Auroral oval kinematics program
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Comfort, R. H.
1972-01-01
A computer program which determines the geographic location of the auroral oval for given universal time and level of geomagnetic activity was developed for use on the IBM 7094 computer. The program provides both printed output of geographic coordinates of auroral oval boundaries and polar plots of the auroral oval. In addition, there is available a time-integration option which indicates how long a given location is under the auroral oval during a specified period. A description is given of the program and its use.
Information Technology Division’s Technical Paper Abstracts
1994-07-05
antenna systems. 86 Title: An Electromagnetic Interference Study of Potential Transmitter Sites for the HF Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ...examined a number of potential sites for the location of the proposed High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) transmitter facility. The...proposed HAARP facility will consist of a large planar array of antennas excited by phased high power transmitters operating in the lower portion of the
Basis of Ionospheric Modification by High-Frequency Waves
2007-06-01
for conducting ionospheric heating experiments in Gakona, Alaska, as part of the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) [5], is being...upgraded. The upgraded HAARP HF transmitting system will be a phased-array antenna of 180 elements. Each element is a cross dipole, which radiates a...supported by the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ), the Air Force Research Laboratory at Hanscom Air Force Base, MA, and by the Office
1993-05-01
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT ( HAARP IRI) V. Eccles R. Armstrong Mission Research Corporation One Tara Blvd Nashua, NH 03062-2801 May 1993 Scientific Report No...INSTRUMENT ( HAARP IRI) PR 2310 STA G3 WU BM6. AUTHOR(S) V. Eccles and R. Armstrong 7. PERFOR•IlNG ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND AOORESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING...Because the HAARP (HF Active Auroral Research Program) facility is designed to mimic and investigate certain natural processes, a study of possible
DMSP Auroral Charging at Solar Cycle 24 Maximum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chandler, M.; Parker, L. Neergaard; Minow, J. I.
2013-01-01
It has been well established that polar orbiting satellites can experience mild to severe auroral charging levels (on the order of a few hundred volts to few kilovolts negative frame potentials) during solar minimum conditions. These same studies have shown a strong reduction in charging during the rising and declining phases of the past few solar cycles with a nearly complete suppression of auroral charging at solar maximum. Recently, we have observed examples of high level charging during the recent approach to Solar Cycle 24 solar maximum conditions not unlike those reported by Frooninckx and Sojka. These observations demonstrate that spacecraft operations during solar maximum cannot be considered safe from auroral charging when solar activity is low. We present a survey of auroral charging events experienced by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 satellite during Solar Cycle 24 maximum conditions. We summarize the auroral energetic particle environment and the conditions necessary for charging to occur in this environment, we describe how the lower than normal solar activity levels for Solar Cycle 24 maximum conditions are conducive to charging in polar orbits, and we show examples of the more extreme charging events, sometimes exceeding 1 kV, during this time period.
DMSP Auroral Charging at Solar Cycle 24 Maximum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chandler, Michael; Parker, Linda Neergaard; Minow, Joseph I.
2013-01-01
It has been well established that polar orbiting satellites can experience mild to severe auroral charging levels (on the order of a few hundred volts to few kilovolts negative frame potentials) during solar minimum conditions (Frooninckx and Sojka, 1992; Anderson and Koons, 1996; Anderson, 2012). These same studies have shown a strong reduction in charging during the rising and declining phases of the past few solar cycles with a nearly complete suppression of auroral charging at solar maximum. Recently, we have observed examples of high level charging during the recent approach to Solar Cycle 24 solar maximum conditions not unlike those reported by Frooninckx and Sojka (1992). These observations demonstrate that spacecraft operations during solar maximum cannot be considered safe from auroral charging when solar activity is low. We present a survey of auroral charging events experienced by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F16 satellite during Solar Cycle 24 maximum conditions. We summarize the auroral energetic particle environment and the conditions necessary for charging to occur in this environment, we describe how the lower than normal solar activity levels for Solar Cycle 24 maximum conditions are conducive to charging in polar orbits, and we show examples of the more extreme charging events, sometimes exceeding 1 kV, during this time period.
Overview of HST observvations of Jupiter's ultraviolet aurora during Juno orbits 03 to 07
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Grodent, D. C.; Bonfond, B.; Tao, Z.; Gladstone, R.; Gerard, J. C. M. C.; Radioti, K.; Clarke, J. T.; Nichols, J. D.; Bunce, E. J.; Roth, L.; Saur, J.; Kimura, T.; Orton, G.; Badman, S. V.; Mauk, B.; Connerney, J. E. P.; McComas, D. J.; Kurth, W. S.; Adriani, A.; Hansen, C. J.; Valek, P. W.; Palmaerts, B.; Dumont, M.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S.; Bagenal, F.
2017-12-01
Jupiter's permanent ultraviolet auroral emissions have been systematically monitored from Earth orbit with the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) during an 8-month period. The first part of this HST large program (GO-14634) was meant to coordinate with the NASA Juno mission during orbits 03 through 07. The HST program will resume in Feb 2018, in time for Juno's PJ11 perijove, right after HST's solar and lunar avoidance periods. HST observations are designed to provide a Jovian auroral activity background for all instruments on board Juno and for the numerous ground based and space based observatories participating to the Juno mission. In particular, several HST visits were programmed in order to obtain as many simultaneous observations with Juno-UVS as possible, sometimes in the same hemisphere, sometimes in the opposite one. In addition, the timing of some HST visits was set to take advantage of Juno's multiple crossings of the current sheet and of the magnetic field lines threading the auroral emissions. These observations are obtained with the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) in time-tag mode. They consist in spatially resolved movies of Jupiter's highly dynamic aurora with timescales ranging from seconds to several days. Here, we present an overview of the present -numerous- HST results. They demonstrate that while Jupiter is always showing the same basic auroral components, it is also displaying an ever-changing auroral landscape. The complexity of the auroral morphology is such that no two observations are alike. Still, in this apparent chaos some patterns emerge. This information is giving clues on magnetospheric processes at play at the local and global scales, the latter being only accessible to remote sensing instruments such as HST.
1998-06-22
remote (e.g. HAARP /HIPAS), and natural sources (e.g. external noise); b) model the perturbed fields due to the specified underground structures...examined in this study are of three types • Remote man-made sources, e.g. HAARP /HIPAS • Local sources, e.g. metal-detector loop • Natural sources, e.g...The High Power Auroral Stimulation Observatory (HIPAS) and the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) are capable of exciting plasma
U.S. national report to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gorney, D. J.
1987-01-01
This paper highlights progress by U.S. authors during 1983-1986 in the broad area of auroral research. Atmospheric emissions and their use as a tool for remote-sensing the dynamics, energetics, and effects of auroral activity is a subject which is emphasized here because of the vast progress made in this area on both observational and theoretical fronts. The evolution of primary auroral electrons, the acceleration of auroral ions, small-scale electric fields, auroral kilometric radiation, auroral empirical models and activity indices are also reviewed. An extensive bibliography is supplied.
US national report to the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Gorney, D.J.
1987-04-01
This paper highlights progress by U.S. authors during 1983-1986 in the broad area of auroral research. Atmospheric emissions and their use as a tool for remote-sensing the dynamics, energetics, and effects of auroral activity is a subject which is emphasized here because of the vast progress made in this area on both observational and theoretical fronts. The evolution of primary auroral electrons, the acceleration of auroral ions, small-scale electric fields, auroral kilometric radiation, auroral empirical models and activity indices are also reviewed. An extensive bibliography is supplied.
Dayside auroral arcs and convection
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Reiff, P. H.; Burch, J. L.; Heelis, R. A.
1978-01-01
Recent Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and International Satellite for Ionospheric Studies dayside auroral observations show two striking features: a lack of visible auroral arcs near noon and occasional fan shaped arcs radiating away from noon on both the morning and afternoon sides of the auroral oval. A simple model which includes these two features is developed by reference to the dayside convection pattern of Heelis et al. (1976). The model may be testable in the near future with simultaneous convection, current and auroral light data.
International Arctic Research Programs
1989-07-01
beryllium graphite - (moonstone) cerium marble garnet chrniun ol ivine gronlandite copper phosphorus jasper gold soapstone kornerupine iron sulphur...Green- from the magnetic pole to the auroral zone. landic sea under marginal conditions where Besides these groundbased activities, mea- surements of
Characterization and diagnostic methods for geomagnetic auroral infrasound waves
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Oldham, Justin J.
Infrasonic perturbations resulting from auroral activity have been observed since the 1950's. In the last decade advances in infrasonic microphone sensitivity, high latitude sensor coverage, time series analysis methods and computational efficiency have elucidated new types of auroral infrasound. Persistent periods of infrasonic activity associated with geomagnetic sub-storms have been termed geomagnetic auroral infrasound waves [GAIW]. We consider 63 GAIW events recorded by the Fairbanks, AK infrasonic array I53US ranging from 2003 to 2014 and encompassing a complete solar cycle. We make observations of the acoustic features of these events alongside magnetometer, riometer, and all-sky camera data in an effort to quantify the ionospheric conditions suitable for infrasound generation. We find that, on average, the generation mechanism for GAIW is confined to a region centered about ~60 0 longitude east of the anti-Sun-Earth line and at ~770 North latitude. We note furthermore that in all cases considered wherein imaging riometer data are available, that dynamic regions of heightened ionospheric conductivity periodically cross the overhead zenith. Consistent features in concurrent magnetometer conditions are also noted, with irregular oscillations in the horizontal component of the field ubiquitous in all cases. In an effort to produce ionosphere based infrasound free from the clutter and unknowns typical of geophysical observations, an experiment was undertaken at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program [HAARP] facility in 2012. Infrasonic signals appearing to originate from a source region overhead were observed briefly on 9 August 2012. The signals were observed during a period when an electrojet current was presumed to have passed overhead and while the facilities radio transmitter was periodically heating the lower ionosphere. Our results suggest dynamic auroral electrojet currents as primary sources of much of the observed infrasound, with modulation of the electrojets due to energetic particle precipitation, dispersion due to coupling with gravity waves, and reflection and refraction effects in the intervening atmosphere all potential factors in the shaping of the waveforms observed.
Data Acquisition System for Russian Arctic Magnetometer Network
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Janzhura, A.; Troshichev, O. A.; Takahashi, K.
2010-12-01
Monitoring of magnetic activity in the auroral zone is very essential for space weather problem. The big part of northern auroral zone lies in the Russian sector of Arctica. The Russian auroral zone stations are located far from the proper infrastructure and communications, and getting the data from the stations is complicated and nontrivial task. To resolve this problem a new acquisition system for magnetometers was implemented and developed in last few years, with the magnetic data transmission in real time that is important for many forecasting purpose. The system, based on microprocessor modules, is very reliable in hush climatic conditions. The information from the magnetic sensors transmits to AARI data center by satellite communication system and is presented at AARI web pages. This equipment upgrading of Russian polar magnetometer network is supported by the international RapidMag program.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schriver, D.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Strangeway, R. J.; Richard, R. L.; Klezting, C.; Dotan, Y.; Wygant, J.
2003-01-01
The discrete aurora results when energized electrons bombard the Earth's atmosphere at high latitudes. This paper examines the physical processes that can cause field-aligned acceleration of plasma particles in the auroral region. A data and theoretical study has been carried out to examine the acceleration mechanisms that operate in the auroral zone and to identi@ the magnetospheric drivers of these acceleration mechanisms. The observations used in the study were collected by the Fast Auroral Snapshot (FAST) and Polar satellites when the two satellites were in approximate magnetic conjunction in the auroral region. During these events FAST was in the middle of the auroral zone and Polar was above the auroral zone in the near-Earth plasma sheet. Polar data were used to determine the conditions in the magnetotail at the time field-aligned acceleration was measured by FAST in the auroral zone. For each of the magnetotail drivers identified in the data study, the physics of field-aligned acceleration in the auroral region was examined using existing theoretical efforts and/or a long-system particle in cell simulation to model the magnetically connected region between the two satellites. Results from the study indicate that there are three main drivers of auroral acceleration: (1) field-aligned currents that lead to quasistatic parallel potential drops (parallel electric fields), (2) earthward flow of high-energy plasma beams from the magnetotail into the auroral zone that lead to quasistatic parallel potential drops, and (3) large-amplitude Alfven waves that propagate into the auroral region from the magnetotail. The events examined thus far confm the previously established invariant latitudinal dependence of the drivers and show a strong dependence on magnetic activity. Alfven waves tend to occur primarily at the poleward edge of the auroral region during more magnetically active times and are correlated with intense electron precipitation. At lower latitudes away from the poleward edge of the auroral zone is the primary field-aligned current region which results in the classical field- aligned acceleration associated with the auroral zone (electrons earthward and ion beams tailward). During times of high magnetic activity, high-energy ion beams originating from the magnetotail are observed within, and overlapping, the regions of primary and return field-aligned current. Along the field lines where the high-energy magnetotail ion beams are located, field-aligned acceleration can occur in the auroral zone leading to precipitating electrons and upwelling ionospheric ion beams. Field-aligned currents are present during both quiet and active times, while the Alfven waves and magnetotail ion beams were observed only during more magnetically active events.
Characteristics of spacecraft charging in low Earth orbit
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Anderson, Phillip C.
2012-07-01
It has been found that the DMSP spacecraft at 840 km can charge to very large negative voltages (up to -2000 V) when encountering intense precipitating electron events (auroral arcs). We present an 11-year study of over 1600 charging events, defined as when the spacecraft charged to levels exceeding 100 V negative during an auroral crossing. The occurrence frequency of events was highly correlated with the 11-year solar cycle with the largest number of events occurring during solar minimum. This was due to the requirement that the background thermal plasma density be low, at most 104 cm-3. During solar maximum, the plasma density is typically well above that level due to the solar EUV ionizing radiation, and although the occurrence frequency of auroral arcs is considerably greater than at solar minimum, the occurrence of high-level charging is minimal. As a result of this study, we produced a model spectrum for precipitating electrons that can be used as a specification for the low-altitude auroral charging environment. There are implications from this study on a number of LEO satellite programs, including the International Space Station, which does enter the auroral zone, particularly during geomagnetic activity when the auroral boundary can penetrate to very low latitudes. The plasma density in the ISS orbit is usually well above the minimum required density for charging. However, in the wake of the ISS, the plasma density can be 2 orders of magnitude or more lower than the background density and thus conditions are ripe for charging.
Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Keffer, Charles E.
1994-01-01
This report describes the accomplishments of a program designed to develop the tools necessary to interpret auroral emissions measured from a space-based platform. The research was divided into two major areas. The first area was a laboratory study designed to improve our understanding of the space vehicle external environment and how it will affect the space-based measurement of auroral emissions. Facilities have been setup and measurements taken to simulate the gas phase environment around a space vehicle; the radiation environment encountered by an orbiting vehicle that passes through the Earth's radiation belts; and the thermal environment of a vehicle in Earth orbit. The second major area of study was a modeling program to develop the capability of using auroral images at various wavelengths to infer the total energy influx and characteristic energy of the incident auroral particles. An ab initio auroral calculation has been added to the extant ionospheric/thermospheric global modeling capabilities within our group. Once the addition of the code was complete, the combined model was used to compare the relative intensities and behavior of various emission sources (dayglow, aurora, etc.). Attached papers included are: 'Laboratory Facility for Simulation of Vehicle-Environment Interactions'; 'Workshop on the Induced Environment of Space Station Freedom'; 'Radiation Damage Effects in Far Ultraviolet Filters and Substrates'; 'Radiation Damage Effects in Far Ultraviolet Filters, Thin Films, and Substrates'; 'Use of FUV Auroral Emissions as Diagnostic Indicators'; and 'Determination of Ionospheric Conductivities from FUV Auroral Emissions'.
Auroral Infrasound Observed at I53US at Fairbanks, Alaska
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wilson, C. R.; Olson, J. V.
2003-12-01
In this presentation we will describe two different types of auroral infrasound recently observed at Fairbanks, Alaska in the pass band from 0.015 to 0.10 Hz. Infrasound signals associated with auroral activity (AIW) have been observed in Fairbanks over the past 30 years with infrasonic microphone arrays. The installation of the new CTBT/IMS infrasonic array, I53US, at Fairbanks has resulted in a greatly increased quality of the infrasonic data with which to study natural sources of infrasound. In the historical data at Fairbanks all the auroral infrasonic waves (AIW) detected were found to be the result of bow waves that are generated by supersonic motion of auroral arcs that contain strong electrojet currents. This infrasound is highly anisotropic, moving in the same direction as that of the auroral arc. AIW bow waves observed in 2003 at I53US will be described. Recently at I53US we have observed many events of very high trace velocity that are comprised of continuous, highly coherent wave trains. These waves occur in the morning hours at times of strong auroral activity. This new type of very high trace velocity AIW appears to be associated with pulsating auroral displays. Pulsating auroras occur predominantly after magnetic midnight (10:00 UT at Fairbanks). They are a usual part of the recovery phase of auroral substorms and are produced by energetic electrons precipitating into the atmosphere. Given proper dark, cloudless sky conditions during the AIW events, bright pulsating auroral forms were sometimes visible overhead.
Latitudinal Variations of Auroral-Zone Ionization Distribution.
1983-02-01
CONTRACT OR GRANT NUMBER(s) Robert M. Robinson F49620-80-C-0014 Roland T. Tsunoda 9. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME AND ADDRESS 10. PROGRAM ELEMENT , PROJECT...scanned. A. Auroral Zone Ionospheric Conductivity A key element in modelling the magnetosphere-ionosphere circuit is the auroral zone ionospheric...while the maximum conductivity for the evening eastward electro- jet was less than 20 mho in our data set . In other words, both the south- ward field and
Scientific interpretation of historical auroral records
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Willis, D. M.; Stephenson, F. R.
The available historical auroral records from both Europe and East Asia are examined critically for their relevance in the investigation of long-term variations in both solar activity and the Earth's magnetic field. The early oriental records are sufficiently numerous to allow scientific studies of variations on several time scales. Special attention is paid to the seasonal and secular variations of the early oriental auroral observations. In addition, the oriental auroral records exhibit a clear 27-day recurrence tendency at particular periods of time. A search has been made for examples of strictly simultaneous and indisputably independent observations of the aurora from spatially separated sites in East Asia. This search has yielded nine observations of mid-latitude auroral displays at more than one site in East Asia on the same night. A particular geomagnetic storm that occurred during December in AD 1128 is investigated in detail. Five days after the observation of two large sunspots in England, a red auroral display was observed from Korea. In addition, between the middle of AD 1127 and the middle of AD 1129, five Chinese and five Korean auroral observations were recorded. These provide evidence for recurrent auroral activity on a timescale almost exactly equal to the synodic-solar-rotation period (approximately 27 days). Finally, a new attempt is made to use the oriental historical auroral records to determine the location of the north geomagnetic pole during the European Middle Ages.
The WIND-HAARP Experiment: Initial Results of High Power Radiowave Interactions with Space Plasmas
1997-11-10
Results from the first science experiment with the new HF Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) facility in Alaska are reported. The initial...experiments involved transmission of high frequency waves from HAARP to the NASA/WIND satellite. The objective was to investigate the effects of space
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gurnett, Donald A.; Menietti, J. D.
2003-01-01
The project has resulted in four separate investigations, which are each in various stages of publication in the refereed scientific journals. The first investigation was of the generation of electrostatic electron cyclotron waves observed by the Polar spacecraft throughout the auroral regions, dayside cusp, and polar magnetosphere. We have since discovered that these waves are also present within the magnetopause and magnetosheath, which is one of the topics of a second study, entitled: 'Polar observations of plasma waves in and near the dayside magnetopause/magnetosheath.' A third study of plasma waves focussed on kilometric continuum (KC) emission. This work is reported in a paper entitled 'Near-source and Remote Observations of Kilometric Continuum Radiation From Multi-spacecraft Observations'.The final investigation of this program concerns the possible transverse heating of auroral ions by impulsive wave structures. We summarize that substantial transverse ion heating has already occurred at lower altitudes. Abstracts of the above four studies are included in the Appendix to this final report.
A Panchromatic View of Brown Dwarf Aurorae
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Pineda, J. Sebastian; Hallinan, Gregg; Kao, Melodie M.
Stellar coronal activity has been shown to persist into the low-mass star regime, down to late M-dwarf spectral types. However, there is now an accumulation of evidence suggesting that at the end of the main sequence, there is a transition in the nature of the magnetic activity from chromospheric and coronal to planet-like and auroral, from local impulsive heating via flares and MHD wave dissipation to energy dissipation from strong large-scale magnetospheric current systems. We examine this transition and the prevalence of auroral activity in brown dwarfs through a compilation of multiwavelength surveys of magnetic activity, including radio, X-ray, andmore » optical. We compile the results of those surveys and place their conclusions in the context of auroral emission as a consequence of large-scale magnetospheric current systems that accelerate energetic electron beams and drive the particles to impact the cool atmospheric gas. We explore the different manifestations of auroral phenomena, like H α , in brown dwarf atmospheres and define their distinguishing characteristics. We conclude that large-amplitude photometric variability in the near-infrared is most likely a consequence of clouds in brown dwarf atmospheres, but that auroral activity may be responsible for long-lived stable surface features. We report a connection between auroral H α emission and quiescent radio emission in electron cyclotron maser instability pulsing brown dwarfs, suggesting a potential underlying physical connection between quiescent and auroral emissions. We also discuss the electrodynamic engines powering brown dwarf aurorae and the possible role of satellites around these systems both to power the aurorae and seed the magnetosphere with plasma.« less
A Panchromatic View of Brown Dwarf Aurorae
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pineda, J. Sebastian; Hallinan, Gregg; Kao, Melodie M.
2017-09-01
Stellar coronal activity has been shown to persist into the low-mass star regime, down to late M-dwarf spectral types. However, there is now an accumulation of evidence suggesting that at the end of the main sequence, there is a transition in the nature of the magnetic activity from chromospheric and coronal to planet-like and auroral, from local impulsive heating via flares and MHD wave dissipation to energy dissipation from strong large-scale magnetospheric current systems. We examine this transition and the prevalence of auroral activity in brown dwarfs through a compilation of multiwavelength surveys of magnetic activity, including radio, X-ray, and optical. We compile the results of those surveys and place their conclusions in the context of auroral emission as a consequence of large-scale magnetospheric current systems that accelerate energetic electron beams and drive the particles to impact the cool atmospheric gas. We explore the different manifestations of auroral phenomena, like Hα, in brown dwarf atmospheres and define their distinguishing characteristics. We conclude that large-amplitude photometric variability in the near-infrared is most likely a consequence of clouds in brown dwarf atmospheres, but that auroral activity may be responsible for long-lived stable surface features. We report a connection between auroral Hα emission and quiescent radio emission in electron cyclotron maser instability pulsing brown dwarfs, suggesting a potential underlying physical connection between quiescent and auroral emissions. We also discuss the electrodynamic engines powering brown dwarf aurorae and the possible role of satellites around these systems both to power the aurorae and seed the magnetosphere with plasma.
Problems with mapping the auroral oval and magnetospheric substorms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Antonova, E. E.; Vorobjev, V. G.; Kirpichev, I. P.; Yagodkina, O. I.; Stepanova, M. V.
2015-10-01
Accurate mapping of the auroral oval into the equatorial plane is critical for the analysis of aurora and substorm dynamics. Comparison of ion pressure values measured at low altitudes by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites during their crossings of the auroral oval, with plasma pressure values obtained at the equatorial plane from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellite measurements, indicates that the main part of the auroral oval maps into the equatorial plane at distances between 6 and 12 Earth radii. On the nightside, this region is generally considered to be a part of the plasma sheet. However, our studies suggest that this region could form part of the plasma ring surrounding the Earth. We discuss the possibility of using the results found here to explain the ring-like shape of the auroral oval, the location of the injection boundary inside the magnetosphere near the geostationary orbit, presence of quiet auroral arcs in the auroral oval despite the constantly high level of turbulence observed in the plasma sheet, and some features of the onset of substorm expansion.
Problems with mapping the auroral oval and magnetospheric substorms.
Antonova, E E; Vorobjev, V G; Kirpichev, I P; Yagodkina, O I; Stepanova, M V
Accurate mapping of the auroral oval into the equatorial plane is critical for the analysis of aurora and substorm dynamics. Comparison of ion pressure values measured at low altitudes by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites during their crossings of the auroral oval, with plasma pressure values obtained at the equatorial plane from Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) satellite measurements, indicates that the main part of the auroral oval maps into the equatorial plane at distances between 6 and 12 Earth radii. On the nightside, this region is generally considered to be a part of the plasma sheet. However, our studies suggest that this region could form part of the plasma ring surrounding the Earth. We discuss the possibility of using the results found here to explain the ring-like shape of the auroral oval, the location of the injection boundary inside the magnetosphere near the geostationary orbit, presence of quiet auroral arcs in the auroral oval despite the constantly high level of turbulence observed in the plasma sheet, and some features of the onset of substorm expansion.
Influence of interplanetary magnetic field and solar wind on auroral brightness in different regions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Y. F.; Lu, J. Y.; Wang, J.-S.; Peng, Z.; Zhou, L.
2013-01-01
By integrating and averaging the auroral brightness from Polar Ultraviolet Imager auroral images, which have the whole auroral ovals, and combining the observation data of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind from NASA Operating Missions as a Node on the Internet (OMNI), we investigate the influence of IMF and solar wind on auroral activities, and analyze the separate roles of the solar wind dynamic pressure, density, and velocity on aurora, respectively. We statistically analyze the relations between the interplanetary conditions and the auroral brightness in dawnside, dayside, duskside, and nightside. It is found that the three components of the IMF have different effects on the auroral brightness in the different regions. Different from the nightside auroral brightness, the dawnside, dayside, and duskside auroral brightness are affected by the IMF Bx, and By components more significantly. The IMF Bx and By components have different effects on these three regional auroral brightness under the opposite polarities of the IMF Bz. As expected, the nightside aurora is mainly affected by the IMF Bz, and under southward IMF, the larger the |Bz|, the brighter the nightside aurora. The IMF Bx and By components have no visible effects. On the other hand, it is also found that the aurora is not intensified singly with the increase of the solar wind dynamic pressure: when only the dynamic pressure is high, but the solar wind velocity is not very fast, the aurora will not necessarily be intensified significantly. These results can be used to qualitatively predict the auroral activities in different regions for various interplanetary conditions.
Creation of Artificial Ionospheric Layers Using High-Power HF Waves
2010-01-30
Program ( HAARP ) transmitter in Gakona, Alaska. The HF- driven ionization process is initiated near the 2nd electron gyroharmonic at 220 km altitude in...the 3.6 MW High-Frequency Active Auroral Program ( HAARP ) transmitter in Gakona, Alaska. The HF-driven ionization process is initiated near the 2nd...Maine. USA. Copyright 2010 by the American Geophysical Union. 0094-8276/I0/2009GLO41895SO5.0O Research Program ( HAARP ) transmitter facility, however
Auroral origin of medium scale gravity waves in neutral composition and temperature
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chandra, S.; Spencer, N. W.; Krankowsky, D.; Laemmerzahl, P.
1979-01-01
The kinetic temperature and neutral composition data obtained from the Aeros B neutral atmosphere temperature experiment and the neutral and ion mass spectrometer show spatial structures characteristic of medium scale gravity waves with a wavelength in the range of several hundred kilometers. These waves are associated with auroral activity, and their spatial structure reflects the time history of the auroral electrojet. The medium scale gravity waves tend to propagate to mid-latitudes on the nightside. On the dayside their range is limited to high latitudes. Gravity waves are carriers of auroral energy to middle and low latitudes where they may cause irreversible changes in temperature via viscous dissipation. Since auroral activity occurs frequently, it is suggested that this energy reaches the mid-latitude region of the thermosphere much more frequently than is indicated by planetary magnetic indices.
Solar wind control of auroral zone geomagnetic activity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Clauer, C. R.; Mcpherron, R. L.; Searls, C.; Kivelson, M. G.
1981-01-01
Solar wind magnetosphere energy coupling functions are analyzed using linear prediction filtering with 2.5 minute data. The relationship of auroral zone geomagnetic activity to solar wind power input functions are examined, and a least squares prediction filter, or impulse response function is designed from the data. Computed impulse response functions are observed to have characteristics of a low pass filter with time delay. The AL index is found well related to solar wind energy functions, although the AU index shows a poor relationship. High frequency variations of auroral indices and substorm expansions are not predictable with solar wind information alone, suggesting influence by internal magnetospheric processes. Finally, the epsilon parameter shows a poorer relationship with auroral geomagnetic activity than a power parameter, having a VBs solar wind dependency.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hayakawa, Hisashi; Iwahashi, Kiyomi; Tamazawa, Harufumi; Ebihara, Yusuke; Kawamura, Akito Davis; Isobe, Hiroaki; Namiki, Katsuko; Shibata, Kazunari
2017-12-01
We present the results of the surveys on sunspots and auroral candidates in Rikkokushi, Japanese official histories from the early 7th century to 887, to review the solar and auroral activities. In total, we found one sunspot record and 13 auroral candidates in Rikkokushi. We then examine the records of the sunspots and auroral candidates, compare the auroral candidates with the lunar phase to estimate their reliability, and compare the records of the sunspots and auroral candidates with the contemporary total solar irradiance reconstructed from radioisotope data. We also identify the locations of the observational sites to review possible equatorward expansion of the auroral oval. These discussions suggest a major gap in auroral candidates from the late 7th to early 9th centuries, which includes the candidate of the grand minimum reconstructed from the radioisotope data, a similar tendency as the distributions of sunspot records in contemporary China, and a relatively high magnetic latitude of observational sites with a higher potential for observing aurorae more frequently than at present.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Iijima, T.; Kim, J. S.; Sugiura, M.
1984-01-01
The development of the polar cap current and the relationship of that development to the evolution of auroral electrojets during individual polar geomagnetic disturbances is studied using 1 min average data from US-Canada IMS network stations and standard magnetograms from sites on the polar cap and in the auroral zone. It is found that even when the auroral electrojet activity is weak, polar cap currents producing fields of magnitude approximately 100-200 nT almost always exist. A normal convection current system exists quasi-persistently in the polar cap during extended quiet or weakly disturbed periods of auroral electrojet activity. After one such period, some drastic changes occur in the polar cap currents, which are followed by phases of growth, expansion, and recovery. Polar cap currents cannot all be completely ascribed to a single source mechanism.
DISCOVERY OF A DARK AURORAL OVAL ON SATURN
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
2002-01-01
The ultraviolet image was obtained by the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope with the European Faint Object Camera (FOC) on June 1992. It represents the sunlight reflected by the planet in the near UV (220 nm). * The image reveals a dark oval encircling the north magnetic pole of Saturn. This auroral oval is the first ever observed for Saturn, and its darkness is unique in the solar system (L. Ben-Jaffel, V. Leers, B. Sandel, Science, Vol. 269, p. 951, August 18, 1995). The structure represents an excess of absorption of the sunlight at 220 nm by atmospheric particles that are the product of the auroral activity itself. The large tilt of the northern pole of Saturn at the time of observation, and the almost perfect symmetry of the planet's magnetic field, made this observation unique as even the far side of the dark oval across the pole is visible! * Auroral activity is usually characterized by light emitted around the poles. The dark oval observed for Saturn is a STUNNING VISUAL PROOF that transport of energy and charged particles from the magnetosphere to the atmosphere of the planet at high latitudes induces an auroral activity that not only produces auroral LIGHT but also UV-DARK material near the poles: auroral electrons are probably initiating hydrocarbon polymer formation in these regions. Credits: L. Ben Jaffel, Institut d'Astrophysique de Paris-CNRS, France, B. Sandel (Univ. of Arizona), NASA/ESA, and Science (magazine).
