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The paper considers the classification of solar wind streams in magnetohydrodynamic parameters (MHD-types); combinations of proton speed, density, temperature, and magnetic field strength, in addition to the classical solar wind separation into high-speed streams from coronal holes, transient streams of coronal mass ejections, and the slow solar wind from the streamer belt. Two classifications of solar wind properties were compared for the events in August 2010 and May 2011, when one could observe the interaction of two coronal mass ejections and a coronal mass ejection with a high-speed solar wind stream from the coronal hole, respectively. It is shown that the classical description of a large-scale structure of wind streams (the ion wind composition especially) in scales of hours and days allows one to determine the type and source of streams, whereas the MHD-parameters allow one to more accurately describe the small-scale structure (in minutes), especially in the cases of several streams interaction in the heliosphere. The detailed study of a small-scale structure of stream interaction regions provides the information required for developing MHD-models describing the processes of propagation and interaction of streams in the heliosphere and for predicting their geoefficiency.

We have considered the possible causes of discrepancies between the predicted and observed at 1 AU parameters of the recurrent solar wind (SW) streams in the maximum of the 24th solar cycle. These discrepancies have been observed in both the SW velocity profile and the SW stream arrival time, as well as in the absence of the expected high-speed SW stream. The degree of discrepancy depends on the model used for the SW prediction; however, in some cases, different prediction methods provide a similar discrepancy with the observed SW parameters at 1 AU. For several cases, we show that the probable cause of the discrepancies can be a deflection of the high-speed SW stream from the radial direction due to the interaction with the transient SW streams at certain configuration of the magnetic fields of high-speed and transient SW sources in the solar corona.

This paper addresses the problem of the solar wind behaviour during the Maunder minimum. Records on plasma tails of comets can shed light on the physical parameters of the solar wind in the past. We analyse descriptions and drawings of comets between the eleventh and eighteenth century. To distinguish between dust and plasma tails, we address their colour, shape, and orientation. Based on the calculations made by F.A. Bredikhin, we found that cometary tails deviate from the antisolar direction on average by more than $10^{\circ }$, which is typical for dust tails. We also examined the catalogues of Hevelius and Lubieniecki. The first indication of a plasma tail was revealed only for the great comet C/1769 P1.

We analyzed statistics, solar sources and properties of interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs) in the solar wind. In comparison with the first eight years of Cycle 23, during the same period of Cycle 24 the yearly numbers of ICMEs were less correlated with the flare numbers (0.68 vs 0.78) and sunspot numbers (0.66 vs 0.81), whereas the ICME correlation with coronal mass ejections (CMEs) was higher (0.77 vs 0.70). For the period January 2010 -- August 2011, we identified solar sources of the ICMEs included in the Richardson and Cane list. The solar sources of ICME were determined from coronagraph observations of the Earth-directed CMEs supplemented by modeling of their propagation in the heliosphere using the kinematic models and the WSA Enlil Cone MHD-based model. A detailed analysis of the ICME solar sources in the period under study showed that in 11 cases out of 23 the observed ICME might be associated with two or more sources. In cases of multiple-source events, the resulting solar wind disturbances may be described as complex (merged) structures occurred due to the stream interactions with properties depending on the type of participating streams. As a reliable marker for identification of interacting streams and their sources, we used the plasma ion composition, as it becomes frozen in the low corona and remains unchanged in the heliosphere. According to the ion composition signatures, we classified these cases into three types: complex ejecta originating from weak and strong CME-CME interactions, as well as merged interaction regions originating from the CME-high-speed stream interactions. We described temporal profiles of the ion composition for the single-source and multi-source solar wind structures and compared them with the ICME signatures determined from the kinematic and magnetic field parameters of the solar wind., 27 pages, 6 figures

The most powerful coronal mass ejection of the 24th solar cycle took place on the opposite side of the Sun on July 23, 2012 and had no geomagnetic consequences. Nevertheless, as a result of passing of the ejection through the heliosphere, variations of galactic cosmic rays flux were observed on the Earth. These variations were registered by the muon hodoscope URAGAN (MEPhI, Moscow). Muon flux angular distributions on the Earth’s surface are reported and analyzed.

