Mini-EUSO is a wide Field-of-View (FoV, 44$^{\circ}$) telescope currently in operation from a nadia-facing UV-transparent window in the Russian Zvezda module on the International Space Station (ISS). It is the first detector of the JEM-EUSO program deployed on the ISS, launched in August 2019. The main goal of Mini-EUSO is to measure the UV emissions from the ground and atmosphere, using an orbital platform. Mini-EUSO is mainly sensitive in the 290-430 nm bandwidth. Light is focused by a system of two Fresnel lenses of 25 cm diameter each on the Photo- Detector-Module (PDM), which consists of an array of 36 Multi-Anode Photomultiplier Tubes (MAPMTs), for a total of 2304 pixels working in photon counting mode, in three different time resolutions of 2.5 ${\mu}$s, 320 ${\mu}$s, 40.96 ms operation in parallel. In the longest time scale, the data is continuously acquired to monitor the UV emission of the Earth. It is best suited for the observation of ground sources and therefore has been used for the observational campaigns of the Mini-EUSO. In this contribution, we present the assembled UV flasher, the operation of the field campaign and the analysis of the obtained data. The result is compared with the overall efficiency computed from the expectations which takes into account the atmospheric attenuation and the parameterization of different effects such as the optics efficiency, the MAPMT detection efficiency, BG3 filter transmittance and the transparency of the ISS window.

It has been previously advocated that the presence of the daily and annual modulations of the axion flux on the Earth's surface may dramatically change the strategy of the axion searches. The arguments were based on the so-called Axion Quark Nugget (AQN) dark matter model which was originally put forward to explain the similarity of the dark and visible cosmological matter densities Omega dark Omega visible. In this framework, the population of galactic axions with mass 10-6 eV ma 10-3 eV and velocity hvai 10-3c will be accompanied by axions with typical velocities hvai 0.6c emitted by AQNs. Furthermore, in this framework, it has also been argued that the AQN-induced axion daily modulation (in contrast with the conventional weakly interactive massive particle paradigm) could be as large as (10-20)%, representing the main motivation for the present investigation. We argue that the daily modulations along with the broadband detection strategy can be very useful tools for the discovery of such relativistic axions. The data from the CAST-CAPP detector have been used following such arguments. Unfortunately, due to the dependence of the amplifier chain on temperature-dependent gain drifts and other factors, we could not conclusively show the presence or absence of a dark sector-originated daily modulation. However, this proof of principle analysis procedure can serve as a reference for future studies.

Context. Observations of meteors in the Earth's atmosphere offer a unique tool for determining the flux of meteoroids that are too small to be detected by direct telescopic observations. Although these objects are routinely observed from ground-based facilities, such as meteor and fireball networks, space-based instruments come with notable advantages and have the potential to achieve a broad and uniform exposure. Aims. In this paper, we describe the first observations of meteor events with Mini-EUSO, a very wide field-of-view telescope launched in August 2019 from the Baikonur cosmodrome and installed on board the Russian Zvezda module of the International Space Station. Mini-EUSO can map the night-time Earth in the near-UV range (290-130 nm) with a field of view equal to 44 degrees x 44 degrees and a spatial resolution of about 4.7 km at an altitude of 100 km from the ground. The detector saves triggered transient phenomena with a sampling frequency of 2.5 mu s and 320 mu s, as well as a continuous acquisition at 40.96 ms scale that is suitable for meteor observations. Methods. We designed two dedicated and complementary trigger methods, together with an analysis pipeline able to estimate the main physical parameters of the observed population of meteors, such as the duration, horizontal speed, azimuth, and absolute magnitude. To compute the absolute flux of meteors from Mini-EUSO observations, we implemented a simulation framework able to estimate the detection efficiency as a function of the meteor magnitude and the background illumination conditions. Results. The instrument detected 24 thousand meteors within the first 40 data-taking sessions from November 2019 to August 2021, for a total observation time of approximately 6 days with a limiting absolute magnitude of +6. Our estimation of the absolute flux density of meteoroids in the range of mass between 10(-5) kg to 10(-1) kg was found to be comparable to other results available in the literature. Conclusions. The results of this work prove the potential for space-based observations to increase the statistics of meteor observations achievable with instruments operating on the ground. The slope of the mass distribution of meteoroids sampled with Mini-EUSO suggests a mass index of either s = 2.09 +/- 0.02 or s = 2.31 +/- 0.03, according to two different methodologies for the computation of the pre-atmospheric mass starting from the luminosity of each event.