2001-03-15
order to characterize the auroral electrojet and the ambient and modified D-region directly above and near the HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral...near the HAARP facility and along the west coast of Alaska. In addition in order to characterize the auroral electrojet on a continental scale and to...United States and Canada. Data from the complete array of D-region diagnostic systems was acquired during a number of Fall and Spring HAARP campaigns
1998-02-12
HAARP ). 14. SUBJECT TERMS Global Positioning System (GPS), High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ), ionosphere, radiowave...Scintillation Simulation 23 4.10 Automated Calibrations 23 5. HAARP Activities 24 5.1 Development of HAARP Diagnostics 24 5.2 Facilitation of... HAARP Operations and Broader Scientific Collaborations 27 5.3 Public Relations 28 6. Publications 30 References 30 Acronyms and Initials 30 Appendix
Simultaneous total electron content and all-sky camera measurements of an auroral arc
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kintner, P. M.; Kil, H.; Deehr, C.; Schuck, P.
2002-07-01
We present an example of Global Positioning System (GPS) derived total electron content (TEC) and all-sky camera (ASC) images that show increases of TEC by ~10 × 1016 electrons m-2 (10 TEC units) occurring simultaneously with auroral light in ASC images. The TEC example appears to be an E region density enhancement produced by two discrete auroral arcs occurring in the late morning auroral oval at 1000 LT. This suggests that GPS signal TEC measurements can be used to detect individual auroral arcs and that individual discrete auroral arcs are responsible for some high-latitude phase scintillations. The specific auroral feature detected was a poleward moving auroral form believed to occur in the polar cap where the ionosphere is convecting antisunward. The magnitude of the rate of change of TEC (dTEC/dt) is comparable to that previously reported. However, the timescales associated with the event, the order of 1 min, suggest that the data sampling technique commonly used by chain GPS TEC receivers (averaging and time decimation) will undersample E region TEC perturbations produced by active auroral displays. The localized nature of this example implies that L1 ranging errors of at least 1.6 m will be introduced by auroral arcs into systems relying on differential GPS for navigation or augmentation. Although the TEC and auroral arcs presented herein occurred in the late morning auroral oval, we expect that the effects of discrete auroral arcs on GPS TEC and subsequent ranging errors should occur at all local times. Furthermore, GPS receivers can be used to detect individual discrete arcs.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Knipp, D.
2016-12-01
Using reprocessed (Level-2) data from the Defense Meteorology Satellite Program magnetometer (SSM) and particle precipitation (SSJ) instruments we determine the boundaries of the central plasma sheet auroral oval, and then consider the relative locations and intensities of field aligned currents. Large-scale field-aligned currents (FAC) are determined using the Minimum Variance Analysis technique, and their influence is then removed from the magnetic perturbations allowing us to estimate intensity and scale-size of the smaller-scale currents. When sorted by dynamic auroral boundary coordinates we find that large- scale Region 1 (R1) FAC are often within the polar cap and Region 2 (R2) FAC show a strong dawn-dusk asymmetry (as in Ohtani et al., 2010). We find that mesoscale FAC are stronger in the summer and are most consistently present in the vicinity of dawnside (downward) R1 FAC. Further, mesoscale FAC are confined to auroral latitudes and above on the dawnside, but can be subaroural on the dusk side. Hotspots of mesoscale FAC occur in pre-midnight regions especially during summer. Finally, we show how this information can be combined with measurements from above and below the ionosphere-thermosphere to help explain significant perturbations in polar cap dynamics.
Plasma flow disturbances in the magnetospheric plasma sheet during substorm activations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kozelova, T. V.; Kozelov, B. V.; Turyanskii, V. A.
2017-11-01
We have considered variations in fields and particle fluxes in the near-Earth plasma sheet on the THEMIS-D satellite together with the auroral dynamics in the satellite-conjugate ionospheric part during two substorm activations on December 19, 2014 with K p = 2. The satellite was at 8.5 R E and MLT = 21.8 in the outer region of captured energetic particles with isotropic ion fluxes near the convection boundary of electrons with an energy of 10 keV. During substorm activations, the satellite recorded energetic particle injections and magnetic field oscillations with a period of 90 s. In the satellite-conjugate ionospheric part, the activations were preceded by wavelike disturbances of auroral brightness along the southern azimuthal arc. In the expansion phase of activations, large-scale vortex structures appeared in the structure of auroras. The sudden enhancements of auroral activity (brightening of arcs, auroral breakup, and appearance of NS forms) coincided with moments of local magnetic field dipolarization and an increase in the amplitude Pi2 of pulsations of the B z component of the magnetic field on the satellite. Approximately 30-50 s before these moments, the magnetosphere was characterized by an increased rate of plasma flow in the radial direction, which initiated the formation of plasma vortices. The auroral activation delays relative to the times when plasma vortices appear in the magnetosphere decreased with decreasing latitude of the satellite projection. The plasma vortices in the magnetosphere are assumed to be responsible for the observed auroral vortex structures and the manifestation of the hybrid vortex instability (or shear flow ballooning instability) that develops in the equatorial magnetospheric plane in the presence of a shear plasma flow in the region of strong pressure gradients in the Earthward direction.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jee, G.; Kim, E.; Kwak, Y. S.; Kim, Y.; Kil, H.
2017-12-01
We investigate the climatological characteristics of the ionospheric electron density profiles in the auroral and polar cap regions in comparison with the mid-latitude ionosphere using incoherent scatter radars (ISR) observations from Svalbard (78.15N, 16.05E), Tromso (69.59N, 19.23E), and Millstone Hill (42.6N, 288.5E) during a period of 1995 - 2015. Diurnal variations of electron density profiles from 100 to 500 km are compared among the three radar observations during equinox, summer and winter solstice for different solar and geomagnetic activities. Also investigated are the physical characteristics of E-region and F-region peak parameters of electron density profiles in the auroral and polar cap regions, which are significantly different from the mid-latitude ionosphere. In the polar ionosphere, the diurnal variations of density profiles are extremely small in summer hemisphere. Semiannual anomaly hardly appears for all latitudes, but winter anomaly occurs at mid-latitude and auroral ionospheres for high solar activity. Nighttime density becomes larger than daytime density in the winter polar cap ionosphere for high solar activity. The E-region peak is very distinctive in the nighttime auroral region and the peak height is nearly constant at about 110 km for all conditions. Compared with the F-region peak density, the E-region peak density does not change much with solar activity. Furthermore, the E-region peak density can be even larger than F-region density for low solar activity in the auroral region, particularly during disturbed condition.
Global Auroral Energy Deposition Compared with Magnetic Indices
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Brittnacher, M. J.; Fillingim, M. O.; Elsen, R.; Parks, G. K.; Germany, G. A.; Spann, J. F., Jr.
1997-01-01
Measurement of the global rate of energy deposition in the ionosphere via auroral particle precipitation is one of the primary goals of the Polar UVI program and is an important component of the ISTP program. The instantaneous rate of energy deposition for the entire month of January 1997 has been calculated by applying models to the UVI images and is presented by Fillingim et al. in this session. Magnetic indices, such as Kp, AE, and Dst, which are sensitive to variations in magnetospheric current systems have been constructed from ground magnetometer measurements and employed as measures of activity. The systematic study of global energy deposition raises the possibility of constructing a global magnetospheric activity index explicitly based on particle precipitation to supplement magnetic indices derived from ground magnetometer measurements. The relationship between global magnetic activity as measured by these indices and the rate of total global energy loss due to precipitation is not known at present. We study the correlation of the traditional magnetic index of Kp for the month of January 1997 with the energy deposition derived from the UVI images. We address the question of whether the energy deposition through particle precipitation generally matches the Kp and AE indices, or the more exciting, but distinct, possibility that this particle-derived index may provide an somewhat independent measure of global magnetospheric activity that could supplement traditional magnetically-based activity indices.
Custom auroral electrojet indices calculated by using MANGO value-added services
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bargatze, L. F.; Moore, W. B.; King, T. A.
2009-12-01
A set of computational routines called MANGO, Magnetogram Analysis for the Network of Geophysical Observatories, is utilized to calculate customized versions of the auroral electrojet indices, AE, AL, and AU. MANGO is part of an effort to enhance data services available to users of the Heliophysics VxOs, specifically for the Virtual Magnetospheric Observatory (VMO). The MANGO value-added service package is composed of a set of IDL routines that decompose ground magnetic field observations to isolate secular, diurnal, and disturbance variations of magnetic field disturbance, station-by-station. Each MANGO subroutine has been written in modular fashion to allow "plug and play"-style flexibility and each has been designed to account for failure modes and noisy data so that the programs will run to completion producing as much derived data as possible. The capabilities of the MANGO service package will be demonstrated through their application to the study of auroral electrojet current flow during magnetic substorms. Traditionally, the AE indices are calculated by using data from about twelve ground stations located at northern auroral zone latitudes spread longitudinally around the world. Magnetogram data are corrected for secular variation prior to calculating the standard version of the indices but the data are not corrected for diurnal variations. A custom version of the AE indices will be created by using the MANGO routines including a step to subtract diurnal curves from the magnetic field data at each station. The custom AE indices provide more accurate measures of auroral electrojet activity due to isolation of the sunstorm electrojet magnetic field signiture. The improvements in the accuracy of the custom AE indices over the tradition indices are largest during the northern hemisphere summer when the range of diurnal variation reaches its maximum.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kilcommons, Liam M.; Redmon, Robert J.; Knipp, Delores J.
2017-08-01
We have developed a method for reprocessing the multidecadal, multispacecraft Defense Meteorological Satellite Program Special Sensor Magnetometer (DMSP SSM) data set and have applied it to 15 spacecraft years of data (DMSP Flight 16-18, 2010-2014). This Level-2 data set improves on other available SSM data sets with recalculated spacecraft locations and magnetic perturbations, artifact signal removal, representations of the observations in geomagnetic coordinates, and in situ auroral boundaries. Spacecraft locations have been recalculated using ground-tracking information. Magnetic perturbations (measured field minus modeled main field) are recomputed. The updated locations ensure the appropriate model field is used. We characterize and remove a slow-varying signal in the magnetic field measurements. This signal is a combination of ring current and measurement artifacts. A final artifact remains after processing: step discontinuities in the baseline caused by activation/deactivation of spacecraft electronics. Using coincident data from the DMSP precipitating electrons and ions instrument (SSJ4/5), we detect the in situ auroral boundaries with an improvement to the Redmon et al. (2010) algorithm. We embed the location of the aurora and an accompanying figure of merit in the Level-2 SSM data product. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of this new data set by estimating field-aligned current (FAC) density using the Minimum Variance Analysis technique. The FAC estimates are then expressed in dynamic auroral boundary coordinates using the SSJ-derived boundaries, demonstrating a dawn-dusk asymmetry in average FAC location relative to the equatorward edge of the aurora. The new SSM data set is now available in several public repositories.
Preliminary Results from Recent Simultaneous Chandra/HST Observations of Jupiter Auroral Zones
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Elsner, R.; Gladstone, R.; Waite, H.; Majeed, T.; Ford, P.; Grodent, D.; Bwardwaj, A.; Howell, R.; Cravens, T.; MacDowell, R.
2003-01-01
Jupiter was observed by the Chandra X-ray Observatory in late February, 2003, for 144 ks, using both the ACIS-S and HRC-I imaging x-ray cameras. Five orbits of HST STIS observations of the planet's northern auroral zone were obtained during the ACIS-S observations. These data are providing a wealth of information about Jupiter's auroral activity, including the first x-ray spectra from the x-ray hot spots inside the auroral ovals. We will also discuss the approximately 45 minute quasi-periodicity in the auroral x-ray emission - which correlates well with simultaneous observations of radio bursts by the Ulysses spacecraft - and a possible phase relation between the emission from the northern and southern x-ray aurora.
Global Auroral Remote Sensing Using GGS UVI Images
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Germany, G. A.; Parks, G. K.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Spann, J. F., Jr.; Cumnock, J.; Lummerzheim, D.
1997-01-01
The GGS POLAR satellite, with an apogee distance of 9 Earth radii, provides an excellent platform for extended viewing of the northern auroral zone. Global FUV auroral images from the Ultraviolet Imager onboard the POLAR satellite can be used as quantitative remote diagnostics of the auroral regions, yielding estimates of incident energy characteristics, compositional changes, and other higher order data products. In particular, images of long and short wavelength Earth Far Ultraviolet (FUV) Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) emissions can be modeled to obtain functions of energy flux and average energy that are basically insensitive to changes in seasonal and solar activity changes. The determination of maps of incident auroral energy characteristics is demonstrated here and compared with in situ measurements.
High Frequency Radar Astronomy With HAARP
2003-01-01
High Frequency Radar Astronomy With HAARP Paul Rodriguez Naval Research Laboratory Information Technology Division Washington, DC 20375, USA Edward...a period of several years, the High frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) transmitting array near Gakona, Alaska, has increased in total...high frequency (HF) radar facility used for research purposes. The basic science objective of HAARP is to study nonlinear effects associated with
[Evolution of adherence to guidelines for prevention of group B streptococcal infections].
Cortet, M; Dupont, C; Prunaret-Julien, V; Fernandez, M-P; Peigne, E; Huissoud, C; Rudigoz, R-C
2010-11-01
Assess the evolution in implementation of neonatal group B streptococcal infections prevention program in the Aurore network, between 2004 and 2009. A cross-sectional study was conducted during one week in the whole maternity units of the Aurore network about implementation of the neonatal streptococcal infection prevention program. Deliveries occurring after 37 weeks of gestation were included. Every stage required by the prevention program was registered for every delivery. Results obtained during this study were compared with those obtained in 2004. Seven hundred and forty-four patients were included in 2004 and 618 in 2009. Vaginal swab rate was 96.3% in 2009 and 91.1% in 2004 (P<0.001), with a positive rate of 10.2 and 14.2%, respectively (P=0.041). Antibiotic infusion rates during delivery did not increase significantly. Clinical and biological surveillance of exposed newborns was significantly increased (P<0.001). No neonatal infection was observed during the study among newborns included in the program. Sensitization of caregivers about neonatal streptococcal infection prevention seems to be efficient to increase the application of the prevention program written by the Aurore network. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Farrugia, C. J.; Sandholt, P. E.; Burlaga, L. F.
1994-01-01
Auroral activity occurred in the late afternoon sector (approx. 16 MLT) in the northern hemisphere during the passage at Earth of an interplanetary magnetic cloud on January 14, 1988. The auroral activity consisted of a very dynamic display which was preceded and followed by quiet auroral displays. During the quiet displays, discrete rayed arcs aligned along the geomagnetic L shells were observed. In the active stage, rapidly evolving spiral forms centered on magnetic zenith were evident. The activity persisted for many minutes and was characterized by the absence of directed motion. They were strongly suggestive of intense filaments of upward field-aligned currents embedded in the large-scale region 1 current system. Distortions of the flux ropes as they connect from the equatorial magnetosphere to the ionosphere were witnessed. We assess as possible generating mechanisms three nonlocal sources known to be associated with field-aligned currents. Of these, partial compressions of the magnetosphere due to variations of solar wind dynamic pressure seem an unlikely source. The possibility that the auroral forms are due to reconnection is investigated but is excluded because the active aurora were observed on the closed field line region just equatorward of the convection reversal boundary. To support this conclusion further, we apply recent results on the mapping of ionospheric regions to the equatorial plane based on the Tsyganenko 1989 model (Kaufmann et al., 1993). We find that for comparable magnetic activity the aurora map to the equatorial plane at X(sub GSM) = approx. 3 R(sub E) and approx. 2 R(sub E) inward of the magnetopause, that is, the inner edge of the boundary layer close to dusk. Since the auroral forms are manifestly associated with magnetic field shear, a vortical motion at the equatorial end of the flux rope is indicated, making the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability acting at the inner edge of the low-latitude boundary layer the most probable generating source.
Validation of Ground-based Optical Estimates of Auroral Electron Precipitation Energy Deposition
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hampton, D. L.; Grubbs, G. A., II; Conde, M.; Lynch, K. A.; Michell, R.; Zettergren, M. D.; Samara, M.; Ahrns, M. J.
2017-12-01
One of the major energy inputs into the high latitude ionosphere and mesosphere is auroral electron precipitation. Not only does the kinetic energy get deposited, the ensuing ionization in the E and F-region ionosphere modulates parallel and horizontal currents that can dissipate in the form of Joule heating. Global models to simulate these interactions typically use electron precipitation models that produce a poor representation of the spatial and temporal complexity of auroral activity as observed from the ground. This is largely due to these precipitation models being based on averages of multiple satellite overpasses separated by periods much longer than typical auroral feature durations. With the development of regional and continental observing networks (e.g. THEMIS ASI), the possibility of ground-based optical observations producing quantitative estimates of energy deposition with temporal and spatial scales comparable to those known to be exhibited in auroral activity become a real possibility. Like empirical precipitation models based on satellite overpasses such optics-based estimates are subject to assumptions and uncertainties, and therefore require validation. Three recent sounding rocket missions offer such an opportunity. The MICA (2012), GREECE (2014) and Isinglass (2017) missions involved detailed ground based observations of auroral arcs simultaneously with extensive on-board instrumentation. These have afforded an opportunity to examine the results of three optical methods of determining auroral electron energy flux, namely 1) ratio of auroral emissions, 2) green line temperature vs. emission altitude, and 3) parametric estimates using white-light images. We present comparisons from all three methods for all three missions and summarize the temporal and spatial scales and coverage over which each is valid.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Baker, J. B.; Greenwald, R. A.; Yin, Y.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Clausen, L.; Frissell, N. A.; Ribeiro, A. J.
2009-12-01
The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) provides continuous Doppler measurements of ionospheric plasma convection over extended spatial scales with high temporal resolution. First generation SuperDARN radars were constructed at magnetic latitudes near 60 degrees to optimize coverage during periods of moderate geomagnetic activity. In recent years there has been an expansion of the network to middle latitudes to increase coverage during enhanced geomagnetic activity, such as during magnetic storms. In this paper we present measurements of prompt penetration electric fields and sub-auroral ion drift (SAID) events observed by the Wallops and Blackstone radars at middle latitudes. Together, these two radars provide a capability to continuously examine the temporal evolution of these features over an extended local time sector. We present case studies and statistical results showing that transient sub-auroral flow enhancements occur over a wide range of magnetospheric disturbance levels and are often highly correlated with activity at higher latitudes.
Defense Science and Technology Success Stories
2007-01-01
Active Auroral Research Project ( HAARP ) ........................................................................136 Weapons Strategic Illuminator Laser...drawing 136 Service/Agency Background: The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Project ( HAARP ) developed new experimental research capabilities and...Appropriation Act provided funds for the creation of HAARP , jointly managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Office of Naval Research to exploit
Observation of hectometric auroral radio emissions in Iceland
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sato, Y.; Ono, T.; Iizima, M.; Sato, N.
2006-12-01
The Earth's auroral region is an active radio source at frequencies from a few hertz to several megahertz. In the hectometric range, it was found that Terrestrial Hectometric Radiation (THR) is related to auroras by observations of the Ohzora satellite [Oya et al.(1985)]. In resent research, Shinbori et al. [2003] showed that occurrence of THR follows SC by several minutes using the Akebono satellite data. On the ground, auroral roar and MF burst were discovered by Kellogg and Monson [1979, 1984] and Weatherwax et al. [1994] in the northern Canada, respectively. Because there is not enough physical and geophysical characterization of these radio emissions, the physical mechanism of these phenomena in the auroral ionosphere has not been fully understood yet. We set up new observation system at Husafell station in Iceland in September, 2005 and have started to observe auroral radio emissions. Radio signals, which are received by the cross loop antennas, are converted into left- and right- handed polarized components within the frequency range from 1 MHz to 5 MHz. Based on the calibration of system, it was found that the possibility of occurence would be smaller than expected due to the low sensitivity because average power spectrum densities of auroral roar and MF burst are 50-100 nV/m/Hz^1/2. So, the system was planed to be upgraded in this September, which makes it possible to detect auroral roar and MF burst. It is expected that the detail physical process will be elucidated by clarifying the spectrum, polarization, dependence on the geomagnetic activity, and so on. In this presentation, we will show the improved points of the new system and preliminary observation results. There is a basic question whether auroral roar and MF burst observed on the ground are generated by the same process as THR observed by satellites. By comparing the results from the ground-based observation and the Akebono satellite observation of THR, it becomes possible to obtain a new picture of auroral radio emissions.
Driving of Dramatic Geomagnetic Activity by Enhancement of Meso-Scale Polar-cap Flows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lyons, L. R.; Gallardo-Lacourt, B.; Zou, Y.; Nishimura, Y.; Anderson, P. C.; Angelopoulos, V.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Mitchell, E. J.; Paxton, L. J.; Nishitani, N.
2017-12-01
Recent studies have shown that mesoscale flows are common within the polar cap ionosphere. They often cross the magnetic separatrix, and become are critical to the driving of geomagnetic activity. They lead, for example, to plasma sheet flow bursts, auroral poleward boundary intensifications, auroral streamers, substorms, auroral omega bands, and poleward motion of the polar cap boundary from reconnection. We have found large enhancements of these meso-scale ionospheric polar cap flows heading towards the nightside separatrix. These enhancements are common immediately after the impact of CME shocks under southward IMF, but can also occur in other situations, including without substantial change in the solar wind or IMF. These meso-scale flow enhancements, which must extent outward along magnetospheric field lines from the ionosphere, are seen to drive an almost immediate strong auroral, ionospheric and field-aligned current, and reconnection activity. The resulting activity is particularly dramatic during the initiation of CME storms, but may reflect a more generally occurring phenomenon of mesoscale flow enhancements leading to similar oval responses without a shock impact, including during and following the expansion phase some substorms. If this phenomenon is indeed common, it could lead to possibly fundamental questions, such as when do polar cap convection enhancements lead to a substorm growth phase versus leading directly to strong poleward expansion of, and strong activity within, the auroral oval field line region? Another critical question would be what leads to and causes the enhancements in meso-scale polar cap flows?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Redmon, Robert J.
The mechanisms by which thermal O+ escapes from the top of the ionosphere and into the magnetosphere are not fully understood even with 30 years of active research. This thesis introduces a new database, builds a simulation framework around a thermospheric model and exploits these tools to gain new insights into the study of O+ ion outflows. A dynamic auroral boundary identification system is developed using Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft observations at 850 km to build a database characterizing the oxygen source region. This database resolves the ambiguity of the expansion and contraction of the auroral zone. Mining this new dataset, new understanding is revealed. We describe the statistical trajectory of the cleft ion fountain return flows over the polar cap as a function of activity and the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field y-component. A substantial peak in upward moving O+ in the morning hours is discovered. Using published high altitude data we demonstrate that between 850 and 6000 km altitude, O+ is energized predominantly through transverse heating; and acceleration in this altitude region is relatively more important in the cusp than at midnight. We compare data with a thermospheric model to study the effects of solar irradiance, electron precipitation and neutral wind on the distribution of upward O+ at auroral latitudes. EUV irradiance is shown to play a dominant role in establishing a dawn-focused source population of upwelling O+ that is responsible for a pre-noon feature in escaping O+ fluxes. This feature has been corroborated by observations on platforms including the Dynamics Explorer 1 (DE-1), Polar, and Fast Auroral Snapshot SnapshoT (FAST) spacecraft. During quiet times our analysis shows that the neutral wind is more important than electron precipitation in establishing the dayside O+ upwelling distribution. Electron precipitation is found to play a relatively modest role in controlling dayside, and a critical role in controlling nightside, upwelling O+. This thesis provides a new database, and insights into the study of oxygen ion outflows during quiet times. These results and tools will be essential for researchers working on topics involving magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions.
Danish auroral science history
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stauning, P.
2011-01-01
Danish auroral science history begins with the early auroral observations made by the Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe during the years from 1582 to 1601 preceding the Maunder minimum in solar activity. Included are also the brilliant observations made by another astronomer, Ole Rømer, from Copenhagen in 1707, as well as the early auroral observations made from Greenland by missionaries during the 18th and 19th centuries. The relations between auroras and geomagnetic variations were analysed by H. C. Ørsted, who also played a vital role in the development of Danish meteorology that came to include comprehensive auroral observations from Denmark, Iceland and Greenland as well as auroral and geomagnetic research. The very important auroral investigations made by Sophus Tromholt are outlined. His analysis from 1880 of auroral observations from Greenland prepared for the significant contributions from the Danish Meteorological Institute, DMI, (founded in 1872) to the first International Polar Year 1882/83, where an expedition headed by Adam Paulsen was sent to Greenland to conduct auroral and geomagnetic observations. Paulsen's analyses of the collected data gave many important results but also raised many new questions that gave rise to auroral expeditions to Iceland in 1899 to 1900 and to Finland in 1900 to 1901. Among the results from these expeditions were 26 unique paintings of the auroras made by the artist painter, Harald Moltke. The expedition to Finland was headed by Dan la Cour, who later as director of the DMI came to be in charge of the comprehensive international geomagnetic and auroral observations made during the Second International Polar Year in 1932/33. Finally, the article describes the important investigations made by Knud Lassen during, among others, the International Geophysical Year 1957/58 and during the International Quiet Sun Year (IQSY) in 1964/65. With his leadership the auroral and geomagnetic research at DMI reached a high international level that came to be the background for the first Danish satellite, Ørsted, successfully launched in 1999 and still in operation.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fremouw, E. J.; Lansinger, J. M.
1981-02-01
A mathematical model has been developed for describing plasma-density irregularities responsible for radiowave scintillation produced in the auroral ionosphere, and the model has been committed to an applications-oriented computer code, WBMOD. The model characterizes the three-dimensional configuration, gradient sharpness, and height-integrated strength of irregularities represented by a power-law spatial spectrum as functions of geomagnetic latitude, time of day, sunspot number, and planetary geomagnetic activity index. Program WBMOD permits calculation of the power-law index and spectral strength (at a fluctuation frequency of 1 Hz) of phase scintillation, together with scintillation indices (variances) for phase and intensity, using a phase-screen scattering theory. The model has been calibrated and iteratively tested against phase-scintillation data from the DNA Wideband Satellite Experiment, collected at Poker Flat, Alaska. It does not account for seasonal variations in high-latitude scintillation observed in other longitude sectors. The program contains a model for middle-latitude and equatorial irregularities as well as for auroral latitudes, but only the latter has been tested extensively against high-quality scintillation data.
Theoretical Technology Research for the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Program
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ashour-Abdalla, Maha; Curtis, Steve (Technical Monitor)
2002-01-01
During the last four years the UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) IGPP (Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics) Space Plasma Simulation Group has continued its theoretical effort to develop a Mission Oriented Theory (MOT) for the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. This effort has been based on a combination of approaches: analytical theory, large-scale kinetic (LSK) calculations, global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and self-consistent plasma kinetic (SCK) simulations. These models have been used to formulate a global interpretation of local measurements made by the ISTP spacecraft. The regions of applications of the MOT cover most of the magnetosphere: solar wind, low- and high- latitude magnetospheric boundary, near-Earth and distant magnetotail, and auroral region. Most recent investigations include: plasma processes in the electron foreshock, response of the magnetospheric cusp, particle entry in the magnetosphere, sources of observed distribution functions in the magnetotail, transport of oxygen ions, self-consistent evolution of the magnetotail, substorm studies, effects of explosive reconnection, and auroral acceleration simulations. A complete list of the activities completed under the grant follow.
The Heppner-Maynard Boundary measured by SuperDARN as a proxy for the latitude of the auroral oval
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Imber, S. M.; Milan, S. E.; Lester, M.
2013-02-01
We present a statistical study relating the latitude of the auroral oval measured by the Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration (IMAGE) SI-12 proton auroral camera to that of the Heppner-Maynard Boundary (HMB) determined from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data during the period 2000-2002. The HMB represents the latitudinal extent of the ionospheric convection pattern. The oval latitude from the proton auroral images is determined using the method of Milan et al. (2009a), which fits a circle centered on a point 2° duskward and 5° antisunward of the magnetic pole. The auroral latitude at midnight is determined for those images where the concurrent SuperDARN northern hemisphere maps contain more than 200 data points such that the HMB is well-defined. The statistical study comprises over 198,000 two-minute intervals, and we find that the HMB is located on average 2.2° equatorward of the proton auroral latitude. A superposed epoch analysis of over 2500 substorms suggests that the separation between the HMB and the oval latitude increases slightly during periods of high geomagnetic activity. We suggest that during intervals where there are no auroral images available, the HMB latitude and motion could be used as a proxy for that of the aurora, and therefore provide information about motions of the open/closed field line boundary.
Physics of the Geospace Response to Powerful HF Radio Waves
2012-10-31
studies of the response of the Earth’s space plasma to high-power HF radio waves from the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ...of HF heating and explored to simulate artificial ducts. DMSP- HAARP experiments revealed that HF-created ion outflows and artificial density ducts...in the topside ionosphere appeared faster than predicted by the models, pointing to kinetic (suprathermal) effects. CHAMP/GRACE- HAARP experiments
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Eccles, V.; Armstrong, R.
1993-05-01
The earth's ozone layer occurs in the stratosphere, primarily between 10 and 30 miles altitude. The amount of ozone, O3, present is the result of a balance between production and destruction processes. Experiments have shown that natural processes such as auroras create molecules that destroy O. One family of such molecules is called odd nitrogen of which nitric oxide (NO) is an example. Because the HAARP (HF Active Auroral Research Program) facility is designed to mimic and investigate certain natural processes, a study of possible effects of HAARP on the ozone layer was conducted. The study used a detailed modelmore » of the thermal and chemical effects of the high power HF beam, which interacts with free electrons in the upper atmosphere above 50 miles altitude. It was found only a small fraction of the beam energy goes into the production of odd nitrogen molecules, whereas odd nitrogen is efficiently produced by auroras. Since the total energy emitted by HAARP in the year is some 200,000 times less than the energy deposited in the upper atmosphere by auroras, the study demonstrates that HAARP HF beam experiments will cause no measurable depletion of the earth's ozone layer.... Ozone, Ozone depletion, Ozone layer, Odd nitrogen, Nitric oxide, HAARP Emitter characteristics.« less
The sub-auroral electric field as observed by DMSP and the new SuperDARN mid-latitude radars
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Talaat, E. R.; Sotirelis, T.; Hairston, M. R.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Greenwald, R. A.; Lester, M.
2008-12-01
In this paper we present analyses of the sub-auroral electric field environment as observed from both space and ground. We discuss the dependency of the configuration and strength of the sub-auroral electric field on IMF and geomagnetic activity, longitudinal, seasonal, and solar cycle variability. Primarily, e use ~20 years of electric field measurement dataset derived from the suite of DMSP ion drift meters. A major component of our analysis is correctly specifying the aurora boundary, as the behavior and magnitude of these fields will be drastically different away from the high-conductance auroral oval. As such, we use the coincident particle flux measurements from the DMSP SSJ4 monitors. We also present the solar minimum observations of the sub-auroral flow newly available from the mid-latitude SuperDARN radars at Wallops and Blackstone in Virginia. Preliminary comparisons between these flows and the DMSP climatology are discussed.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hull, A. J.; Chaston, C. C.; Fillingim, M. O.; Mozer, F.; Frey, H. U.