This work is a continuation of our previous articles (Yermolaev et al. in J. Geophys. Res. 120, 7094, 2015; Yermolaev et al. in Solar Phys. 292, 193, 2017; Yermolaev et al. in Solar Phys. 293, 91, 2018), which describe the average temporal profiles of interplanetary plasma and field parameters in large-scale solar-wind (SW) streams: corotating interaction regions (CIRs), interplanetary coronal mass ejections (ICMEs including both magnetic clouds (MCs) and ejecta), and sheaths as well as interplanetary shocks (ISs). In this work we analyze the average profile of helium abundance N{\alpha}/Np for interval of 1976-2016. Our results confirm main early obtained results: N{\alpha}/Np is higher in quasi-stationary fast streams than in slow ones; it slowly changes in compression regions CIRs and Sheaths from values in undisturbed solar wind to values in corresponding type of piston (HSS or ICME); in Ejecta it is closed to abundance in undisturbed streams and it is maximal in MCs. We obtained for first time that N{\alpha}/Np correlates with plasma {\beta}-parameter in compression regions CIRs and Sheaths and anti-correlates in ICMEs. The N{\alpha}/Np vs. {\beta} dependence is stronger in MCs than in Ejecta and may be used as an indicator of conditions in CME formation place on the Sun., Comment: 12 pages, 6 figures, calculations for new OMNI2 dataset version (without ACE helium measurements), results unchanged

We investigate the case of disagreement between predicted and observed in-situ parameters of the recurrent high-speed solar wind streams (HSSs) existing for Carrington rotation (CR) 2118 (December 2011) in comparison with CRs 2117 and 2119. The HSSs originated at the Sun from a recurrent polar coronal hole (CH) expanding to mid-latitudes, and its area in the central part of the solar disk increased with the rotation number. This part of the CH was responsible for the equatorial flank of the HSS directed to the Earth. The time and speed of arrival for this part of the HSS to the Earth were predicted by the hierarchical empirical model based on EUV-imaging and the Wang-Sheeley-Arge ENLIL semi-empirical replace model and compared with the parameters measured in-situ by model. The predicted parameters were compared with those measured in-situ. It was found, that for CR 2117 and CR 2119, the predicted HSS speed values agreed with the measured ones within the typical accuracy of ±100 km s−1. During CR 2118, the measured speed was on 217 km s−1 less than the value predicted in accordance with the increased area of the CH. We suppose that at CR 2118, the HSS overtook and interacted with complex ejecta formed from three merged coronal mass ejections (CMEs) with a mean speed about 400 km s−1. According to simulations of the Drag-based model, this complex ejecta might be created by several CMEs starting from the Sun in the period between 25 and 27 December 2011 and arriving to the Earth simultaneously with the HSS. Due to its higher density and magnetic field strength, the complex ejecta became an obstacle for the equatorial flank of the HSS and slowed it down. During CR 2117 and CR 2119, the CMEs appeared before the arrival of the HSSs, so the CMEs did not influence on the HSSs kinematics.

We present study of the complex event consisting of several solar wind transients detected by Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE) on 4 -- 7 August 2011, that caused a geomagnetic storm with Dst$=-$110 nT. The supposed coronal sources -- three flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) occurred on 2 -- 4 August 2011 in the active region (AR) 11261. To investigate the solar origin and formation of these transients we studied kinematic and thermodynamic properties of the expanding coronal structures using the Solar Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (SDO/AIA) EUV images and the differential emission measure (DEM) diagnostics. The Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) magnetic field maps were used as the input data for the 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model to describe the flux rope ejection. We characterize the early phase of the flux rope ejection in the corona, where the usual three-component CME structure formed. The flux rope ejected with a speed of about 200~km~s$^{-1}$ to the height of 0.25~R$_{\odot}$. The kinematics of the modeled CME front agrees well with the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) EUV measurements. Using the results of the plasma diagnostics and MHD modeling, we calculated the ion charge ratios of carbon and oxygen as well as the mean charge state of iron ions of the 2 August 2011 CME, taking into account the processes of heating, cooling, expansion, ionization, and recombination of the moving plasma in the corona up to the frozen-in region. We estimated a probable heating rate of the CME plasma in the low corona by matching the calculated ion composition parameters of the CME with those measured in situ for the solar wind transients. We also consider the similarities and discrepancies between the results of the MHD simulation and the observations., Comment: Title and abstract changed, figure 4c modified, figures' and tables' captions changed, Equations 5-7 modified, proofread was made, text revised (p.2,3,4,5,7,8,24,26). The final publication is available at Springer

A retrospective study of the asymmetry in the ionosphere during the solstices is made using the different geospace parameters in the North and South magnetic hemispheres. Data of total electron content (TEC) and global electron content (GEC) produced from global ionospheric maps, GIM-TEC for 1999–2013, the ionospheric electron content (IEC) measured by TOPEX-Jason 1 and 2 satellites for 2001–2012, the F2 layer critical frequency and peak height measured on board ISIS 1, ISIS 2, and IK19 satellites during 1969–1982, and the earthquakes M5+ occurrences for 1999–2013 are analyzed. Annual asymmetry is observed with GEC and IEC for the years of observation with asymmetry index, AI, showing January > July excess from 0.02 to 0.25. The coincident pattern of January-to-July asymmetry ratio of TEC and IEC colocated along the magnetic longitude sector of 270° ± 5°E in the Pacific Ocean is obtained varying with local time and magnetic latitude. The sea/land differences in the F2 layer peak electron density, NmF2, and the peak height, hmF2, gathered with topside sounding data exhibit tilted ionosphere along the seashores with denser electron population at greater peak heights over the sea. The topside peak electron density NmF2, TEC, IEC, and the hemisphere part of GEC are dominant in the South hemisphere which resembles the pattern for seismic activity with dominant earthquake occurrence in the South magnetic hemisphere. Though the study is made for the hemispheric and annual asymmetry during solstices in the ionosphere, the conclusions seem valid for other aspects of seismic-ionospheric associations with tectonic plate boundaries representing zones of enhanced risk for space weather.

