. and Garrett, H. and Paranicas, C. and Gurnett, Don A.}, title = {Strong whistler mode waves observed in the vicinity of Jupiter's moons}, series = {Nature Communications}, volume = {9}, journal = {Nature Communications}, publisher = {Nature Publ. Group}, address = {London}, issn = {2041-1723}, doi = {10.1038/s41467-018-05431-x}, pages = {6}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Understanding of wave environments is critical for the understanding of how particles are accelerated and lost in space. This study shows that in the vicinity of Europa and Ganymede, that respectively have induced and internal magnetic fields, chorus wave power is significantly increased. The observed enhancements are persistent and exceed median values of wave activity by up to 6 orders of magnitude for Ganymede. Produced waves may have a pronounced effect on the acceleration and loss of particles in the Jovian magnetosphere and other astrophysical objects. The generated waves are capable of significantly modifying the energetic particle environment, accelerating particles to very high energies, or producing depletions in phase space density. Observations of Jupiter's magnetosphere provide a unique opportunity to observe how objects with an internal magnetic field can interact with particles trapped in magnetic fields of larger scale objects.}, language = {en} } @article{CervantesVillaShpritsAseevetal.2020, author = {Cervantes Villa, Juan Sebastian and Shprits, Yuri and Aseev, Nikita and Allison, Hayley J.}, title = {Quantifying the effects of EMIC wave scattering and magnetopause shadowing in the outer electron radiation belt by means of data assimilation}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {125}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {8}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2020JA028208}, pages = {23}, year = {2020}, abstract = {In this study we investigate two distinct loss mechanisms responsible for the rapid dropouts of radiation belt electrons by assimilating data from Van Allen Probes A and B and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) 13 and 15 into a 3-D diffusion model. In particular, we examine the respective contribution of electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) wave scattering and magnetopause shadowing for values of the first adiabatic invariant mu ranging from 300 to 3,000 MeV G(-1). We inspect the innovation vector and perform a statistical analysis to quantitatively assess the effect of both processes as a function of various geomagnetic indices, solar wind parameters, and radial distance from the Earth. Our results are in agreement with previous studies that demonstrated the energy dependence of these two mechanisms. We show that EMIC wave scattering tends to dominate loss at lower L shells, and it may amount to between 10\%/hr and 30\%/hr of the maximum value of phase space density (PSD) over all L shells for fixed first and second adiabatic invariants. On the other hand, magnetopause shadowing is found to deplete electrons across all energies, mostly at higher L shells, resulting in loss from 50\%/hr to 70\%/hr of the maximum PSD. Nevertheless, during times of enhanced geomagnetic activity, both processes can operate beyond such location and encompass the entire outer radiation belt.}, language = {en} } @article{KimShprits2018, author = {Kim, Kyung-Chan and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Survey of the Favorable Conditions for Magnetosonic Wave Excitation}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {123}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1002/2017JA024865}, pages = {400 -- 413}, year = {2018}, abstract = {The ratio of the proton ring velocity (VR) to the local Alfven speed (VA), in addition to proton ring distributions, plays a key factor in the excitation of magnetosonic waves at frequencies between the proton cyclotron frequency fcp and the lower hybrid resonance frequency fLHR in the Earth's magnetosphere. Here we investigate whether there is a statistically significant relationship between occurrences of proton rings and magnetosonic waves both outside and inside the plasmapause using particle and wave data from Van Allen Probe-A during the time period of October 2012 to December 2015. We also perform a statistical survey of the ratio of the ring energy (ER, corresponding to VR) to the Alfven energy (EA, corresponding to VA) to determine the favorable conditions under which magnetosonic waves in each of two frequency bands (fcp < f ≤ 0.5 fLHR and 0.5 fLHR < f < fLHR) can be excited. The results show that the magnetosonic waves in both frequency bands occur around the postnoon (12-18 magnetic local time, MLT) sector outside the plasmapause when ER is comparable to or lower than EA, and those in lower-frequency bands (fcp < f ≤ 0.5 fLHR) occur around the postnoon sector inside the plasmapause when ER/EA > ~9. However, there is one discrepancy between occurrences of proton rings and magnetosonic waves in low-frequency bands around the prenoon sector (6-12 MLT) outside the plasmapause, which suggests either that the waves may have propagated during active time from the postnoon sector after being excited during quiet time, or they may have locally excited in the prenoon sector during active time.}, language = {en} } @article{ShpritsKellermanAseevetal.2017, author = {Shprits, Yuri and Kellerman, Adam C . and Aseev, Nikita and Drozdov, Alexander and Michaelis, Ingo}, title = {Multi-MeV electron loss in the heart of the radiation belts}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {44}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1002/2016GL072258}, pages = {1204 -- 1209}, year = {2017}, abstract = {Significant progress has been made in recent years in understanding acceleration mechanisms in the Earth's radiation belts. In particular, a number of studies demonstrated the importance of the local acceleration by analyzing the radial profiles of phase space density (PSD) and observing building up peaks in PSD. In this study, we focus on understanding of the local loss using very similar tools. The profiles of PSD for various values of the first adiabatic invariants during the previously studied 17 January 2013 storm are presented and discussed. The profiles of PSD show clear deepening minimums consistent with the scattering by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. Long-term evolution shows that local minimums in PSD can persist for relatively long times. During considered interval of time the deepening minimums were observed around L* = 4 during 17 January 2013 storm and around L* = 3.5 during 1 March 2013 storm. This study shows a new method that can help identify the location, magnitude, and time of the local loss and will help quantify local loss in the future. This study also provides additional clear and definitive evidence that local loss plays a major role for the dynamics of the multi-MeV electrons.