2013-12-01
The auroral acceleration region is an integral link in the chain of events that transpire during substorms, and the currents, plasma and electric fields undergo significant changes driven by complex dynamical processes deep in the magnetotail. These auroral acceleration processes in turn accelerate and heat the plasma that ultimately leads to some of the most intense global substorm auroral displays. The complex interplay between field-aligned current system formation, the development of parallel electric fields, and resultant changes in the plasma constituents that occur during substorms within or just above the auroral acceleration zone remain unclear. We present Cluster multi-point observations within the high-altitude acceleration region (> 3 Re altitude) at key instances during the development of a substorm. Of particular emphasis is on the time-development of the plasma, potentials and currents that occur therein with the aim of ascertaining high-altitude drivers of substorm active auroral acceleration processes and auroral emission consequences. Preliminary results show that the initial onset is dominated by Alfvenic activity as evidenced by the sudden occurrence of relatively intense, short-spatial scale Alfvenic currents and attendant energy dispersed, counterstreaming electrons poleward of the growth-phase arc. The Alfvenic currents are locally planar structures with characteristic thicknesses on the order of a few tens of kilometers. In subsequent passages by the other spacecraft, the plasma sheet region became hotter and thicker via the injection of new hot, dense plasma of magnetospheric origins poleward of the pre-existing growth phase arc. In association with the heating and/or thickening of the plasma sheet, the currents appeared to broaden to larger scales as Alfven dominated activity gave way to either inverted-V dominated or mixed inverted-V and Alfvenic behavior depending on location. The transition from Alfven dominated to inverted-V dominated current systems was quite rapid, occurring in the span of a few minutes. These results suggest that the Alfvenic activity may be an important precursor and perhaps may be playing an essential role in the development of inverted-V arc systems that form during substorms.
Auroral-E Observations: The First Year’s Data.
1993-02-01
incidence-sound- ing (VIS) ionograms. One group, generally called auroral-E, includes nighttime E (par- ticle E) of the k type and E of the r type (Esr...toward solar minimum. Auroral-E tended to occur in clusters or "swarms" during periods of increased geo- magnetic activity. Figures 15a, 15b, and 15c show...midnight and several hours after local midnight. In the hours between 2200 and 0300 local time, when the K index is sufficiently high to place the
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pradipta, R.; Lee, M. C.; Cohen, J. A.; Watkins, B. J.
2015-10-01
We report the results of our ionospheric HF heating experiments to generate artificial acoustic-gravity waves (AGW) and traveling ionospheric disturbances (TID), which were conducted at the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility in Gakona, Alaska. Based on the data from UHF radar, GPS total electron content, and ionosonde measurements, we found that artificial AGW/TID can be generated in ionospheric modification experiments by sinusoidally modulating the power envelope of the transmitted O-mode HF heater waves. In this case, the modulation frequency needs to be set below the characteristic Brunt-Vaisala frequency at the relevant altitudes. We avoided potential contamination from naturally-occurring AGW/TID of auroral origin by conducting the experiments during geomagnetically quiet time period. We determine that these artificial AGW/TID propagate away from the edge of the heated region with a horizontal speed of approximately 160 m/s.
Correlation Between Low Frequency Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) and Auroral Structures
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Paxamickas, Katherine A.; Green, James L.; Gallagher, Dennis L.; Boardsen, Scott; Mende, Stephen; Frey, Harald; Reinisch, Bodo W.
2005-01-01
Auroral Kilometric Radiation (AKR) is a radio wave emission that has long been associated with auroral activity. AKR is normally observed in the frequency range from -60 - 600 kHz. Low frequency AKR (or LF-AKR) events are characterized as a rapid extension of AKR related emissions to 30 kHz or lower in frequency for typically much less than 10 minutes. LF-AKR emissions predominantly occur within a frequency range of 20 kHz - 30 kHz, but there are LF-AKR related emissions that reach to a frequency of 5 kHz. This study correlates all instances of LF-AKR events during the first four years of observations from the IMAGE spacecraft's Radio Plasma Imager (WI) instrument with auroral observations from the wideband imaging camera (WIC) onboard IMAGE. The correlation between LF-AKR occurrence and WIC auroral observations shows that in the 295 confirmed cases of LF-AKR emissions, bifurcation of the aurora is seen in 74% of the cases. The bifurcation is seen in the dusk and midnight sectors of the auroral oval, where AKR is believed to be generated. The polarization of these LF-AKR emissions has yet to be identified. Although LF-AKR may not be the only phenomena correlated with bifurcated auroral structures, bifurcation will occur in most instances when LF-AKR is observed. The LF-AKR emissions may be an indicator of specific auroral processes sometimes occurring during storm-time conditions in which field-aligned density cavities extend a distance of perhaps 5-6 RE tailward from the Earth for a period of 10 minutes or less.
VLF remote sensing of the ambient and modified lower ionosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Demirkol, Mehmet Kursad
2000-08-01
Electron density and temperature changes in the D region are sensitively manifested as changes in the amplitude and phase of subionospheric Very Low Frequency (VLF) signals propagating beneath the perturbed region. Both localized and large scale disturbances (either in electron density or temperature) in the D region cause significant scattering of VLF waves propagating in the earth- ionosphere waveguide, leading to measurable changes in the amplitude and phase of the VLF waves. Large scale auroral disturbances, associated with intensification of the auroral electrojet, as well as ionospheric disturbances produced during relativistic electron enhancements, cause characteristic changes over relatively long time scales that allow the assessment of the `ambient' ionosphere. Localized ionospheric disturbances are also produced by powerful VLF transmitting facilities such as the High Power Auroral Stimulation (HIPAS) facility, the High frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), and also by lightning discharges. Amplitude and phase changes of VLF waveguide signals scattered from such artificially heated ionospheric patches are known to be detectable. In this study, we describe a new inversion algorithm to determine altitude profiles of electron density and collision frequency within such a localized disturbance by using the measured amplitude and phase of three different VLF signals at three separate receiving sites. For this purpose a new optimization algorithm is developed which is primarily based on the recursive usage of the three dimensional version of the Long Wave Propagation, Capability (LWPC) code used to model the subionospheric propagation and scattering of VLF signals in the earth- ionosphere waveguide in the presence of ionospheric disturbances.
The Aurora, Magnetosphere, and the IGY
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McKim Malville, J.
2007-12-01
This retrospective of auroral research during the IGY will be from the perspective of the auroral observers in the Antarctic from 1956-58. The IGY served as a watershed divide in our understanding of auroral physics. Prior to the IGY the role of "solar corpuscular radiation” in exciting auroral radiation was the pre-eminent research question. The mechanisms for the acceleration of solar protons and electrons had not been resolved, nor had the role of plasma instabilities been envisioned. The spectroscopic research program during the IGY was dominated by the work of Aden Meinel and Joseph W. Chamberlain at Yerkes Observatory. The dynamics of precipitating solar protons into a dilute gas was a major research focus. The changes brought about by the discoveries of the radiation belts, the solar wind, and the magnetosphere resulted in a remarkable transformation and a paradigm shift in our understanding of the physics of the aurora. Antarctic observations during the IGY revealed the auroral oval, which is a signature of radiation belts distorted by the solar wind. High auroral rays could be explained by pitch angle distributions of trapped electrons. Sudden accelerations of electrons, resulting in red lower borders of aurora deep in the atmosphere, revealed the serious deficiencies of available theory. Whistlers, first detected in the Antarctic at Ellsworth Station in 1957, proved to be valuable probes of the magnetosphere.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tao, C.; Kimura, T.; Tsuchiya, F.; Murakami, G.; Yoshioka, K.; Kita, H.; Yamazaki, A.; Kasaba, Y.; Yoshikawa, I.; Fujimoto, M.
2016-12-01
Aurora is an important indicator representing the momentum transfer from the fast-rotating outer planet to the magnetosphere and the energy input into the atmosphere through the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Long-term monitoring of Jupiter's northern aurora was achieved by the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectrometer called EXCEED (Extreme Ultraviolet Spectroscope for Exospheric Dynamics) onboard JAXA's Earth-orbiting planetary space telescope Hisaki until today after its launch in September 2013. We have proceeded the statistical survey of the Jupiter's auroral energy input into the upper atmosphere. The auroral electron energy is estimated using a hydrocarbon color ratio (CR) adopted for the wavelength range of EXCEED, and the emission power in the long wavelength range 138.5-144.8 nm is used as an indicator of total emitted power before hydrocarbon absorption and auroral electron energy flux. Temporal dynamic variation of the auroral intensity was detected when Io's volcanic activity and thus EUV emission from the Io plasma torus are enhanced in the early 2015. Average of the total input power over 80 days increases by 10% with sometimes sporadically more than a factor of 3 upto 7, while the CR indicates the auroral electron energy decrease by 20% during the volcanic event compared to the other period. This indicates much more increase in the current system and Joule heating which contributes heating of the upper atmosphere. We will discuss the impact of this event on the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
Preliminary results of rocket attitude and auroral green line emission rate in the DELTA campaign
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Iwagami, Naomoto; Komada, Sayaka; Takahashi, Takao
2006-09-01
The attitude of a sounding rocket launched in the DELTA (Dynamics and Energetics of the Lower Thermosphere in Aurora) campaign was determined with IR horizon sensors and geomagnetic sensors. Since the payload was separated into two portions, two sets of attitude sensors were needed. A new IR sensor was developed for the present experiment, and found the zenith-angle of the spin-axis of the rocket with an accuracy of 2°. By combining information obtained by both type of sensors, the absolute attitudes were determined. The auroral green line emission rate was measured by a photometer on board the same rocket launched under active auroral conditions, and the energy flux of the auroral particle precipitation was estimated.
Jovian longitudinal asymmetry in Io-related and Europa-related auroral hot spots
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Dessler, A. J.; Chamberlain, J. W.
1979-01-01
Auroral emissions generated by the Jovian moons Io and Europa, originating at the foot of the magnetic flux tubes of the satellites, may be largely limited to longitudes where the planet's ionospheric conductivity is enhanced. The enhanced conductivity is produced by trapped energetic electrons that drift into the Jovian atmosphere in regions where the planet's magnetic field is anomalously weak. The most active auroral hot-spot emissions lie in a sector of the northern hemisphere defined by decametric radio emission. Weaker auroral hot spots are found in the southern hemisphere along a magnetic conjugate trace. The brightness and the longitude of the Jovian hot spots predicted in this paper are in agreement with observations reported by Atreya et al. (1977).
Investigating the auroral electrojets using Swarm
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Smith, Ashley; Macmillan, Susan; Beggan, Ciaran; Whaler, Kathy
2016-04-01
The auroral electrojets are large horizontal currents that flow within the ionosphere in ovals around the polar regions. They are an important aspect of space weather and their position and intensity vary with solar wind conditions and geomagnetic activity. The electrojet positions are also governed by the Earth's main magnetic field. During more active periods, the auroral electrojets typically move equatorward and become more intense. This causes a range of effects on Earth and in space, including geomagnetically induced currents in power transmission networks, disturbance to radio communications and increased drag on satellites due to expansion of the atmosphere. They are also indicative of where the aurora are visible. Monitoring of the auroral electrojets in the pre-satellite era was limited to the network of ground-based magnetic observatories, from which the traditional AE activity indices are produced. These suffer in particular from the stations' poor distribution in position and so this motivates the use of satellite-based measurements. With polar low-Earth orbit satellites carrying magnetometers, all latitudes can be sampled with excellent resolution. This poster presents an investigation using Swarm's magnetometer data to detect the electrojets as the spacecraft move above them. We compare and contrast two approaches, one which uses vector data and the other which uses scalar data (Hamilton and Macmillan 2013, Vennerstrom and Moretto, 2013). Using ideas from both approaches we determine the oval positions and intensities from Swarm and earlier satellites. The variation in latitude and intensity with solar wind conditions, geomagnetic activity and secular variation of the main field is investigated. We aim to elucidate the relative importance of these factors. Hamilton, B. and Macmillan, S., 2013. Investigation of decadal scale changes in the auroral oval positions using Magsat and CHAMP data. Poster at IAGA 12th Scientific Assembly, 2013. http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/503037/ Vennerstrom, S. and Moretto, T., 2013. Monitoring auroral electrojets with satellite data. Space Weather, VOL. 11, 509-519, doi:10.1002/swe.20090
Technology Transition and Adoption: A Study in Search of Metrics for Evaluating Transition
2010-12-01
Coalitions and Agents Project (Fast C2AP) 3 Direct Thermal to Electric Conversion (DTEC) 3 High-Frequency Active Auroral Project ( HAARP ) Instrument...which the technology is disruptive: 40 RAID TEAM SDS M&DC2 LCCMD DTEC AT3 WASP DOTS LASER Boomerang Virtual Autopsy Program HAARP PCES Ultralog Sticky...RAID SDS Fast C2AP DTEC AT3 WASP Radar Scope DOTS SPEYES LASER Boomerang MAV ACTD HAARP TEAM PCES Ultralog Sticky Flare Active Templates LCCMD VIVID
Double structure of ionospheric conductivity in the midnight auroral oval during a substorm
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kotikov, A. L.; Shishkina, E. M.; Troshichev, O. A.; Sergienko, T. I.
1995-02-01
Measurements of precipitating particles on board Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F7 spacecraft are used to analyze the distribution of ionospheric conductance in the midnight auroral zone during substorms. The distribution is compared with the meridional profile of ionospheric currents calculated from magnetic data from the Kara meridional chain. Two regions of high Hall conductance are found; one of them is the traditional auroral zone, at latitudes 64-68 deg, and the other is a narrow band at latitudes 70-73 deg. The position of high conductance zones is in agreement with the location of the intense westward currents. The accelerated particle population is typical of electrons E(sub e) greater than 5 keV in the high conductance region.
Jovian longitudinal asymmetry in Io-related and Europa-related auroral hot spots
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Dessler, A.J.; Chamberlain, J.W.
1979-06-15
Jupiter's internal magnetic field is markedly non-dipolar. We propose that Io- or Europa-generated auroral emissions (originating at the foot of either Io's or Europa's magnetic flux tube) are largely restricted to longitudes where Jupiter's ionospheric conductivity is enhanced. Trapped, energetic electrons that drift into Jupiter's atmosphere, in regions where the Jovian magnetic field is anomalously weak, produce the increased conductivity. The longitude range of enchanced auroral hot-spot emissions is thus restricted to an active sector that is determined from dekametric radio emission to lie in the northern hemisphere in the Jovian System III (1965) longitude range of 205/sup 0/ +-more » 30/sup 0/. Relatively weaker auroral hot spots should occur in the southern hemisphere along the mgnetic conjugate trace covering the longitude range of 215/sup 0/ +- 55/sup 0/. At other longitudes, the brightness of the hot spot should decrease by at least one order of magnitude. These results, with respect to both brightness and longitude, are in accord with the observations of Jovian auroral hot spots reported by Atreya et al. We show that the northern hemisphere foot of either Io's or Europa's magnetic flux tube was in the preferred longitude range (the active sector) at the time of each observation.« less
Auroral electrojets and evening sector electron dropouts at synchronous orbit
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Erickson, K. N.; Winckler, J. R.
1973-01-01
Evidence is presented in support of the concept that, during magnetospheric substorms, ionospheric auroral electrojet currents are directly coupled to the proton partial ring current in the outer magnetosphere. It has been found that for sufficiently isolated substorms the timing of the start of the electron dropout and of its maximum depression is in good agreement with the start and maximum of electrojet activity as indicated by the auroral electrojet index. This correlation suggests a direct coupling between the electrojet currents and the proton partial ring current.
Atmospheric Pressure and Velocity Fluctuations Near the Auroral Electrojet.
1982-01-15
various aspects of the atmosphere’s dynamical response to auroral activity have been carried out by Blumen and Hendl (1969), Testud (1970), Francis...Geophys. Res. 80, 2839, 1975. Testud , 3., Gravity waves generated during magnetic substorms, 3. Atmos. Terr. Phys. 32, 1793, 1970. Waco, D. E., A
Global MHD Modeling of Auroral Conjugacy for Different IMF Conditions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hesse, M.; Kuznetsova, M. M.; Liu, Y. H.; Birn, J.; Rastaetter, L.
2016-12-01
The question whether auroral features are conjugate or not, and the search for the underlying scientific causes is of high interest in magnetospheric and ionospheric physics. Consequently, this topic has attracted considerable attention in space-based observations of auroral features, and it has inspired a number of theoretical ideas and related modeling activities. Potential contributing factors to the presence or absence of auroral conjugacy include precipitation asymmetries in case of the diffuse aurora, inter-hemispherical conductivity differences, magnetospheric asymmetries brought about by, e.g., dipole tilt, corotation, or IMF By, and, finally, asymmetries in field-aligned current generation primarily in the nightside magnetosphere. In this presentation, we will analyze high-resolution, global MHD simulations of magnetospheric dynamics, with emphasis on auroral conjugacy. For the purpose of this study, we define controlled conditions by selecting solstice times with steady solar wind input, the latter of which includes an IMF rotation from purely southward to east-westward. Conductivity models will include both auroral precipaition proxies as well as the effects of the aysmmetric daylight. We will analyze these simulations with respect to conjugacies or the lack thereof, and study the role of the effects above in determing the former.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Craven, J. D.; Frank, L. A.; Russell, C. T.; Smith, E. J.; Lepping, R. P.
1985-01-01
The global auroral responses to shocks in the solar wind at Earth were studied. The z-component of the interplanetary magnetic field, Bz, is negative ahead and behind the first shock and positive for the second case. A sudden-commencement geomagnetic storm develops in each case, with maximum D sub st 190 nT. An immediate auroral response is detected at all longitudes around the auroral oval, in which auroral luminosities increase by a factor of 2 to 3 with the first samples after each sudden commencement. The time delay in obtaining the first sample varies with local time from approx. 1 to 18 mins. No other significant variations in the aurora are associated with the immediate response. Beginning approx. 30 mins after each sudden commencement, the aurora becomes active and displays significant variations in its luminosity and spatial distribution. For Bz 0 an intense substorm develops. A sun-aligned transpolar arc forms when Bz 0, appearing first at local midnight as a polar arc and then lengthening sunward from the auroral oval across the polar cap to noon at an average speed of approx. 1 km/sec.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.; Burke, W. J.; Erickson, G. M.; Nakamura, M.; Mukai, T.; Kokubun, S.; Yamamoto, T.; Jacobsen, B.; Egeland, A.; Samson, J. C.;
1997-01-01
Geotail plasma and field measurements at -95 R(sub E) are compared with extensive ground-based, near-Earth, and geosynchronous measurements to study relationships between auroral activity and magnetotail dynamics during the expansion phases of two substorms. The studied intervals are representative of intermittent, moderate activity. The behavior of the aurora and the observed effects at Geotail for both events are harmonized by the concept of the activation of near-Earth X lines (NEXL) after substorm onsets, with subsequent discharges of one or more plasmoids down the magnetotail. The plasmoids must be viewed as three-dimensional structures which are spatially limited in the dawn-dusk direction. Also, reconnection at the NEXL must proceed at variable rates on closed magnetic field lines for significant times before beginning to reconnect lobe flux. This implies that the plasma sheet in the near-Earth magnetotail is relatively thick in comparison with an embedded current sheet and that both the NEXL and distant X line can be active simultaneously. Until reconnection at the NEXL engages lobe flux, the distant X line maintains control of the poleward auroral boundary. If the NEXL remains active after reaching the lobe, the auroral boundary can move poleward explosively. The dynamics of high-latitude aurora in the midnight region thus provides a means for monitoring these processes and indicating when significant lobe flux reconnects at the NEXL.
Strong Solar Control of Infrared Aurora on Jupiter: Correlation Since the Last Solar Maximum
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kostiuk, T.; Livengood, T. A.; Hewagama, T.
2009-01-01
Polar aurorae in Jupiter's atmosphere radiate throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from X ray through mid-infrared (mid-IR, 5 - 20 micron wavelength). Voyager IRIS data and ground-based spectroscopic measurements of Jupiter's northern mid-IR aurora, acquired since 1982, reveal a correlation between auroral brightness and solar activity that has not been observed in Jovian aurora at other wavelengths. Over nearly three solar cycles, Jupiter auroral ethane emission brightness and solar 10.7 cm radio flux and sunspot number are positively correlated with high confidence. Ethane line emission intensity varies over tenfold between low and high solar activity periods. Detailed measurements have been made using the GSFC HIPWAC spectrometer at the NASA IRTF since the last solar maximum, following the mid-IR emission through the declining phase toward solar minimum. An even more convincing correlation with solar activity is evident in these data. Current analyses of these results will be described, including planned measurements on polar ethane line emission scheduled through the rise of the next solar maximum beginning in 2009, with a steep gradient to a maximum in 2012. This work is relevant to the Juno mission and to the development of the Europa Jupiter System Mission. Results of observations at the Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) operated by the University of Hawaii under Cooperative Agreement no. NCC5-538 with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Science Mission Directorate, Planetary Astronomy Program. This work was supported by the NASA Planetary Astronomy Program.
Continuing Studies in Support of Ultraviolet Observations of Planetary Atmospheres
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Clark, John
1997-01-01
This program was a one-year extension of an earlier Planetary Atmospheres program grant, covering the period 1 August 1996 through 30 September 1997. The grant was for supporting work to complement an active program observing planetary atmospheres with Earth-orbital telescopes, principally the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The recent concentration of this work has been on HST observations of Jupiter's upper atmosphere and aurora, but it has also included observations of Io, serendipitous observations of asteroids, and observations of the velocity structure in the interplanetary medium. The observations of Jupiter have been at vacuum ultraviolet wavelengths, including imaging and spectroscopy of the auroral and airglow emissions. The most recent HST observations have been at the same time as in situ measurements made by the Galileo orbiter instruments, as reflected in the meeting presentations listed below. Concentrated efforts have been applied in this year to the following projects: The analysis of HST WFPC 2 images of Jupiter's aurora, including the Io footprint emissions. We have performed a comparative analysis of the lo footprint locations with two magnetic field models, studied the statistical properties of the apparent dawn auroral storms on Jupiter, and found various other repeated patterns in Jupiter's aurora. Analysis and modeling of airglow and auroral Ly alpha emission line profiles from Jupiter. This has included modeling the aurora] line profiles, including the energy degradation of precipitating charged particles and radiative transfer of the emerging emissions. Jupiter's auroral emission line profile is self-absorbed, since it is produced by an internal source, and the resulting emission with a deep central absorption from the overlying atmosphere permits modeling of the depth of the emissions, plus the motion of the emitting layer with respect to the overlying atmospheric column from the observed Doppler shift of the central absorption. By contrast the airglow emission line, which is dominated by resonant scattering of solar emission, has no central absorption, but displays rapid time variations and broad wings, indicative of a superthermal component (or corona) in Jupiter's upper atmosphere. Modeling of the observed motions of the plumes produced after the impacts of the fragments of Comet S/L-9 with Jupiter in July 1994, from the HST WFPC 2 imaging series.
Morphology of auroral zone radio wave scintillation
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Rino, C.L.; Matthews, S.J.
1980-08-01
This paper describes the morphology of midnight sector and morning sector auroral zone scintillation observations made over a two-year period using the Wideband satelite, which is in a sun-synchronous, low-altitude orbit. No definitive seasonal variation was found. The nighttime data showed the highest scintillation ocurrence levels, but significant amounts of morning scintillation were observed. For the most part the scintillation activity followed the general pattern of local magnetic activity. The most prominent feature in the nightime data is a localized amplitude and phase scintillation enhancement at the point where the propagation vector lies within an L shell. A geometrical effectmore » due to a dynamic slab of sheetlike structures in the F region is hypothesized as the source of his enhancement. The data have been sorted by magnetic activity, proximity to local midnight, and season. The general features of the data are in agreement with the accepted morphology of auroral zone scintillation.« less
Remote Determination of Auroral Energy Characteristics During Substorm Activity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Germany, G. A.; Parks, G. K.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Cumnock, J.; Lummerzheim, D.; Spann, J. F., Jr.
1997-01-01
Ultraviolet auroral images from the Ultraviolet Imager onboard the POLAR satellite can be used as quantitative remote diagnostics of the auroral regions, yielding estimates of incident energy characteristics, compositional changes, and other higher order data products. In particular, images of long and short wavelength N2 Lyman-Birge-Hopfield (LBH) emissions can be modeled to obtain functions of energy flux and average energy that are basically insensitive to changes in seasonal and solar activity changes. This technique is used in this study to estimate incident electron energy flux and average energy during substorm activity occurring on May 19, 1996. This event was simultaneously observed by WIND, GEOTAIL, INTERBALL, DMSP and NOAA spacecraft as well as by POLAR. Here incident energy estimates derived from Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) are compared with in situ measurements of the same parameters from an overflight by the DMSP F12 satellite coincident with the UVI image times.
Mapping auroral activity with Twitter
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Case, N. A.; MacDonald, E. A.; Heavner, M.; Tapia, A. H.; Lalone, N.
2015-05-01
Twitter is a popular, publicly accessible, social media service that has proven useful in mapping large-scale events in real time. In this study, for the first time, the use of Twitter as a measure of auroral activity is investigated. Peaks in the number of aurora-related tweets are found to frequently coincide with geomagnetic disturbances (detection rate of 91%). Additionally, the number of daily aurora-related tweets is found to strongly correlate with several auroral strength proxies (ravg≈0.7). An examination is made of the bias for location and time of day within Twitter data, and a first-order correction of these effects is presented. Overall, the results suggest that Twitter can provide both specific details about an individual aurora and accurate real-time indication of when, and even from where, an aurora is visible.
Monitoring Auroral Electrojet from Polar Cap Stations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tan, A.; Lyatsky, W.; Lyatskaya, S.
2004-12-01
The auroral electrojet AL and AE geomagnetic activity indices are important for monitoring geomagnetic substorms. In the northern hemisphere these indices are derived from measurements at a set of geomagnetic observatories located in the auroral zone. In the southern hemisphere the major portion of the auroral zone is located on the ocean; this does not allow us to derive the auroral electrojet indices in the same way. We showed that monitoring the auroral electrojet is possible from magnetic field measurements at polar cap stations. For this purpose we used hourly values of geomagnetic field variations at four polar cap stations, distributed along polar cap boundary and occupying a longitudinal sector of about 14 hours, and calculated mean values of the total magnetic field disturbance T = (X2 + Y2 + Z2)1/2 where X, Y, and Z are geomagnetic field components measured at these polar cap stations. The set of the obtained values were called the T index. This index has a clear physical mining: it is the summary of geomagnetic disturbance in all three components averaged over the polar cap boundary. We found that correlation coefficients for the dependence of the T index on both AL and AE indices are as high as ~0.9 and higher. The high correlation of the T index with the AL and AE indices takes place for any UT hour when the stations were located at the night side. The T index further shows good correlation with solar wind parameters: the correlation coefficient for the dependence of the T index on the solar wind-geomagnetic activity coupling function is ~0.8 and higher, which is close to the correlation coefficient for AL index. The T index may be especially important in the cases when ground-based measurements in the auroral zone are impossible as in the southern hemisphere.
An empirical model of the auroral oval derived from CHAMP field-aligned current signatures - Part 2
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Xiong, C.; Lühr, H.
2014-06-01
In this paper we introduce a new model for the location of the auroral oval. The auroral boundaries are derived from small- and medium-scale field-aligned current (FAC) based on the high-resolution CHAMP (CHAllenging Minisatellite Payload) magnetic field observations during the years 2000-2010. The basic shape of the auroral oval is controlled by the dayside merging electric field, Em, and can be fitted well by ellipses at all levels of activity. All five ellipse parameters show a dependence on Em which can be described by quadratic functions. Optimal delay times for the merging electric field at the bow shock are 30 and 15 min for the equatorward and poleward boundaries, respectively. A comparison between our model and the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) auroral model derived from IMAGE (Imager for Magnetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration) optical observations has been performed. There is good agreement between the two models regarding both boundaries, and the differences show a Gaussian distribution with a width of ±2° in latitude. The difference of the equatorward boundary shows a local-time dependence, which is 1° in latitude poleward in the morning sector and 1° equatorward in the afternoon sector of the BAS model. We think the difference between the two models is caused by the appearance of auroral forms in connection with upward FACs. All information required for applying our auroral oval model (CH-Aurora-2014) is provided.
An explanation of auroral intensification during the substorm expansion phase
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yao, Zhonghua; Rae, I. J.; Lui, A. T. Y.; Murphy, K. R.; Owen, C. J.; Pu, Z. Y.; Forsyth, C.; Grodent, D.; Zong, Q.-G.; Du, A. M.; Kalmoni, N. M. E.
2017-08-01
A multiple auroral onset substorm on 28 March 2010 provides an opportunity to understand the physical mechanism in generating auroral intensifications during a substorm expansion phase. Conjugate observations of magnetic fields and plasma from the Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms (THEMIS) spacecraft, of field-aligned currents (FACs) from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) satellites, and from ground-based magnetometers and aurora are all available. The comprehensive measurements allow us to further our understanding of the complicated causalities among dipolarization, FAC generation, particle acceleration, and auroral intensification. During the substorm expansion phase, the plasma sheet expanded and was perturbed leading to the generation of a slow mode wave, which modulated electron flux in the outer plasma sheet. During this current sheet expansion, field-aligned currents formed, and geomagnetic perturbations were simultaneously detected by ground-based instruments. However, a magnetic dipolarization did not occur until about 3 min later in the outer plasma sheet observed by THEMIS-A spacecraft (THA). We believe that this dipolarization led to an efficient Fermi acceleration to electrons and consequently the cause of a significant auroral intensification during the expansion phase as observed by the All-Sky Imagers (ASIs). This Fermi acceleration mechanism operating efficiently in the outer plasma sheet during the expansion phase could be a common explanation of the poleward auroral development after substorm onset. These results also show a good agreement between the upward FAC derived from AMPERE measurements and the auroral brightening observed by the ASIs.
Very low frequency waves stimulated by an electron accelerator in the auroral ionosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Holtet, J. A.; Pran, B. K.; Egeland, A.; Grandal, B.; Jacobsen, T. A.; Maehlum, B. N.; Troim, J.
1981-01-01
The sounding rocket, Polar 5, carrying a 10 keV electron accelerator in a mother-daughter configuration and other diagnostic instruments, was launched into a slightly disturbed ionosphere with weak auroral activity on February 1, 1976 from Northern Norway to study VLF wave phenomena. The rocket trajectory crossed two auroral regions: one, between 86 and 111 s flight time, and a secondary region between 230 and 330 s. The daughter, carrying the accelerator, was separated axially from the mother in a forward direction at an altitude of 90 km. The VLF experiment, carried by the mother payload, recorded both electromagnetic and electrostatic waves. The receiving antenna was an electric dipole, 0.3 m tip-to-tip, oriented 90 degrees to the rocket spin axis. The onboard particle detector recorded increased electron fluxes in the two auroral regions. A double peaked structure was observed in the fluxes of 4-5 and 12-27 keV electrons within the northern auroral form. The number density of thermal plasma varied during the flight, with maximum density within the main auroral region. To the north of this aurora a slow, steady decrease in the density was observed, with no enhancement in the region of the second aurora.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Michell, R. G.; Lynch, K. A.; Heinselman, C. J.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.