The Global Electron Content, GEC, represents the total number of electrons in the spherical layer over the Earth restricted by orbit of Global Positioning Satellite system (20,200 km). GEC is produced from Global Ionospheric Map of Total Electron Content, GIM-TEC, transformed to the electron density varying with height using the International Reference Ionosphere and Plasmasphere model, IRI-Plas. The climatologic GEC model is developed from GIM-TEC maps for a period 1999–2012 including the solar activity, annual and semiannual cycles as the most important factors affecting daily GEC variation. The proxy Rzp of the international sunspot numbers, Ri, is used as a measure of solar activity composed of 3 day smoothed Ri, 7 day and 81 day backwards mean of Ri scaled to the range of 1–40 proxy units, p.u. The root mean square error of the GEC climatologic model is found to vary from 8% to 13% of GEC. Taking advantage of a long history of sunspot numbers, the climatologic GEC model is applied for GEC reconstruction backwards in time for more than 160 years ago since 1850. The extended set of GEC values provides the numerical representation of the ionosphere and plasmasphere electron content coherent with variations of solar activity as a potential proxy index driving the ionosphere models.

Dynamics of the dayside magnetosphere and proton radiation belt was analyzed during unusual magnetic storm on 21 January 2005. We have found that during the storm from 1712 to 2400 UT, the subsolar magnetopause was continuously located inside geosynchronous orbit due to strong compression. The compression was found to be extremely strong from 1846 to 2035 UT when the dense plasma of fast erupting filament produced the solar wind dynamic pressure Pd peaked up to >100 nPa and, in the first time, the upstream solar wind was observed at geosynchronous orbit during almost 2 hours. Under the extreme compression, the outer magnetosphere at L > 5 was pushed inward and the outer radiation belt particles with energies of several tens of keV moved earthward, became adiabatically accelerated and accumulated in the inner magnetosphere at L 20%, which is well appropriate for erupting filaments and which is in agreement with the upper 27% threshold for the He/H ratio obtained from Cluster measurements.

[1] Detailed tracing of an exhaust plume from a rocket's initial trajectory is a scientifically and diagnostically useful technique. It can provide detailed information on the atmosphere's mean winds, wind shears, turbulent regime, and physical state over a wide altitude range from 50 to 200 km. We analyze Soyuz rocket exhaust plumes from Plesetsk on 21 May 2009 and 27 June 2011, which uncovered significantly different atmospheric states and underlying dynamics. The first case showed highly dynamical conditions in the mesosphere, characterized by vortex structures, wind shears, and small-scale turbulent eddies. The estimated turbulent energy dissipation rates ranged 330–460 mW kg−1. A characteristic balloon-shaped trail was observed at altitudes between 105 and 160 km, having rapid expansion rates of 500–800 m s−1 over the time period of 2 min which can be explained by complex gas dynamic processes in the rocket wake involving the collision of shock waves. In the second case, we show evidence that the rocket exhaust trail persisted without any changes during its motion from Plesetsk via Denmark to the UK for 9 h, indicating extremely stable atmospheric conditions. This case introduces a new state of the summer mesosphere—remarkably quiet conditions, probably never observed before. The rocket plumes studied, related to the initial rocket trajectory, are essentially twilight phenomena as seen from the ground using wideband spectrum cameras, that is, the Sun should be below the horizon by 6°. For the first time, we analyze the dynamics of rocket exhaust products at the initial trajectory in the mesosphere and lower thermosphere using detailed photographic imaging taken from the ground.

Charged particle fluxes on the trajectory of future Russian space research mission to Jupiter and its satellite Europa are investigated. The existing experimental data and models of Jupiter’s main magnetic field and radiation belts are summarized. Preliminary results of computations of energetic particle fluxes and radiation doses for each stage of the flight are given. Special attention is paid to estimation of radiation conditions in Europa’s orbit and on its surface; influence of the satellite on spatial distribution of the fluxes of charged particles of various energies is studied.