}, language = {en} } @article{AdolfsHoqueShprits2022, author = {Adolfs, Marjolijn and Hoque, Mohammed Mainul and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Storm-time relative total electron content modelling using machine learning techniques}, series = {Remote sensing}, volume = {14}, journal = {Remote sensing}, number = {23}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel}, issn = {2072-4292}, doi = {10.3390/rs14236155}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Accurately predicting total electron content (TEC) during geomagnetic storms is still a challenging task for ionospheric models. In this work, a neural-network (NN)-based model is proposed which predicts relative TEC with respect to the preceding 27-day median TEC, during storm time for the European region (with longitudes 30 degrees W-50 degrees E and latitudes 32.5 degrees N-70 degrees N). The 27-day median TEC (referred to as median TEC), latitude, longitude, universal time, storm time, solar radio flux index F10.7, global storm index SYM-H and geomagnetic activity index Hp30 are used as inputs and the output of the network is the relative TEC. The relative TEC can be converted to the actual TEC knowing the median TEC. The median TEC is calculated at each grid point over the European region considering data from the last 27 days before the storm using global ionosphere maps (GIMs) from international GNSS service (IGS) sources. A storm event is defined when the storm time disturbance index Dst drops below 50 nanotesla. The model was trained with storm-time relative TEC data from the time period of 1998 until 2019 (2015 is excluded) and contains 365 storms. Unseen storm data from 33 storm events during 2015 and 2020 were used to test the model. The UQRG GIMs were used because of their high temporal resolution (15 min) compared to other products from different analysis centers. The NN-based model predictions show the seasonal behavior of the storms including positive and negative storm phases during winter and summer, respectively, and show a mixture of both phases during equinoxes. The model's performance was also compared with the Neustrelitz TEC model (NTCM) and the NN-based quiet-time TEC model, both developed at the German Aerospace Agency (DLR). The storm model has a root mean squared error (RMSE) of 3.38 TEC units (TECU), which is an improvement by 1.87 TECU compared to the NTCM, where an RMSE of 5.25 TECU was found. This improvement corresponds to a performance increase by 35.6\%. The storm-time model outperforms the quiet-time model by 1.34 TECU, which corresponds to a performance increase by 28.4\% from 4.72 to 3.38 TECU. The quiet-time model was trained with Carrington averaged TEC and, therefore, is ideal to be used as an input instead of the GIM derived 27-day median. We found an improvement by 0.8 TECU which corresponds to a performance increase by 17\% from 4.72 to 3.92 TECU for the storm-time model using the quiet-time-model predicted TEC as an input compared to solely using the quiet-time model.}, language = {en} } @article{SmirnovBerrendorfShpritsetal.2020, author = {Smirnov, Artem and Berrendorf, Max and Shprits, Yuri and Kronberg, Elena A. and Allison, Hayley J. and Aseev, Nikita and Zhelavskaya, Irina and Morley, Steven K. and Reeves, Geoffrey D. and Carver, Matthew R. and Effenberger, Frederic}, title = {Medium energy electron flux in earth's outer radiation belt (MERLIN)}, series = {Space weather : the international journal of research and applications}, volume = {18}, journal = {Space weather : the international journal of research and applications}, number = {11}, publisher = {American geophysical union, AGU}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2020SW002532}, pages = {20}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The radiation belts of the Earth, filled with energetic electrons, comprise complex and dynamic systems that pose a significant threat to satellite operation. While various models of electron flux both for low and relativistic energies have been developed, the behavior of medium energy (120-600 keV) electrons, especially in the MEO region, remains poorly quantified. At these energies, electrons are driven by both convective and diffusive transport, and their prediction usually requires sophisticated 4D modeling codes. In this paper, we present an alternative approach using the Light Gradient Boosting (LightGBM) machine learning algorithm. The Medium Energy electRon fLux In Earth's outer radiatioN belt (MERLIN) model takes as input the satellite position, a combination of geomagnetic indices and solar wind parameters including the time history of velocity, and does not use persistence. MERLIN is trained on >15 years of the GPS electron flux data and tested on more than 1.5 years of measurements. Tenfold cross validation yields that the model predicts the MEO radiation environment well, both in terms of dynamics and amplitudes o f flux. Evaluation on the test set shows high correlation between the predicted and observed electron flux (0.8) and low values of absolute error. The MERLIN model can have wide space weather applications, providing information for the scientific community in the form of radiation belts reconstructions, as well as industry for satellite mission design, nowcast of the MEO environment, and surface charging analysis.}, language = {en} } @article{CervantesVillaShpritsAseevetal.2019, author = {Cervantes Villa, Juan Sebastian and Shprits, Yuri and Aseev, Nikita and Drozdov, Alexander and Castillo Tibocha, Angelica Maria and Stolle, Claudia}, title = {Identifying radiation belt electron source and loss processes by assimilating spacecraft data in a three-dimensional diffusion model}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {125}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {1}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2019JA027514}, pages = {16}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Data assimilation aims to blend incomplete and inaccurate data with physics-based dynamical models. In the Earth's radiation belts, it is used to reconstruct electron phase space density, and it has become an increasingly important tool in validating our current understanding of radiation belt dynamics, identifying new physical processes, and predicting the near-Earth hazardous radiation environment. In this study, we perform reanalysis of the sparse measurements from four spacecraft using the three-dimensional Versatile Electron Radiation Belt diffusion model and a split-operator Kalman filter over a 6-month period from 1 October 2012 to 1 April 2013. In comparison to previous works, our 3-D model accounts for more physical processes, namely, mixed pitch angle-energy diffusion, scattering by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron waves, and magnetopause shadowing. We describe how data assimilation, by means of the innovation vector, can be used to account for missing physics in the model. We use this method to identify the radial distances from the Earth and the geomagnetic conditions where our model is inconsistent with the measured phase space density for different values of the invariants mu and K. As a result, the Kalman filter adjusts the predictions in order to match the observations, and we interpret this as evidence of where and when additional source or loss processes are active. The current work demonstrates that 3-D data assimilation provides a comprehensive picture of the radiation belt electrons and is a crucial step toward performing reanalysis using measurements from ongoing and future missions.