2008-11-01
We present results from a coordinated camera and radar study of the auroral ionosphere conducted during March of 2006 from Poker Flat, Alaska. The campaign was conducted to coincide with engineering tests of the first quarter installation of the Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR). On 31 March 2006, a moderately intense auroral arc, (~10 kR at 557.7 nm), was located in the local magnetic zenith at Poker Flat. During this event the radar observed 7 distinct periods of abnormally large backscattered power from the F-region. These were only observed in the field-aligned radar beam, and radar spectra from these seven times show naturally enhanced ion-acoustic lines (NEIALs), the first observed with PFISR. These times corresponded to (a) when the polar cap boundary of the auroral oval passed through the magnetic zenith, and (b) when small-scale filamentary dark structures were visible in the magnetic zenith. The presence of both (a) and (b) was necessary for their occurrence. Soft electron precipitation occurs near the magnetic zenith during these same times. The electron density in the vicinity where NEIALs have been observed by previous studies is roughly between 5 and 30×1010 m-3. Broad-band extremely low frequency (BBELF) wave activity is observed in situ by satellites and sounding rockets to occur with similar morphology, during active auroral conditions, associated with the poleward edge of the aurora and soft electron precipitation. The observations presented here suggest further investigation of the idea that NEIALs and BBELF wave activity are differently-observed aspects of the same wave phenomenon. If a connection between NEIALs and BBELF can be established with more data, this could provide a link between in situ measurements of downward current regions (DCRs) and dynamic aurora, and ground-based observations of dark auroral structures and NEIALs. Identification of in situ processes, namely wave activity, in ground-based signatures could have many implications. One specific example of interest is identifying and following the temporal and spatial evolution of regions of potential ion outflow over large spatial and temporal scales using ground-based optical observations.
Polar CAP Boundary Identification Using Redline Imaging Data
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Spanswick, E.; Roy, E. A.; Gallardo-Lacourt, B.; Donovan, E.; Ridley, A. J.; Gou, D.
2017-12-01
The location of the polar cap boundary is typically detected using low-orbit satellite measurements in which the boundary is identified by its unique signature of a sharp decrease in energy and particle flux poleward of the auroral oval. A previous study based in optical data by Blanchard et al. [1995] suggested that a dramatic gradient in redline aurora may also be an indicator of the polar cap boundary. While this study has been heavily cited, it was only based on few events and its findings have largely gone uncontested. Since the Blanchard study, satellite instrumentation and available auroral data have improved significantly. Auroral imaging has moved well beyond the capabilities of the instrumentation in the previous study in terms of sensitivity and both spatial and temporal resolution. We now have access to decades of optical data from arrays spanning a huge spatial range; none of which was available previously. In this study we have used data from FAST and DMSP satellites in conjunction with the University of Calgary's Narrow-band All-sky Cameras for Auroral Monitoring (NASCAM) ground based auroral imaging array and the REdline Geospace Observatory (REGO) data to assess the viability of automated detection of the polar cap boundary. In our analysis we used redline (630nm) auroral signatures from the ground based imagers around the location of the polar cap boundary observed in satellite data. We have characterized the polar cap boundary luminosity and location using the redline auroral data during different geomagnetic conditions. Our results enable a new tool to automatically identify the polar cap boundary to reach a deeper understanding of the connection between polar cap location and auroral activity.
Hemispheric Asymmetries in Substorm Recovery Time Scales
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Fillingim, M. O.; Chua, D H.; Germany, G. A.; Spann, James F.
2009-01-01
Previous statistical observations have shown that the recovery time scales of substorms occurring in the winter and near equinox (when the nighttime auroral zone was in darkness) are roughly twice as long as the recovery time scales for substorms occurring in the summer (when the nighttime auroral region was sunlit). This suggests that auroral substorms in the northern and southern hemispheres develop asymmetrically during solstice conditions with substorms lasting longer in the winter (dark) hemisphere than in the summer (sunlit) hemisphere. Additionally, this implies that more energy is deposited by electron precipitation in the winter hemisphere than in the summer one during substorms. This result, coupled with previous observations that have shown that auroral activity is more common when the ionosphere is in darkness and is suppressed when the ionosphere is in daylight, strongly suggests that the ionospheric conductivity plays an important role governing how magnetospheric energy is transferred to the ionosphere during substorms. Therefore, the ionosphere itself may dictate how much energy it will accept from the magnetosphere during substorms rather than this being an externally imposed quantity. Here, we extend our earlier work by statistically analyzing the recovery time scales for a large number of substorms observed in the conjugate hemispheres simultaneously by two orbiting global auroral imagers: Polar UVI and IMAGE FUV. Our current results are consistent with previous observations. The recovery time scales are observed to be longer in the winter (dark) hemisphere while the auroral activity has a shorter duration in the summer (sunlit) hemisphere. This leads to an asymmetric energy input from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere with more energy being deposited in the winter hemisphere than in the summer hemisphere.
Space Weather Products and Tools Used in Auroral Monitoring and Forecasting at CCMC/SWRC
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zheng, Yihua; Rastaetter, Lutz
2015-01-01
Key points discussed in this chapter are (1) the importance of aurora research to scientific advances and space weather applications, (2) space weather products at CCMC that are relevant to aurora monitoring and forecasting, and (3) the need for more effort from the whole community to achieve a better and long-lead-time forecast of auroral activity. Aurora, as manifestations of solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling that occurs in a region of space that is relatively easy to access for sounding rockets, satellites, and other types of observational platforms, serves as a natural laboratory for studying the underlying physics of the complex system. From a space weather application perspective, auroras can cause surface charging of technological assets passing through the region, result in scintillation effects affecting communication and navigation, and cause radar cluttering that hinders military and civilian applications. Indirectly, an aurora and its currents can induce geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) on the ground, which poses major concerns for the wellbeing and operation of power grids, particularly during periods of intense geomagnetic activity. In addition, accurate auroral forecasting is desired for auroral tourism. In this chapter, we first review some of the existing auroral models and discuss past validation efforts. Such efforts are crucial in transitioning a model(s) from research to operations and for further model improvement and development that also benefits scientific endeavors. Then we will focus on products and tools that are used for auroral monitoring and forecasting at the Space Weather Research Center (SWRC). As part of the CCMC (Community Coordinated Modeling Center), SWRC has been providing space weather services since 2010.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hull, A. J.; Chaston, C. C.; Fillingim, M. O.; Frey, H. U.; Goldstein, M. L.; Bonnell, J. W.; Mozer, F.
2015-12-01
The auroral acceleration region is an integral link in the chain of events that transpire during substorms, and the currents, plasma and electric fields undergo significant changes driven by complex dynamical processes deep in the magnetotail. The acceleration processes that occur therein accelerate and heat the plasma that ultimately leads to some of the most intense global substorm auroral displays. Though this region has garnered considerable attention, the temporal evolution of field-aligned current systems, associated acceleration processes, and resultant changes in the plasma constituents that occur during key stages of substorm development remain unclear. In this study we present a survey of Cluster traversals within and just above the auroral acceleration region (≤3 Re altitude) during substorms. Particular emphasis is on the spatial morphology and developmental sequence of auroral acceleration current systems, potentials and plasma constituents, with the aim of identifying controlling factors, and assessing auroral emmission consequences. Exploiting multi-point measurements from Cluster in combination with auroral imaging, we reveal the injection powered, Alfvenic nature of both the substorm onset and expansion of auroral particle acceleration. We show evidence that indicates substorm onsets are characterized by the gross-intensification and filamentation/striation of pre-existing large-scale current systems to smaller/dispersive scale Alfven waves. Such an evolutionary sequence has been suggested in theoretical models or single spacecraft data, but has not been demonstrated or characterized in multispacecraft observations until now. It is also shown how the Alfvenic variations over time may dissipate to form large-scale inverted-V structures characteristic of the quasi-static aurora. These findings suggest that, in addition to playing active roles in driving substorm aurora, inverted-V and Alfvenic acceleration processes are causally linked. Key elements of substorm current spatial structure and temporal development, relationship to electric fields/potentials, plasma moment and distribution features, causal linkages to auroral emission features, and other properties will be discussed.
The Role of the Auroral Processes in the Formation of the Outer Electron Radiation Belt
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stepanova, M. V.; Antonova, E. E.; Pinto, V. A.; Moya, P. S.; Riazantseva, M.; Ovchinnikov, I.
2016-12-01
The role of the auroral processes in the formation of the outer electron radiation belt during storms is analyzed using the data of RBSP mission, low orbiting satellites and ground based observations. We analyze fluxes of the low energy precipitating ions using data of the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP). The location of the auroral electrojet is obtained from the IMAGE magnetometer network, and of the electron distribution in the outer radiation belt from the RBSP mission. We take into account the latest results on the auroral oval mapping in accordance with which the most part of the auroral oval maps not to the plasma sheet. It maps into the surrounding the Earth plasma ring in which transverse currents are closed inside the magnetosphere. Such currents constitute the high latitude continuation of the ordinary ring current. The development of the ring current and its high latitude continuation generates strong distortion of the Earth's magnetic field and corresponding adiabatic variation of the relativistic electron fluxes. This adiabatic variation should be considered for the analysis of the processes of the acceleration of relativistic electrons and formation of the outer radiation belt. We also analyze the plasma pressure profiles during storms and demonstrate the formation of sharp plasma pressure peak at the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval. It is shown that the observed this peak is directly connected to the creation of the seed population of relativistic electrons. We discuss the possibility to predict the position of new radiation belt during recovery phase of the magnetic storm using data of low orbiting and ground based observations.
Engineering support for an ultraviolet imager for the ISTP mission
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Torr, Douglas G.
1991-01-01
Design and development activities were carried out for the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) to be flown on the Polar Spacecraft of the INternational Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) Mission. The following tasks were performed: (1) design and fabrication of prototype/engineering model of the UVI imager; (2) preliminary design review; (3) vacuum ultraviolet filter design; (4) auroral energy deposition code; (5) model of LBH vehicle glow; (6) laboratory measurement program of collision cross-sections; and (7) support of ISTP meetings.
2002-10-31
association with the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ). In addition to a classic riometer and a GPS Total Electron Content (TEC...sensor previously operating at the HAARP site, NWRA also operates a set of Transit receivers for measurements of TEC and scintillation at VHF and UHF...supplementing the receiver at HAARP with a receiver north of the site and an additional receiver installed south of the HAARP site.
2011-10-31
required for space flight. Dr. John Hughes and Dr. Abas Sivjee of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona FL and all the staff at the HAARP ...Laboratory, was conducted at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) facility in Alaska. ARROW was shipped to Anchorage AK from...the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC and was delivered, installed, and run at the HAARP facility by ARTEP Inc. personnel. The field
DEMETER Observations of ELF Waves Injected With the HAARP HF Transmitter
2006-08-17
DEMETER observations of ELF waves injected with the HAARP HF transmitter M. Platino,1 U. S. Inan,1 T. F. Bell,1 M. Parrot,2 and E. J. Kennedy3...Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) facility in Gakona, Alaska, (located at L 4.9). Simultaneous observations of all six components of the ELF...signals generated by the HAARP heater are also simultaneously observed at a nearby ground-based site, allowing a comparison of the ELF power in the
Environmental Impact Statement. Volume 1. Proposed High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program
1993-07-01
Proposed HAARP Facility and Potential Borrow Areas P-1 & P-2 Cultural Resources Survey Areas, 1988 - 1990 ....... 3-97 3.9-3 Potential Borrow Area A -1...Cultural Resou Survey Areas 1988 ..... 3-99 3.9-4 Potential Borrow Area A -4 Cultural Resource Survey Areas 1988 ...... 3-101 3.9-5 Potential Borrow Area A -5...1987 (5 holes) and 1988 (2 holes) (USACOE, 1987a; 1988 ), and a series of additional borings conducted in 1989 (Moolin and Associates, 1989). These
1993-07-01
there are any. The recent set of articles in gcience (1) on the effects of Electromagnetic Fields (EDF) states quite clearly and accurately that we...gone into the explanation of how the HAARP will impact the areas most closely related to the study subject, associated electromagnetic fields and...during break-up each year. page 4-90. Exposure to Humans . This first paragraph is terrible. Concerned citizens will be looking here first to learn if
Auroral electron distribution function
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaufmann, R. L.; Dusenbery, P. B.; Thomas, B. J.; Arnoldy, R. L.
1978-01-01
During a rocket flight over an active aurora, electron velocity distribution is studied in the 15-25 keV range. The results are then compared to optical observations made by all-sky cameras and a television system. A broad plateau produced by downcoming electrons was observed. Smaller plateaus were seen when the rocket was south of arcs evident in all-sky camera photographs. By extending to higher energies when the rocket passed out of auroral forms, the plateaus appeared to broaden. When the rocket left an arc or entered weak diffuse auroral structures, the plateaus shrank as the more energetic portions faded. When field-aligned rays were observed within the arcs, the plateau's high-velocity cutoff was found to fluctuate. The results indicate that the auroral plasma was very unstable above the rocket. It is suggested that plateaus are produced as an unstable plasma evolves toward a quasi-equilibrium state.
Production of nitrous oxide in the auroral D and E regions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zipf, E. C.; Prasad, S. S.
1980-01-01
A study of nitrous oxide formation mechanisms indicates that N2O concentrations greater than 10 to the 9th per cu cm could be produced in IBC III aurora or by lower-level activity lasting for many hours, and, in favorable conditions, the N2O concentration could exceed the local nitric oxide density. An upper limit on the globally averaged N2O production rate from auroral activity is estimated at 2 x 10 to the 27th per second.
Auroral x-ray imaging from high- and low-Earth orbit
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
McKenzie, D.L.; Gorney, D.J.; Imhof, W.L.
Observations of bremsstrahlung x rays emitted by energetic electrons impacting the Earth's atmosphere can be used for remotely sensing the morphology, intensity, and energy spectra of electron precipitation from the magnetosphere. The utility of the technique is derived from the broad energy range of observable x rays (2 to > 100 KeV), the simple emission process, the large x-ray mean free path in the atmosphere, and negligible background. Two auroral x-ray imagers, developed for future spaceflights, are discussed. The Polar Ionospheric X-Ray Imaging Experiment is scheduled for launch on the NASA International Solar-Terrestrial Physics/Global Geospace Science program POLAR satellite inmore » 1994. The POLAR orbit, with an apogee and perigee of 9 and 1.8 R[sub e] (Earth radii), respectively, affords the opportunity to image the aurora from a high altitude above the north pole continuously for several hours. The Magnetospheric Atmospheric X-Ray Imaging Experiment (MAXIE) was launched aboard the NOAA-I satellite on August 8, 1993. The 800-km polar orbit passes over both the northern and southern auroral zones every 101 min. MAXIE will be capable of obtaining multiple images of the same auroral region during a single satellite orbit. The experimental approaches used to exploit these very different orbits for remote sensing of the Earth's auroral zones are emphasized.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dombrowski, M. P.; LaBelle, J.; McGaw, D. G.; Broughton, M. C.
2016-07-01
The programmable combined receiver/digital signal processor platform presented in this article is designed for digital downsampling and processing of general waveform inputs with a 66 MHz initial sampling rate and multi-input synchronized sampling. Systems based on this platform are capable of fully autonomous low-power operation, can be programmed to preprocess and filter the data for preselection and reduction, and may output to a diverse array of transmission or telemetry media. We describe three versions of this system, one for deployment on sounding rockets and two for ground-based applications. The rocket system was flown on the Correlation of High-Frequency and Auroral Roar Measurements (CHARM)-II mission launched from Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, in 2010. It measured auroral "roar" signals at 2.60 MHz. The ground-based systems have been deployed at Sondrestrom, Greenland, and South Pole Station, Antarctica. The Greenland system synchronously samples signals from three spaced antennas providing direction finding of 0-5 MHz waves. It has successfully measured auroral signals and man-made broadcast signals. The South Pole system synchronously samples signals from two crossed antennas, providing polarization information. It has successfully measured the polarization of auroral kilometric radiation-like signals as well as auroral hiss. Further systems are in development for future rocket missions and for installation in Antarctic Automatic Geophysical Observatories.
Electrodynamic response of the middle atmosphere to auroral pulsations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Goldberg, R. A.; Croskey, C. L.; Hale, L. C.; Mitchell, J. D.; Barcus, J. R.
1990-01-01
The MAC/EPSILON observational campaign encompassed the use of two Nike Orion rocket payloads which studied the effects of auroral energetics on the middle atmosphere. While one payload was launched during the recovery phase of a moderate magnetic substorm, during fairly stable auroral conditions, the other was launched during highly active postbreakup conditions during which Pc5 pulsations were in progress. The energetic radiation of the first event was composed almost entirely of relativistic electrons below 200 keV, while that of the second was dominated by much softer electrons whose high X-ray fluxes exceeded the cosmic ray background as an ionizing source down to below 30 km.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Henderson, M. G.
2006-12-01
During sawtooth events, the auroral distribution is typically comprised of an active and dynamic double oval configuration. In association with each tooth, the double oval evolves in a repeatable manner in which a wide double-oval configuration gradually thins down in association with an expansion of the polar cap and stretching of the tail field lines. This is followed by a localized substorm-like brightening of the auroral distribution in the dusk to midnight sector on the lower branch of the double oval which subsequently expands rapidly poleward and azimuthally. A new expanded double oval configuration emerges from this expansion phase activity and the cycle repeats itself for the duration of the sawtooth event. This behavior is highly consistent with the Akasofu picture of substorm onset occurring deep within the closed field-line region on the equator-most arc. Due to the large separation between the poleward boundary and the onset region during these types of substorms, the interaction between the onset region and poleward boundary intensifications, auroral streamers, inclined arcs, torches and omega bands are more easily determined. Here, we show that: (1) Sawtooth injections can be produced by the copious production of auroral streamers, without a substorm onset; (2) Auroral streamers typically evolve into torches and omega bands rather than leading to onsets; (3) Equatorward-moving "inclined arcs" can feed into the onset region. The observations might be explained by the scale-size-dependent behavior of earthward-moving depleted flux tubes in the tail. In this hypothesis, streamers can penetrate rapidly toward the earth (via interchange) and mitigate the pressure crisis in the near-earth region, while the slower-moving inclined arcs map to large-scale depleted flux tubes that do not efficiently penetrate earthward and hence do not alleviate the pressure crisis in the pre-midnight sector.
High-Latitude Scintillation Morphology, Alaskan Sector
1979-10-01
region. Localized nighttime scintillation enhancements within the scin - tillation boundary have been associated with active auroral arcs. This list...thus ideally located for measuring scin - tillation phenomena associated with the nighttime auroral oval. The Wideband satellite orbit is such that...1000 UT). The region of enhanced phase scin - tillation between 0952 and 0955 is associated with a narrow region of enhanced energetic particle
Relationship between large horizontal electric fields and auroral arc elements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lanchester, B. S.; Kailá, K.; McCrea, I. W.
1996-03-01
High time resolution optical measurements in the magnetic zenith are compared with European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) field-aligned measurements of electron density at 0.2-s resolution and with horizontal electric field measurements made at 278 km with resolution of 9 s. In one event, 20 min after a spectacular auroral breakup, a system of narrow and active arc elements moved southward into the magnetic zenith, where it remained for several minutes. During a 30-s interval of activity in a narrow arc element very close to the radar beam, the electric field vectors at 3-s resolution were found to be extremely large (up to 400 mVm-1) and to point toward the bright optical features in the arc, which moved along its length. It is proposed that the large electric fields are short-lived and are directly associated with the particle precipitation that causes the bright features in auroral arc elements.
Low-Altitude Satellite Measurements of Pulsating Auroral Electrons
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Samara, M.; Michell, R. G.; Redmon, R. J.
2015-01-01
We present observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and Reimei satellites, where common-volume high-resolution ground-based auroral imaging data are available. These satellite overpasses of ground-based all-sky imagers reveal the specific features of the electron populations responsible for different types of pulsating aurora modulations. The energies causing the pulsating aurora mostly range from 3 keV to 20 keV but can at times extend up to 30 keV. The secondary, low-energy electrons (<1 keV) are diminished from the precipitating distribution when there are strong temporal variations in auroral intensity. There are often persistent spatial structures present inside regions of pulsating aurora, and in these regions there are secondary electrons in the precipitating populations. The reduction of secondary electrons is consistent with the strongly temporally varying pulsating aurora being associated with field-aligned currents and hence parallel potential drops of up to 1 kV.
Lyman alpha line shapes from electron impact H2 dissociative processes in the Jovian auroral zone
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Waite, J. H., Jr.; Gladstone, G. R.
1992-01-01
Over the past two years several Lyman alpha line profile spectra of Jupiter were obtained using the International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) telescope. Several different regions of the planet were observed including the auroral zone, the low and mid latitudes, and the equatorial region which includes the Lyman alpha bulge region. These results have presented a very interesting picture of atomic hydrogen on Jupiter with explanations that range from ion outflow in the auroral zone to large thermospheric winds at low and mid latitudes. New data are needed to address the outstanding questions. Almost certainly, high resolution spectra from the Hubble Space Telescope will play a role in new observations. Better data also require better models, and better models require new laboratory data as inputs. The purpose of this program is two-fold: (1) to introduce a method by which new laboratory electron impact measurements of H2 dissociation can be used to calculate both the slow and fast H(S-2) and H(P-2) fragments in an H2 atmosphere; and (2) to determine the predicted Lyman alpha line shape that would result from electron impact production of these dissociative fragments in the Jovian auroral zone.
Lühr, Hermann; Huang, Tao; Wing, Simon; Kervalishvili, Guram; Rauberg, Jan; Korth, Haje
2017-01-01
ESA’s Swarm constellation mission makes it possible for the first time to determine field-aligned currents (FACs) in the ionosphere uniquely. In particular at high latitudes, the dual-satellite approach can reliably detect some FAC structures which are missed by the traditional single-satellite technique. These FAC events occur preferentially poleward of the auroral oval and during times of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) orientation. Most events appear on the nightside. They are not related to the typical FAC structures poleward of the cusp, commonly termed NBZ. Simultaneously observed precipitating particle spectrograms and auroral images from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites are consistent with the detected FACs and indicate that they occur on closed field lines mostly adjacent to the auroral oval. We suggest that the FACs are associated with Sun-aligned filamentary auroral arcs. Here we introduce in an initial study features of the high-latitude FAC structures which have been observed during the early phase of the Swarm mission. A more systematic survey over longer times is required to fully characterize the so far undetected field aligned currents. PMID:29056833
Observations of the auroral hectometric radio emission onboard the INTERBALL-1 satellite
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kuril'Chik, V. N.
2007-06-01
The results of five-year (1995 2000) continuous observations of the auroral radio emission (ARE) in the hectometric wavelength range on the high-apogee INTERBALL-1 satellite are presented. Short intense bursts of the auroral hectometric radio emission (AHR) were observed at frequencies of 1463 and 1501 kHz. The bursts were observed predominantly at times when the terrestrial magnetosphere was undisturbed (in the quiet Sun period), and their number decreased rapidly with increasing solar activity. The bursts demonstrated seasonal dependence in the Northern and Southern hemispheres (dominating in the autumn-winter period). Their appearance probably depends on the observation time (UT). A qualitative explanation of the AHR peculiarities is given.
Electromagnetic plasma wave emissions from the auroral field lines
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gurnett, D. A.
1977-01-01
The most important types of auroral radio emissions are reviewed, both from a historical perspective as well as considering the latest results. Particular emphasis is placed on four types of electromagnetic emissions which are directly associated with the plasma on the auroral field lines. These emissions are (1) auroral hiss, (2) saucers, (3) ELF noise bands, and (4) auroral kilometric radiation. Ray tracing and radio direction finding measurements indicate that both the auroral hiss and auroral kilometric radiation are generated along the auroral field lines relatively close to the earth, at radial distances from about 2.5 to 5 R sub e. For the auroral hiss the favored mechanism appears to be amplified Cerenkov radiation. For the auroral kilometric radiation several mechanisms have been proposed, usually involving the intermediate generation of electrostatic waves by the precipitating electrons.
Polarisation of the auroral red line in the Earth's upper atmosphere: a review (Invited)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, H.; Barthelemy, M.; Lilensten, J.; Bommier, V.; Simon Wedlund, C.
2013-12-01
Polarisation of light is a key observable to provide information about asymmetry or anisotropy within a radiative source. Polarimetry of auroral emission lines in the Earth's upper atmosphere has been overlooked for decades. However, the bright red auroral line (6300Å) produced by collisional impact with electrons precipitating along magnetic field lines is a good candidate to search for polarisation. This problem was investigated recently with observations obtained by Lilensten et al (2008), Barthélemy et al (2011) and Lilensten et al (2013) with a photopolarimeter. Analysis of the data indicates that the red auroral emission line is polarised at a level of a few percent. The results are compared to theoretical predictions of Bommier et al (2011) that were obtained for a collimated beam. The comparison suggests the existence of depolarization processes whose origin will be discussed. A new dedicated spectropolarimeter currently under development will also be presented. This instrument will cover the optical spectrum from approximately 400 to 700 nm providing simultaneously the polarisation of the red line and of other interesting auroral emission lines such as N2+ 1NG (4278Å), other N2 bands, etc... The importance of these polarisation measurements in the context of upper atmosphere modelling and geomagnetic activity will be discussed. Lilensten, J. et al, Polarization in aurorae: A new dimension for space environments studies, Geophys. Res. Lett., 26, 269, 2008 Barthélemy M. et al, Polarisation in the auroral red line during coordinated EISCAT Svalbard Radar/optical experiments, Annales Geophysicae, Volume 29, Issue 6, 2011, 1101-1112, 2011. Bommier V. et al, The Theoretical Impact Polarization of the O I 6300 Å Red Line of Earth Auroræ, Annales Geophysicae, Volume 29, Issue 1, 2011, 71-79, 2011 Lilensten, J. et al, The thermospheric auroral red line polarization: confirmation of detection and first quantitative analysis, Journal of Space Weather and Space Climate, Volume 3, 12, 2013.
Spectrophotometry of planetary atmosphere from the X-15 rocket airplane
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Murcray, W. B.
1973-01-01
Nike-Apache and Nike-Tomahawk rocket flights using spectrophotometric techniques to investigate auroral activity are reported. The specific objectives were to obtain data relative to typical auroral situations, including quiet pre-breakup auroras, westward traveling surges, breakup auroras, and post-breakup auroras. It was found that excited atoms move considerable distances between excitation and emission owing to the high velocity wind conditions prevailing above 200 km. Based on the results of these observations, recommendations are made for future studies of ionized atmospheric activity at higher altitudes.
The Visible Imaging System (VIS) for the Polar Spacecraft
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Frank, L. A.; Sigwarth, J. B.; Craven, J. D.; Cravens, J. P.; Dolan, J. S.; Dvorsky, M. R.; Hardebeck, P. K.; Harvey, J. D.; Muller, D. W.
1995-01-01
The Visible Imaging System (VIS) is a set of three low-light-level cameras to be flown on the POLAR spacecraft of the Global Geospace Science (GGS) program which is an element of the International Solar-Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) campaign. Two of these cameras share primary and some secondary optics and are designed to provide images of the nighttime auroral oval at visible wavelengths. A third camera is used to monitor the directions of the fields-of-view of these sensitive auroral cameras with respect to sunlit Earth. The auroral emissions of interest include those from N+2 at 391.4 nm, 0 I at 557.7 and 630.0 nm, H I at 656.3 nm, and 0 II at 732.0 nm. The two auroral cameras have different spatial resolutions. These resolutions are about 10 and 20 km from a spacecraft altitude of 8 R(sub e). The time to acquire and telemeter a 256 x 256-pixel image is about 12 s. The primary scientific objectives of this imaging instrumentation, together with the in-situ observations from the ensemble of ISTP spacecraft, are (1) quantitative assessment of the dissipation of magnetospheric energy into the auroral ionosphere, (2) an instantaneous reference system for the in-situ measurements, (3) development of a substantial model for energy flow within the magnetosphere, (4) investigation of the topology of the magnetosphere, and (5) delineation of the responses of the magnetosphere to substorms and variable solar wind conditions.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kauristie, K.; Mälkki, A.; Pulkkinen, A.; Nevanlinna, H.; Ketola, A.; Tulkki, V.; Raita, T.; Blanco, A.
2004-12-01
European Space Agency is currently supporting 17 Service Development Activities (SDA) within its Space Weather Pilot Project. Auroras Now!, one of the SDAs, has been operated during November 2003 - March 2004 as its pilot season. The service includes a public part freely accessible in Internet (http://aurora.fmi.fi) and a private part visible only to the customers of two hotels in the Finnish Lapland through the hotels' internal TV-systems. The nowcasting system is based on the magnetic recordings of two geophysical observatories, Sodankylä (SOD, MLAT ~64 N) and Nurmijärvi (NUR, MLAT ~57 N). The probability of auroral occurrence is continuously characterised with an empirically determined three-level scale. The index is updated once per hour and based on the magnetic field variations recorded at the observatories. During dark hours the near-real time auroral images acquired at SOD are displayed. The hotel service also includes cloudiness predictions for the coming night. During the pilot season the reliability of the three-level magnetic alarm system was weekly evaluated by comparing its prediction with auroral observations by the nearby all-sky camera. Successful hits and failures were scored according to predetermined rules. The highest credit points when it managed to spot auroras in a timely manner and predict their brightness correctly. Maximum penalty points were given when the alarm missed clear bright auroras lasting for more than one hour. In this presentation we analyse the results of the evaluation, present some ideas to further sharpen the procedure, and discuss more generally the correlation between local auroral and magnetic activity.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, L. Y.; Wang, Z. Q.
2018-01-01
After the passage of an interplanetary (IP) shock at 06:13 UT on 24 August 2005, the enhancement (>6 nPa) of solar wind dynamic pressure and the southward turning of interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) cause the earthward movement of dayside magnetopause and the drift loss of energetic particles near geosynchronous orbit. The persistent electron drift loss makes the geosynchronous satellites cannot observe the substorm electron injection phenomenon during the two substorm expansion phases (06:57-07:39 UT) on that day. Behind the IP shock, the fluctuations ( 0.5-3 nPa) of solar wind dynamic pressure not only alter the dayside auroral brightness but also cause the entire auroral oval to swing in the day-night direction. However, there is no Pi2 pulsation in the nightside auroral oval during the substorm growth phase from 06:13 to 06:57 UT. During the subsequent two substorm expansion phases, the substorm expansion activities cause the nightside aurora oval brightening from substorm onset site to higher latitudes, and meanwhile, the enhancement (decline) of solar wind dynamic pressure makes the nightside auroral oval move toward the magnetic equator (the magnetic pole). These observations demonstrate that solar wind dynamic pressure changes and substorm expansion activities can jointly control the luminosity and location of the nightside auroral oval when the internal and external disturbances occur simultaneously. During the impact of a strong IP shock, the earthward movement of dayside magnetopause probably causes the disappearance of the substorm electron injections near geosynchronous orbit.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Senior, C.; Sharber, J. R.; Winningham, J. D.; De La Beaujardiere, O.; Heelis, R. A.; Evans, D. S.; Sugiura, M.; Hoegy, W. R.
1987-01-01
Simultaneous data from the Chatanika radar and the DE 2 and NOAA 6 satellites are used to study the typical behavior of the winter evening-sector auroral plasma during moderate and steady magnetic activity. The equatorward edge of the auroral E layer, of the region 2 field-aligned currents, and of the region of intense convection are colocated. The auroral E layer extends several degrees south of the equatorward edge of the keV electron precipitation from the CPS. Although the main trough and ionization channel are embedded in a region of intense electric field where the plasma flows sunward at high speed, the flux tubes associated with these two features have different time histories. The midlatitude trough is located south of the region of electron precipitation, above a proton aurora. The ionization channel marks the poleward edge of the main trough and is colocated with the equatorward boundary of the electron precipitation from the central plasma sheet.
Mesoscale thermospheric wind in response to nightside auroral brightening
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nishimura, T.; Zou, Y.; Gabrielse, C.; Lyons, L. R.; Varney, R. H.; Conde, M.; Hampton, D. L.; Mende, S. B.