Statistical studies of properties of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, based on an extended database for the period 1963–2007 including four solar cycles, show that the Gaussian approximation well suites for some parameters as the probability distribution of their numerical values, while for others the lognormal law is preferred. This paper gives an interpretation of these results as associated with predominance of linear or nonlinear processes in composition and interaction of various disturbances and irregularities propagating and originating in the interior of the Sun and its atmosphere, including the solar corona and the solar wind running away from it. Summation of independent random components of disturbances leads, according to the central limit theorem of the probability theory, to the normal (Gaussian) distributions of quantities proper, while their multiplication leads to the normal distributions of logarithms. Thus, one can discuss the algebra of events and associate observed statistical distinctions with one or another process of formation of irregularities in the solar wind. Among them there are impossible events (having null probability) and reliable events (occurring with 100% probability). For better understanding of the relationship between algebra and statistics of events in the solar wind further investigations are necessary.

Based on the results of plasma and magnetic measurements at three different points of the heliosphere and telescopic observations of the Sun from these points we study simultaneously high-speed streams (HSS) of the solar wind (SW) near the Earths’s orbit and coronal holes (CH) that have generated them. The data from spacecraft STEREO-A, STEREO-B, ACE, and SOHO are used together with ground-based observations from March 2007 to May 2008. In this period there existed HSS whose sources represented CH of various polarity, geometry, and location relative to the heliographic and heliomagnetic equators. Dependence of SW parameters on mutual positions of spacecraft with respect to CH and heliospheric current sheet, and also on heliolatitude and geometry of the CH is revealed. A difference of more than 5° in locations of spacecraft with respect to the heliospheric current sheet in November 2007 allowed us to discover a heliolatitude velocity gradient of the SW streams between the STEREO-A and STEREO-B spacecraft. On the average this gradient at that time was equal to 20 km/s per degree. Substantial variations in SW streams associated with variations of the HSS SW sources during a few hours or days were also observed. This variability makes it difficult to use the data of spacecraft STEREO-B for sufficiently accurate prediction of SW properties in the near-Earth space by the method of simple advanced ti me shift due to heliolongitude difference between a spacecraft and the Earth even in solar activity minimum.

We present and discuss here the first version of a data base of extreme solar and heliospheric events. The data base contains now 87 extreme events mostly since 1940. An event is classified as extreme if one of the three critical parameters passed a lower limit. The critical parameters were the X-ray flux (parameter R ), solar proton flux (parameter S ) and geomagnetic disturbance level (parameter G ). We find that the five strongest extreme events based on four variables (X-rays SEP, Dst, Ap) are completely separate except for the October 2003 event which is one the five most extreme events according to SEP, Dst and Ap. This underlines the special character of the October 2003 event, making it unique within 35 years. We also find that the events based on R and G are rather separate, indicating that the location of even extreme flares on the solar disk is important for geomagnetic effects. We also find that S = 3 events are not extreme in the same sense as R > 3 and G > 3 events, while S = 5 events are missing so far. This suggests that it might be useful to rescale the classification of SEP fluxes.

We briefly present the selected results obtained up to now by the Russian scientific groups regarding powerful solar ejections as main causes of large geomagnetic storms in the near-Earth space. Strongest perturbations on the Sun and in the near-Earth space responsible for large geomagnetic storms were well registered and analyzed during the 23rd solar cycle. Open issues and perspectives are discussed.

The character of statistical distributions of the intensity of energetic charged particles, solar wind flux, and the interplanetary magnetic field strength is analyzed using the data obtained by the Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 spacecraft in the distant heliosphere. A comparison of the distributions in the region of crossings of shock wave fronts in 1991 and in 2004 is carried out, and their similarities and differences are discussed.

Observations of the low solar corona in the extreme ultraviolet and in soft X-rays evidence a close relationship of coronal dimmings and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Dimmings are usually interpreted as places of plasma evacuation during a CME. We characterize a CME by the apparent angular extent of associated dimmings above the solar limb and define a global CME as a CME with the total apparent extent of limb dimmings of more than 180°. Several examples of global CMEs are discussed. All the global CMEs identified up to now are fast full-halo CMEs associated with X-class flares (if they originate on the front side of the Sun). We demonstrate that global CMEs involve an eruption of several magnetic flux systems distributed on a large spatial scale comparable to one-half of the solar disk (true angular width around 180°). We discuss possible interpretations of the global CME phenomenon and challenges it presents to CME modeling. Our results suggest a nonlocal nature of the CME eruption mechanism.

The paper presents the review of dimensionless parameters met in solar and heliospheric plasma physics. Kinetic and macroscopic regimes are delimited mainly by the values of large (small) Knudsen numbers correspondingly. The magneto-hydrodynamic (MHD) description with dissipation and radiation generates well-known parameters like Mach ( M ), Mach-Alfven ( M A ), Strouhal ( S ) and several other numbers. They play the important role and often used in literature, but others, like ‘velocity-emission’ ratios ( V e ), Trieste ( T ) and Faraday ( F ) numbers are still not so common and remain poorly evaluated quantities. We demonstrate several examples when these ‘new’ parameters, respectively, allow clear quantitative delimitation and classification of flare-like and CME-like events on the Sun, physically open and closed systems against the energy, momentum and mass transports in the case of quiescent and eruptive prominences, inductive and Coulomb dominated plasma regimes in electric and magnetic fields. Dimensionless scaling is very helpful in complicated turbulent situations, when the application of other analytical methods is difficult.