As the current solar cycle 25 progresses and moves towards solar maxima, solar activity is increasing and extreme space weather events are taking place. Two severe geomagnetic storms accompanied by two large Forbush decreases in galactic cosmic ray intensity were recorded in March and May, 2024. More precisely, on 24 March 2024, a G4 (according to the NOAA Space Weather Scale for Geomagnetic Storms) geomagnetic storm was registered, with the corresponding geomagnetic indices Kp and Dst equal to 8 and −130 nT, respectively. On the same day, the majority of ground-based neutron monitor stations recorded an unusual Forbush decrease. This event stands out from a typical Forbush decrease because of its high amplitude decrease phase and rapid recovery phase, i.e., 15% decrease and an extremely rapid recovery of 10% within 1.5 h, as recorded at the Oulu neutron monitor station. Furthermore, on 10–13 May 2024, an unusual G5 geomagnetic storm (geomagnetic indices Kp = 9 and Dst = −412 nT) was registered (the last G5 storm had been observed in 2003). In addition, the polar neutron monitor stations recorded a Ground Level Enhancement (GLE74) during the recovery phase of a large Forbush decrease of 15%, which started on 10 May 2024. In this study, a detailed analysis of these two severe events in regard to the accompanying solar activity, interplanetary conditions and solar energetic particle events is provided. Moreover, the results of the NKUA “GLE Alert++ system”, the NKUA/IZMIRAN “FD Precursory Signals” method and the NKUA “ap Prediction tool” concerning these events are presented.

Forbush decreases in galactic cosmic rays (according to data from a network of neutron monitors) and accompanying geomagnetic disturbances over a long period from 1957 to 2022 have been identified and studied. Statistical relationships between various parameters of cosmic ray flux and geomagnetic activity indices are analyzed. It has been established that the magnitude of Forbush decreases depends nonlinearly on the class of geomagnetic storm. A moderate correlation is found between the extreme values of various geomagnetic activity indices (Ap, Kp, Dst) and the characteristics of cosmic rays. It is also shown that the simultaneous registration of extreme values of cosmic rays and geomagnetic activity parameters does not always occur but depends on the sign of the Bz-component of the interplanetary magnetic field in a particular event.

X-ray flares and acceleration processes are in one complex of sporadic solar events (together with CMEs, radio bursts, magnetic field dissipation and reconnection). This supposes the connection (if not physical, but at least statistical) between characteristics of the solar energetic proton events and flares. The statistical analysis indicates that probability and magnitude of the near-Earth proton enhancement depends heavily oil the flare importance and their heliolongitude. These relations may be used for elaboration of the forecasting models, which allow us to calculate probability of the solar proton events from the X-ray observations.The models of probability for different kinds of solar proton events are obtained on the basis of all accumulated data of X-ray flares on the Sun and solar proton enhancements near the Earth. These models describe well enough the available data, are suitable for practical use and, really, are already utilized in the IZMIRAN prognostic practice.However, we should remember about the limitation of accumulated statistics. X-ray flares and proton enhancements have been observed for so short time that any new burst of solar activity is able to add something to our understanding of the relation "solar flares - proton enhancements". (C) 2008 COSPAR. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The behavior of the main parameters of the interplanetary medium, cosmic ray variations, and geomagnetic activity as magnetic clouds pass the Earth (466 events from 1967 to 2021) was studied. Time distributions of these parameters during magnetic clouds passage are considered. It is shown that the maximum values of the solar wind velocity, interplanetary magnetic field strength, and geomagnetic activity indices are more often recorded in the front part of the magnetic cloud, while the minimum values of the temperature index, density, and equatorial component of cosmic ray anisotropy can be observed in any part of the studied structure.

Based on a large amount of experimental material, the hourly values of the solar wind speed and proton temperature were compared; the expected proton temperature and temperature index (the ratio of the observed temperature to the expected one) were calculated. Using the Cosmic Ray Variations Database, from 1997 to 2022 low-temperature periods were identified (intervals lasting more 2 h, in which hourly values of the temperature index less than 0.5). The study investigated (a) statistical relationships between the parameters of low-temperature periods and the characteristics of Forbush decreases associated with different types of solar sources; (b) distributions of parameters of low-temperature periods for interplanetary disturbances containing or not containing a magnetic cloud. The results showed that with increasing duration of the low-temperature period, the proportion of events associated with ejections from active regions increases, while the proportion of recurrent events and events associated with ejections outside active regions decreases. The correlation of the parameters of low-temperature periods with the magnitude of Forbush decreases is weak; with the equatorial anisotropy of cosmic rays, moderate; and with the azimuthal anisotropy, significant. The solar wind speed and magnetic field strength correlate moderately with the temperature index, and the correlation of the range of these parameters with the duration of low-temperature periods is significant or strong.