2017-12-01
Although high-latitude ionospheric flows and thermospheric winds in the F-region are overall characterized by two-cell patterns over a global scale ( 1000 km), intense energy input from the magnetosphere often occurs in a mesoscale ( 100 km) and transient manner ( 10 min). Intense mesoscale energy input would drive enhanced mesoscale winds, whose properties are closely associated with auroral arcs and associated ionospheric flows. However, how thermospheric winds respond to and distribute around mesoscale magnetospheric input has not been characterized systematically. This presentation addresses how mesoscale winds distribute around quasi-steady arcs, evolve and distribute around transient arcs, and vary with geomagnetic and solar activity. We use Scanning Doppler Imagers (SDIs), all-sky imagers and PFISR over Alaska. A channel of azimuthal neutral wind is often found associated with localized flow channels adjacent to quasi-steady discrete aurora. The wind speed dynamically changes after a short time lag (a few tens of minutes) from auroral brightenings, including auroral streamers and intensifications on preexisting auroral arcs. This is in contrast to a much longer time lag ( 1 hour) reported previously. During a storm main phase, a coherent equatorward motion of the Harang discontinuity was seen in plasma flow, aurora and neutral wind, with a few degrees of equatorward displacement of the neutral wind Harang, which is probably due to the inertia. These results suggest that a tight M-I-T connection exists under the energy input of assorted auroral arcs and that mesoscale coupling processes are important in M-I-T energy transfer.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Robertshaw, G.A.; Snyder, A.L.; Weiner, M.M.
1993-05-14
The proposed HAARP emitters at the Gakona (Alaska) preferred site and at the Clear AFS (Alaska) alternative site are the Ionospheric Research Instrument (IRI), the Incoherent Scatter Radar (ISR), and the Vertical Incidence Sounder(VIS). The electromagnetic interference (EMI) impact of those emitters on receiving systems in the vicinity of the sites is estimated in this study. The results are intended for use as an input to the Air Force Environmental Impact Statement as part of the Environmental Impact Analysis Process.
Radio Pumping of Ionospheric Plasma with Orbital Angular Momentum
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Leyser, T. B.; Norin, L.; McCarrick, M.
2009-02-13
Experimental results are presented of pumping ionospheric plasma with a radio wave carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), using the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska. Optical emissions from the pumped plasma turbulence exhibit the characteristic ring-shaped morphology when the pump beam carries OAM. Features of stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE) that are attributed to cascading Langmuir turbulence are well developed for a regular beam but are significantly weaker for a ring-shaped OAM beam in which case upper hybrid turbulence dominates the SEE.
Multisite Optical Imaging of Artificial Ionospheric Plasmas (Postprint)
2011-11-09
Frequency Active Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) facility in Gakona, Alaska (62.4◦ N 145◦ W) after the trans- mitter reached full 3.6-MW power, these...The experiment was carried out on November 19, 2009, between 02:26 UT and 02:43:50 UT. Optical images were acquired at the HAARP site at 557.7 nm (O 1S...noise and integrated for 5 s at a temperature of −40 ◦C. A second system located 160 km north of the HAARP near Delta Junction used an Apogee Alta
Radio pumping of ionospheric plasma with orbital angular momentum.
Leyser, T B; Norin, L; McCarrick, M; Pedersen, T R; Gustavsson, B
2009-02-13
Experimental results are presented of pumping ionospheric plasma with a radio wave carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM), using the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska. Optical emissions from the pumped plasma turbulence exhibit the characteristic ring-shaped morphology when the pump beam carries OAM. Features of stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE) that are attributed to cascading Langmuir turbulence are well developed for a regular beam but are significantly weaker for a ring-shaped OAM beam in which case upper hybrid turbulence dominates the SEE.
Next Generation Transport Phenomenology Model
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Strickland, Douglas J.; Knight, Harold; Evans, J. Scott
2004-01-01
This report describes the progress made in Quarter 3 of Contract Year 3 on the development of Aeronomy Phenomenology Modeling Tool (APMT), an open-source, component-based, client-server architecture for distributed modeling, analysis, and simulation activities focused on electron and photon transport for general atmospheres. In the past quarter, column emission rate computations were implemented in Java, preexisting Fortran programs for computing synthetic spectra were embedded into APMT through Java wrappers, and work began on a web-based user interface for setting input parameters and running the photoelectron and auroral electron transport models.
Plasma sheet dynamics observed by the Polar spacecraft in association with substorm onsets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Toivanen, P. K.; Baker, D. N.; Peterson, W. K.; Li, X.; Donovan, E. F.; Viljanen, A.; Keiling, A.; Wygant, J. R.; Kletzing, C. A.
2001-09-01
We present observations of the Polar spacecraft of magnetospheric substorm signatures in the plasma sheet midway along auroral field lines between the ionosphere and the equatorial plasma sheet. On October 17, 1997, Polar was located in the onset meridian in conjunction with the Scandinavian magnetometer chain (International Monitor for Auroral Geomagnetic Effects; IMAGE). In addition, a geostationary spacecraft, LANL-97A, was located near the onset meridian. On August 29, 1997, Polar was magnetically conjugate to the Canadian magnetometer chain (Canadian Auroral Network for the OPEN Program Unified Study; CANOPUS) ~5 hours east of the onset meridian. In both cases, substorm activity was manifested as strong magnetic (20 nT) and electric (40 mVm-1) field variations with bursts of parallel Poynting flux (~1 ergcm-2s-1), predominantly directed toward the ionosphere. In the first event Polar was located in the plasma sheet near the plasma sheet boundary, and the field variations were initiated at the ground onset. In the second event, Polar crossed the plasma sheet boundary to the tail lobes a few minutes prior to a local plasma sheet expansion. As Polar was engulfed by the plasma sheet, the field variations occurred in the previously quiet plasma sheet boundary. This coincided with the auroral bulge reaching the CANOPUS stations. We compare these two events and argue that the field variations were most probably signatures of the reconnection of open field lines and the subsequent enhanced earthward flows. Furthermore, weak flow bursts were observed at Polar in both events ~9 min before the onset. In the first event, a gradual development toward a negative bay and a burst of Pi2 pulsations were associated with the flow bursts. We anticipate that these signatures, often described in terms of pseudobreakups, were a precursor of the substorm onset, the initiation of the reconnection of closed field lines.
Generation of intensity covariations of the oxygen green and red lines in the nightglow
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Misawa, K.; Takeuchi, I.; Kato, Y.; Aoyama, I.
1984-02-01
The cause of intensity covariations of the oxygen green and red lines is studied. Intensity covariations are compared with the auroral-electrojet-activity index AE, the substorm Pi2, and the magnetogram. It is suggested that intensity covariations or double-intensity maxima of the red line occur in association with intense auroral substorms, and that they are the direct experimental evidences of Testud's theory (1973).
Large-Scale Structure and Dynamics of the Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Baker, J. B. H.; Nishitani, N.; Kunduri, B.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Sazykin, S. Y.
2017-12-01
The Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS) is a narrow channel of high-speed westward ionospheric convection which appears equatorward of the duskside auroral oval during geomagnetically active periods. SAPS is generally thought to occur when the partial ring current intensifies and enhanced region-2 field-aligned currents (FACs) are forced to close across the low conductance region of the mid-latitude ionospheric trough. However, recent studies have suggested SAPS can also occur during non-storm periods, perhaps associated with substorm activity. In this study, we used measurements from mid-latitude SuperDARN radars to examine the large-scale structure and dynamics of SAPS during several geomagnetically active days. Linear correlation analysis applied across all events suggests intensifications of the partial ring current (ASYM-H index) and auroral activity (AL index) are both important driving influences for controlling the SAPS speed. Specifically, SAPS flows increase, on average, by 20-40 m/s per 10 nT of ASYM-H and 10-30 m/s per 100 nT of AL. These dependencies tend to be stronger during the storm recovery phase. There is also a strong local time dependence such that the strength of SAPS flows decrease by 70-80 m/s for each hour of local time moving from dusk to midnight. By contrast, the evidence for direct solar wind control of SAPS speed is much less consistent, with some storms showing strong correlations with the interplanetary electric field components and/or solar wind dynamic pressure, while others do not. These results are discussed in the context of recent simulation results from the Rice Convection Model (RCM).
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fasel, G. J.; Flicker, J.; Sibeck, D. G.; Alyami, M.; Angelo, A.; Aylward, R. J.; Bender, S.; Christensen, M.; Kim, J.; Kristensen, H.; Orellana, Y.; Sahin, O.; Yoon, J.; Green, D.; Sigernes, F.; Lorentzen, D. A.
2013-12-01
The latitude of the equatorial edge of the dayside auroral oval has been shown to vary with the direction of the IMF Bz-component. The equatorward/poleward edge of the dayside auroral oval shifts equatorward/poleward when the IMF Bz-component is negative/positive [Burch, 1973; Akasofu, 1977; Horwitz and Akasofu, 1977; Sandholt et al., 1986, 1988]. Past studies have shown that poleward-moving auroral forms (PMAFs) are a common feature during equatorward expansions of the dayside auroral oval. Horwitz and Akasofu [1977] noted a one-to-one correspondence of luminous PMAFs associated with an equatorward expansion of the dayside auroral oval. During the southward turning of the IMF Bz-component the merging rate on the dayside increases [Newell and Meng, 1987] leading to the erosion of the dayside magnetopause. The field line merging process is thought to be most efficient when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz-component turns southward. Both Vorobjev et al. [1975] and Horwitz and Akasofu [1977] attributed these PMAFs to magnetic flux being eroded away from the dayside magnetopause and transported antisunward. Dayside poleward-moving auroral forms are also observed during periods of an expanded and stable dayside auroral oval for both northern and southern hemisphere observations [Sandholt et al., 1986, 1989, 1990; Rairden and Mende, 1989; Mende et al., 1990]. Poleward-moving auroral forms have also been observed during some dayside oval contractions but have not been discussed much in the literature. This study examines the dayside auroral oval during periods of expansion, contraction, and during periods of an expanded and stable dayside auroral oval. This statistical study will provide the following results: number of poleward-moving auroral forms that are generated during dayside auroral oval expansions/contractions and during periods of a stable and expanded dayside auroral oval, the average initial and final elevation angle of the dayside auroral oval, time for dayside auroral oval to expand or contract, and the solar wind parameters (IMF Bx, By, Bz, speed, and pressure) associated with each interval (expansion, contraction, or stable and expanded).
Pre-storm NmF2 enhancements at middle latitudes: delusion or reality?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mikhailov, A. V.; Perrone, L.
2009-03-01
A critical analysis of recent publications devoted to the NmF2 pre-storm enhancements is performed. There are no convincing arguments that the observed cases of NmF2 enhancements at middle and sub-auroral latitudes bear a relation to the following magnetic storms. In all cases considered the NmF2 pre-storm enhancements were due to previous geomagnetic storms, moderate auroral activity or they presented the class of positive quiet time events (Q-disturbances). Therefore, it is possible to conclude that there is no such an effect as the pre-storm NmF2 enhancement as a phenomenon inalienably related to the following magnetic storm. The observed nighttime NmF2 enhancements at sub-auroral latitudes may result from plasma transfer from the plasma ring area by meridional thermospheric wind. Enhanced plasmaspheric fluxes into the nighttime F2-region resulted from westward substorm-associated electric fields is another possible source of nighttime NmF2 enhancements. Daytime positive Q-disturbances occurring under very low geomagnetic activity level may be related to the dayside cusp activity.
Reconstructing Global-scale Ionospheric Outflow With a Satellite Constellation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liemohn, M. W.; Welling, D. T.; Jahn, J. M.; Valek, P. W.; Elliott, H. A.; Ilie, R.; Khazanov, G. V.; Glocer, A.; Ganushkina, N. Y.; Zou, S.
2017-12-01
The question of how many satellites it would take to accurately map the spatial distribution of ionospheric outflow is addressed in this study. Given an outflow spatial map, this image is then reconstructed from a limited number virtual satellite pass extractions from the original values. An assessment is conducted of the goodness of fit as a function of number of satellites in the reconstruction, placement of the satellite trajectories relative to the polar cap and auroral oval, season and universal time (i.e., dipole tilt relative to the Sun), geomagnetic activity level, and interpolation technique. It is found that the accuracy of the reconstructions increases sharply from one to a few satellites, but then improves only marginally with additional spacecraft beyond 4. Increased dwell time of the satellite trajectories in the auroral zone improves the reconstruction, therefore a high-but-not-exactly-polar orbit is most effective for this task. Local time coverage is also an important factor, shifting the auroral zone to different locations relative to the virtual satellite orbit paths. The expansion and contraction of the polar cap and auroral zone with geomagnetic activity influences the coverage of the key outflow regions, with different optimal orbit configurations for each level of activity. Finally, it is found that reconstructing each magnetic latitude band individually produces a better fit to the original image than 2-D image reconstruction method (e.g., triangulation). A high-latitude, high-altitude constellation mission concept is presented that achieves acceptably accurate outflow reconstructions.
Evidence of prompt penetration electric fields during HILDCAA events
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pereira Silva, Regia; Sobral, Jose Humberto Andrade; Koga, Daiki; Rodrigues Souza, Jonas
2017-10-01
High-intensity, long-duration continuous auroral electrojet (AE) activity (HILDCAA) events may occur during a long-lasting recovery phase of a geomagnetic storm. They are a special kind of geomagnetic activity, different from magnetic storms or substorms. Ionized particles are pumped into the auroral region by the action of Alfvén waves, increasing the auroral current system. The Dst index, however, does not present a significant downward swing as it occurs during geomagnetic storms. During the HILDCAA occurrence, the AE index presents an intense and continuous activity. In this paper, the response of Brazilian equatorial ionosphere is studied during three HILDCAA events that occurred in the year of 2006 (the descending phase of solar cycle 23) using the digisonde data located at São Luís, Brazil (2.33° S, 44.2° W; dip latitude 1.75° S). Geomagnetic indices and interplanetary parameters were used to calculate a cross-correlation coefficient between the Ey component of the interplanetary electric field and the F2 electron density peak height variations during two situations: the first of them for two sets daytime and nighttime ranges, and the second one for the time around the pre-reversal enhancement (PRE) peak. The results showed that the pumping action of particle precipitation into the auroral zone has moderately modified the equatorial F2 peak height. However, F2 peak height seems to be more sensitive to HILDCAA effects during PRE time, showing the highest variations and sinusoidal oscillations in the cross-correlation indices.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, H.; Barthelemy, M.; Simon Wedlund, C.; Lilensten, J.; Bommier, V.
2011-12-01
Polarisation of light is a key observable to provide information about asymmetry or anisotropy within a radiative source. Following the pioneering and controversial work of Duncan in 1959, the polarisation of auroral emission lines in the Earth's upper atmosphere has been overlooked for a long time, even though the red intense auroral line (6300Å) produced by collisional impacts with electrons precipitating along magnetic field lines is a good candidate to search for polarisation. This problem was investigated again by Lilensten et al (2006) and observations were obtained by Lilensten et al (2008) confirming that the red auroral emission line is polarised. More recent measurements obtained by Barthélemy et al (2011) are presented and discussed. The results are compared to predictions of the theoretical work of Bommier et al (2011) and are in good agreement. Following these encouraging results, a new dedicated spectropolarimeter is currently under construction between BIRA-IASB and IPAG to provide simultaneously the polarisation of the red line and of other interesting auroral emission lines such as N2+ 1NG (4278Å), other N2 bands, etc... Perspectives regarding the theoretical polarisation of some of these lines will be presented. The importance of these polarisation measurements in the framework of atmospheric modeling and geomagnetic activity will be discussed.
High latitude electromagnetic plasma wave emissions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gurnett, D. A.
1983-01-01
The principal types of electromagnetic plasma wave emission produced in the high latitude auroral regions are reviewed. Three types of radiation are described: auroral kilometric radiation, auroral hiss, and Z mode radiation. Auroral kilometric radiation is a very intense radio emission generated in the free space R-X mode by electrons associated with the formation of discrete auroral arcs in the local evening. Theories suggest that this radiation is an electron cyclotron resonance instability driven by an enhanced loss cone in the auroral acceleration region at altitudes of about 1 to 2 R sub E. Auroral hiss is a somewhat weaker whistler mode emission generated by low energy (100 eV to 10 keV) auroral electrons. The auroral hiss usually has a V shaped frequency time spectrum caused by a freqency dependent beaming of the whistler mode into a conical beam directed upward or downward along the magnetic field.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hirahara, M.; Horwitz, J. L.; Moore, T. E.; Germany, G. A.; Spann, J. F.; Peterson, W. K.; Shelley, E. G.; Chandler, M. O.; Giles, B. L.; Craven, P. D.;
1997-01-01
The POLAR satellite often observes upflowing ionospheric ions (UFls) in and near the auroral oval on southern perigee (approximately 5000 km altitude) passes. We present the UFI features observed by the thermal ion dynamics experiment (TIDE) and the toroidal imaging mass-angle spectrograph (TIMAS) in the dusk-dawn sector under two different geomagnetic activity conditions in order to elicit their relationships with auroral forms, wave emissions, and convection pattern from additional POLAR instruments. During the active interval, the ultraviolet imager (UVI) observed a bright discrete aurora on the dusk side after the substorm onset and then observed a small isolated aurora form and diffuse auroras on the dawn side during the recovery phase. The UFls showed clear conic distributions when the plasma wave instrument (PWI) detected strong broadband wave emissions below approximately 10 kHz, while no significant auroral activities were observed by UVI. At higher latitudes, the low-energy UFI conics gradually changed to the polar wind component with decreasing intensity of the broadband emissions. V-shaped auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) signatures observed above approximately 200 kHz by PWI coincided with the region where the discrete aurora and the UFI beams were detected. The latitude of these features was lower than that of the UFI conics. During the observations of the UFI beams and conics, the lower-frequency fluctuations observed by the electric field instrument (EFI) were also enhanced, and the convection directions exhibited large fluctuations. It is evident that large electrostatic potential drops produced the precipitating electrons and discrete auroras, the UFI beams, and the AKR, which is also supported by the energetic plasma data from HYDRA. Since the intense broadband emissions were also observed with the UFIs. the ionospheric ions could be energized transversely before or during the parallel acceleration due to the potential drops.
The International Reference Ionosphere - Status 2013
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bilitza, Dieter
2015-04-01
This paper describes the latest version of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) model. IRI-2012 includes new models for the electron density and ion densities in the region below the F-peak, a storm-time model for the auroral E-region, an improved electron temperature model that includes variations with solar activity, and for the first time a description of auroral boundaries. In addition, the thermosphere model required for baseline neutral densities and temperatures was upgraded from MSIS-86 to the newer NRLMSIS-00 model and Corrected Geomagnetic coordinates (CGM) were included in IRI as an additional coordinate system for a better representation of auroral and polar latitudes. Ongoing IRI activities towards the inclusion of an improved model for the F2 peak height hmF2 are discussed as are efforts to develop a "Real-Time IRI". The paper is based on an IRI status report presented at the 2013 IRI Workshop in Olsztyn, Poland. The IRI homepage is at
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Giles, B. L.; Chappell, C. R.; Moore, T. E.; Comfort, R. H.; Waite, J. H., Jr.
1994-01-01
Core (0-50 eV) ion pitch angle measurements from the retarding ion mass spectrometer on Dynamics Explorer 1 are examined with respect to magnetic disturbance, invariant latitude, magnetic local time, and altitude for ions H(+), He(+), O(+), M/Z = 2 (D(+) or He(++)), and O(++). Included are outflow events in the auroral zone, polar cap, and cusp, separated into altitude regions below and above 3 R(sub E). In addition to the customary division into beam, conic, and upwelling distributions, the high-latitude observations fall into three categories corresponding to ion bulk speeds that are (1) less than, (2) comparable to, or (3) faster than that of the spacecraft. This separation, along with the altitude partition, serves to identify conditions under which ionospheric source ions are gravita- tionally bound and when they are more energetic and able to escape to the outer magnetosphere. Features of the cleft ion fountain inferred from single event studies are clearly identifiable in the statistical results. In addition, it is found that the dayside pre-noon cleft is a dayside afternoon cleft, or auroral zone, becomes an additional source for increased activity. The auroral oval as a whole appears to be a steady source of escape velocity H(+), a steady source of escape velocity He(+) ions for the dusk sector, and a source of escape velocity heavy ions for dusk local times primarily during increased activity. The polar cap above the auroral zone is a consistent source of low-energy ions, although only the lighter mass particles appear to have sufficient velocity, on average, to escape to higher altitudes. The observations support two concepts for outflow: (1) The cleft ion fountain consists of ionospheric plasma of 1-20 eV energy streaming upward into the magnetosphere where high-latitude convection electric fields cause poleward dispersion. (2) The auroral ion fountain involves field-aligned beams which flow out along auroral latitude field lines; and, in addition, for late afternoon local times, they experience additional acceleration such that the ion energy distribution tends to exceed the detection range of the instrument (greater than 50-60 eV).
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kiene, A.; Bristow, W. A.; Conde, M. G.; Hampton, D. L.
2018-05-01
Neutral winds are a key factor in the dynamics of the ionosphere-thermosphere system. Previous observations have shown that neutral and ion flows are strongly coupled during periods of auroral activity when ion drag forcing can become the dominant force driving neutral wind flow. This is primarily due to increases in ion density due to enhanced particle precipitation as well as associated increases the strength of the electric fields that drive ion motions. Due to this strong coupling, numerical simulations of neutral dynamics have difficulty reproducing neutral wind observations when they are driven by modeled precipitation and modeled convection. It is therefore desirable whenever possible to have concurrent coincident measurements of auroral precipitation and ion convection. Recent advancements in high-resolution fitting of Super Dual Auroral Radar Network ion convection data have enabled the generation of steady maps of ion drifts over Alaska, coinciding with several optics sites. The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network measurements are compared with scanning Doppler imager neutral wind measurements at similar altitude, providing direct comparisons of ion and neutral velocities over a wide field and for long periods throughout the night. Also present are a digital all-sky imager and a meridian spectrograph, both of which provide measurements of auroral intensity on several wavelengths. In this study, we combine these data sets to present three case studies that show significant correlation between increases in F region precipitation and enhancements in ion-neutral coupling in the evening sector. We investigate the time scales over which the coupling takes place and compare our findings to previous measurements.
Ionospheric Electron Heating Associated With Pulsating Auroras: Joint Optical and PFISR Observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Liang, Jun; Donovan, E.; Reimer, A.; Hampton, D.; Zou, S.; Varney, R.
2018-05-01
In a recent study, Liang et al. (2017, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024127) repeatedly identified strong electron temperature (Te) enhancements when Swarm satellites traversed pulsating auroral patches. In this study, we use joint optical and Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) observations to further investigate the F region plasma signatures related to pulsating auroras. On 19 March 2015 night, which contained multiple intervals of pulsating auroral activities, we identify a statistical trend, albeit not a one-to-one correspondence, of strong Te enhancements ( 500-1000 K) in the upper F region ionosphere during the passages of pulsating auroras over PFISR. On the other hand, there is no discernible and repeatable density enhancement in the upper F region during pulsating auroral intervals. Collocated optical and NOAA satellite observations suggest that the pulsating auroras are composed of energetic electron precipitation with characteristic energy >10 keV, which is inefficient in electron heating in the upper F region. Based upon PFISR observations and simulations from Liang et al. (2017) model, we propose that thermal conduction from the topside ionosphere, which is heated by precipitating low-energy electrons, offers the most likely explanation for the observed electron heating in the upper F region associated with pulsating auroras. Such a heating mechanism is similar to that underlying the "stable auroral red arcs" in the subauroral ionosphere. Our proposal conforms to the notion on the coexistence of an enhanced cold plasma population and the energetic electron precipitation, in magnetospheric flux tubes threading the pulsating auroral patch. In addition, we find a trend of enhanced ion upflows during pulsating auroral intervals.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Miyashita, Y.; Hiraki, Y.; Angelopoulos, V.; Ieda, A.; Machida, S.
2015-12-01
We have studied the time sequence of the development of the near-Earth magnetotail and the auroral arc associated with a substorm onset, using the data from the THEMIS spacecraft and ground-based observatories at high temporal and spatial resolutions. We discuss four steps of the auroral development, linking them to magnetotail changes: the auroral fading, the initial brightening of an auroral onset arc, the enhancement of the wave-like structure, and the poleward expansion. A case study shows that near-Earth magnetic reconnection began at X~-17 RE at least ~3 min before the auroral initial brightening and ~1 min before the auroral fading. Ionospheric large-scale convection also became enhanced just before the auroral fading and before the auroral initial brightening. Then low-frequency waves were amplified in the plasma sheet at X~-10 RE, with the pressure increase due to the arrival of the earthward flow from the near-Earth reconnection site ~20 s before the enhancement of the auroral wave-like structure. Finally, the dipolarization began ~30 s before the auroral poleward expansion. On the basis of the present observations, we suggest that near-Earth magnetic reconnection plays two roles in the substorm triggering. First, it generates a fast earthward flow and Alfvén waves. When the Alfvén waves which propagate much faster than the fast flow reach the ionosphere, large-scale ionospheric convection is enhanced, leading to the auroral initial brightening and subsequent gradual growth of the auroral wave-like structure. Second, when the reconnection-initiated fast flow reaches the near-Earth magnetotail, it promotes rapid growth of an instability, such as the ballooning instability, and the auroral wave-like structure is further enhanced. When the instability grows sufficiently, the dipolarization and the auroral poleward expansion are initiated.
Geomagnetic and solar activity dependence of ionospheric upflowing O+: FAST observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhao, K.; Jiang, Y.; Chen, K. W.; Huang, L. F.
2016-09-01
This paper investigates the dependence of the occurrence frequency of ionospheric upflowing oxygen (O+) ions on the sunspot cycle and geomagnetic activity. We examine the upflows response to the geomagnetic disturbances as well as the influence of the ion energy factor in controlling the magnitude of the occurrence frequency and the net energy flux. We discuss the spatial distribution of the upflow occurrence frequency and construct a regression model as a function of the magnetic latitude. The results show an overall enhancement of the upflow occurrence frequency during magnetically disturbed periods and indicate that the high-occurrence area spreads out from the source regions during magnetically quiet periods. The high-occurrence areas are located at 70° magnetic latitude (mLat) in the dayside auroral oval zone and between 76-80° mLat in the dayside polar cusp region. In the nightside auroral oval zone, these areas are near 60° mLat, penetrating further equatorward to 55° mLat during magnetically disturbed periods. High energy (≥1 keV) upflowing ions are common in the nightside auroral oval zone while low energy (<1 keV) upflowing ions are found escaping from the high latitude dayside cusp region. A Gaussian function is shown to be a good fit to the occurrence frequency over the magnetic latitude. For high energy upflowing O+ ions, the occurrence frequency exhibits a single peak located at about 60° mLat in the nightside auroral oval zone while for low energy upflowing O+ ions, it exhibits two peaks, one near 60° mLat in the auroral oval zone and the other near 78° mLat in the cusp region. We study the solar activity dependence by analyzing the relationship between the upflow occurrence frequency and the sunspot number (RZ). The statistical result shows that the frequency decreases with declining solar activity level, from ˜30 % at solar maximum to ˜5 % at solar minimum. In addition, the correlation coefficient between the occurrence frequency and RZ is 0.9.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Y.; Su, Y. J.; Huang, C. Y.; Hairston, M. R.; Sutton, E. K.
2015-12-01
We will present various observations regarding the geomagnetic energy input and the response of Ionosphere-Thermosphere (IT) system during the March 17, 2015 storm, the largest one in solar cycle 24. The Poynting fluxes measured by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites (F16, F17 and F18) show significant enhancements in the auroral oval and at high latitudes poleward of the auroral oval. Moreover, the ion temperatures observed by DMSP satellites (F16, F17 and F19) at magnetic latitudes greater than 80° are higher than those in the auroral oval, and the their averaged increases are 316K in the northern hemisphere and 248 K in the southern hemisphere, respectively. In addition, the neutral density residuals measured by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite indicate the largest values at the highest orbital latitudes. The wave-like perturbations originating at high latitudes move equatorward with decreasing amplitudes along GRACE orbits, implying a source region for Traveling Atmospheric Disturbances (TADs) at polar latitudes.
Aurorasaurus: A citizen science platform for viewing and reporting the aurora
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
MacDonald, E. A.; Case, N. A.; Clayton, J. H.; Hall, M. K.; Heavner, M.; Lalone, N.; Patel, K. G.; Tapia, A.
2015-09-01
A new, citizen science-based, aurora observing and reporting platform has been developed with the primary aim of collecting auroral observations made by the general public to further improve the modeling of the aurora. In addition, the real-time ability of this platform facilitates the combination of citizen science observations with auroral oval models to improve auroral visibility nowcasting. Aurorasaurus provides easily understandable aurora information, basic gamification, and real-time location-based notification of verified aurora activity to engage citizen scientists. The Aurorasaurus project is one of only a handful of space weather citizen science projects and can provide useful results for the space weather and citizen science communities. Early results are promising with over 2000 registered users submitting over 1000 aurora observations and verifying over 1700 aurora sightings posted on Twitter.
Stagnation of Saturn's auroral emission at noon
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Radioti, A.; Grodent, D.; Gérard, J.-C.; Southwood, D. J.; Chané, E.; Bonfond, B.; Pryor, W.
2017-06-01
Auroral emissions serve as a powerful tool to investigate the magnetospheric processes at Saturn. Solar wind and internally driven processes largely control Saturn's auroral morphology. The main auroral emission at Saturn is suggested to be connected with the magnetosphere-solar wind interaction, through the flow shear related to rotational dynamics. Dawn auroral enhancements are associated with intense field-aligned currents generated by hot tenuous plasma carried toward the planet in fast moving flux tubes as they return from tail reconnection site to the dayside. In this work we demonstrate, based on Cassini auroral observations, that the main auroral emission at Saturn, as it rotates from midnight to dusk via noon, occasionally stagnates near noon over a couple of hours. In half of the sequences examined, the auroral emission is blocked close to noon, while in three out of four cases, the blockage of the auroral emission is accompanied with signatures of dayside reconnection. We discuss some possible interpretations of the auroral "blockage" near noon. According to the first one, it could be related to local time variations of the flow shear close to noon. Auroral local time variations are also suggested to be initiated by radial transport process. Alternatively, the auroral blockage at noon could be associated with a plasma circulation theory, according to which tenuously populated closed flux tubes as they return from the nightside to the morning sector experience a blockage in the equatorial plane and they cannot rotate beyond noon.
A survey of plasma irregularities as seen by the midlatitude Blackstone SuperDARN radar
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ribeiro, A. J.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Baker, J. B. H.; Clausen, L. B. N.; Greenwald, R. A.; Lester, M.
2012-02-01
The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a chain of HF radars that monitor plasma dynamics in the ionosphere. In recent years, SuperDARN has expanded to midlatitudes in order to provide enhanced coverage during geomagnetically active periods. A new type of backscatter from F region plasma irregularities with low Doppler velocity has been frequently observed on the nightside during quiescent conditions. Using three years of data from the Blackstone, VA radar, we have implemented a method for extracting this new type of backscatter from routine observations. We have statistically characterized the occurrence properties of the Sub Auroral Ionospheric Scatter (SAIS) events, including the latitudinal relationships to the equatorward edge of the auroral oval and the ionospheric projection of the plasmapause. We find that the backscatter is confined to local night, occurs on ≈70% of nights, is fixed in geomagnetic latitude, and is equatorward of both the auroral region and the plasmapause boundary. We conclude that SAIS irregularities are observed within a range of latitudes that is conjugate to the inner magnetosphere (plasmasphere).