Absolutely calibrated telescopic observations of the Sun in white-light with a sufficiently high space–time resolution from space have not been regularly performed. They are needed to resolve several important problems in the solar physics. Contributions of different morphological features to the total solar irradiance variations in the broad range of time scales from seconds up to many years can be definitely established in this manner for the first time. The quantitative role of the white-light emission in the overall energy balance of flares and eruptions on the Sun can be evaluated. More adequate theoretical models of corresponding processes on the Sun can be constructed using this new data.

Theoretical aspects of the energetic ion motions in the magnetic dip between travelling heliospheric magnetic field perturbations and the termination boundaries of the heliosphere are considered. The group of ions under appropriate initial conditions perform here several bouncing oscillations and could be accelerated along the strongly inclined magnetic fields pointed nearly perpendicular to the radial direction. Accelerating ions are partially confined between the converging magnetic mirrors at the periphery of the heliosphere before escaping in the interstellar medium. We develop a tentative model of these Fermi-type processes which might be useful for the interpretation of recent Voyager 1, 2 observations. The model is capable to reproduce qualitatively the following observed features: (1) the reappearance of MeV proton increases several times during 2000–2004 at both spacecraft because of the solar and heliospheric magnetic field “breathing” due to variations of the solar activity; (2) the time delays between corresponding Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 increases for 3–4 months due to the solar wind propagation; (3) the moderate anisotropy of MeV ion fluxes directed mainly along the magnetic field spirals away from the Sun; (4) the possibility of stronger increases of MeV fluxes at larger heliospheric distances, as was observed in 2003 and 2004, due to the combination of the local acceleration, partial trapping and propagation effects in the variable electric and magnetic fields.

We demonstrate that spurious three-dimensional re-constructions from two-dimensional images and movies of solar flares and coronal mass ejections can arise as a result of viewing conditions and projection effects, which are not always properly taken into account in the current literature. Theory and observations indicate that eruptions can proceed with or without large-scale topological changes of prominences and coronal magnetic fields. Electric currents and plasma drifts in crossed electric and magnetic fields play not negligible, but important role. This means that large-scale magnetic reconnections understood as topological transitions in the magnetic field are not always necessary for eruptions. The scenario of expanding and rising non-planar systems of preexisting loops and arcades, which are deforming when shearing at bottom parts, twisting and rotating at summits, satisfactory fits available observations. Movies are presented demonstrating this type of behavior with a preserved magnetic connectivity.

Times of sustained strong northward IMF can interrupt the magnetic storm development and lead to lower levels of geomagnetic activity for many hours. During 1997–2000 we have found two events of this kind observed on November 8, 1998 and October 13, 2000. In both cases, the storms started as usual after arrival of ejecta with a southward IMF component from the Sun to the Earth, but ceased after several hours due to the onset of sustained northward IMF leading to the faster recovery process. After the passage of this so-called positive domain, the storm development started again. The heliospheric magnetic field intensity remained enhanced and nearly constant. The solar origins of the geomagnetic storm interruptions have been investigated. Tentatively they may be related to strong nonlinear Alfvйn type solitary waves excited by non-stationary coronal current variations with a characteristic time-scale of about a day.

Statistical properties of the daily averaged values of the solar activity (sunspot numbers, total solar irradiance and 10.7 cm radio emission indices), the solar wind plasma and the interplanetary magnetic field parameters near the Earth’s orbit are investigated for a period from 1964 to 2002 covering the maxima of four solar cycles from 20th to 23rd. Running half-year averages show significant solar cycle variations in the solar activity indices but only marginal and insignificant changes in comparison with background fluctuations for heliospheric bulk plasma and magnetic field parameters. The current 23rd cycle maximum is weaker than 21st and 22nd maxima, but slightly stronger than 20th cycle in most of solar and heliospheric manifestations.

We analyze solar origins of intense geomagnetic perturbations recorded during 2002. All of them were related to coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The initiation of CMEs was documented using the SPIRIT instrument (SPectrohelIographic Soft X-Ray Imaging Telescope) onboard the CORONAS-F satellite. Monochromatic full Sun images taken in the Mg XII doublet at 8.418 and 8.423 A showed the appearance of free energy release sites at altitudes up to 0.4 solar radii. CMEs were initiated at these sites and propagated in interplanetary space under appropriate local conditions including the geometry of the magnetic fields.