}, language = {en} } @article{SmirnovShpritsAllisonetal.2022, author = {Smirnov, Artem and Shprits, Yuri and Allison, Hayley and Aseev, Nikita and Drozdov, Alexander and Kollmann, Peter and Wang, Dedong and Saikin, Anthony}, title = {An empirical model of the equatorial electron pitch angle distributions in earth's outer radiation belt}, series = {Space Weather: the International Journal of Research and Applications}, volume = {20}, journal = {Space Weather: the International Journal of Research and Applications}, number = {9}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington, DC}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2022SW003053}, pages = {17}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In this study, we present an empirical model of the equatorial electron pitch angle distributions (PADs) in the outer radiation belt based on the full data set collected by the Magnetic Electron Ion Spectrometer (MagEIS) instrument onboard the Van Allen Probes in 2012-2019. The PADs are fitted with a combination of the first, third and fifth sine harmonics. The resulting equation resolves all PAD types found in the outer radiation belt (pancake, flat-top, butterfly and cap PADs) and can be analytically integrated to derive omnidirectional flux. We introduce a two-step modeling procedure that for the first time ensures a continuous dependence on L, magnetic local time and activity, parametrized by the solar wind dynamic pressure. We propose two methods to reconstruct equatorial electron flux using the model. The first approach requires two uni-directional flux observations and is applicable to low-PA data. The second method can be used to reconstruct the full equatorial PADs from a single uni- or omnidirectional measurement at off-equatorial latitudes. The model can be used for converting the long-term data sets of electron fluxes to phase space density in terms of adiabatic invariants, for physics-based modeling in the form of boundary conditions, and for data assimilation purposes.}, language = {en} } @article{WalkerBoyntonShpritsetal.2022, author = {Walker, Simon N. and Boynton, Richard J. and Shprits, Yuri and Balikhin, Michael A. and Drozdov, Alexander}, title = {Forecast of the energetic electron environment of the radiation belts}, series = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, volume = {20}, journal = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, number = {12}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2022SW003124}, pages = {21}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Different modeling methodologies possess different strengths and weakness. For instance, data based models may provide superior accuracy but have a limited spatial coverage while physics based models may provide lower accuracy but provide greater spatial coverage. This study investigates the coupling of a data based model of the electron fluxes at geostationary orbit (GEO) with a numerical model of the radiation belt region to improve the resulting forecasts/pastcasts of electron fluxes over the whole radiation belt region. In particular, two coupling methods are investigated. The first assumes an average value for L* for GEO, namely LGEO* L-GEO* = 6.2. The second uses a value of L* that varies with geomagnetic activity, quantified using the Kp index. As the terrestrial magnetic field responds to variations in geomagnetic activity, the value of L* will vary for a specific location. In this coupling method, the value of L* is calculated using the Kp driven Tsyganenko 89c magnetic field model for field line tracing. It is shown that this addition can result in changes in the initialization of the parameters at the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt model outer boundary. Model outputs are compared to Van Allen Probes MagEIS measurements of the electron fluxes in the inner magnetosphere for the March 2015 geomagnetic storm. It is found that the fixed LGEO* L-GEO* coupling method produces a more realistic forecast.}, language = {en} } @article{ProlSmirnovHoqueetal.2022, author = {Prol, Fabricio S. and Smirnov, Artem G. and Hoque, M. Mainul and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Combined model of topside ionosphere and plasmasphere derived from radio-occultation and Van Allen Probes data}, series = {Scientific reports}, volume = {12}, journal = {Scientific reports}, number = {1}, publisher = {Macmillan Publishers Limited, part of Springer Nature}, address = {London}, issn = {2045-2322}, doi = {10.1038/s41598-022-13302-1}, pages = {11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {In the last years, electron density profile functions characterized by a linear dependence on the scale height showed good results when approximating the topside ionosphere. The performance above 800 km, however, is not yet well investigated. This study investigates the capability of the semi-Epstein functions to represent electron density profiles from the peak height up to 20,000 km. Electron density observations recorded by the Van Allen Probes were used to resolve the scale height dependence in the plasmasphere. It was found that the linear dependence of the scale height in the topside ionosphere cannot be directly used to extrapolate profiles above 800 km. We find that the dependence of scale heights on altitude is quadratic in the plasmasphere. A statistical model of the scale heights is therefore proposed. After combining the topside ionosphere and plasmasphere by a unified model, we have obtained good estimations not only in the profile shapes, but also in the Total Electron Content magnitude and distributions when compared to actual measurements from 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2017. Our investigation shows that Van Allen Probes can be merged to radio-occultation data to properly represent the upper ionosphere and plasmasphere by means of a semi-Epstein function.