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yang, Qiuju; Hu, Ze-Jun
2018-03-01
Aurora is a very important geophysical phenomenon in the high latitudes of Arctic and Antarctic regions, and it is important to make a comparative study of the auroral morphology between the two hemispheres. Based on the morphological characteristics of the four labeled dayside discrete auroral types (auroral arc, drapery corona, radial corona and hot-spot aurora) on the 8001 dayside auroral images at the Chinese Arctic Yellow River Station in 2003, and by extracting the local binary pattern (LBP) features and using a k-nearest classifier, this paper performs an automatic classification of the 65 361 auroral images of the Chinese Arctic Yellow River Station during 2004-2009 and the 39 335 auroral images of the South Pole Station between 2003 and 2005. Finally, it obtains the occurrence distribution of the dayside auroral morphology in the Northern and Southern Hemisphere. The statistical results indicate that the four dayside discrete auroral types present a similar occurrence distribution between the two stations. To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to report statistical comparative results of dayside auroral morphology distribution between the Northern and Southern Hemisphere.
Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS) Events Under Non-storm Conditions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sazykin, S. Y.; Coster, A. J.; Huba, J.; Spiro, R. W.; Baker, J. B.; Kunduri, B.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Erickson, P. J.; Wolf, R.
2017-12-01
The occurrence of Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream, or SAPS, structures, defined here as latitudinally narrow channels of enhanced westward plasma convection in the evening ionosphere equatorward of the auroral electron precipitation boundary, is most dramatic during geomagnetic storms. However, SAPS-like structures known as Polarization Jets or SAIDs (Sub-Auroral Ion Drift events) are also frequently observed during non-storm conditions, typically during periods of isolated substorm activity or during bursts of enhanced convection associated with southward IMF Bz component. This paper presents results from data analysis and numerical simulations of several SAPS/SAID events observed during non-storm conditions. We use convection velocity measurements from the mid-latitude chain of SuperDARN radars and cross-track drift meter data from DMSP spacecraft to identify SAPS/SAID and to characterize their structure and temporal evolution. DMSP topside ion density data and high-resolution ground-based GPS total electron content (TEC) maps are used to determine the ionospheric and plasmaspheric morphology of SAPS regions. DMSP electron precipitation data are used to determine auroral boundaries. We also present simulation results of the chosen event intervals obtained with the SAMI3-RCM ionosphere-magnetosphere coupled model. Observational results are analyzed to identify systematic differences between non-storm SAPS/SAID and the picture that has emerged based on previous storm time studies. Simulation results are used to provide physical interpretation of these differences.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Norin, L.; Leyser, T. B.; Nordblad, E.
2009-02-13
Experimental results of secondary electromagnetic radiation, stimulated by high-frequency radio waves irradiating the ionosphere, are reported. We have observed emission peaks, shifted in frequency up to a few tens of Hertz from radio waves transmitted at several megahertz. These emission peaks are by far the strongest spectral features of secondary radiation that have been reported. The emissions are attributed to stimulated Brillouin scattering, long predicted but hitherto never unambiguously identified in high-frequency ionospheric interaction experiments. The experiments were performed at the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), Alaska, USA.
Norin, L; Leyser, T B; Nordblad, E; Thidé, B; McCarrick, M
2009-02-13
Experimental results of secondary electromagnetic radiation, stimulated by high-frequency radio waves irradiating the ionosphere, are reported. We have observed emission peaks, shifted in frequency up to a few tens of Hertz from radio waves transmitted at several megahertz. These emission peaks are by far the strongest spectral features of secondary radiation that have been reported. The emissions are attributed to stimulated Brillouin scattering, long predicted but hitherto never unambiguously identified in high-frequency ionospheric interaction experiments. The experiments were performed at the High-Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP), Alaska, USA.
Heater-induced ionization inferred from spectrometric airglow measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hysell, D. L.; Miceli, R. J.; Kendall, E. A.; Schlatter, N. M.; Varney, R. H.; Watkins, B. J.; Pedersen, T. R.; Bernhardt, P. A.; Huba, J. D.
2014-03-01
Spectrographic airglow measurements were made during an ionospheric modification experiment at High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program on 12 March 2013. Artificial airglow enhancements at 427.8, 557.7, 630.0, 777.4, and 844.6 nm were observed. On the basis of these emissions and using a methodology based on the method of Backus and Gilbert (1968, 1970), we estimate the suprathermal electron population and the subsequent equilibrium electron density profile, including contributions from electron impact ionization. We find that the airglow is consistent with heater-induced ionization in view of the spatial intermittency of the airglow.
DEMETER observations of bursty MF emissions and their relation to ground-level auroral MF burst
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Broughton, M. C.; LaBelle, J.; Parrot, M.
2014-12-01
A survey of medium frequency (MF) electric field data from selected orbits of the Detection of Electro-Magnetic Emissions Transmitted from Earthquakes (DEMETER) spacecraft reveals 68 examples of a new type of bursty MF emissions occurring at high latitudes associated with auroral phenomena. These resemble auroral MF burst, a natural radio emission observed at ground level near local substorm onsets. Similar to MF burst, the bursty MF waves observed by DEMETER have broadband, impulsive frequency structure covering 1.5-3.0 MHz, amplitudes of 50-100 μV/m, an overall occurrence rate of ˜0.76% with higher occurrence during active times, and strong correlation with auroral hiss. The magnetic local time distribution of the MF waves observed by DEMETER shows peak occurrence rate near 18 MLT, somewhat earlier than the equivalent peak in the occurrence rate of ground level MF burst, though propagation effects and differences in the latitudes sampled by the two techniques may explain this discrepancy. Analysis of solar wind and SuperMAG data suggests that while the bursty MF waves observed by DEMETER are associated with enhanced auroral activity, their coincidence with substorm onset may not be as exact as that of ground level MF burst. One conjunction occurs in which MF burst is observed at Churchill, Manitoba, within 8 min of MF emissions detected by DEMETER on field lines approximately 1000 km southeast of Churchill. These observations may plausibly be associated with the same auroral event detected by ground level magnetometers at several Canadian observatories. Although it is uncertain, the balance of the evidence suggests that the bursty MF waves observed with DEMETER are the same phenomenon as the ground level MF burst. Hence, theories of MF burst generation in the ionosphere, such as beam-generated Langmuir waves excited over a range of altitudes or strong Langmuir turbulence generating a range of frequencies within a narrow altitude range, need to be revisited to see whether they predict in situ detection of MF burst.
The F.I.T. Story: Astronautics at F.I.T.
ERIC Educational Resources Information Center
Aviation/Space, 1980
1980-01-01
Describes the astronautic programs and research at the Florida Institute of Technology, Melborne, Florida. Undergraduate and graduate students participate in research, such as Lighter-Than-Air vehicles, optical observation, auroral-magnetospheric research, and geomagnetism. (DS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hull, A. J.; Wilber, M.; Chaston, C.; Bonnell, J.; Mozer, F.; McFadden, J.; Goldstein, M.; Fillingim, M.
2007-12-01
The region above the auroral acceleration region is an integral part of the auroral zone electrodynamic system. At these altitudes (≥ 3 Re) we find the source plasma and fields that determine acceleration processes occurring at lower altitudes, which play a key role in the transport of mass and energy into the ionosphere. Dynamic changes in these high-altitude regions can affect and/or control lower-altitude acceleration processes according to how field-aligned currents and specific plasma sources form and decay and how they are spatially distributed, and through magnetic configuration changes deeper in the magnetotail. Though much progress has been made, the time development and consequential effects of the high-altitude plasma and fields are still not fully understood. We present Cluster multi-point observations at key instances within and above the acceleration region (> 3 RE) of evolving auroral arc current systems. Results are presented from events occurring under different conditions, such as magnetospheric activity, associations with density depletions or gradients, and Alfvenic turbulence. A preliminary survey, primarily at or near the plasma sheet boundary, indicates quasi- static up-down current pair systems are at times associated with density depletions and other instances occur in association with density gradients. The data suggest that such quasi-static current systems may be evolving from structured Alfvenic current systems. We will discuss the temporal development of auroral acceleration potentials, plasma and currents, including quasi-static system formation from turbulent systems of structured Alfvenic field-aligned currents, density depletion and constituent reorganization of the source and ionospheric plasma that transpire in such systems. Of particular emphasis is how temporal changes in magnetospheric source plasma and fields affect the development of auroral acceleration potentials at lower altitudes.
Search for auroral belt E-parallel fields with high-velocity barium ion injections
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heppner, J. P.; Ledley, B. G.; Miller, M. L.; Marionni, P. A.; Pongratz, M. B.
1989-01-01
In April 1984, four high-velocity shaped-charge Ba(+) injections were conducted from two sounding rockets at 770-975 km over northern Alaska under conditions of active auroral and magnetic disturbance. Spatial ionization (brightness) profiles of high-velocity Ba(+) clouds from photometric scans following each release were found to be consistent with the 28-sec theoretical time constant for Ba photoionization determined by Carlsten (1975). These observations therefore revealed no evidence of anomalous fast ionization predicted by the Alfven critical velocity hypothesis.
Generation of auroral kilometric radiation and the structure of auroral acceleration region
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lee, L. C.; Kan, J. R.; Wu, C. S.
1980-01-01
Generation of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) in the auroral acceleration region is studied. It is shown that auroral kilometric radiation can be generated by backscattered electrons trapped in the acceleration region via a cyclotron maser process. The parallel electric field in the acceleration region is required to be distributed over 1-2 earth radii. The observed AKR frequency spectrum can be used to estimate the altitude range of the auroral acceleration region. The altitudes of the lower and upper boundaries of the acceleration region determined from the AKR data are respectively approximately 2000 and 9000 km.
Spacecraft Charging Hazards In Low-earth Orbit
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Anderson, P. C.
The space environment in low-Earth orbit (LEO) has until recently been considered quite benign to high levels of spacecraft charging. However, it has been found that the DMSP spacecraft at 840 km can charge to very large negative voltages (up to - 2000 V) when encountering intense precipitating electron events (auroral arcs) while traversing the auroral zone. The occurrence frequency of charging events, defined as when the spacecraft charged to levels exceeding 100 V negative, was highly correlated with the 11-year solar cycle with the largest number of events occurring during solar minimum. This was due to the requirement that the background thermal plasma den- sity be low, at most 104 cm-2. During solar maximum, the plasma density is typically well above that level due to the solar EUV ionizing radiation, and although the oc- currence frequency of auroral arcs is considerably greater than at solar minimum, the occurrence of high-level charging is minimal. Indeed, of the over 1200 events found during the most recent solar cycle, none occurred during the last solar maximum. This has implications to a number of LEO satellite programs, including the International Space Station (ISS). The plasma density in the ISS orbit, at a much lower altitude than DMSP, is well above that at 840 km and rarely below 104 cm-2. However, in the wake of the ISS, the plasma density can be 2 orders of magnitude or more lower than the background density and thus conditions are ripe for significant charging effects. With an inclination of 51.6 degrees, the ISS does enter the auroral zone, particularly during geomagnetic storms and substorms when the auroral boundary can penetrate to very low latitudes. This has significant implications for EVA operations in the ISS wake.
Ionospheric Convection in the Postnoon Auroral Oval: SuperDARN and Polar UVI Observations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kozlovsky, A.; Koustov, A.; Lyatsky, W.; Kangas, J.; Parks, G.; Chua, D.
2002-01-01
Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) observations, ultraviolet imaging from the Polar satellite (UVI), and particle precipitation data from DMSP satellites have been used to investigate the electrodynamics of the postnoon auroral oval in the Northern hemisphere. We show that: (1) For negative IMF By, the convection reversal (CR) was co-located with the maximum of auroral luminosity, but during positive IMF By the convection reversal was poleward of the auroral oval up to several degrees in latitude; (2) Postnoon auroral oval was associated with a large-scale upward field-aligned current (FAC) of the order of 6x10(exp -7). A m(exp -2) in magnitude (the FAC was inferred from the SuperDARN and UVI data). For negative IMF By, maximum of the auroral intensity coincides in latitude with the maximum of the upward field-aligned current. However, for positive IMF By. the maximum of the upward FAC was shifted to the poleward edge of the auroral oval; (3) In response to the IMF By turning from positive to negative, the maximum of the auroral luminosity did not change its position noticeably, but the position of the convection reversal changed considerably from 80-81 degs to about 76 degs MLAT, and the maximum of FAC moved from 77-78 degs to about 76 degs MLAT. Thus, after IMF By turns negative, both the FAC maximum and CR tend to coincide with the auroral maximum; (4) The IMF Bz positive deflection was followed by a decrease in both field-aligned current intensity and auroral luminosity. However, the decrease in the auroral luminosity lags behind the FAC decrease by about 12 min. Firstly, these observations allow us to suggest that the IMF By-related electric field can penetrate into the closed magnetosphere and produce convection and FAC changes in the region of the postnoon auroral oval. Secondly, we suggest that the interchange instability is a promising mechanism for the postnoon auroras.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Radioti, A.; Grodent, D.; Yao, Z. H.; Gérard, J.-C.; Badman, S. V.; Pryor, W.; Bonfond, B.
2017-12-01
We present Cassini auroral observations obtained on 11 November 2016 with the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph at the beginning of the F-ring orbits and the Grand Finale phase of the mission. The spacecraft made a close approach to Saturn's southern pole and offered a remarkable view of the dayside and nightside aurora. With this sequence we identify, for the first time, the presence of dusk/midnight arcs, which are azimuthally spread from high to low latitudes, suggesting that their source region extends from the outer to middle/inner magnetosphere. The observed arcs could be auroral manifestations of plasma flows propagating toward the planet from the magnetotail, similar to terrestrial "auroral streamers." During the sequence the dawn auroral region brightens and expands poleward. We suggest that the dawn auroral breakup results from a combination of plasma instability and global-scale magnetic field reconfiguration, which is initiated by plasma flows propagating toward the planet. Alternatively, the dawn auroral enhancement could be triggered by tail magnetic reconnection.
UV Studies of Jupiter's Aerosols and Hydrocarbons
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pryor, Wayne
2004-01-01
This project funded research related to our involvement in the Galileo Ultraviolet Spectrometer experiment. Pryor was a Co-I on that experiment, which recently ended when Galileo crashed into Jupiter's atmosphere. It also funded related research on HST observations of Jupiter's atmosphere, and Cassini observations of Jupiter's atmosphere, and ground-based studies of Jupiter's atmosphere using the facilities of McDonald Observatory. Specific activities related to this grant include study of UV spectra returned by Galileo UVS and Cassini UVIS, development of simple models to explain these spectra, participation in archiving activities for these data sets, travel to conferences, and publication of scientific papers. Highlights of our Jupiter research efforts include: 1.) evidence for heavy hydrocarbons in Jupiter's atmosphere (from HST) (Clarke et al. poster), that may be the source of Jupiter's stratospheric aerosols, 2.) detection of auroral flares in Jupiter's atmosphere from Galileo (Pryor et al., 2001). 3.) establishing a connection between coronal mass ejections and auroral outbursts (Gurnett et al., 2002), and 4) establishing a connection between short-term variations in Jupiter's auroral emissions and radio emissions (Pryor et al. presented at AGU in 2002, paper in preparation).
2009-03-01
18 December 2007). 19. HAARP , The Hgh Frequency Actve Auroral Research Program. Glossary of Solar and Geophysical Terms. Avalable at...www.haarp.alaska.edu/ haarp /glos.html (accessed: 4 September 2007). 13 20. IZMIRAN. Pushkov Insttute of Terrestral Mag- netsm, Ionosphere and Radowave
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schriver, D.; Ashour-Abdalla, M.; Strangeway, R. J.; Richard, R. L.; Klezting, C.; Dotan, Y.; Wygant, J.
2002-01-01
The discrete aurora results when energized electrons bombard the Earth's atmosphere at high latitudes. This paper examines the physical processes that can cause field-aligned acceleration of plasma particles in the auroral region. A data and theoretical study has been carried out to examine the acceleration mechanisms that operate in the auroral zone and to identity the magnetospheric drivers of these acceleration mechanisms. The observations used in the study were collected by the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) and Polar satellites when the two satellites were in approximate magnetic conjunction in the auroral region. During these events FAST was in the middle of the auroral zone and Polar was above the auroral zone in the near-Earth plasma sheet. Polar data was used to determine the conditions in the magnetotail at the time field-aligned acceleration was measured by FAST in the auroral zone. For each of the magnetotail drivers identified in the data study, the physics of field-aligned acceleration in the auroral region was examined using existing theoretical efforts and a long-system particle-in-cell simulation to model the magnetically connected region between the two satellites.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Miyashita, Y.; Ieda, A.; Machida, S.; Hiraki, Y.; Angelopoulos, V.; McFadden, J. P.; Auster, H. U.; Mende, S. B.; Donovan, E.; Larson, D. E.
2014-12-01
We have studied the relative timing of the processes in the near-Earth magnetotail and development of auroral onset arc at the beginning of the expansion phase, based on substorm events observed by the THEMIS spacecraft and ground-based all-sky imagers. The THEMIS all-sky imagers can observe auroras over a wide area with temporal and spacial resolutions higher than spacecraft-borne cameras. This enables us to investigate the timing of auroral development in more detail than before. A few min after the appearance and intensification of an auroral onset arc, it begins to form wave-like structure. Then auroral poleward expansion begins another few min later. THEMIS magnetotail observations clearly show that magnetic reconnection is initiated at X~-20 Re at least 1-2 min before the intensification of auroral onset arc. Then low-frequency waves are excited in the plasma sheet at X~-10 Re 2 min before dipolarization, which is simultaneous with the formation of auroral wave-like structure. Dipolarization begins at the same time as the auroral poleward expansion. These results suggest that near-Earth magnetic reconnection plays some role in the development of dipolarization and auroral onset arc.
Chandra Probes High-Voltage Auroras on Jupiter
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
2005-03-01
Scientists have obtained new insight into the unique power source for many of Jupiter's auroras, the most spectacular and active auroras in the Solar System. Extended monitoring of the giant planet with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory detected the presence of highly charged particles crashing into the atmosphere above its poles. X-ray spectra measured by Chandra showed that the auroral activity was produced by ions of oxygen and other elements that were stripped of most of their electrons. This implies that these particles were accelerated to high energies in a multimillion-volt environment above the planet's poles. The presence of these energetic ions indicates that the cause of many of Jupiter's auroras is different from auroras produced on Earth or Saturn. Chandra X-ray Image of Jupiter Chandra X-ray Image of Jupiter "Spacecraft have not explored the region above the poles of Jupiter, so X-ray observations provide one of the few ways to probe that environment," said Ron Elsner of the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, and lead author on a recently published paper describing these results in the Journal for Geophysical Research. "These results will help scientists to understand the mechanism for the power output from Jupiter's auroras, which are a thousand times more powerful than those on Earth." Electric voltages of about 10 million volts, and currents of 10 million amps - a hundred times greater than the most powerful lightning bolts - are required to explain the X-ray observations. These voltages would also explain the radio emission from energetic electrons observed near Jupiter by the Ulysses spacecraft. Schematic of Jupiter's Auroral Activity Production Schematic of Jupiter's Auroral Activity Production On Earth, auroras are triggered by solar storms of energetic particles, which disturb Earth's magnetic field. Gusts of particles from the Sun can also produce auroras on Jupiter, but unlike Earth, Jupiter has another way of producing auroras. Jupiter's rapid rotation, intense magnetic field, and an abundant source of particles from its volcanically active moon, Io, create a huge reservoir of electrons and ions. These charged particles, trapped in Jupiter's magnetic field, are continually accelerated down into the atmosphere above the polar regions where they collide with gases to produce the aurora, which are almost always active on Jupiter. If the particles responsible for the aurora came from the Sun, they should have been accompanied by large number of protons, which would have produced an intense ultraviolet aurora. Hubble ultraviolet observations made during the Chandra monitoring period showed relatively weak ultraviolet flaring. The combined Chandra and Hubble data indicate that this auroral activity was caused by the acceleration of charged ions of oxygen and other elements trapped in the polar magnetic field high above Jupiter's atmosphere. Hubble Ultraviolet Image of Jupiter Hubble Ultraviolet Image of Jupiter Chandra observed Jupiter in February 2003 for four rotations of the planet (approximately 40 hours) during intense auroral activity. These Chandra observations, taken with its Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer, were accompanied by one-and-a-half hours of Hubble Space Telescope observations at ultraviolet wavelengths. The research team also included Noe Lugaz, Hunter Waite, and Tariq Majeed (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor), Thomas Cravens (University of Kansas, Lawrence), Randy Gladstone (Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas), Peter Ford (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge), Denis Grodent (University of Liege, Belgium), Anil Bhardwaj (Marshall Space Flight Center) and Robert MacDowell and Michael Desch (Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.) NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for NASA's Office of Space Science, Washington. Northrop Grumman of Redondo Beach, Calif., formerly TRW, Inc., was the prime development contractor for the observatory. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations from the Chandra X-ray Center in Cambridge, Mass. Additional information and images are available at: http://chandra.harvard.edu and http://chandra.nasa.gov
Space Weather Monitoring for ISS Space Environments Engineering and Crew Auroral Observations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minow, Joseph; Pettit, Donald R.; Hartman, William A.
2012-01-01
Today s presentation describes how real time space weather data is used by the International Space Station (ISS) space environments team to obtain data on auroral charging of the ISS vehicle and support ISS crew efforts to obtain auroral images from orbit. Topics covered include: Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU), . Auroral charging of ISS, . Real ]time space weather monitoring resources, . Examples of ISS auroral charging captured from space weather events, . ISS crew observations of aurora.
Solar Array and Auroral Charging Studies of DMSP Spacecraft
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Matias, Kelwin
2013-01-01
The SSJ electrostatic analyzers and the SSIES plasma instruments on the DMSP spacecraft in low Earth polar orbit can be used to conduct case studies of auroral and solar array charging. We will use a program written in the Interactive Data Language (IDL) to evaluate questionable charging events in the SSJ records by comparing charging signatures in SSJ and SSIES data. In addition, we will assemble a number of case studies of solar array charging showing the signatures from the SSJ data and compare to the SSIES charging signatures. In addition we will use Satellite Tool Kit (STK) to propagate orbits, obtain solar intensity, and use to verify onset of charging with sunrise.
HST UV Images of Saturn's Aurora Coordinated with Cassini Solar Wind Measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Clarke, John
2003-07-01
A key measurement goal of the Cassini mission to Saturn is to obtain simultaneous solar wind and auroral imaging measurements in a campaign scheduled for Jan. 2004. Cassini will measure the solar wind approaching Saturn continuously from 9 Jan. - 6 Feb., but not closer to Saturn due to competing spacecraft orientation constraints. The only system capable of imaging Saturn's aurora in early 2004 will be HST. In this community DD proposal we request the minimum HST time needed to support the Cassini mission during the solar wind campaign with UV images of Saturn's aurora. Saturn's magnetosphere is intermediate between the "closed" Jovian case with large internal sources of plasma and the Earth's magnetosphere which is open to solar wind interactions. Saturn's aurora has been shown to exhibit large temporal variations in brightness and morphology from Voyager and HST observations. Changes of auroral emitted power exceeding one order of magnitude, dawn brightenings, and latitudinal motions of the main oval have all been observed. Lacking knowledge of solar wind conditions near Saturn, it has not been possible to determine its role in Saturn's auroral processes, nor the mechanisms controlling the auroral precipitation. During Cassini's upcoming approach to Saturn there will be a unique opportunity to answer these questions. We propose to image one complete rotation of Saturn to determine the corotational and longitudinal dependences of the auroral activity. We will then image the active sector of Saturn once every two days for a total coverage of 26 days during the Cassini campaign to measure the upstream solar wind parameters. This is the minimum coverage needed to ensure observations of the aurora under solar wind pressure variations of more than a factor of two, based on the solar wind pressure variations measured by Voyager 2 near Saturn on the declining phase of solar activity. The team of proposers has carried out a similar coordinated observing campaign of Jupiter during the Cassini flyby, resulting in a set of papers and HST images on the cover of Nature on 28 February 2002.
Magnetic substorms and northward IMF turning
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Troshichev, Oleg; Podorozhkina, Nataly
To determine the relation of the northward IMF turnings to substorm sudden onsets, we separated all events with sharp northward IMF turnings observed in years of solar maximum (1999-2002) and solar minimum (2007-2008). The events (N=261) have been classified in 5 groups in accordance with average magnetic activity in auroral zone (low, moderate or high levels of AL index) at unchanged or slightly changed PC index and with dynamics of PC (steady distinct growth or distinct decline) at arbitrary values of AL index. Statistical analysis of relationships between the IMF turning and changes of PC and AL indices has been fulfilled separately for each of 5 classes. Results of the analysis showed that, irrespective of geophysical conditions and solar activity epoch, the magnetic activity in the polar caps and in the auroral zone demonstrate no response to the sudden northward IMF turning, if the moment of northward turning is taken as a key date. Sharp increases of magnetic disturbance in the auroral zone are observed only under conditions of the growing PC index and statistically they are related to moment of the PC index exceeding the threshold level (~1.5 mV/m), not to northward turnings timed, as a rule, after the moment of sudden onset. Magnetic disturbances observed in these cases in the auroral zone (magnetic substorms) are guided by behavior of the PC index, like to ordinary magnetic substorms or substorms developed under conditions of the prolonged northward IMF impact on the magnetosphere. The evident inconsistency between the sharp IMF changes measured outside of the magnetosphere and behavior of the ground-based PC index, the latter determining the substorm development, provides an additional argument in favor of the PC index as a ground-based proxy of the solar wind energy that entered into magnetosphere.
Modelling of auroral electrodynamical processes: Magnetosphere to mesosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chiu, Y. T.; Gorney, D. J.; Kishi, A. M.; Newman, A. L.; Schulz, M.; Walterscheid, R. L.; CORNWALL; Prasad, S. S.
1982-01-01
Research conducted on auroral electrodynamic coupling between the magnetosphere and ionosphere-atmosphere in support of the development of a global scale kinetic plasma theory is reviewed. Topics covered include electric potential structure in the evening sector; morning and dayside auroras; auroral plasma formation; electrodynamic coupling with the thermosphere; and auroral electron interaction with the atmosphere.
Cassini UVIS Auroral Observations in 2016 and 2017
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pryor, Wayne R.; Esposito, Larry W.; Jouchoux, Alain; Radioti, Aikaterini; Grodent, Denis; Gustin, Jacques; Gerard, Jean-Claude; Lamy, Laurent; Badman, Sarah; Dyudina, Ulyana A.; Cassini UVIS Team, Cassini VIMS Team, Cassini ISS Team, HST Saturn Auroral Team
2017-10-01
In 2016 and 2017, the Cassini Saturn orbiter executed a final series of high-inclination, low-periapsis orbits ideal for studies of Saturn's polar regions. The Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) obtained an extensive set of auroral images, some at the highest spatial resolution obtained during Cassini's long orbital mission (2004-2017). In some cases, two or three spacecraft slews at right angles to the long slit of the spectrograph were required to cover the entire auroral region to form auroral images. We will present selected images from this set showing narrow arcs of emission, more diffuse auroral emissions, multiple auroral arcs in a single image, discrete spots of emission, small scale vortices, large-scale spiral forms, and parallel linear features that appear to cross in places like twisted wires. Some shorter features are transverse to the main auroral arcs, like barbs on a wire. UVIS observations were in some cases simultaneous with auroral observations from the Cassini Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) the Cassini Visual and Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS), and the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) that will also be presented.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mertens, C. J.; Xu, X.; Fernandez, J. R.; Bilitza, D.; Russell, J. M., III; Mlynczak, M. G.
2009-01-01
Auroral infrared emission observed from the TIMED/SABER broadband 4.3 micron channel is used to develop an empirical geomagnetic storm correction to the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) E-region electron densities. The observation-based proxy used to develop the storm model is SABER-derived NO+(v) 4.3 micron volume emission rates (VER). A correction factor is defined as the ratio of storm-time NO+(v) 4.3 micron VER to a quiet-time climatological averaged NO+(v) 4.3 micron VER, which is linearly fit to available geomagnetic activity indices. The initial version of the E-region storm model, called STORM-E, is most applicable within the auroral oval region. The STORM-E predictions of E-region electron densities are compared to incoherent scatter radar electron density measurements during the Halloween 2003 storm events. Future STORM-E updates will extend the model outside the auroral oval.
Changes in the Martian atmosphere induced by auroral electron precipitation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Shematovich, V. I.; Bisikalo, D. V.; Gérard, J.-C.; Hubert, B.
2017-09-01
Typical auroral events in the Martian atmosphere, such as discrete and diffuse auroral emissions detected by UV spectrometers onboard ESA Mars Express and NASA MAVEN, are investigated. Auroral electron kinetic energy distribution functions and energy spectra of the upward and downward electron fluxes are obtained by electron transport calculations using the kinetic Monte Carlo model. These characteristics of auroral electron fluxes make it possible to calculate both the precipitation-induced changes in the atmosphere and the observed manifestations of auroral events on Mars. In particular, intensities of discrete and diffuse auroral emissions in the UV and visible wavelength ranges (Soret et al., 2016; Bisikalo et al., 2017; Gérard et al., 2017). For these conditions of auroral events, the analysis is carried out, and the contribution of the fluxes of precipitating electrons to the heating and ionization of the Martian atmosphere is estimated. Numerical calculations show that in the case of discrete auroral events the effect of the residual crustal magnetic field leads to a significant increase in the upward fluxes of electrons, which causes a decrease in the rates of heating and ionization of the atmospheric gas in comparison with the calculations without taking into account the residual magnetic field. It is shown that all the above-mentioned impact factors of auroral electron precipitation processes should be taken into account both in the photochemical models of the Martian atmosphere and in the interpretation of observations of the chemical composition and its variations using the ACS instrument onboard ExoMars.
Spatial Relationships of Auroral Particle Acceleration Relative to High Latitude Plasma Boundaries
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ghielmetti, Arthur G.
1997-01-01
This final report describes the activities under NASA contract to Lockheed Missiles and Space Company. It covers the period from 10-1-94 to 12-31-97. The objective of this investigation is to identify and characterize the spatial relationships of auroral particle acceleration features relative to the characteristic transition features in the surrounding polar ionospheric plasmas. Due to the reduced funding level approved for this contract, the original scope of the proposed work was readjusted with the focus placed on examining spatial relationships with respect to particle structures.
Jovian ultraviolet auroral activity, 1981-1991
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Livengood, T. A.; Moos, H. W.; Ballester, G. E.; Prange, R. M.
1992-01-01
IUE observations of H2 UV emissions for the 1981-1991 period are presently used to investigate the auroral brightness distribution on the surface of Jupiter. The brightness, which is diagnostic of energy input to the atmosphere as well as of magnetospheric processes, is determined by comparing model-predicted brightnesses against empirical ones. The north and south aurorae appear to be correlated in brightness and in variations of the longitude of peak brightness. There are strong fluctuations in all the parameters of the brightness distribution on much shorter time scales than those of solar maximum-minimum.
Sounding rocket research Aries/Firewheel, series 22, issue 15
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mozer, F. S.
1981-01-01
Rocket experiments in ionospheric particle and field research flow in seven programs during the last decade are summarized. Experimental techniques were developed and are discussed including the double-probe field technique. The auroral zone, polar cap, and equatorial spread F were studied.