Preliminary results of an analysis of satellite and ground-based measurements during extremely strong magnetic storms at the end of October 2003 are presented, including some numerical modeling. The geosynchronous satellites Ekspress-A2and Ekspress-A3, and the low-altitude polar satellites Coronas-F and Meteor-3M carried out measurements of charged particles (electrons, protons, and ions) of solar and magnetospheric origin in a wide energy range. Disturbances of the geomagnetic field caused by extremely high activity on the Sun were studied at more than twenty magnetic stations from Lovozero (Murmansk region) to Tixie (Sakha-Yakutia). Unique data on the dynamics of the ionosphere, riometric absorption, geomagnetic pulsations, and aurora observations at mid-latitudes are obtained.

We present new observational data on the phenomena of extremely high activity on the Sun and in the heliosphere that took place in October-November 2003. A large variety of solar and heliospheric parameters give evidence that the interval under consideration is unique over the entire observation time. Based on these data, comparing them with similar situations in the past and using available theoretical concepts, we discuss possible cause-and-effect connections between the processes observed. The paper includes the first results and conclusions derived by the collaboration "Solar Extreme Events-2003" organized in Russia for detailed inves- tigations of these events. As a result of our consideration, it is beyond question that the physical causes of solar and heliospheric phenomena in October-November 2003 are not exclusively local and do not belong only to the active regions and solar atmosphere above them. The energy reservoirs and driving forces of these processes have a more global nature. In general, they are hidden from an observer, since ultimately their sources lie in the subphotospheric layers of the Sun, where changes that are fast and difficult to predict can sometimes take place (and indeed they do). Solar flares can serve as sufficiently good tracers of these sudden changes and reconstruc- tions on the Sun, although one can still find other diagnostic indicators among the parameters of magnetic fields, motions of matter, and emission characteristics.

The free energy transformations leading to the observed solar cycle variations of the total solar irradiance are not known. The energy of magnetic fields and their dissipation related to the solar activity manifestations in large scale structures on the Sun do not look to be sufficient energy reservoirs and channels for producing the total solar radiation variations with the relative amplitudes of the order of 10−3. Other types of the free energy should be also involved in the solar cycle and the longer time variability. They could be nuclear power, gravity, mechanical motions, electromagnetic radiation, heat. The main open question remains: what are the energy, momentum and mass distributions and fluxes in space and time inside the Sun during the cycles?

A short account of theoretical and observational studies is presented supporting ideas about complicated topological properties of the coronal and heliospheric magnetic fields and their changes during the solar cycle.

Solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field parameters are investigated using the data obtained at the Earth's orbit for the 20–23 solar cycles. The time-epoch analysis and hysteresis curves of the heliospheric parameters show some general and specific properties of the cycles. We have found specific hysteresis behaviour when the solar wind energy flow and the induced electric field are plotted against the sunspot number during 20–22 solar cycles. Based on these finding and using measured heliospheric parameters during the rising phase of the current 23-rd solar cycle we are able to present some semi-quantitative estimations of the expected solar wind energy flux and the induced electric field for the time period after the solar maximum. The similarity between the rising phases of the 23-rd and 20-th solar cycles presents additional grounds for expectations of the lower maximum of the current solar cycle and the geomagnetic activity in the present solar cycle as compared with the 21-st and 22-nd solar cycles.

The dynamics of the interplanetary proton spectra in the energy range 1–40 MeV have been investigated using the data obtained on board the IMP-8 (1973–1992) and Meteor (1970–1996) satellites. Phase diagrams of the proton events are constructed in the two-parametric space { Y,g }, where Y=g −1 lg( I p ), g is the differential energy spectral index, I p represents the >1 MeV proton intensity. The results show that the phase trajectories allow separation of the background proton fluxes, proton populations accelerated mainly in the solar flares, at the propagating interplanetary shocks associated with coronal mass ejections and also in the corotating interaction regions between fast and slow solar wind streams. The estimations of the maximal and minimal >1 MeV proton fluxes in the near Earth heliosphere are obtained.

The periods 1975–1977, 1985–1987 and 1995–1997 were selected between pivot points of the solar cycles to analyze available spacecraft data for three successive solar minima. The mean values of the solar wind velocity, dynamic pressure, and temperature are decreasing during each indicated time interval. All variations are of several 0.1. The interplanetary magnetic field is minimal at solar minima. There is no strong difference between solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field parameters as well as solar activity indices for these solar cycles. Nevertheless, the proton cosmic ray intensities and spectra during these especially quiet periods possibly show the remarkable 22-year variation with the minimal proton fluxes in 1985–1987.

A simple analytical model for the global magnetic configuration in the heliosphere is described as a superposition of the solar magnetic multipoles and a thin equatorial current sheet. Polar plumes are tracing these global field lines and inhomogeneous field-aligned currents. Both internal and external boundary conditions are important for the polar plume formation and dynamics.