}, language = {en} } @article{HaasShpritsAllisonetal.2022, author = {Haas, Bernhard and Shprits, Yuri and Allison, Hayley and Wutzig, Michael and Wang, Dedong}, title = {Which parameter controls ring current electron dynamics}, series = {Frontiers in astronomy and space sciences}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in astronomy and space sciences}, publisher = {Frontiers Media}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {2296-987X}, doi = {10.3389/fspas.2022.911002}, pages = {11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Predicting the electron population of Earth's ring current during geomagnetic storms still remains a challenging task. In this work, we investigate the sensitivity of 10 keV ring current electrons to different driving processes, parameterised by the Kp index, during several moderate and intense storms. Results are validated against measurements from the Van Allen Probes satellites. Perturbing the Kp index allows us to identify the most dominant processes for moderate and intense storms respectively. We find that during moderate storms (Kp < 6) the drift velocities mostly control the behaviour of low energy electrons, while loss from wave-particle interactions is the most critical parameter for quantifying the evolution of intense storms (Kp > 6). Perturbations of the Kp index used to drive the boundary conditions at GEO and set the plasmapause location only show a minimal effect on simulation results over a limited L range. It is further shown that the flux at L \& SIM; 3 is more sensitive to changes in the Kp index compared to higher L shells, making it a good proxy for validating the source-loss balance of a ring current model.}, language = {en} } @article{KimShprits2019, author = {Kim, Kyung-Chan and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Statistical Analysis of Hiss Waves in Plasmaspheric Plumes Using Van Allen Probe Observations}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {3}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2018JA026458}, pages = {1904 -- 1915}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Plasmaspheric hiss waves commonly observed in high-density regions in the Earth's magnetosphere are known to be one of the main contributors to the loss of radiation belt electrons. There has been a lot of effort to investigate the distributions of hiss waves in the plasmasphere, while relatively little attention has been given to those in the plasmaspheric plume. In this study, we present for the first time a statistical analysis of the occurrence and the spatial distribution of wave amplitudes and wave normal angles for hiss waves in plumes using Van Allen Probes observations during the period of October 2012 to December 2016. Statistical results show that a wide range of hiss wave amplitudes in plumes from a few picotesla to >100 pT is observed, but a modest (<20 pT) wave amplitude is more commonly observed regardless of geomagnetic activity in both the midnight-to-dawn and dusk sector. By contrast, stronger amplitude hiss occurs preferentially during geomagnetically active times in the dusk sector. The wave normal angles are distributed over a broad range from 0° to 90° with a bimodal distribution: a quasi-field-aligned population (<20°) with an occurrence rate of <60\% and an oblique one (>50°) with a relative low occurrence rate of ≲20\%. Therefore, from a statistical point of view, we confirm that the hiss intensity (a few tens of picotesla) and field-aligned hiss wave adopted in previous simulation studies are a reasonable assumption but stress that the activity dependence of the wave amplitude should be considered.}, language = {en} } @article{ZhuShpritsSpasojevicetal.2019, author = {Zhu, Hui and Shprits, Yuri and Spasojevic, M. and Drozdov, Alexander}, title = {New hiss and chorus waves diffusion coefficient parameterizations from the Van Allen Probes and their effect on long-term relativistic electron radiation-belt VERB simulations}, series = {Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics}, volume = {193}, journal = {Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1364-6826}, doi = {10.1016/j.jastp.2019.105090}, pages = {13}, year = {2019}, abstract = {New wave frequency and amplitude models for the nightside and dayside chorus waves are built based on measurements from the Electric and Magnetic Field Instrument Suite and Integrated Science (EMFISIS) instrument onboard the Van Allen Probes. The corresponding 3D diffusion coefficients are systematically obtained. Compared with previous commonly-used (typical) parameterizations, the new parameterizations result in differences in diffusion rates that depend on the energy and pitch angle. Furthermore, one-year 3D diffusive simulations are performed using the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB) code. Both typical and new wave parameterizations simulation results are in a good agreement with observations at 0.9 MeV. However, the new parameterizations for nightside chorus better reproduce the observed electron fluxes. These parameterizations will be incorporated into future modeling efforts.}, language = {en} } @article{DrozdovAseevEffenbergeretal.2019, author = {Drozdov, Alexander and Aseev, Nikita and Effenberger, Frederic and Turner, Drew L. and Saikin, Anthony and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Storm Time Depletions of Multi-MeV Radiation Belt Electrons Observed at Different Pitch Angles}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {11}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2019JA027332}, pages = {8943 -- 8953}, year = {2019}, abstract = {During geomagnetic storms, the rapid depletion of the high-energy (several MeV) outer radiation belt electrons is the result of loss to the interplanetary medium through the magnetopause, outward radial diffusion, and loss to the atmosphere due to wave-particle interactions. We have performed a statistical study of 110 storms using pitch angle resolved electron flux measurements from the Van Allen Probes mission and found that inside of the radiation belt (L* = 3 - 5) the number of storms that result in depletion of electrons with equatorial pitch angle alpha(eq) = 30 degrees is higher than number of storms that result in depletion of electrons with equatorial pitch angle alpha(eq) = 75 degrees. We conclude that this result is consistent with electron scattering by whistler and electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves. At the outer edge of the radiation belt (L* >= 5.2) the number of storms that result in depletion is also large (similar to 40-50\%), emphasizing the significance of the magnetopause shadowing effect and outward radial transport.