Accretion and pulsation of IU Per based on INTEGRAL and ground base photometry

IU Persei (IU Per) is an eclipsing semi detached (SD) binary with pulsating component (oscillating eclipsing Algol - oEA). Using our ground base photometry in Johnson's B and V filters and INTEGRAL/OMC (Optical Monitoring Camera) data in V filter we introduce the model of this system. We determined the (O - C) diagram behavior. Moreover, the short term variations of the light curve were detected. Whats more, we obtained residua, by comparison of observational and synthetic light curves (LC), of which the detailed period analysis enabled to characterize and localize their source, that can be explained as the pulsation activity of the primary component. The secondary, less massive component, is beyond the instability belt on H-R diagram and fulfills its Roche lobe. The accreting primary component pulsates in modes typical for the δ Scuti stars.

A study of L-dependent Pc3 pulsations observed by low Earth orbiting CHAMP satellite

Field line resonances (FLR) driven by compressional waves are an important mechanism for the generation of ULF geomagnetic pulsations observed at all latitudes during local daytime. References to observations of toroidal standing Alfvén mode oscillations with clearly L-dependent frequencies from spacecraft in the outer magnetosphere for L>3 are limited in the literature. Such observations in the inner magnetosphere for L<3 have not yet been reported in the literature. This study offers two interesting case studies of observations of ULF waves by the low Earth orbiting CHAMP satellite. The magnetic field measurements from CHAMP, which are of unprecedented accuracy and resolution, are compared to Hermanus magnetometer data for times when CHAMP crosses the ground station L-shell, namely for 13 February 2002 and 18 February 2003. The data were analysed for Pc3 pulsation activity using the Maximum Entropy Spectral Analysis (MESA) method to visualise FLRs in the vector magnetometer data. For the first time observations of Pc3 toroidal oscillations with clearly L-dependent frequencies for lower L-shell values (L<3) observed by an LEO satellite are reported. These observations show FLR frequencies increasing as a function of decreasing latitude down to L=1.6 and then decreasing as a result of the larger plasma density of the upper ionosphere. The L-dependent frequency oscillations were observed in the presence of a broadband compressional wave spectrum. Our observations thus confirm the well-known magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) wave theoretical prediction of a compressional wave being the driver of the field line resonance.

ULF geomagnetic pulsations at different latitudes in Antarctica

We present a study aimed to characterize the ULF (1–100 mHz) geomagnetic pulsation activity in the polar cap at different latitudes. We used magnetic measurements obtained through 2005–2007 in Antarctica, at Dome C (89° S corrected geomagnetic latitude) and at Terra Nova Bay (80° S corrected geomagnetic latitude). The results indicate a solar wind control of the wave activity, more important at larger distances from the cusp, as well as a significant role of the local ionospheric conditions. The different position of the two stations, with respect to the cusp and closed field lines, is responsible for the observed different pulsation characteristics. At Terra Nova Bay, due to the approaching of the station to the cusp and closed field lines in the daytime, the ULF power is characterized by a maximum around noon; daytime pulsation events in the Pc5 frequency band are related to the fundamental field line resonances occurring at lower latitudes, while higher harmonics of the fundamental may account for the characteristics of Pc3–4 pulsations. In the nighttime, at Pc3 frequencies, the results suggest waves propagating sunward, possibly due to the transmission of upstream waves from the magnetosheath via the magnetotail lobes. At Dome C, near the geomagnetic pole and very far from closed field lines, the ULF power in any frequency band only shows an enhancement in the postmidnight sector, more pronounced for Pc3 pulsations. The ULF activity appears to be driven by processes occurring in the magnetotail: in particular, nighttime Pc3 pulsation events may be originated from upstream wave penetration through the magnetotail lobes.

ULF fluctuations of the geomagnetic field and ionospheric sounding measurements at low latitudes during the first CAWSES campaign

We present an analysis of ULF geomagnetic field fluctuations at low latitudes during the first CAWSES campaign (29 March-3 April 2004). During the whole campaign, mainly in the prenoon sector, a moderate Pc3-4 pulsation activity is observed, clearly related to interplanetary upstream waves. On 3 April, in correspondence to the Earth's arrival of a coronal mass ejection, two SIs are observed whose waveforms are indicative of a contribution of the high-latitude ionospheric currents to the low-latitude ground field. During the following geomagnetic storm, low frequency (Pc5) waves are observed at discrete frequencies. Their correspondence with the same frequencies detected in the radial components of the interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind speed suggests that Alfvénic solar wind fluctuations may act as direct drivers of magnetospheric fluctuations. A cross-phase analysis, using different pairs of stations, is also presented for identifying field line resonant frequencies and monitoring changes in plasmaspheric mass density. Lastly, an analysis of ionospheric vertical soundings, measured at the Rome ionosonde station (41.8° N, 12.5° E), and vertical TEC measurements deduced from GPS signals within an European network shows the relation between the ULF resonances in the inner magnetosphere and thermal plasma density variations during geomagnetically quiet conditions, in contrast to various storm phases at the end of the CAWSES campaign.

A study of Pc-5 ULF oscillations

A study of Pc-5 magnetic pulsations using data from the Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) was carried out. Three-component dynamic magnetic field spectrograms have been used to survey ULF pulsation activity for the approximate fourteen month lifetime of CRRES. Two-hour panels of dynamic spectra were examined to find events which fall into two basic categories: 1) toroidal modes (fundamental and harmonic resonances) and 2) poloidal modes, which include compressional oscillations. The occurence rates were determined as a function of L value and local time. The main result is a comparable probability of occurence of toroidal mode oscillations on the dawn and dusk sides of the magnetosphere inside geosynchronous orbit, while poloidal mode oscillations occur predominantly along the dusk side, consistent with high azimuthal mode number excitation by ring current ions. Pc-5 pulsations following Storm Sudden Commencements (SSCs) were examined separately. The spatial distribution of modes for the SSC events was consistent with the statistical study for the lifetime of CRRES. The toroidal fundamental (and harmonic) resonances are the dominant mode seen on the dawn-side of the magnetosphere following SSCs. Power is mixed in all three components. In the 21 dusk side SSC events there were only a few examples of purely compressional (two) or radial (one) power in the CRRES study, a few more examples of purely toroidal modes (six), with all three components predominant in about half (ten) of the events. Key words. Magnetospheric physics (MHD waves and instabilities; magnetospheric configuration and dynamics) – Space plasma physics (waves and instabilities)