Nonlinear Interactions within the D-Region Ionosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moore, Robert
2016-07-01
This paper highlights the best results obtained during D-region modification experiments performed by the University of Florida at the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) observatory between 2007 and 2014. Over this period, we saw a tremendous improvement in ELF/VLF wave generation efficiency. We identified methods to characterize ambient and modified ionospheric properties and to discern and quantify specific types of interactions. We have demonstrated several important implications of HF cross-modulation effects, including "Doppler Spoofing" on HF radio waves. Throughout this talk, observations are compared with the predictions of an ionospheric HF heating model to provide context and guidance for future D-region modification experiments.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sandholt, P. E.; Farrugia, C. J.; Burlaga, L. F.; Holtet, J. A.; Moen, J.; Lybekk, B.; Jacobsen, B.; Opsvik, D.; Egeland, A.; Lepping, R.
1994-01-01
Continuous optical observations of cusp/cleft auroral activities within approximately equal to 09-15 MLT and 70-76 deg magnetic latitude are studied in relation to changes in solar wind dynamic pressure and interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) variability. The observed latitudinal movements of the cusp/cleft aurora in response to IMF B(sub z) changes may be explained as an effect of a variable magnetic field intensity in the outer dayside magnetosphere associated with the changing intensity of region 1 field-aligned currents and associated closure currents. Ground magnetic signatures related to such currents were observed in the present case (January 10, 1993). Strong, isolated enhancements in solar wind dynamic pressure (Delta p/p is greater than or equal to 0.5) gave rise to equatorward shifts of the cusp/cleft aurora, characteristic auroral transients, and distinct ground magnetic signatures of enhanced convection at cleft latitudes. A sequence of auroral events of approximately equal to 5-10 min recurrence time, moving eastward along the poleward boundary of the persistent cusp/cleft aurora in the approximately equal to 10-14 MLT sector, during negative IMF B(sub z) and B(sub y) conditions, were found to be correlated with brief pulses in solar wind dynamic pressure (0.1 is less than Delta p/p is less than 0.5). Simultaneous photometer observations from Ny Alesund, Svalbard, and Danmarkshavn, Greenland, show that the events often appeared on the prenoon side (approximately equal to 10-12 MLT), before moving into the postnoon sector in the case we study here, when IMF B(sub y) is less than 0. In other cases, similar auroral event sequences have been observed to move westward in the prenoon sector, during intervals of positive B(sub y). Thus a strong prenoon/postnoon asymmetry of event occurence and motion pattern related to the IMF B(sub y) polarity is observed. We find that this category of auroral event sequence is stimulated bursts of electron precipitation that originate from magnetosheath plasma that has accessed that dayside magnetosphere in the noon or near-noon sector, possibly at high latitudes, partly governed by the IMF orientation as well as by solar wind dynamic pressure pulses.
The Consequences of Alfven Waves and Parallel Potential Drops in the Auroral Zone
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Schriver, David
2003-01-01
The goal of this research is to examine the causes of field-aligned plasma acceleration in the auroral zone using satellite data and numerical simulations. A primary question to be addressed is what causes the field-aligned acceleration of electrons (leading to precipitation) and ions (leading to upwelling ions) in the auroral zone. Data from the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) and Polar satellites is used when the two satellites are in approximate magnetic conjunction and are in the auroral region. FAST is at relatively low altitudes and samples plasma in the midst of the auroral acceleration region while Polar is at much higher altitudes and can measure plasmas and waves propagating towards the Earth. Polar can determine the sources of energy streaming earthward from the magnetotail, either in the form of field-aligned currents, electromagnetic waves or kinetic particle energy, that ultimately leads to the acceleration of plasma in the auroral zone. After identifying and examining several events, numerical simulations are run that bridges the spatial region between the two satellites. The code is a one-dimensional, long system length particle in cell simulation that has been developed to model the auroral region. A main goal of this research project is to include Alfven waves in the simulation to examine how these waves can accelerate plasma in the auroral zone.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Newell, Patrick T.; Meng, CHING-I.; Huffman, Robert E.
1992-01-01
The Polar Beacon Experiment and Auroral Research (Polar BEAR) satellite included the capability for imaging the dayside auroral oval in full sunlight at several wavelengths. Particle observations from the DMSP F7 satellite during dayside auroral oval crossings are compared with approximately simultaneous Polar BEAR 1356-A images to determine the magnetospheric source region of the dayside auroral oval. The source region is determined from the DMSP particle data, according to recent work concerning the classification and identification of precipitation source regions. The close DMSP/Polar BEAR coincidences all occur when the former satellite is located between 0945 and 1000 MLT. Instances of auroral arcs mapping to each of several different regions, including the boundary plasma sheet, the low-latitude boundary layer, and the plasma mantle were found. It was determined that about half the time the most prominent auroral arcs are located at the interfaces between distinct plasma regions, at least at the local time studied here.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Andriyas, Tushar
2016-08-01
A statistical analysis of the equatorward and poleward auroral boundary movement during substorm onsets, the related solar wind activity, GOES 8 and 10 magnetic field, and the westward auroral electrojet (AL) index is undertaken, during the years 2000-2002. Auroral boundary data were obtained from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). These boundaries were derived using auroral images from the IMAGE satellite. The timing of the onsets was derived from the Frey et al. (2004) database. Data were also classified based on the peak AL around the onset and the onset latitude, in order to analyze the differences, if any, in the rates of movement. It was found that the absolute ratio of the rate of movement of the mean poleward and equatorward boundaries was slower than the rate of mean movement around the midnight sector. The stronger the onset (in terms of the peak AL around the onset) was, the faster the rate of movement for both the boundaries. This implies that the stronger the AL signature around the onset, the weaker the magnetic field was prior to the onset and the faster it increased after the onset at GOES 8 and 10 locations. The stronger the AL signature, the thicker the latitudinal width of the aurora was, prior to the onset and higher was the increase in the width after the onset, due to large poleward and average equatorward expansion. Magnetotail field line stretching and relaxation rates as measured by GOES were also found to lie in the same order of magnitude. It is therefore concluded that the rates of latitudinal descent prior to a substorm onset and ascent after the onset, of the mean auroral boundaries, corresponds to the rate at which the tail field lines stretch and relax before and after the onset, respectively.
Energetic Charged Particle Component or the NO(y) Budget of the Polar Middle Atmosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Vitt, F. M.; Jackman, C. H.
1999-01-01
Analysis of nitrates measured in polar ice cap snow at a high resolution shows large variations in the nitrates. It has been shown that the nitrate signal may contain a signature of solar activity [Zeller and Dreschhoff, 19951. Reactive odd nitrogen production associated with solar particle events (SPEs) and auroral activity may be a source of some of the nitrate anomalies observed in the polar ice caps. Periods of large SPEs can lead to a production of polar atmospheric odd nitrogen in excess of the ambient sources in the polar stratosphere and mesosphere, and may leave a large nitrate signal stratified in the polar ice cap. Auroral electrons and photoelectrons produce odd nitrogen in the thermosphere, some of which may be transported to the polar (>50 degrees) mesosphere and stratosphere. Sources of odd nitrogen in the polar middle atmosphere associated with SPEs, galactic cosmic rays, and auroral electron precipitation have been quantified. The relative contributions by the energetic particles sources to the Noy budget of the polar middle atmosphere (from tropopause to 50 km, from 50 degrees to 90 degrees latitude) are compared with the nitrates observed in the polar ice sheets.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Carpenter, D. L.; Akasofu, S.
1972-01-01
Temporal variations of the westward component of the magnetospheric convection electric field in the outer plasmasphere were compared to auroral activity near L = 7, and to variations in the geomagnetic field at middle and high latitudes. The substorms occurred on July 29, 1965 near 0530 UT and on August 20, 1965 near 0730 UT. The results on westward electric field E(w) were obtained by the whistler method using data from Eights, Antarctica (L is approximately 4). All sky camera records were obtained from Byrd, Antarctica, (L is approximately 7), located within about 1 hour of Eights in magnetic local time. It was found that E(w) within the outer plasmasphere increased rapidly to substorm levels about the time of auroral expansion at nearby longitudes. This behavior is shown to differ from results on E(w) from balloons, which show E(w) reaching enhanced levels prior to the expansion. A close temporal relation was found between the rapid, substorm associated increases in E(w) and a well known type of nightside geomagnetic perturbation. Particularly well defined was the correlation of E(w) rise and a large deviation of the D component at middle latitudes.
Rocket measurements of electrons in a system of multiple auroral arcs
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Boyd, J. S.; Davis, T. N.
1977-01-01
A Nike-Tomahawk rocket was launched into a system of auroral arcs northward of Poker Flat Research Range, Fairbanks, Alaska. The pitch-angle distribution of electrons was measured at 2.5, 5, and 10 keV and also at 10 keV on a separating forward section of the payload. The auroral activity appeared to be the extension of substorm activity centered to the east. The rocket crossed a westward-propagating fold in the brightest band. The electron spectrum was relatively hard through most of the flight, showing a peak in the range from 2.5 to 10 keV in the weaker aurora and below 5 keV in the brightest arc. The detailed structure of the pitch-angle distribution suggested that, at times, a very selective process was accelerating some electrons in the magnetic field direction, so that a narrow field-aligned component appeared superimposed on a more isotropic distribution. It is concluded that this process could not be a near-ionosphere field-aligned potential drop, although the more isotropic component may have been produced by a parallel electric field extending several thousand kilometers along the field line above the ionosphere.
Study of plasmasphere dynamics using incoherent scatter data from Chatanika, Alaska radar facility
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Shelley, E. G.
1975-01-01
Results of the study of Chatanika incoherent scatter radar data and Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory satellite data are reported. Specific topics covered include: determination of the effective recombination coefficient in the auroral E region; determination of the location of the auroral oval; auroral boundary characteristics; and the relationship of auroral current systems, particle precipitation, visual aurora, and radar aurora.
Electric fields measured by ISEE-1 within and near the neutral sheet during quiet and active times
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cattell, C. A.; Mozer, F. S.
1982-01-01
An understanding of the physical processes occurring in the magnetotail and plasmasheet during different interplanetary magnetic field orientations and differing levels of ground magnetic activity is crucial for the development of a theory of energy transfer from the solar wind to the particles which produce auroral arcs. In the present investigation, the first observations of electric fields during neutral sheet crossings are presented, taking into account the statistical correlations of the interplanetary magnetic field direction and ground activity with the character of the electric field. The electric field data used in the study were obtained from a double probe experiment on the ISEE-1 satellite. The observations suggest that turbulent electric and magnetic fields are intimately related to plasma acceleration in the neutral sheet and to the processes which create auroral particles.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Guo, Qiang; Galushko, Volodymyr G.; Zalizovski, Andriy V.; Kashcheyev, Sergiy B.; Zheng, Yu
2018-05-01
A modification of the Doppler Interferometry Technique is suggested to enable estimating angles of arrival of comparatively broadband HF signals scattered by random irregularities of the ionospheric plasma with the use of small-size weakly directional antennas. The technique is based on the measurements of cross-spectra phases of the probe radiation recorded at least in three spatially separated points. The developed algorithm has been used to investigate the angular and frequency-time characteristics of HF signals propagating at frequencies above the maximum usable one (MUF) for the direct radio path Moscow-Kharkiv. The received signal spectra show presence of three families of spatial components attributed, respectively, to scattering by plasma irregularities near the middle point of the radio path, ground backscatter signals and scattering of the sounding signals by the intense plasma turbulence associated with auroral activations. It has been shown that the regions responsible for the formation of the third family components are located well inside the auroral oval. The drift velocity and direction of the auroral ionosphere plasma have been determined. The obtained estimates are consistent with the classical conception of the ionospheric plasma convection at high latitudes and do not contradict the results of investigations of the auroral ionosphere dynamics using the SuperDARN network.
APIS : an interactive database of HST-UV observations of the outer planets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, Laurent; Henry, Florence; Prangé, Renée; Le Sidaner, Pierre
2014-05-01
Remote UV measurement of the outer planets offer a wealth of informations on rings, moons, planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres. Auroral emissions in particular provide highly valuable constraints on the auroral processes at work and the underlying coupling between the solar wind, the magnetosphere, the ionosphere and the moons. Key observables provided by high resolution spectro-imaging include the spatial topology and the dynamics of active magnetic field lines, the radiated and the precipitated powers or the energy of precipitating particles. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) acquired thousands of Far-UV spectra and images of the aurorae of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus since 1993, feeding in numerous magnetospheric studies. But their use remains generally limited, owing to the difficulty to access and use raw and value-added data. APIS, the egyptian god of fertilization, is also the acronym of a new database (Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy), aimed at facilitating the use of HST planetary auroral observations. APIS is based at the Virtual Observatory (VO) of Paris and provides a free and interactive access to a variety of high level data through a simple research interface and standard VO tools (as Aladin, Specview). We will present the capabilities of APIS and illustrate them with several examples.
APIS : an interactive database of HST-UV observations of the outer planets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, L.; Henry, F.; Prangé, R.; Le Sidaner, P.
2013-09-01
Remote UV measurement of the outer planets are a wealth of informations on rings, moons, planetary atmospheres and magnetospheres. Auroral emissions in particular provide highly valuable constraints on the auroral processes at work and the underlying coupling between the solar wind, the magnetosphere, the ionosphere and the moons. Key observables provided by high resolution spectro-imaging include the spatial topology and the dynamics of active magnetic field lines, the radiated and the precipitated powers or the energy of precipitating particles. The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) acquired thousands of Far-UV spectra and images of the aurorae of Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus since 1993, feeding in numerous magnetospheric studies. But their use remains generally limited, owing to the difficulty to access and use raw and value-added data. APIS, the egyptian god of fertilization, is also the acronym of a new database (Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy, Figure 1), aimed at facilitating the use of HST planetary auroral observations. APIS is based at the Virtual Observatory (VO) of Paris and provides a free and interactive access to a variety of high level data through a simple research interface and standard VO tools. We will present the capabilities of APIS and illustrate them with several examples.
Evaluating the role of pre-onset streamers on substorm expansion - where do we go from here?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kepko, L.
2017-12-01
Prior to the THEMIS mission there were two `standard' substorm models — inside out vs. outside in. The THEMIS era has fundamentally altered this dichotomy with the inclusion of the triggered inside-out scenario. This scenario was initially based on the observation of THEMIS ASI white light streamers flowing from the poleward edge of the auroral oval, arriving in the vicinity of the eventual breakup region. It has since been augmented with observations from radar and 630.0 nm ASI cameras. The validity of this scenario rests crucially on the interpretation of ground-based auroral imager data, which in many cases is a subjective analysis. Through an exhaustive examination of 443 events that formed the basis of the pre-onset streamer, triggered inside-out scenario, we have identified several distinct types of auroral intensifications and expansions, including events for which pre-onset streamers appeared to play a clear role. In this talk we suggest an organizational paradigm for interpretation and analysis of substorm events, identifying when and under what conditions pre-onset streamers appear to be associated with auroral activity. We further comment on the current observational and theoretical hurdles that are limiting our ability to reach closure on this topic, and make specific recommendations for achieving further progress.
Coordinated measurements of auroral processes at Saturn from the Cassini spacecraft and HST
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mitchell, D. G.; Kurth, W. S.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Gurnett, D. A.; Krupp, N.; Saur, J.; Mauk, B. A.; Carbary, J. F.; Krimigis, S. M.; Brandt, P. C.; Dougherty, M. K.; Clarke, J. T.; Nichols, J. D.; Gerard, J.; Grodent, D.; Pryor, W. R.; Bunce, E. J.; Crary, F. J.
2008-12-01
One of the primary Cassini mission objectives at Saturn is to characterize Saturn's aurora-its spatial morphology, associated particle energization, radio wave generation, and magnetospheric currents, relationship with solar wind pressure and magnetic field, and its large scale mapping to the magnetosphere. By design, the Cassini orbital tour included high inclination and low periapsis orbits late in the prime mission specifically to address many of these topics. In this presentation, we will provide a snapshot of the current state of our investigation into the relationship between magnetospheric measurements of particles and fields, and the aurora. For in situ data, we will show measurements of upward traveling light ion conics (~30 keV to 200 keV), often accompanied by electron beams (<20 keV to ~1 MeV) and enhanced broadband noise (10 Hz to a few kHz), throughout the outer magnetosphere on field lines that nominally map from well into the polar cap (dipole L > 50) to well into the closed field region (dipole L < 10). Sometimes the particle phenomena and the broadband noise occur in pulses of roughly five-minute duration, separated by tens of minutes. At other times they are relatively steady over an hour or more. Magnetic signatures associated with some of the pulsed events are consistent with field aligned current structures. Correlative observations of solar wind (Cassini) and aurora (HST) have established a strong relationship between solar wind pressure and auroral activity (brightness) (Crary et al., Nature, 2005; Clarke et al., JGR, 2008). A similar correspondence between bright auroral arcs and ring current ion acceleration will be shown here. So while some auroral forms seem to be associated with the open/closed field boundary (i.e. in the cusp-Bunce et al., JGR, 2008), we also demonstrate that under some magnetospheric conditions for which protons and oxygen ions are accelerated once per Saturn magnetosphere rotation at a preferred local time between midnight and dawn, simultaneous auroral observations by the HST reveal a close correlation between these dynamical magnetospheric events and dawn-side transient auroral brightenings. Likewise, many of the recurrent energetic neutral atom enhancements coincide closely with bursts of Saturn kilometric radiation, again suggesting a linkage with high latitude auroral processes. Finally, we will show some intriguing results of auroral movie sequences from the Cassini UVIS instrument with corresponding ring current movies from the Magnetospheric Imaging Instrument Ion and Neutral Camera (MIMI/INCA).
Analysis of Auroral Data from Nasa's 1968 and 1969 Airborne Auroral Expedition
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1973-01-01
Results of a methodical compilation, reduction, and correlated analysis of spectrophotometric data obtained by various scientific groups during NASA's 1968 and 1969 Airborne Auroral Expedition are presented.
An Infrared Spectral Radiance Code for the Auroral Thermosphere (AARC)
1987-11-24
Program Description and Usage 136 3,1 Main Modules 136 3.2 Input, Output, and Program Communication 138 3.2.1 Input of User-Defined Program Control ...a test date set with which to compare the model predic- tions. Secondly, a number of theoretical papers are available describing some of the basic...necessary since secondary electrons aro a very important source of molecular nitrogen in vibrationally excited states [N2(v)), and the N2 (v) controls
Dynamic auroral storms on Saturn as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope.
Nichols, J D; Badman, S V; Baines, K H; Brown, R H; Bunce, E J; Clarke, J T; Cowley, S W H; Crary, F J; Dougherty, M K; Gérard, J-C; Grocott, A; Grodent, D; Kurth, W S; Melin, H; Mitchell, D G; Pryor, W R; Stallard, T S
2014-05-28
We present observations of significant dynamics within two UV auroral storms observed on Saturn using the Hubble Space Telescope in April/May 2013. Specifically, we discuss bursts of auroral emission observed at the poleward boundary of a solar wind-induced auroral storm, propagating at ∼330% rigid corotation from near ∼01 h LT toward ∼08 h LT. We suggest that these are indicative of ongoing, bursty reconnection of lobe flux in the magnetotail, providing strong evidence that Saturn's auroral storms are caused by large-scale flux closure. We also discuss the later evolution of a similar storm and show that the emission maps to the trailing region of an energetic neutral atom enhancement. We thus identify the auroral form with the upward field-aligned continuity currents flowing into the associated partial ring current.
Dynamic auroral storms on Saturn as observed by the Hubble Space Telescope
Nichols, J D; Badman, S V; Baines, K H; Brown, R H; Bunce, E J; Clarke, J T; Cowley, S W H; Crary, F J; Dougherty, M K; Gérard, J-C; Grocott, A; Grodent, D; Kurth, W S; Melin, H; Mitchell, D G; Pryor, W R; Stallard, T S
2014-01-01
We present observations of significant dynamics within two UV auroral storms observed on Saturn using the Hubble Space Telescope in April/May 2013. Specifically, we discuss bursts of auroral emission observed at the poleward boundary of a solar wind-induced auroral storm, propagating at ∼330% rigid corotation from near ∼01 h LT toward ∼08 h LT. We suggest that these are indicative of ongoing, bursty reconnection of lobe flux in the magnetotail, providing strong evidence that Saturn's auroral storms are caused by large-scale flux closure. We also discuss the later evolution of a similar storm and show that the emission maps to the trailing region of an energetic neutral atom enhancement. We thus identify the auroral form with the upward field-aligned continuity currents flowing into the associated partial ring current. PMID:26074636
Problem of Auroral Oval Mapping and Multiscale Auroral Structures
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Antonova, Elizaveta; Stepanova, Marina; Kirpichev, Igor; Vovchenko, Vadim; Vorobjev, Viachislav; Yagodkina, Oksana
The problem of the auroral oval mapping to the equatorial plane is reanalyzed taking into account the latest results of the analysis of plasma pressure distribution at low altitudes and at the equatorial plane. Statistical pictures of pressure distribution at low latitudes are obtained using data of DMSP observations. We obtain the statistical pictures of pressure distribution at the equatorial plane using data of THEMIS mission. Results of THEMIS observations demonstrate the existence of plasma ring surrounding the Earth at geocentric distances from ~6 till ~12Re. Plasma pressure in the ring is near to isotropic and its averaged values are larger than 0.2 nPa. We take into account that isotropic plasma pressure is constant along the field line and that the existence of field-aligned potential drops in the region of the acceleration of auroral electrons leads to pressure decrease at low altitudes. We show that most part of quite time auroral oval does not map to the real plasma sheet. It maps to the surrounding the Earth plasma ring. We also show that transverse currents in the plasma ring are closed inside the magnetosphere forming the high latitude continuation of the ordinary ring current. The obtained results are used for the explanation of ring like form of the auroral oval. We also analyze the processes of the formation of multiscale auroral structures including thin auroral arcs and discuss the difficulties of the theories of alfvenic acceleration of auroral electrons.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hatch, S.; Chaston, C. C.; Labelle, J. W.
2017-12-01
We report in situ measurements through the auroral acceleration region that reveal extremely nonthermal monoenergetic electron distributions. These auroral primaries are indicative of source populations in the plasma sheet well described as kappa distributions with κ ≲ 2. We show from observations and modeling how this large deviation from Maxwellian form may modify the acceleration potential required to drive current closure through the auroral ionosphere.
Cassini UVIS Observations of Saturn during the Grand Finale Orbits
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pryor, W. R.; Esposito, L. W.; West, R. A.; Jouchoux, A.; Radioti, A.; Grodent, D. C.; Gerard, J. C. M. C.; Gustin, J.; Lamy, L.; Badman, S. V.
2017-12-01
In 2016 and 2017, the Cassini Saturn orbiter executed a final series of high inclination, low-periapsis orbits ideal for studies of Saturn's polar regions. The Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) obtained an extensive set of auroral images, some at the highest spatial resolution obtained during Cassini's long orbital mission (2004-2017). In some cases, two or three spacecraft slews at right angles to the long slit of the spectrograph were required to cover the entire auroral region to form auroral images. We will present selected images from this set showing narrow arcs of emission, more diffuse auroral emissions, multiple auroral arcs in a single image, discrete spots of emission, small scale vortices, large-scale spiral forms, and parallel linear features that appear to cross in places like twisted wires. Some shorter features are transverse to the main auroral arcs, like barbs on a wire. UVIS observations were in some cases simultaneous with auroral observations from the Hubble Space Telescope Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) that will also be presented. UVIS polar images also contain spectral information suitable for studies of the auroral electron energy distribution. The long wavelength part of the UVIS polar images contains a signal from reflected sunlight containing absorption signatures of acetylene and other Saturn hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon spatial distribution will also be examined.
Auroral and photoelectron fluxes in cometary ionospheres
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bhardwaj, A.; Haider, S. A.; Spinghal, R. P.
1990-05-01
The analytical yield spectrum method has been used to ascertain photoelectron and auroral electron fluxes in cometary ionospheres, with a view to determining the effects of cometocentric distances, solar zenith angle, and solar minimum and maximum conditions. Auroral electron fluxes are thus calculated for monoenergetic and observed primary electron spectra; auroral electrons are found to make a larger contribution to the observed electron spectrum than EUV-generated photoelectrons. Good agreement is established with extant theoretical works.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gillies, D. Megan; Knudsen, David; Rankin, Robert; Milan, Stephen; Donovan, Eric
2018-05-01
Advances in networks of ground-based optical instrumentation have enabled us to identify over 400 examples of auroral arcs with an infrequently observed, temporally periodic auroral morphology. This study focuses on these arcs observed via the 630-nm ("redline") auroral emission wavelength and connects them to global magnetospheric wave modes known as field line resonances (FLRs). We show that optical redline FLR auroral arcs occur most frequently near 20 and 4 magnetic local time, in contrast to nonperiodic redline arcs, which occur most frequently near midnight. We find that this periodic type of auroral arc is rare, occurring in approximately 5% of redline aurora observed by the Redline Emission Geospace Observatory all-sky imagers. We also show Swarm satellite observations of two separate instances of 630-nm FLR arcs with strong upward field-aligned currents of the order of 3-6 μA/m2.
IUE observations of longitudinal and temporal variations in the Jovian auroral emission
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Skinner, T. E.; Durrance, S. T.; Feldman, P. D.; Moos, H. W.
1984-01-01
The IUE's short wavelength spectrograph has been used to monitor the auroral emissions from Jupiter's northern hemisphere, yielding eight observations between January 1981 and January 1982 of H I Lyman-alpha and the H2 Lyman and Werner bands. Attention is given to an apparent periodic emission flux fluctuation, through detailed modeling of the emission geometry. Two possible auroral zones are defined at the north pole by mapping the magnetic field lines from the Io torus and the magnetotail onto the planet's atmosphere. The observed variation in flux with central meridian longitude is not consistent with a uniform brightness as a function of magnetic longitude in either auroral zone. The data can be fitted by confining the emissions to the region of the northern torus auroral zone, in qualitative agreement with the magnetic anomaly model. A similar emission from the magnetotail auroral zone cannot be ruled out.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Anderson, H. R.; Cloutier, P. A.
1975-01-01
A rocket-borne experiment package has been designed to obtain simultaneous in situ measurements of the pitch angle distributions and energy spectra of primary auroral particles, the flux of neutral hydrogen at auroral energies, the electric currents flowing in the vicinity of the auroral arc as determined from vector magnetic data, and the modulation of precipitating electrons in the frequency range 0.5-10 MHz. The experiment package was launched by a Nike-Tomahawk rocket from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 0722 UT on Feb. 25, 1972, over a bright auroral band. This paper is intended to serve as an introduction to the detailed discussion of results given in the companion papers. As such it includes a brief review of the general problem, a discussion of the rocket instrumentation, a delineation of the auroral and geomagnetic conditions at the time of launch, and comments on the overall payload performance.
Magnetotail energy dissipation during an auroral substorm
Panov, E.V.; Baumjohann, W.; Wolf, R.A.; Nakamura, R.; Angelopoulos, V.; Weygand, J. M.; Kubyshkina, M.V.
2016-01-01
Violent releases of space plasma energy from the Earth’s magnetotail during substorms produce strong electric currents and bright aurora. But what modulates these currents and aurora and controls dissipation of the energy released in the ionosphere? Using data from the THEMIS fleet of satellites and ground-based imagers and magnetometers, we show that plasma energy dissipation is controlled by field-aligned currents (FACs) produced and modulated during magnetotail topology change and oscillatory braking of fast plasma jets at 10-14 Earth radii in the nightside magnetosphere. FACs appear in regions where plasma sheet pressure and flux tube volume gradients are non-collinear. Faster tailward expansion of magnetotail dipolarization and subsequent slower inner plasma sheet restretching during substorm expansion and recovery phases cause faster poleward then slower equatorward movement of the substorm aurora. Anharmonic radial plasma oscillations build up displaced current filaments and are responsible for discrete longitudinal auroral arcs that move equatorward at a velocity of about 1km/s. This observed auroral activity appears sufficient to dissipate the released energy. PMID:27917231
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chiu, Y. T.; Straus, J. M.
1974-01-01
Photographs of global scale auroral forms taken by scanning radiometers onboard weather satellites in 1972 show that auroral bands exhibit well organized wave motion with typical zonal wave number of 5 or so. The scale size of these waves is in agreement with that of well organized neutral wind fields in the 150- to 200-km region during the geomagnetic storm of May 27, 1967. Further, the horizontal scale size revealed by these observations are in agreement with that of high altitude traveling ionospheric disturbances. It is conjectured that the geomagnetic storm is a source of planetary and synoptic scale neutral atmospheric waves in the middle atmosphere. Although there is, at present, no observation of substorm related waves of this scale size at mesospheric and stratospheric altitudes, the possible existence of a new source of waves of the proper scale size to trigger instabilities in middle atmospheric circulation systems may be significant in the study of lower atmospheric response to geomagnetic activity.
Doppler line profiles measurement of the Jovian Lyman Alpha emission with OAO-C
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Barker, E. S.; Cochran, W. D.; Smith, H. J.
1982-01-01
Observation of Jupiter made with the high resolution ultraviolet spectrometer of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory copernicus in April and May, 1980, yield a Jovian Lyman alpha emission intensity of 7 + or 2.5 RR. This indicates a decrease by about a factor of two since the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer measurements, nearly a year earlier. An unusually high column abundance of hydrogen atoms above the methane homopause at the Voyager epoch is indicated. Since the auroral charged particle bombardment of molecular hydrogen is expected to contribute significantly to the global population of the hydrogen atoms, it is suggested that at the time of the Voyager Jupiter encounter unusually high auroral activity existed, perhaps d to the high concentration of the Io plasma torus. The temporal variation of the Saturn lyman alpha emission, when contrasted with the Jovian data, reveals that the auroral processes are not nearly as important in determining the Saturn Lyman alpha intensity in the nonauroral region.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kurkin, V. I.; Afraimovich, E. L.; Berngardt, O. I.; Zherebtsov, G. A.; Litovkin, G. I.; Matyushonok, S. M.; Medvedev, A. V.; Potekhin, A. P.; Ratovsky, K. G.; Shpynev, B. G.
Presented are the results from analyzing the experimental data from the Irkutsk incoherent scatter (IS) radar, a network of magnetometers, GPS receivers, digital ionosounders for vertical- and oblique-incidence sounding combined with auroral images during geomagnetic disturbances as a consequence of high flaring activity of the Sun from October 19 to 29, 2003. The position of the auroral oval was determined using NOAA POES and DMSP satellite data available through the Internet. For substorms of October 21-22 and 24-25, significant (up to ˜ 50%) negative disturbances of electron density were recorded during the nighttime and daytime in the longitude sector from 90E to 150E from subauroral to mid-latitudes (up to ˜ 50N). During the nighttime the equatorial boundary of the auroral oval reached ˜ 55N (invariant latitude). The Irkutsk IS radar during that period recorded coherent echoes from ionospheric E-layer irregularities generated near the oval boundary. The strongest ionospheric disturbances throughout the aforementioned region were recorded on October 28 and 29 after two powerful flares of class X17.5 and X10.0 that occurred on October 28 and 29. A combined analysis of auroral images and data from ground-based radiophysical facilities made it possible to study the dynamics of the boundaries of the auroral oval and ionospheric trough during strong geomagnetic disturbances. A dramatic displacement of the auroral oval boundary (up to ˜ 46N of invariant latitude) and a long-lasting generation of a broad spectrum of irregularities and wave-like disturbances in the ionosphere were recorded. During the daytime on October 30 and 31, negative disturbances were recorded over most of the region in the ionospheric F-layer reaching 60-70%, which were replaced the next day by positive disturbances with ˜ 30% amplitude. Negative disturbances of electron density during the nighttime were accompanied by a substantial rise of electron (by ˜ 1500K) and ion (by ˜ 1000K) temperatures. Studying the characteristic features of the ionospheric response over the north-eastern region of Russia to strong geomagnetic disturbances is of significant interest for understanding the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling on a global scale.