Based on a forecast of solar activity parameters and the model developed by the authors for modulation of Galactic cosmic rays, we forecasted cosmic ray variations in the 25th solar activity cycle. The cosmic ray flux forecast is based on correlation with the number of sunspots (single-parameter model) or with a set of solar (mainly magnetic) parameters (multiparameter model). The forecast for the number of sunspots was taken from published data; the forecast for other solar parameters was done in the study. It is shown that variations in cosmic rays over three years of the current 25th cycle, in general, do not contradict the forecasts and indicate that the 25th solar activity cycle is expected to be slightly more active compared to the 24th.

An abnormal behavior of galactic cosmic rays in September 2014 – February 2015, manifested in a significant modulation of its flux with a period close to solar rotation, is studied. The state of the solar magnetic field, changes in the parameters of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field during the specified period are analyzed. The reasons for the occurrence of longitudinal asymmetry in the distribution of galactic cosmic rays in the inner heliosphere are discussed. It has been established that the period under study is divided into two parts with different physical conditions on the Sun. Conclusions have been drawn about the decisive joint influence of sporadic and recurrent events: repeatedly renewable “magnetic traps” created by successive coronal mass ejections from the same longitudinal zone and anomalously expanded polar coronal holes with an enhanced magnetic field.

Statistical relations between the geomagnetic Dst index, cosmic ray variations, and solar wind characteristics are compared for Forbush decreases associated with: (i) coronal mass ejections from active regions (AR-CMEs) accompanied by solar flares, (ii) filament eruptions outside active regions, (iii) corotating interaction regions (CIRs) caused by high-speed streams from coronal holes, (iv) mixed events induced by two or more solar sources. Relationships of geomagnetic indices and parameters of cosmic rays and the solar wind are also compared between sporadic events with or without magnetic clouds (MCs) and between Solar Cycles (SCs) 23 and 24. The results reveal that interplanetary disturbances originated by AR-CMEs associated with an MC are most geoeffective and cause powerful geomagnetic storms, while CIRs create only moderate and weak storms. Sporadic and recurrent events differ in values of the Dst index and southward component of the magnetic field, as well as in the relationship between them. For sporadic events, geomagnetic activity is more affected by the presence or absence of an MC than by the type of solar source. Interplanetary disturbances associated with AR-CMEs are more effective in SC 23 while those associated with other types of solar sources have approximately the same geoeffectiveness in both SCs.

An anomaly in the behavior of galactic cosmic rays in September 2014–February 2015 was studied, which manifested itself as significant modulation of their flux with a period close to the Sun’s rotation. The state of the solar magnetic field and changes in the parameters of the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field during the specified period are analyzed. The reasons for the longitudinal asymmetry in the distribution of galactic cosmic rays in the inner heliosphere are discussed. It has been established that the studied period is divided into two parts with different physical conditions on the Sun. Conclusions are drawn on the decisive joint influence of sporadic and recurrent events: repeatedly renewed “magnetic traps” created by successive coronal mass ejections from the same longitudinal zone, and anomalously expanded polar coronal holes with an enhanced magnetic field.

A new interface, accessible to any internet user, was developed for accessing the database of Forbush-effects and Interplanetary Disturbances (FEID). Catalogue of cosmic-ray events has been constantly worked on by the IZMIRAN group over the last decades and currently includes more than 8700 events, starting from the year 1954, with a solar source determined for 2500 events. Cosmic rays’ parameters are obtained using spherical analysis – the Global Survey Method (GSM) on the global neutron monitor network data.

More than three dozen submillisecond events of ELVES type (“elves”), which are the result of the interaction of the front of an electromagnetic pulse from a lightning discharge and the lower layer of the ionosphere, have been identified in the data of a UV Atmosphere orbital multichannel detector (Mini-EUSO). Each event has a characteristic annular glow pattern and occupies a significant part of the detector’s field of view, and the signal in a separate channel has an asymmetric profile with a pronounced peak. The distribution of peak times contains information about both the localization of the discharge and the altitude of the glow. In this paper, we propose a Bayesian (probabilistic) model for reconstructing ELVES events, implemented using probabilistic programming methods in PyMC-5. The capabilities of the model for determining the position of the discharge are shown using the example of several events. Methods for modifying the model to restore the discharge orientation and refine the glow height are outlined.