}, language = {en} } @article{CastilloShpritsGanushkinaetal.2019, author = {Castillo, Angelica M. and Shprits, Yuri and Ganushkina, Natalia and Drozdov, Alexander and Aseev, Nikita and Wang, Dedong and Dubyagin, Stepan}, title = {Simulations of the inner magnetospheric energetic electrons using the IMPTAM-VERB coupled model}, series = {Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics}, volume = {191}, journal = {Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {1364-6826}, doi = {10.1016/j.jastp.2019.05.014}, pages = {17}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In this study, we present initial results of the coupling between the Inner Magnetospheric Particle Transport and Acceleration Model (IMPTAM) and the Versatile Electron Radiation Belt (VERB-3D) code. IMPTAM traces electrons of 10-100 keV energies from the plasma sheet (L = 9 Re) to inner L-shell regions. The flux evolution modeled by IMPTAM is used at the low energy and outer L* computational boundaries of the VERB code (assuming a dipole approximation) to perform radiation belt simulations of energetic electrons. The model was tested on the March 17th, 2013 storm, for a six-day period. Four different simulations were performed and their results compared to satellites observations from Van Allen probes and GOES. The coupled IMPTAM-VERB model reproduces evolution and storm-time features of electron fluxes throughout the studied storm in agreement with the satellite data (within similar to 0.5 orders of magnitude). Including dynamics of the low energy population at L* = 6.6 increases fluxes closer to the heart of the belt and has a strong impact in the VERB simulations at all energies. However, inclusion of magnetopause losses leads to drastic flux decreases even below L* = 3. The dynamics of low energy electrons (max. 10s of keV) do not affect electron fluxes at energies >= 900 keV. Since the IMPTAM-VERB coupled model is only driven by solar wind parameters and the Dst and Kp indexes, it is suitable as a forecasting tool. In this study, we demonstrate that the estimation of electron dynamics with satellite-data-independent models is possible and very accurate.}, language = {en} } @article{WoodfieldGlauertMeniettietal.2019, author = {Woodfield, Emma E. and Glauert, Saraha A. and Menietti, J. Douglas and Averkamp, Terrance F. and Horne, Richard B. and Shprits, Yuri}, title = {Rapid Electron Acceleration in Low-Density Regions of Saturn's Radiation Belt by Whistler Mode Chorus Waves}, series = {Geophysical research letters}, volume = {46}, journal = {Geophysical research letters}, number = {13}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {0094-8276}, doi = {10.1029/2019GL083071}, pages = {7191 -- 7198}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Electron acceleration at Saturn due to whistler mode chorus waves has previously been assumed to be ineffective; new data closer to the planet show it can be very rapid (factor of 104 flux increase at 1 MeV in 10 days compared to factor of 2). A full survey of chorus waves at Saturn is combined with an improved plasma density model to show that where the plasma frequency falls below the gyrofrequency additional strong resonances are observed favoring electron acceleration. This results in strong chorus acceleration between approximately 2.5 R-S and 5.5 R-S outside which adiabatic transport may dominate. Strong pitch angle dependence results in butterfly pitch angle distributions that flatten over a few days at 100s keV, tens of days at MeV energies which may explain observations of butterfly distributions of MeV electrons near L = 3. Including cross terms in the simulations increases the tendency toward butterfly distributions. Plain Language Summary Radiation belts are hazardous regions found around several of the planets in our Solar System. They consist of very hot, electrically charged particles trapped in the magnetic field of the planet. At Saturn the most important way to heat these particles has for many years been thought to involve the particles drifting closer toward the planet. This paper adds to the emerging idea at Saturn that a different way to heat the particles is also possible where the heating is done by waves, in a similar way to what we find at the Earth. We use recent information from the Cassini spacecraft on the number and location of particles and also of the waves strength and location combined with computer simulations to show that a particular wave called chorus is excellent at heating the particles where the surrounding number of cold particles is low.}, language = {en} } @article{DentonOfmanShpritsetal.2019, author = {Denton, Richard E. and Ofman, L. and Shprits, Yuri and Bortnik, J. and Millan, R. M. and Rodger, C. J. and da Silva, C. L. and Rogers, B. N. and Hudson, M. K. and Liu, K. and Min, K. and Glocer, A. and Komar, C.}, title = {Pitch Angle Scattering of Sub-MeV Relativistic Electrons by Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron Waves}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {7}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9402}, doi = {10.1029/2018JA026384}, pages = {5610 -- 5626}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves have long been considered to be a significant loss mechanism for relativistic electrons. This has most often been attributed to resonant interactions with the highest amplitude waves. But recent observations have suggested that the dominant energy of electrons precipitated to the atmosphere may often be relatively low, less than 1 MeV, whereas the minimum resonant energy of the highest amplitude waves is often greater than 2 MeV. Here we use relativistic electron test particle simulations in the wavefields of a hybrid code simulation of EMIC waves in dipole geometry in order to show that significant pitch angle scattering can occur due to interaction with low-amplitude short-wavelength EMIC waves. In the case we examined, these waves are in the H band (at frequencies above the He+ gyrofrequency), even though the highest amplitude waves were in the He band frequency range (below the He+ gyrofrequency). We also present wave power distributions for 29 EMIC simulations in straight magnetic field line geometry that show that the high wave number portion of the spectrum is in every case mostly due to the H band waves. Though He band waves are often associated with relativistic electron precipitation, it is possible that the He band waves do not directly scatter the sub-megaelectron volts (sub-MeV) electrons, but that the presence of He band waves is associated with high plasma density which lowers the minimum resonant energy so that these electrons can more easily resonate with the H band waves.