The coupling between small and large scale structures and processes on the Sun and in the heliosphere is important in the relation to the global magnetic configuration. Thin heliospheric current sheets play the leading role in this respect. The simple analytical model of the magnetic field configuration is constructed as a superposition of the three sources: 1) a point magnetic dipole in the center of the Sun, 2) a thin ring current sheet with the azimuthal current density j ϕ ∼ r −3 near the equatorial plane and 3) a magnetic quadrupole in the center of the Sun. The model reproduces, in an asymptotically correct manner, the known geometry of the field lines during the declining phase and solar minimum years near the Sun (the dipole term) as well as at large distances in the domain of the superalfvenic solar wind in the heliosphere, where the thin current sheet dominates and ∥ B r ( θ )∥ = const according to Ulysses observations (Balogh et al., 1995; Smith et al., 1995). The model with the axial quadrupole term is appropriate to describe the North-South asymmetry of the field lines. The model may be used as a reasonable analytical interpolation between the both extreme asymptotic domains (inside the region of the intermediate distances ∼ (1−10R bd) when considering the problems of the solar wind dynamics and cosmic ray propagation theories.

The cyclic evolution of the heliospheric plasma parameters is related to the time-dependent boundary conditions in the solar corona. “Minimal” coronal configurations correspond to the regular appearance of the tenuous, but hot and fast plasma streams from the large polar coronal holes. The denser, but cooler and slower solar wind is adjacent to coronal streamers. Irregular dynamic manifestations are present in the corona and the solar wind everywhere and always. They follow the solar activity cycle rather well. Because of this, the direct and indirect solar wind measurements demonstrate clear variations in space and time according to the minimal, intermediate and maximal conditions of the cycles. The average solar wind density, velocity and temperature measured at the Earth’s orbit show specific decadal variations and trends, which are of the order of the first tens per cent during the last three solar cycles. Statistical, spectral and correlation characteristics of the solar wind are reviewed with the emphasis on the cycles.

Observational evidence of 3 and 5 min vertical oscillations of a filament on the disk are recorded. Wave activity was observed before, during and after a filament disappearance, inside and around the filament. Both an Hα brightening and, later, a blowing out of a faint soft X-ray (Yohkoh) loop system occuring in connection with a flare were noticed. The wave activity seems to be a dynamically important ingredient of this erupting prominence.Propagating MHD waves and convective structures bring their energy and momentum from the photosphere towards the chromosphere up to the coronal heights where they are partially reflected and/or dissipated. The transition from the laminar to the turbulent state of the whole prominence enhances the dissipation rate of the external waves inside this system, adding energy to produce the heating and lifting of the plasma. Internal plasma instabilities could trigger this transition in the framework of a prominence disappearance.

A possible acceleration mechanism by the magnetic force is suggested for a plasmoid, modeled as a spherical body with a magnetic dipole situated in its center of mass. The governing equations of the motion of a dipole in an inhomogeneous magnetic field are solved analytically and numerically. Both methods show the possibility for the plasmoid to be accelerated in the direction of the external field gradient.

The origins of the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field sector structure in the beginning of the magnetic polarity reversal of 24th solar cycle were investigated using the Wilcox Solar Observatory magnetic field measurements and their products as well as the solar wind data from ACE and the SDO/AIA EUV images. The dominance of the quadrupole harmonics in the solar magnetic field in this period resulted in a four-sector structure of the interplanetary magnetic field. The dominating source of recurrent high-speed solar wind stream was a large trans-equatorial coronal hole of negative polarity evolving in the course of the polarity reversal process. The contribution of ICMEs to the high-speed solar wind did not exceed 17% of the total flux. The solar wind density flux averaged over the year amounted to 1 × 108 cm−2 s−1 which is considerably lower than the typical long-term value (2–4 × 108 cm−2 s−1 ). The slow-speed component of solar wind density flux constituted in average more than 68% of the total flux, the high-speed component was about 10%, reaching the maximum of 32% in some Carrington rotations.

Short duration bursts—1–3 s or 0.05–0.15° MLAT—of 32 eV to several hundred eV electrons are regularly observed in the polar rain and mantle precipitation regions by the DMSP satellites. The spacing between bursts is typically 9–12 s (70–90 km) and is sometimes regular but more often irregular. Sometimes quasi-periodic trains of 4 or 5 evenly spaced bursts occur. Electron spectra in the bursts are variable, but typically represent an enhancement of an order of magnitude in the spectral differential energy flux, but without showing signs of field-aligned acceleration. Previous reports of bursty polar cap precipitation consisted of precipitation with large scale (hundreds of km) spatial inhomogeneity of plasma sheet origin under northward IMF conditions. The bursts described herein occur for southward as well as northward IMF Bz, and represent fine structure (7.5 km) within regions that are of magnetosheath origin and which are homogenous over larger spatial scales (>∼100 km). We suggest that the observed phenomena may be related to the nonstationary processes in the outer high latitude magnetosphere.

The coronal mass ejection (CME) that occurred on April 28, 2015 is analyzed. The passage of the ejection did not cause geoeffective disturbances in the near-Earth space. At the same time, the CME had a significant impact on the flux of cosmic rays registered on the Earth's surface by the muon hodoscope URAGAN.