The updated database of Forbush effects and interplanetary disturbances ( https://tools.izmiran.ru/feid ) is used for an extensive analysis of various characteristics of events caused by the influence of interacting solar wind disturbances on the near-Earth space. In particular, the cases of different combinations of the pair interaction of high-speed streams from coronal holes and coronal mass ejections over the long period from 1995 to 2022 are considered. Variations in the flux of galactic cosmic rays (with a rigidity of 10 GV) and changes in the parameters of the interplanetary medium and geomagnetic activity are described. It is shown that the degree of mutual influence depends on the time between the detection of neighboring events; with the most pronounced changes in various parameters for events whose interaction occurred before reaching Earth’s orbit. It is also established that in interacting solar wind disturbances not only the extremes of the parameters of cosmic rays, interplanetary medium, and geomagnetic activity but also their time profiles are subject to changes.

Forbush effects in galactic cosmic rays (according to the neutron monitor network data) and accompanying geomagnetic disturbances over a long period from 1957 to 2022 have been identified and studied. Statistical relationships between various parameters of cosmic ray flux variations and geomagnetic activity indices are analyzed. It has been established that the magnitude of Forbush effects depends nonlinearly on the class of geomagnetic storm. A moderate correlation (up to 0.67) was found between the extreme values of various geomagnetic activity indices (Ap, Kp, Dst) and cosmic ray characteristics. It is shown that the extreme values of cosmic ray and geomagnetic activity parameters are not always detected simultaneously: it depends on the sign of the Bz-component of the interplanetary magnetic field in a specific event.

Forbush decreases are usually characterized by increased values of cosmic ray anisotropy. The precursory signs, i.e., pre-increases and especially pre-decreases of the cosmic ray intensity, are highly anisotropic phenomena that ordinarily forewarn of such events. Two Cosmic Ray Groups from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the Pushkov Institute of Terrestrial Magnetism, Ionosphere, and Radiowave Propagation of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IZMIRAN) have been investigating the existence of precursory signs preceding Forbush decreases in relation to different solar phenomena, interplanetary parameters, and geomagnetic conditions. In this study, large Forbush decreases (magnitude > 5%) accompanied by geomagnetic storms (i.e., geomagnetic index Dst < −100 nT and 5 ≤ Kp-index ≤ 9) and characterized by an equatorial anisotropy 1 h before the onset of the event (Axyb, %) less than 0.8% were examined regarding precursors. In total, 50 events with the aforementioned features were selected and analyzed from the IZMIRAN’s Forbush Effects and Interplanetary Disturbances database concerning the time period from 1969 until 2023. The Ring of Stations method, which depicts the cosmic ray variations for various asymptotic longitudes in relation to time, was applied on each event. The results revealed that clear signs of pre-decreases were not present for the majority of the events. Since particularly strong events were considered, most of them still showed some precursory signs, albeit mainly weak. Despite this, the value of Axyb = 0.8% proves to be a good threshold for the manual selection of FDs with well-expressed precursors.

Numerical modeling of primary cosmic ray protons’ transport through the Earth’s atmosphere was performed for the energy spectra of solar energetic particle events (SEPs). Several events in the last three solar cycles were considered. A comparative analysis of the characteristics of coronal mass ejections and primary proton fluxes was carried out. The main results were quantitative estimates of the calculated atmospheric ionization count rate for a wide range of altitudes (from sea level up to 98 km). The difference in the influence of solar protons on the Earth’s atmosphere is considered for seven SEPs divided into three groups with similar solar sources (X-flare magnitude and coordinates) but with different characteristics of accelerated particle fluxes. The data obtained in this work are very important for future studies of radio wave propagation, atmospheric chemistry and climate change.

This paper considers the modeling of the cosmic ray protons transport as well as the secondary component through the Earth atmosphere for periods corresponding to real events of solar energetic particles (SEP). We carried out an analysis of the primary proton flux spectral characteristics. The main work results are quantitative estimates of the calculated ionization rate for an altitude range from 0 to 98 km. Also, our work includes an estimation of the difference in the effect of solar protons on the Earth's atmosphere for SEP events with similar sources, but with different spectral energy characteristics of primary particle fluxes.