}, language = {en} } @article{QinHudsonLietal.2019, author = {Qin, Murong and Hudson, Mary and Li, Zhao and Millan, Robyn and Shen, Xiaochen and Shprits, Yuri and Woodger, Leslie and Jaynes, Allison and Kletzing, Craig}, title = {Investigating loss of relativistic electrons associated with EMIC Waves at low L values on 22 June 2015}, series = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, volume = {124}, journal = {Journal of geophysical research : Space physics}, number = {6}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {2169-9380}, doi = {10.1029/2018JA025726}, pages = {4022 -- 4036}, year = {2019}, abstract = {In this study, rapid loss of relativistic radiation belt electrons at low L* values (2.4-3.2) during a strong geomagnetic storm on 22 June 2015 is investigated along with five possible loss mechanisms. Both the particle and wave data are obtained from the Van Allen Probes. Duskside H+ band electromagnetic ion cyclotron (EMIC) waves were observed during a rapid decrease of relativistic electrons with energy above 5.2 MeV occurring outside the plasma sphere during extreme magnetopause compression. Lower He+ composition and enriched O+ composition are found compared to typical values assumed in other studies of cyclotron resonant scattering of relativistic electrons by EMIC waves. Quantitative analysis demonstrates that even with the existence of He+ band EMIC waves, it is the H+ band EMIC waves that are likely to cause the depletion at small pitch angles and strong gradients in pitch angle distributions of relativistic electrons with energy above 5.2 MeV at low L values for this event. Very low frequency wave activity at other magnetic local time can be favorable for the loss of relativistic electrons at higher pitch angles. An illustrative calculation that combines the nominal pitch angle scattering rate due to whistler mode chorus at high pitch angles with the H+ band EMIC wave loss rate at low pitch angles produces loss on time scale observed at L = 2.4-3.2. At high L values and lower energies, radial loss to the magnetopause is a viable explanation.}, language = {en} } @article{ShpritsVasileZhelayskaya2019, author = {Shprits, Yuri and Vasile, Ruggero and Zhelayskaya, Irina S.}, title = {Nowcasting and Predicting the Kp Index Using Historical Values and Real-Time Observations}, series = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, volume = {17}, journal = {Space Weather: The International Journal of Research and Applications}, number = {8}, publisher = {American Geophysical Union}, address = {Washington}, issn = {1542-7390}, doi = {10.1029/2018SW002141}, pages = {1219 -- 1229}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Current algorithms for the real-time prediction of the Kp index use a combination of models empirically driven by solar wind measurements at the L1 Lagrange point and historical values of the index. In this study, we explore the limitations of this approach, examining the forecast for short and long lead times using measurements at L1 and Kp time series as input to artificial neural networks. We explore the relative efficiency of the solar wind-based predictions, predictions based on recurrence, and predictions based on persistence. Our modeling results show that for short-term forecasts of approximately half a day, the addition of the historical values of Kp to the measured solar wind values provides a barely noticeable improvement. For a longer-term forecast of more than 2 days, predictions can be made using recurrence only, while solar wind measurements provide very little improvement for a forecast with long horizon times. We also examine predictions for disturbed and quiet geomagnetic activity conditions. Our results show that the paucity of historical measurements of the solar wind for high Kp results in a lower accuracy of predictions during disturbed conditions. Rebalancing of input data can help tailor the predictions for more disturbed conditions.}, language = {en} } @article{PostnovOskinovaTorrejon2017, author = {Postnov, K. and Oskinova, Lidia M. and Torrejon, J. M.}, title = {A propelling neutron star in the enigmatic Be-star gamma Cassiopeia}, series = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, volume = {465}, journal = {Monthly notices of the Royal Astronomical Society}, number = {1}, publisher = {Oxford Univ. Press}, address = {Oxford}, issn = {0035-8711}, doi = {10.1093/mnrasl/slw223}, pages = {L119 -- L123}, year = {2017}, abstract = {gamma Cassiopeia (gamma Cas), is known to be a binary system consisting of a Be-type star and a low-mass (M similar to 1M(circle dot)) companion of unknown nature orbiting in the Be-disc plane. Here, we apply the quasi-spherical accretion theory on to a compact magnetized star and show that if the low-mass companion of gamma Cas is a fast spinning neutron star, the key observational signatures of. Cas are remarkably well reproduced. Direct accretion on to this fast rotating neutron star is impeded by the propeller mechanism. In this case, around the neutron star magnetosphere a hot shell is formed which emits thermal X-rays in qualitative and quantitative agreement with observed properties of the X-ray emission from gamma Cas. We suggest that gamma Cas and its analogues constitute a new subclass of Be-type X-ray binaries hosting rapidly rotating neutron stars formed in supernova explosions with small kicks. The subsequent evolutionary stage of gamma Cas and its analogues should be the X Per-type binaries comprising low-luminosity slowly rotating X-ray pulsars. The model explains the enigmatic X-ray emission from gamma Cas, and also establishes evolutionary connections between various types of rotating magnetized neutron stars in Be-binaries.}, language = {en} } @article{PruefertBeitzReichetal.2022, author = {Pr{\"u}fert, Christian and Beitz, Toralf and Reich, Olaf and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd}, title = {Inline process analysis of copper-bearing aerosols using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy, laser-induced incandescence and optical imaging}, series = {Spectrochimica acta, Part B, Atomic spectroscopy}, volume = {197}, journal = {Spectrochimica acta, Part B, Atomic spectroscopy}, publisher = {Elsevier}, address = {Amsterdam [u.a.]