The possibility of a large scale non-steady state interaction between the solar wind and the local interstellar medium (LISM) is investigated. Due to the non-uniqueness of the nonlinear steady-state solutions of the balance and structure equations, regular or irregular oscillations with time scales of the order of months and years may be expected.

We describe the fine structure of white light polar plumes observed using SOHO/LASCO C2 coronagraph. The evolving helical structures of different scales are clearly seen on processed images (the processing is made to reveal the faint contrast objects). The observed structures trace the magnetic field lines, so the electric currents flow along the axes of plumes. An MHD model of a plume which takes into account field-aligned electric currents is developed. The model permits to understand the existence of high-density plasma inside the plume due to the balance between the magnetic forces and the transverse pressure gradient.

More than 20 years ago V.P. Shabansky suggested that the magnetic system installed aboard the satellite, could be used as a physical instrument for studying the processes which occur in the near Earth space. The corresponding space scales of an artificial “magnetosphere”—“magnisphere”—are ∼ 10 m in the experiment with relatively small magnets in the ionosphere and ∼ 100 m in the solar wind. The corresponding similarity criteria are estimated. The possible scheme of the experiment with a superconducting magnet (magnetic moment ∼ 10 5 A · m 2 ) installed aboard the satellite is considered. The experimental complex includes a number of systems for measuring the fluxes of charged particles in a wide energy range, DC electric and magnetic fields, the electromagnetic fields in different frequency bands (from X-rays to radio). The scientific objectives are discussed in detail.

New planned orbiter missions to Mercury have prompted renewed efforts to investigate the surface of Mercury via ground-based remote sensing. While the highest resolution instrumentation optical telescopes (e.g., HST) cannot be used at angular distances close to the Sun, advanced ground-based astronomical techniques and modern analytical and software can be used to obtain the resolved images of the poorly known or unknown part of Mercury. Our observations of the planet presented here were carried out in many observatories at morning and evening elongation of the planet. Stacking the acquired images of the hemisphere of Mercury, which was not observed by the Mariner 10 mission (1974–1975), is presented. Huge features found there change radically the existing hypothesis that the “continental” character of a surface may be attributed to the whole planet. We present the observational method, the data analysis approach, the resulting images and obtained properties of the Mercury’s surface.

Strong X-flares and solar energetic particle (SEP) fluxes are considered as sources of topside ionospheric disturbances observed by the ROCSAT-1/IPEI instrument during the Bastille Day event on 14July 2000 and the Halloween event on 28October–4 November 2003. It was found that within a prestorm period in the dayside ionosphere at altitudes of ~600 km the ion density increased up to ~80% in response to flare-associated enhancements of the solar X-ray emission. Ionospheric response to the SEP events was revealed both at sunlit and nightside hemispheres, where the ion density increased up to ~40% and 100%, respectively. We did not find any prominent response of the ion temperature to the X-ray and SEP enhancements. The largest X-ray and SEP impacts were found for the X17 solar flare on 28October 2003, which was characterized by the most intense fluxes of solar EUV (Tsurutani et al., 2005) and relativistic solar particles (Veselovsky et al., 2004). Solar events on 14July 2000 and 29October 2003 demonstrate weaker impacts with respect to their X-ray and SEP intensities. The weakest ionospheric response is observed for the limb X28 solar flare on 4November 2003. The topside ionosphere response to the extreme solar events is interpreted in terms of the short-duration impact of the solar electromagnetic radiation and the long-lasting impact of the SEP.

Mercury’s surface is thought to be covered with highly space-weathered silicate material. The regolith is composed of material accumulated during the time of planetary formation, and subsequently from comets, meteorites, and the Sun. Ground-based observations indicate a heterogeneous surface composition with SiO2 content ranging from 39 to 57 wt%. Visible and near-infrared spectra, multi-spectral imaging, and modeling indicate expanses of feldspathic, well-comminuted surface with some smooth regions that are likely to be magmatic in origin with many widely distributed crystalline impact ejecta rays and blocky deposits. Pyroxene spectral signatures have been recorded at four locations. Although highly space weathered, there is little evidence for the conversion of FeO to nanophase metallic iron particles (npFe0), or “iron blebs,” as at the Moon. Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy indicate clino- and ortho-pyroxene are present at different locations. There is some evidence for no- or low-iron alkali basalts and feldspathoids. All evidence, including microwave studies, point to a low iron and low titanium surface. There may be a link between the surface and the exosphere that may be diagnostic of the true crustal composition of Mercury. A structural global dichotomy exists with a huge basin on the side not imaged by Mariner 10. This paper briefly describes the implications for this dichotomy on the magnetic field and the 3 : 2 spin : orbit coupling. All other points made above are detailed here with an account of the observations, the analysis of the observations, and theoretical modeling, where appropriate, that supports the stated conclusions.