Alisson Dal Lago

The spatial density gradient of galactic cosmic rays and its solar cycle variation observed with the Global Muon Detector Network

We derive the long-term variation of the three-dimensional (3D) anisotropy of approximately 60 GV galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) from the data observed with the Global Muon Detector Network (GMDN) on an hourly basis and compare it with the variation deduced from a conventional analysis of the data recorded by a single muon detector at Nagoya in Japan. The conventional analysis uses a north-south (NS) component responsive to slightly higher rigidity (approximately 80 GV) GCRs and an ecliptic component responsive to the same rigidity as the GMDN. In contrast, the GMDN provides all components at the same rigidity simultaneously. It is confirmed that the temporal variations of the 3D anisotropy vectors including the NS component derived from two analyses are fairly consistent with each other as far as the yearly mean value is concerned. We particularly compare the NS anisotropies deduced from two analyses statistically by analyzing the distributions of the NS anisotropy on hourly and daily bases. It is found that the hourly mean NS anisotropy observed by Nagoya shows a larger spread than the daily mean due to the local time-dependent contribution from the ecliptic anisotropy. The NS anisotropy derived from the GMDN, on the other hand, shows similar distribution on both the daily and hourly bases, indicating that the NS anisotropy is successfully observed by the GMDN, free from the contribution of the ecliptic anisotropy. By analyzing the NS anisotropy deduced from neutron monitor (NM) data responding to lower rigidity (approximately 17 GV) GCRs, we qualitatively confirm the rigidity dependence of the NS anisotropy in which the GMDN has an intermediate rigidity response between NMs and Nagoya. From the 3D anisotropy vector (corrected for the solar wind convection and the Compton-Getting effect arising from the Earth’s orbital motion around the Sun), we deduce the variation of each modulation parameter, i.e., the radial and latitudinal density gradients and the parallel mean free path for the pitch angle scattering of GCRs in the turbulent interplanetary magnetic field. We show the derived density gradient and mean free path varying with the solar activity and magnetic cycles.

CORONAL MASS EJECTION DYNAMICS REGARDING RADIAL AND EXPANSION SPEEDS

A new technique for the detection of coronal mass ejection (CME) speeds using image processing was applied. This technique permits us to determine the CME dynamics: radial and expansion distances, velocities, and accelerations. The CME dynamics is determined by the selection of a radial direction in a given Large Angle and Spectroscopic Coronagraph image, which starts just before the occulter (close to the center) and extends to the extremity of the image. By taking a series of images and extracting the same radial direction, it is possible to have a time history of any moving feature along this direction. This technique allows us to choose the number of directions that is used in the CME detection to determine its dynamics. This paper presents the results for the dynamical features (radial and expansion) of five CME events observed on 1999 February 5, 2001 February 2, 2002 March 1, 2003 December 2, and 2007 December 31.

MULTITAPER SPECTRAL ANALYSIS OF COSMIC RAYS S ˜ AO MARTINHO DA SERRA'S MUON TELESCOPE AND NEWARK'S NEUTRON MONITOR DATA

In this work we present an analysis on the correction efficiency of atmospheric effects on cosmic ray S ˜ ao Martinho da Serras muon telescope and Newarks neutron monitor data. We use a Multitaper spectral analysis of cosmic rays time series to show the main periodicities present in the corrected and uncorrected data for the atmospheric effects. This kind of correction is very important when intends to study cosmic rays variations of extra-terrestrial origin.

Classification of Magnetospheric Particle Distributions Via Neural Networks

Abstract In this chapter we introduce a special kind of neural network known as a self-organizing map (SOM) and use it to cluster/classify pitch angle-resolved particle flux data obtained by instruments onboard satellites orbiting the Earth. As an example of the technique, we employ electron flux data at both relativistic and subrelativistic energies provided by two instruments onboard one of the twin NASA’s Van Allen Probes. For these data sets the SOM can identify the shapes of three well-known types of pitch angle distributions, and from that knowledge one can infer the associated physical mechanisms in the near-Earth space environment, particularly in the Van Allen radiation belts region. The SOM-based methodology can be used with multiplatform spacecraft data, thus enabling a prompt characterization of the physical processes throughout the Earth’s magnetosphere. The steps required to apply our neural network-based approach to pitch angle-resolved particle flux data from any spacecraft mission are laid out.