}, issn = {0584-8547}, doi = {10.1016/j.sab.2022.106527}, pages = {11}, year = {2022}, abstract = {The quantification and identification of aerosols in industry plays a key role in process monitoring and control and lays the foundation for process automation aspired by the industry 4.0 initiative. However, measuring particulate matter's mass and number concentrations in harsh environments poses great analytical constraints. The presented approach comprises a comprehensive set of light-and imaging-based techniques, all contactless, in-line, and real-time. It includes, but is not limited to, stroboscopic imaging, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser-induced incandescence (LII). Stroboscopic imaging confirmed the particles sphericity and was used to measure the particle number density. A phase-selective LIBS setup with low fluence and 500 Hz repetition rate was used to classify each particle with a single-pulse and in real time. Simultaneously, the created plasma was captured by CCD imaging to determine the detection volume and hit rate of the LIBS setup. Both data sets combined were converted to a particle number density, which was consistent with the particle number density of the stroboscopic measurements. Furthermore, using a photodiode and microphone in parallel to the LIBS setup allowed for the photoacoustic normalization of the spectral line intensity at the laser repetition rate of 500 Hz. This was done as a partial photoacoustic normalization method with the cut-off based on the coefficient of variation (CV), reducing it by 25\%. Aside from that photodiode and microphone were proven to be valuable event counting with the advantage of the less spatially constricted. A second laser setup was used for laser -induced incandescence (LII) making it possible to classify the particles based on their incandescence tendency. Given its larger probing volume, LII could be employed at very low particle number densities. With respect to the current literature, this is the first approach of using LII as an in-line, real-time analytical technique for the compositional classification of metal-bearing aerosols.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarSablowskiHainichetal.2019, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Sablowski, D. P. and Hainich, Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Oskinova, Lidia M. and Ramachandran, Varsha and Sana, Hugues and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Schnurr, O. and St-Louis, N. and Vanbeveren, D. and Gotberg, Y. and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The Wolf-Rayet binaries of the nitrogen sequence in the Large Magellanic Cloud Spectroscopy, orbital analysis, formation, and evolution}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {627}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {0004-6361}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201935684}, pages = {68}, year = {2019}, abstract = {Context. Massive Wolf-Rayet (WR) stars dominate the radiative and mechanical energy budget of galaxies and probe a critical phase in the evolution of massive stars prior to core collapse. It is not known whether core He-burning WR stars (classical WR; cWR) form predominantly through wind stripping (w-WR) or binary stripping (b-WR). Whereas spectroscopy of WR binaries has so-far largely been avoided because of its complexity, our study focuses on the 44 WR binaries and binary candidates of the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC; metallicity Z approximate to 0.5 Z(circle dot)), which were identified on the basis of radial velocity variations, composite spectra, or high X-ray luminosities. Aims. Relying on a diverse spectroscopic database, we aim to derive the physical and orbital parameters of our targets, confronting evolution models of evolved massive stars at subsolar metallicity and constraining the impact of binary interaction in forming these stars. Methods. Spectroscopy was performed using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet (PoWR) code and cross-correlation techniques. Disentanglement was performed using the code Spectangular or the shift-and-add algorithm. Evolutionary status was interpreted using the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis (BPASS) code, exploring binary interaction and chemically homogeneous evolution. Results. Among our sample, 28/44 objects show composite spectra and are analyzed as such. An additional five targets show periodically moving WR primaries but no detected companions (SB1); two (BAT99 99 and 112) are potential WR + compact-object candidates owing to their high X-ray luminosities. We cannot confirm the binary nature of the remaining 11 candidates. About two-thirds of the WN components in binaries are identified as cWR, and one-third as hydrogen-burning WR stars. We establish metallicity-dependent mass-loss recipes, which broadly agree with those recently derived for single WN stars, and in which so-called WN3/O3 stars are clear outliers. We estimate that 45 +/- 30\% of the cWR stars in our sample have interacted with a companion via mass transfer. However, only approximate to 12 +/- 7\% of the cWR stars in our sample naively appear to have formed purely owing to stripping via a companion (12\% b-WR). Assuming that apparently single WR stars truly formed as single stars, this comprises approximate to 4\% of the whole LMC WN population, which is about ten times less than expected. No obvious differences in the properties of single and binary WN stars, whose luminosities extend down to log L approximate to 5.2 [L-circle dot], are apparent. With the exception of a few systems (BAT99 19, 49, and 103), the equatorial rotational velocities of the OB-type companions are moderate (v(eq) less than or similar to 250 km s(-1)) and challenge standard formalisms of angular-momentum accretion. For most objects, chemically homogeneous evolution can be rejected for the secondary, but not for the WR progenitor. Conclusions. No obvious dichotomy in the locations of apparently single and binary WN stars on the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram is apparent. According to commonly used stellar evolution models (BPASS, Geneva), most apparently single WN stars could not have formed as single stars, implying that they were stripped by an undetected companion. Otherwise, it must follow that pre-WR mass-loss/mixing (e.g., during the red supergiant phase) are strongly underestimated in standard stellar evolution models.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarHainichTodtetal.2018, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Hainich, Rainer and Todt, Helge Tobias and Moffat, Anthony F. J. and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Oskinova, Lidia M. and Ramachandran, Varsha and Munoz, M. and Pablo, H. and Sana, Hugues and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {The shortest-period Wolf-Rayet binary in the small magellanic cloud}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {616}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201833006}, pages = {15}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Context. SMC AB6 is the shortest-period (P = 6.5 d) Wolf-Rayet (WR) binary in the Small Magellanic Cloud. This binary is therefore a key system in the study of binary interaction and formation of WR stars at low metallicity. The WR component in AB6 was previously found to be very luminous (log L = 6.3 [L-circle dot]) compared to its reported orbital mass (approximate to 8 M-circle dot), placing it significantly above the Eddington limit. Aims. Through spectroscopy and orbital analysis of newly acquired optical data taken with the Ultraviolet and Visual Echelle Spectrograph (UVES), we aim to understand the peculiar results reported for this system and explore its evolutionary history. Methods. We measured radial velocities via cross-correlation and performed a spectral analysis using the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet model atmosphere code. The evolution of the system was analyzed using the Binary Population and Spectral Synthesis evolution code. Results. AB6 contains at least four stars. The 6.5 d period WR binary comprises the WR primary (WN3:h, star A) and a rather rapidly rotating (v(eq) = 265 km s(-1)) early O-type companion (O5.5 V, star B). Static N III and N IV emission lines and absorption signatures in He lines suggest the presence of an early-type emission line star (O5.5 I(f), star C). Finally, narrow absorption lines portraying a long-term radial velocity variation show the existence of a fourth star (O7.5 V, star D). Star D appears to form a second 140 d period binary together with a fifth stellar member, which is a B-type dwarf or a black hole. It is not clear that these additional components are bound to the WR binary. We derive a mass ratio of M-O/M-WR = 2.2 +/- 0.1. The WR star is found to be less luminous than previously thought (log L = 5.9 [L-circle dot]) and, adopting M-O = 41 M-circle dot for star B, more massive (M-WR = 18 M-circle dot). Correspondingly, the WR star does not exceed the Eddington limit. We derive the initial masses of M-i,M-WR = 60 M-circle dot and M-i,M-O = 40 M-circle dot and an age of 3.9 Myr for the system. The WR binary likely experienced nonconservative mass transfer in the past supported by the relatively rapid rotation of star B. Conclusions. Our study shows that AB6 is a multiple - probably quintuple - system. This finding resolves the previously reported puzzle of the WR primary exceeding the Eddington limit and suggests that the WR star exchanged mass with its companion in the past.}, language = {en} } @article{ShenarRichardsonSablowskietal.2017, author = {Shenar, Tomer and Richardson, N. D. and Sablowski, Daniel P. and Hainich, Rainer and Sana, H. and Moffat, A. F. J. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer and Oskinova, Lidia M. and Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and Tramper, Frank and Langer, Norbert and Bonanos, Alceste Z. and de Mink, Selma E. and Gr{\"a}fener, G. and Crowther, Paul and Vink, J. S. and Almeida, Leonardo A. and de Koter, A. and Barb{\´a}, Rodolfo and Herrero, A. and Ulaczyk, Krzysztof}, title = {The tarantula massive binary monitoring}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {598}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201629621}, pages = {16}, year = {2017}, abstract = {We present the first SB2 orbital solution and disentanglement of the massive Wolf-Rayet binary R145 (P = 159 d) located in the Large Magellanic Cloud. The primary was claimed to have a stellar mass greater than 300 M-circle dot, making it a candidate for being the most massive star known to date. While the primary is a known late-type, H-rich Wolf-Rayet star (WN6h), the secondary has so far not been unambiguously detected. Using moderate-resolution spectra, we are able to derive accurate radial velocities for both components. By performing simultaneous orbital and polarimetric analyses, we derive the complete set of orbital parameters, including the inclination. The spectra are disentangled and spectroscopically analyzed, and an analysis of the wind-wind collision zone is conducted. The disentangled spectra and our models are consistent with a WN6h type for the primary and suggest that the secondary is an O3.5 If*/WN7 type star. We derive a high eccentricity of e = 0 : 78 and minimum masses of M-1 sin(3) i approximate to M-2 sin(3) i = 13 +/- 2 M-circle dot, with q = M-2/M-1 = 1.01 +/- 0.07. An analysis of emission excess stemming from a wind-wind collision yields an inclination similar to that obtained from polarimetry (i = 39 +/- 6 degrees). Our analysis thus implies M-1 = 53(-20)(+40) and M2 = 54(-20)(+40) M-circle dot, excluding M-1 > 300 M-circle dot. A detailed comparison with evolution tracks calculated for single and binary stars together with the high eccentricity suggests that the components of the system underwent quasi-homogeneous evolution and avoided mass-transfer. This scenario would suggest current masses of approximate to 80 M-circle dot and initial masses of M-i,M-1 approximate to 10(5) and M-i,M-2 approximate to 90 M-circle dot, consistent with the upper limits of our derived orbital masses, and would imply an age of approximate to 2.2 Myr.}, language = {en} } @article{SanderFuerstKretschmaretal.2018, author = {Sander, Andreas Alexander Christoph and F{\"u}rst, F. and Kretschmar, P. and Oskinova, Lidia M. and Todt, Helge Tobias and Hainich, Rainer and Shenar, Tomer and Hamann, Wolf-Rainer}, title = {Coupling hydrodynamics with comoving frame radiative transfer}, series = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, volume = {610}, journal = {Astronomy and astrophysics : an international weekly journal}, publisher = {EDP Sciences}, address = {Les Ulis}, issn = {1432-0746}, doi = {10.1051/0004-6361/201731575}, pages = {19}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Aims. To gain a realistic picture of the donor star in Vela X-1, we constructed a hydrodynamically consistent atmosphere model describing the wind stratification while properly reproducing the observed donor spectrum. To investigate how X-ray illumination affects the stellar wind, we calculated additional models for different X-ray luminosity regimes. Methods. We used the recently updated version of the Potsdam Wolf-Rayet code to consistently solve the hydrodynamic equation together with the statistical equations and the radiative transfer. Results. The wind flow in Vela X-1 is driven by ions from various elements, with Fe III and S III leading in the outer wind. The model-predicted mass-loss rate is in line with earlier empirical studies. The mass-loss rate is almost unaffected by the presence of the accreting NS in the wind. The terminal wind velocity is confirmed at u(infinity) approximate to 600 km s(-1). On the other hand, the wind velocity in the inner region where the NS is located is only approximate to 100 km s(-1), which is not expected on the basis of a standard beta-velocity law. In models with an enhanced level of X-rays, the velocity field in the outer wind can be altered. If the X-ray flux is too high, the acceleration breaks down because the ionization increases. Conclusions. Accounting for radiation hydrodynamics, our Vela X-1 donor atmosphere model reveals a low wind speed at the NS location, and it provides quantitative information on wind driving in this important HMXB.}, language = {en} }