Evolution of the Active Region NOAA 12443 based on magnetic field extrapolations: preliminary results

The behavior of Active Regions (ARs) is directly related to the occurrence of some remarkable phenomena in the Sun such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections (CME). In this sense, changes in the magnetic field of the region can be used to uncover other relevant features like the evolution of the ARs magnetic structure and the plasma flow related to it. In this work we describe the evolution of the magnetic structure of the active region AR NOAA12443 observed from 2015/10/30 to 2015/11/10, which may be associated with several X-ray flares of classes C and M. The analysis is based on observations of the solar surface and atmosphere provided by HMI and AIA instruments on board of the SDO spacecraft. In order to investigate the magnetic energy buildup and release of the ARs, we shall employ potential and linear force free extrapolations based on the solar surface magnetic field distribution and the photospheric velocity fields.

Deriving the solar activity cycle modulation on cosmic ray intensity observed by Nagoya muon detector from October 1970 until December 2012

It is well known that the cosmic ray intensity observed at the Earths surface presents an 11 and 22-yr variations associated with the solar activity cycle. However, the observation and analysis of this modulation through ground muon detectors data is make difficult due to the temperature effect. Furthermore, detector electronic changes or temporary problems may difficult the analysis of these variations. In this work, we analyze the cosmic ray intensity observed since October 1970 until December 2012 by the Nagoya muon detector. We show the results obtained after analyzing all discontinuities and gaps present in this data and removing changes not related to natural phenomena. We also show the results found using the mass weighted method for eliminate the influence of atmospheric temperature changes on muon intensity observed at ground. Furthermore, we show the preliminary results of the analysis of the solar cycle modulation on the muon intensity observed for more than 40 years.

Average features of the interplanetary shock observed with the Global Muon Detector Network (GMDN)

From three-dimensional spatial density gradient of galactic cosmic rays (GCRs) observed with the Global Muon Detector Network (GMDN), we derive average features of the GCR depleted region behind the IP (interplanetary) shock. We identify 207 IP-shocks that passed the earth based on the geomagnetic storm sudden commencements (SSCs) and extract 50 events that are associated with solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs) in a period between 2006 and 2014. From the first order GCR anisotropy corrected for the solar wind convection and Compton-Getting effect arising from the earth’s orbital motion, we deduce the density gradient on an hourly basis for each event. We then derive the average temporal variation of the density gradient by superposing its variations at the SSC onset timing. We confirm that the density gradient components are clearly enhanced after the shock passage, indicating the existence of GCR depleted region behind the shock which causes the Forbush Decrease in the cosmic ray intensity. The enhancement of the radial gradient shows longer duration when the earth has encountered the western flank of the shock, implying an asymmetric shielding effect of the shock on the GCRs. The longitudinal gradient, on the other hand, shows that the GCR density minimum is located around the longitudinal center behind the shock, which can be ascribed to the centered ejecta driving IP-shock.

Multi-spacecraft observations to study the shock extension in the inner heliosphere

The two Helios probes traveled at variable longitudinal and radial separations through the inner heliosphere. They collected most valuable high resolution plasma and magnetic field data for an entire solar cycle. The mission is still so successful that no other missions will collect the same kind of data in the next 20 years. One of the subjects studied after the success of the Helios mission was the identification of more than 390 shock waves driven by Interplanetary Coronal Mass Ejections (ICMEs). Combining the data from both probes, we make a statistical study for the extension of the shock waves in the interplanetary medium. For longitudinal separations of 90◦ we found a cutoff value at this angular separation. A shock has 50% of chance to be observed by both probes and the same probability for not being observed by two spacecrafts at the same time, when the angle between them is around 90◦. We describe the dependence of the probability for shocks to be observed by both probes with decreasing spacecraft separation. Including plasma data from the ISEE-3 and IMP-8 spacecrafts improves our statistical evaluation substantially.

Analysis of geomagnetic storm variations and count-rate of cosmic ray muons recorded at the Brazilian southern space observatory

An analysis of geomagnetic storm variations and the count rate of cosmic ray muons recorded at the Brazilian Southern Space Observatory - OES/CRS/INPE-MCT, in SMartinho da Serra, RS during the month of November 2004, is presented in this paper. The geomagnetic measurements are done by a three component low noise fluxgate magnetometer and the count rates of cosmic ray muons are recorded by a Muon Scintilator Telescope - MST, both instruments installed at the Observatory. The fluxgate magnetometer measures variations in the three orthogonal components of Earth magnetic field, H (North-South), D (East-West) and Z (Vertical), with data sampling rate of 0.5 Hz. The Muon Scintilator Telescope records hourly count rates. The arrival of a solar disturbance can be identified by observing the decrease in the muon count rate. The goal of this work is to describe the physical morphology and phenomenology observed during the geomagnetic storm of November 2004, using the H component of the geomagnetic field and vertical channel V of the multi-directional muon detector in South of Brazil.