Solar wind control of stratospheric temperatures in Jupiter's auroral regions?
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sinclair, James Andrew; Orton, Glenn; Kasaba, Yasumasa; Sato, Takao M.; Tao, Chihiro; Waite, J. Hunter; Cravens, Thomas; Houston, Stephen; Fletcher, Leigh; Irwin, Patrick; Greathouse, Thomas K.
2017-10-01
Auroral emissions are the process through which the interaction of a planet’s atmosphere and its external magnetosphere can be studied. Jupiter exhibits auroral emission at a multitude of wavelengths including the X-ray, ultraviolet and near-infrared. Enhanced emission of CH4 and other stratospheric hydrocarbons is also observed coincident with Jupiter’s shorter-wavelength auroral emission (e.g. Caldwell et al., 1980, Icarus 44, 667-675, Kostiuk et al., 1993, JGR 98, 18823). This indicates that auroral processes modify the thermal structure and composition of the auroral stratosphere. The exact mechanism responsible for this auroral-related heating of the stratosphere has however remained elusive (Sinclair et al., 2017a, Icarus 292, 182-207, Sinclair et al., 2017b, GRL, 44, 5345-5354). We will present an analysis of 7.8-μm images of Jupiter measured by COMICS (Cooled Mid-Infrared Camera and Spectrograph, Kataza et al., 2000, Proc. SPIE(4008), 1144-1152) on the Subaru telescope. These images were acquired on January 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, February 4, 5th and May 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th in 2017, allowing the daily variability of Jupiter’s auroral-related stratospheric heating to be tracked. Preliminary results suggest lower stratospheric temperatures are directly forced by the solar wind dynamical pressure. The southern auroral hotspot exhibited a significant increase in brightness temperature over a 24-hour period. Over the same time period, a solar wind propagation model (Tao et al. 2005, JGR 110, A11208) predicts a strong increase in the solar wind dynamical pressure at Jupiter.
Space Weather Monitoring for ISS Geomagnetic Storm Studies
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minow, Joseph I.; Parker, Neergaard
2013-01-01
The International Space Station (ISS) space environments community utilizes near real time space weather data to support a variety of ISS engineering and science activities. The team has operated the Floating Potential Measurement Unit (FPMU) suite of plasma instruments (two Langmuir probes, a floating potential probe, and a plasma impedance probe) on ISS since 2006 to obtain in-situ measurements of plasma density and temperature along the ISS orbit and variations in ISS frame potential due to electrostatic current collection from the plasma environment (spacecraft charging) and inductive (vxB) effects from the vehicle motion across the Earth s magnetic field. An ongoing effort is to use FPMU for measuring the ionospheric response to geomagnetic storms at ISS altitudes and investigate auroral charging of the vehicle as it passes through regions of precipitating auroral electrons. This work is challenged by restrictions on FPMU operations that limit observation time to less than about a third of a year. As a result, FPMU campaigns ranging in length from a few days to a few weeks are typically scheduled weeks in advance for ISS engineering and payload science activities. In order to capture geomagnetic storm data under these terms, we monitor near real time space weather data from NASA, NOAA, and ESA sources to determine solar wind disturbance arrival times at Earth likely to be geoeffective (including coronal mass ejections and high speed streams associated with coronal holes) and activate the FPMU ahead of the storm onset. Using this technique we have successfully captured FPMU data during a number of geomagnetic storm periods including periods with ISS auroral charging. This presentation will describe the strategies and challenges in capturing FPMU data during geomagnetic storms, the near real time space weather resources utilized for monitoring the space weather environment, and provide examples of auroral charging data obtained during storm operations.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hirahara, M.; Horwitz, J. L.; Moore, T. E.; Germany, G. A.; Spann, J. F.; Peterson, W. K.; Shelley, E. G.; Chandler, M. O.; Giles, B. L.; Craven, P. D.;
1998-01-01
The POLAR satellite often observes upflowing ionospheric ions (UFIs) in and near the aurora] oval on southern perigee (approx. 5000 km altitude) passes. We present the UFI features observed by the thermal ion dynamics experiment (TIDE) and the toroidal imaging mass angle spectrograph (TIMAS) in the dusk-dawn sector under two different geomagnetic activity conditions in order to elicit their relationships with auroral forms, wave emissions, and convection pattern from additional POLAR instruments. During the active interval, the ultraviolet imager (UVI) observed a bright discrete aurora on the duskside after the substorm onset and then observed a small isolated aurora form and diffuse auroras on the dawnside during the recovery phase. The UFIs showed clear conic distributions when the plasma wave instrument (PWI) detected strong broadband wave emissions below approx. 10 kHz, while no significant auroral activities were observed by UVI. At higher latitudes, the low-energy UFI conics gradually changed to the polar wind component with decreasing intensity of the broadband emissions. V-shaped auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) signatures observed above -200 kHz by PWI coincided with the region where the discrete aurora and the UFI beams were detected. The latitude of these features was lower than that of the UFI conics. During the observations of the UFI beams and conics, the lower-frequency fluctuations observed by the electric field instrument were also enhanced, and the convection directions exhibited large fluctuations. It is evident that large electrostatic potential drops produced the precipitating electrons and discrete auroras, the UFI beams, and the AKR, which is also supported by the energetic plasma data from HYDRA. Since the intense broadband emissions were also observed with the UFIs, the ionospheric ions could be energized transversely before or during the parallel acceleration due to the potential drops.
Motoba, T.; Ohtani, S.; Anderson, B. J.; ...
2015-10-27
In this study, magnetotail processes and structures related to substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs remain poorly understood mostly due to the lack of adequate observations. In this study we make a comparison between ground-based optical measurements of the premidnight growth phase/onset arcs at subauroral latitudes and magnetically conjugate measurements made by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) at ~780 km in altitude and by the Van Allen Probe B (RBSP-B) spacecraft crossing L values of ~5.0–5.6 in the premidnight inner tail region. The conjugate observations offer a unique opportunity to examine the detailed features of the arcmore » location relative to large-scale Birkeland currents and of the magnetospheric counterpart. Our main findings include (1) at the early stage of the growth phase the quiet auroral arc emerged ~4.3° equatorward of the boundary between the downward Region 2 (R2) and upward Region 1 (R1) currents; (2) shortly before the auroral breakup (poleward auroral expansion) the latitudinal separation between the arc and the R1/R2 demarcation narrowed to ~1.0°; (3) RBSP-B observed a magnetic field signature of a local upward field-aligned current (FAC) connecting the arc with the near-Earth tail when the spacecraft footprint was very close to the arc; and (4) the upward FAC signature was located on the tailward side of a local plasma pressure increase confined near L ~5.2–5.4. These findings strongly suggest that the premidnight arc is connected to highly localized pressure gradients embedded in the near-tail R2 source region via the local upward FAC.« less
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Motoba, T.; Ohtani, S.; Anderson, B. J.
In this study, magnetotail processes and structures related to substorm growth phase/onset auroral arcs remain poorly understood mostly due to the lack of adequate observations. In this study we make a comparison between ground-based optical measurements of the premidnight growth phase/onset arcs at subauroral latitudes and magnetically conjugate measurements made by the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment (AMPERE) at ~780 km in altitude and by the Van Allen Probe B (RBSP-B) spacecraft crossing L values of ~5.0–5.6 in the premidnight inner tail region. The conjugate observations offer a unique opportunity to examine the detailed features of the arcmore » location relative to large-scale Birkeland currents and of the magnetospheric counterpart. Our main findings include (1) at the early stage of the growth phase the quiet auroral arc emerged ~4.3° equatorward of the boundary between the downward Region 2 (R2) and upward Region 1 (R1) currents; (2) shortly before the auroral breakup (poleward auroral expansion) the latitudinal separation between the arc and the R1/R2 demarcation narrowed to ~1.0°; (3) RBSP-B observed a magnetic field signature of a local upward field-aligned current (FAC) connecting the arc with the near-Earth tail when the spacecraft footprint was very close to the arc; and (4) the upward FAC signature was located on the tailward side of a local plasma pressure increase confined near L ~5.2–5.4. These findings strongly suggest that the premidnight arc is connected to highly localized pressure gradients embedded in the near-tail R2 source region via the local upward FAC.« less
Saturn aurora movies in visible and near-IR observed by Cassini ISS
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dyudina, U.; Wellington, D.; Ewald, S. P.; Ingersoll, A. P.; Porco, C.
2010-12-01
New 2009-2010 movies from the Cassini camera show Saturn’s auroral curtains move and change in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The observations reveal reddish color of the aurora observed in filters spanning different wavelengths. The aurora was detected in H-alpha (652-661 nm), red (574-724 nm), and broad-band infrared (668-833 nm) wavelengths, and also faintly in blue (405-505 nm) and green (507-632 nm) wavelengths. The prominent H-alpha line and the overall spectral shape agrees with predicted spectra for Saturnian auroras (Aguilar, 2008). Along with the spectra and brightness measurements, we will present two 400+ frame movies taken in the clear filter, one showing aurora in the northern hemisphere from October 5-9, 2009, and the other showing the aurora in the southern hemisphere, from June 26, 2010. These movies show the aurora varying dramatically with longitude and rotating together with Saturn. The main longitudinal structure of the aurora can persist for ~3 days, as seen on the repeated views of the same longitudes several Saturn rotations later. Besides the steady main structure, aurora may brighten suddenly on the timescales on the order of 10 minutes. Near the limb the height of the auroral curtains above its base can be measured; this height can reach more than 1200 km. The main auroral oval in the northern hemisphere appears near 75° latitude. The main auroral oval in the southern hemisphere appears near -72° latitude, with smaller instances of auroral activity near -75° and -77°. Reference: Aguilar, A., J. M. Ajello, R. S. Mangina, G. K. James, H. Abgrall, and E. Roueff, “The electron-excited middle UV to near IR spectrum of H2 : Cross-sections and transition probabilities”, Astrophys. J. Supp. Ser., 177 (2008).
Observation and theory of the barium releases from the CRRES satellite
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bernhardt, P. A.; Huba, J. D.; Scales, W. A.; Wescott, E. M.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.
1992-01-01
The relationship between releases of barium from the NASA Combined Release and Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES) and enhanced auroral activity is discussed with reference to observational data. Barium releases were conducted at a variety of altitudes and injection velocities, and plasma irregularities are reported as a result of the interactions. Auroral activity increased within 5 min of each release, and references are made to the effects on diamagnetic cavities, bulk ion motion, and stimulated electron and ion precipitation. Artificially created structured diamagnetic cavities are noted for each release, plasma waves are generated by the high-speed ion clouds, and enhanced ionization is found in the critical ionization-velocity process. Barium releases are effective in stimulating electron precipitation, and the observed irregularities are related to cycloid bunching of the initial ion distributions.
Coordinated Ground and Space Measurements of Auroral Surge over South Pole.
1988-02-01
3y V. Coordinated Ground and Space Measurements of co an Auroral Surge over South Pole T. J. ROSENBERG and D. L. DETRICK Institute for Physical...Measurements of an Auroral Surge over South Pole 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Rosenberg, T. J., and DetrickD. L., University of Maryland; Mizera, Paul F., 13a. TYPE...premidnight auroral surge over Amundsen-Scott South Pole station. The set of near-simultaneous measurements provides an excellent opportunity to gain a
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lopes, S. R.; Chian, A. C.-L.
1996-01-01
A coherent nonlinear theory of three-wave coupling involving Langmuir, Alfven and whistler waves is formulated and applied to the observation of auroral LAW events in the planetary magnetosphere. The effects of pump depletion, dissipation and frequency mismatch in the nonlinear wave dynamics are analyzed. The relevance of this theory for understanding the fine structures of auroral whistler-mode emissions and amplitude modulations of auroral Langmuir waves is discussed.
HAARP-based Investigations of Lightning-induced Nonlinearities within the D-Region Ionosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moore, R. C.
2015-12-01
It is well-documented that energetic lightning can produce fantastical events with the lower ionosphere. Although the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) transmitter is not as powerful as lightning, it can be used to investigate the nonlinear interactions that occur within the lower ionosphere, many of which also occur during lightning-induced ionospheric events. This paper presents the best experimental results obtained during D-region modification experiments performed by the University of Florida at the HAARP observatory between 2007 and 2014, including ELF/VLF wave generation experiments, wave-wave mixing experiments, and cross-modulation experiments. We emphasize the physical processes important for lightning-ionosphere interactions that can be directly investigated using HAARP.
High Power Radio Wave Interactions within the D-Region Ionosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moore, R. C.
2014-12-01
This paper highlights the best results obtained during D-region modification experiments performed by the University of Florida at the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) observatory between 2007 and 2014. Over this period, we have seen a tremendous improvement in ELF/VLF wave generation efficiency. We have identified methods to characterize ambient and modified ionospheric properties and to discern and quantify specific types of interactions. We have demonstrated several important implications of HF cross-modulation effects, including "Doppler Spoofing" on HF radio waves. Throughout this talk, observations are compared with the predictions of an ionospheric HF heating model to provide context and guidance for future D-region modification experiments.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lynch, K. A.; Clayton, R.; Roberts, T. M.; Hampton, D. L.; Conde, M.; Zettergren, M. D.; Burleigh, M.; Samara, M.; Michell, R.; Grubbs, G. A., II; Lessard, M.; Hysell, D. L.; Varney, R. H.; Reimer, A.
2017-12-01
The NASA auroral sounding rocket mission Isinglass was launched from Poker Flat Alaska in winter 2017. This mission consists of two separate multi-payload sounding rockets, over an array of groundbased observations, including radars and filtered cameras. The science goal is to collect two case studies, in two different auroral events, of the gradient scale sizes of auroral disturbances in the ionosphere. Data from the in situ payloads and the groundbased observations will be synthesized and fed into an ionospheric model, and the results will be studied to learn about which scale sizes of ionospheric structuring have significance for magnetosphere-ionosphere auroral coupling. The in situ instrumentation includes thermal ion sensors (at 5 points on the second flight), thermal electron sensors (at 2 points), DC magnetic fields (2 point), DC electric fields (one point, plus the 4 low-resource thermal ion RPA observations of drift on the second flight), and an auroral precipitation sensor (one point). The groundbased array includes filtered auroral imagers, the PFISR and SuperDarn radars, a coherent scatter radar, and a Fabry-Perot interferometer array. The ionospheric model to be used is a 3d electrostatic model including the effects of ionospheric chemistry. One observational and modelling goal for the mission is to move both observations and models of auroral arc systems into the third (along-arc) dimension. Modern assimilative tools combined with multipoint but low-resource observations allow a new view of the auroral ionosphere, that should allow us to learn more about the auroral zone as a coupled system. Conjugate case studies such as the Isinglass rocket flights allow for a test of the models' intepretation by comparing to in situ data. We aim to develop and improve ionospheric models to the point where they can be used to interpret remote sensing data with confidence without the checkpoint of in situ comparison.
Association between substorm onsets in auroral all-sky images and geomagnetic Pi2pulsations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Miura, T.; Ieda, A.; Teramoto, M.; Kawashima, T.
2017-12-01
Substorms are explosive disturbances in the magnetosphere and ionosphere of Earth. Substorm onsets are often identified usingsudden auroral brightenings (auroral breakup) or geomagnetic Pi2 pulsations. These auroral brightenings and Pi2 pulsations aresupposed to occur simultaneously within approximately 1 min of each other. However, as auroral brightenings typically includea two-stage development, this simultaneity is not straightforward. In this study, we clarify the correspondence between Pi2 pulsations and auroral brightenings, including the two-stage development.The first stage of the development is the sudden brightening of an auroral arc near the midnight (initial brightening)and the second stage is the poleward expansion of the auroral arc. We compared all-sky images (3 s resolution) in Canada andgeomagnetic observations (0.5-1 s resolution) in North and Central America, using data from the THEMIS project. In this study,we examined three substorms events that exhibit evidence of the two-stage auroral development. In the first event (4 March 2008), an auroral initial brightening occurred at 0533:57 UT and a poleward expansion was observedat 0538:12 UT (4 min after the initial brightening) in Gillam (magnetic latitude:66.0 °, longitude:333 °, MLT:22.9). In contract,the Pi2 pulsation started at 0539:30 UT, which is closer to the time of the poleward expansion, in Carson City (magnetic latitude:45.0 °, longitude:304 °). and San Juan (magnetic latitude:27.9 °, longitude:6.53 °). Thus, we consider this Pi2 pulsation ascorresponding to the poleward expansion rather than the initial brightening. This correspondence was also seen in the other twoevents, suggesting that it is not exceptional. We interpret that the Pi2 pulsation corresponds to the poleward expansion becauseboth are caused by the magnetic field dipolarization, which is a drastic change that propagates from low- to high-latitude fieldlines.
Relationships between particle precipitation and auroral forms
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Burch, J. L.; Winningham, J. D.
1978-01-01
The paper discusses recent measurements pertaining to the relationship between high-latitude particle (electron) precipitation and auroras. The discussion covers three topics: the large-scale relationships between auroral forms and the particle populations of the magnetosphere as determined from satellite measurements; (2) the relationship between satellite and sounding-rocket observations, particularly field-aligned pitch-angle distributions and upward field-aligned currents measured in the vicinity of auroral forms; and (3) recent results on the interaction of auroral electrons with the atmosphere.
Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Keffer, Charles E.
1992-01-01
The results obtained in the second year of a three year collaborative effort with MSFC are summarized. A succession of experimental studies was completed to determine the effects of the natural and induced space vehicle environment on the measurement of auroral images from space-based platforms. In addition, a global model which incorporates both auroral and dayglow emission sources is being developed to allow interpretation of measured auroral emissions. A description of work completed on these two tasks is presented.
Dawn- Dusk Auroral Oval Oscillations Associated with High- Speed Solar Wind
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Liou, Kan; Sibeck, David G.
2018-01-01
We report evidence of global-scale auroral oval oscillations in the millihertz range, using global auroral images acquired from the Ultraviolet Imager on board the decommissioned Polar satellite and concurrent solar wind measurements. On the basis of two events (15 January 1999 and 6 January 2000) studied, it is found that (1) quasi-periodic auroral oval oscillations (approximately 3 megahertz) can occur when solar wind speeds are high at northward or southward interplanetary magnetic field turning, (2) the oscillation amplitudes range from a few to more than 10 degrees in latitudes, (3) the oscillation frequency is the same for each event irrespective of local time and without any azimuthal phase shift (i.e., propagation), (4) the auroral oscillations occur in phase within both the dawn and dusk sectors but 180 degrees out of phase between the dawn and dusk sectors, and (5) no micropulsations on the ground match the auroral oscillation periods. While solar wind conditions favor the growth of the Kelvin-Helmholtz (K-H) instability on the magnetopause as often suggested, the observed wave characteristics are not consistent with predictions for K-H waves. The in-phase and out-of-phase features found in the dawn-dusk auroral oval oscillations suggest that wiggling motions of the magnetotail associated with fast solar winds might be the direct cause of the global-scale millihertz auroral oval oscillations. Plain Language Summary: We utilize global auroral image data to infer the motion of the magnetosphere and show, for the first time, the entire magnetospheric tail can move east-west in harmony like a windsock flapping in wind. The characteristic period of the flapping motion may be a major source of global long-period ULF (Ultra Low Frequency) waves, adding an extra source of the global mode ULF waves.
The Association of High-Latitude Dayside Aurora With NBZ Field-Aligned Currents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Carter, J. A.; Milan, S. E.; Fogg, A. R.; Paxton, L. J.; Anderson, B. J.
2018-05-01
The relationship between auroral emissions in the polar ionosphere and the large-scale flow of current within the Earth's magnetosphere has yet to be comprehensively established. Under northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions, magnetic reconnection occurs at the high-latitude magnetopause, exciting two reverse lobe convection cells in the dayside polar ionosphere and allowing ingress of solar wind plasma to form an auroral "cusp spot" by direct impact on the atmosphere. It has been hypothesized that a second class of NBZ auroras, High-latitude Dayside Aurora, are produced by upward field-aligned currents associated with lobe convection. Here we present data from the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager instrument and from the Active Magnetosphere and Planetary Electrodynamics Response Experiment, from January 2010 to September 2013, in a large statistical study. We reveal a northward IMF auroral phenomenon that is located adjacent to the cusp spot and that is colocated with a region of upward electrical current in the clockwise-rotating lobe cell. The emission only occurs in the sunlit summer hemisphere, demonstrating the influence of the conductance of the ionosphere on current closure. In addition, fast solar wind speed is required for this emission to be bright. The results show that dayside auroral emission is produced by IMF-magnetosphere electrodynamic coupling, as well as by direct impact of the atmosphere by the solar wind, confirming the association of High-latitude Dayside Aurora with NBZ currents.
Itaca2 - Twin 76-ilat auroral monitors.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Massetti, S.; Candidi, M.; Cerulli-Irelli, P.; Sparapani, R.; Maggiore, M.; Philipsen, H.; Baldetti, P.; Morbidini, A.
2003-04-01
In August 2002, the Italian Research Council (CNR) set up a new automatic auroral monitor in Daneborg, on the North-East coast of Greenland, thanks to the support of the Progetto Nazionale Ricerche in Antartide (PNRA), and to the logistical support of the Danish Polar Center (DPC) and the Sirus-patrol (PNG). The new station is equipped with a digital all-sky camera, and it is intended to operate in conjunction with the other Italian station located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard: the two observatories constitute a system of twin auroral monitors, owing almost the same invariant latitude of 76°, which is mainly devoted to the observation of the dayside red aurora connected to the cusp/LLBL magnetospheric region. When observing the high altitude dayside auroras, the field-of-views of the two stations are contiguous and allow the monitoring of the dayside auroral activity over about 80° of magnetic longitude (about 5/6 hours MLT). Since many years ago, Svalbard Islands have been an ideal place for polar researches due to its scientific facilities, the easy access during all the year and the frequent flight connections. In Greenland, on the contrary, the set up and maintenance of a high-latitude station that has to operate during the winter season, needs more logistical efforts, and it would be impossible without the precious support of people residing in-situ.
Observations of narrow microburst trains in the geomagnetic storm of August 4-6, 1972
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Brown, R.R.
1973-04-01
In the intense geomagnetic disturbances of early August 1972, auroral zone microburst trains were observed at balloon altitude and found to be significantly narrower in burst width and spacing than microbursts found previously at the same site. These observations suggest that the spacing of microburst peaks, as well as their width, is related to variations in the power spectrum of a magnetospheric acceleration process rather than the bounce motions of electrons in the geomagnetic field or the modulation of electron precipitation by drift waves in magnetospheric plasma. In the geomagnetic activity that followed the solar flares in early August 1972,more » intense fluxes of auroral x rays were encountered during balloon flights launched from College, Alaska. Although much of the time variations of the x-ray fluxes observed during these flights represented known features of electron precipitation at auroral latitudes, one new and distinct feature was evident. In particular, it was found that the widths and spacings of auroral zone microbursts (Anderson and Milton, 1964) on this occasion were significantly smaller than those observed previously on many balloon flights from the same site. Thus, instead of microburst trains with widths at half-intensity points of ~0.2 sec and spacings of ~0.6 sec, the majority of the microbursts encountered on two flights from College had widths of ~0.1 sec and spacings of ~0.4 sec. (auth)« less
Historical Space Climate Data from Finland: Compilation and Analysis
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nevanlinna, Heikki
2004-10-01
We have compiled archived geomagnetic observations from the Helsinki magnetic observatory as well as visual sightings of auroral occurrence in Finland. The magnetic database comprises about 2 000 000 observations of H- and D-components measured during 1844-1909 with time resolution of 10 min to 1 h. In addition, magnetic observations carried out in the First and Second Polar Years in Finland have been recompiled. Magnetic activity indices (three-hour K-and daily Ak-figures) have been derived from the magnetic observations. Comparisons between the Finnish indices and simultaneous global aa-index (starting in 1868) show a good mutual correlation. The Helsinki activity index series can be used as a (pseudo) extension of the aa-index series for about two solar cycles 1844d -1868. On the annual level the correlation coefficient is about 0.9 during the overlapped time interval 1868-1897. The auroral database consists of about 20 000 single observations observed in Finland since the year 1748. The database of visual auroras has been completed by auroral occurrence (AO) index data derived from the Finnish all-sky camera recordings during 1973 -1997 at several sites in Lapland. The AO-index reveals both spatial and temporal variations of auroras from diurnal to solar cycle time scales in different space weather conditions.
Gravity Wave Detection through All-sky Imaging of Airglow
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nguyen, T. V.; Martinez, A.; Porat, I.; Hampton, D. L.; Bering, E., III; Wood, L.
2017-12-01
Airglow, the faint glow of the atmosphere, is caused by the interaction of air molecules with radiation from the sun. Similarly, the aurora is created by interactions of air molecules with the solar wind. It has been shown that airglow emissions are altered by gravity waves passing through airglow source region (100-110km), making it possible to study gravity waves and their sources through airglow imaging. University of Houston's USIP - Airglow team designed a compact, inexpensive all-sky imager capable of detecting airglow and auroral emissions using a fisheye lens, a simple optical train, a filter wheel with 4 specific filters, and a CMOS camera. This instrument has been used in USIP's scientific campaign in Alaska throughout March 2017. During this period, the imager captured auroral activity in the Fairbanks region. Due to lunar conditions and auroral activity images from the campaign did not yield visible signs of airglow. Currently, the team is trying to detect gravity wave patterns present in the images through numerical analysis. Detected gravity wave patterns will be compared to local weather data, and may be used to make correlations between gravity waves and weather events. Such correlations could provide more data on the relationship between the mesosphere and lower layers of the atmosphere. Practical applications of this research include weather prediction and detection of air turbulence.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Jones, W. Vernon; Rasch, Nickolus O.
1989-01-01
This paper describes a new component of the NASA's Explorer Program, the Small Explorer program, initiated for the purpose of providing research opportunities characterized by quick and frequent small turn-around space missions. The objective of the Small Explorer program is to launch one to two payloads per year, depending on the mission cost and the availability of funds and launch vehicles. In the order of tentative launch date, the flight missions considered by the Small Explorer program are the Solar, Anomalous, and Magnetospheric Explorer; the Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite; the Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer; and the Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer.
Mechanisms of Saturn's Near-Noon Transient Aurora: In Situ Evidence From Cassini Measurements
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yao, Z. H.; Radioti, A.; Rae, I. J.; Liu, J.; Grodent, D.; Ray, L. C.; Badman, S. V.; Coates, A. J.; Gérard, J.-C.; Waite, J. H.; Yates, J. N.; Shi, Q. Q.; Wei, Y.; Bonfond, B.; Dougherty, M. K.; Roussos, E.; Sergis, N.; Palmaerts, B.
2017-11-01
Although auroral emissions at giant planets have been observed for decades, the physical mechanisms of aurorae at giant planets remain unclear. One key reason is the lack of simultaneous measurements in the magnetosphere while remote sensing of the aurora. We report a dynamic auroral event identified with the Cassini Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) at Saturn on 13 July 2008 with coordinated measurements of the magnetic field and plasma in the magnetosphere. The auroral intensification was transient, only lasting for ˜30 min. The magnetic field and plasma are perturbed during the auroral intensification period. We suggest that this intensification was caused by wave mode conversion generated field-aligned currents, and we propose two potential mechanisms for the generation of this plasma wave and the transient auroral intensification. A survey of the Cassini UVIS database reveals that this type of transient auroral intensification is very common (10/11 time sequences, and ˜10% of the total images).
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Farrugia, C. J.; Sandholt, P. E.; Maynard, N. C.; Burke, W. J.; Scudder, J. D.; Ober, D. M.; Moen, J.; Russell, C. T.
2000-12-01
Magnetically conjugate observations by the HYDRA and the Magnetic Field Experiment instruments on Polar, meridian-scanning photometers and all-sky imagers at Ny-Ålesund, and International Monitor for Auroral Geomagnetic Effects (IMAGE) magnetometers on November 30, 1997, illustrate aspects of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling at 0900-1000 magnetic local times (MLT) and 70°-80° magnetic latitudes and their dependence on interplanetary parameters. Initially, Polar crossed a boundary layer on closed field lines where magnetospheric and magnetosheath plasmas are mixed. This region contains filaments where magnetospheric electron and ion fluxes are enhanced. These filaments are associated with field-aligned current structures embedded within the large-scale region 1 (R1) current. Ground auroral imagery document the presence at this time of discrete, east-west aligned arcs, which are in one-to-one correspondence with the filaments. Temporal variations present in these auroral arcs correlate with Pc 5 pulsations and are probably related to modulations in the interplanetary electric field. The auroral observations indicate that the filamented mixing region persisted for many tens of minutes, suggesting a spatial structuring. The data suggest further that the filamented, mixing region is an important source of the R1 current and the associated midmorning arcs. When the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) turned strongly north, Polar had entered the dayside extension of the central plasma sheet/region 2 current system where it and the underlying ground magnetometers recorded a clear field line resonance of frequency ~2.4 mHz (Pc 5 range). The source of these oscillations is most likely the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Subsequent to the IMF northward turning, the multiple arcs were replaced by a single auroral form to the north of Ny-Ålesund (at 1000 MLT) in the vicinity of the westward edge of the cusp. ULF pulsation activity changed to the Pc 3-4 range in the regime of the pulsating diffuse aurora when the IMF went to an approximately Parker spiral orientation and the ground stations had rotated into the MLT sector of cusp emissions.
The Harang discontinuity in auroral belt ionospheric currents.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heppner, J. P.
1972-01-01
Discussion of the nature of a discontinuity in the ionospheric current of the auroral belt whose existence was suggested by Harang in 1946. Convection characteristics, time variability, and current continuity in the auroral belt are considered in a context of observations and arguments supporting the reality of Harang's discontinuity.
Wave-particle interactions on the FAST satellite
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Temerin, M. A.; Carlson, C. W.; Cattell, C. A.; Ergun, R. E.; Mcfadden, J. P.
1990-01-01
NASA's Fast Auroral Snapshot, or 'FAST' satellite, scheduled for launch in 1993, will investigate the plasma physics of the low altitude auroral zone from a 3500-km apogee polar orbit. FAST will give attention to wave, double-layer, and soliton production processes due to electrons and ions, as well as to wave-wave interactions, and the acceleration of electrons and ions by waves and electric fields. FAST will employ an intelligent data-handling system capacle of data acquisition at rates of up to 1 Mb/sec, in addition to a 1-Gbit solid-state memory. The data need be gathered for only a few minutes during passes through the auroral zone, since the most interesting auroral phenomena occur in such narrow regions as auroral arcs, electrostatic shocks, and superthermal electron bursts.
ELF waves and ion resonances produced by an electron beam emitting rocket in the ionosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Winckler, J. R.; Abe, Y.; Erickson, K. N.
1986-01-01
Results are reported from the ECHO-6 electron-beam-injection experiment, performed in the auroral-zone ionosphere on March 30, 1983 using a sounding rocket equipped with two electron guns and a free-flying plasma-diagnostics instrument package. The data are presented in extensive graphs and diagrams and characterized in detail. Large ELF wave variations, superposed on the strong beam-sector-directed quasi-dc component, are observed in the 100-eV beam-induced plasma when the beam is injected in a transverse spiral, but not when it is injected upward parallel to the magnetic-field line. ELF activity is found to be suppressed whenever the rocket passed through field lines with auroral activity, suggesting that the waves are produced by the interaction of the beam potentials, plasma currents, and return currents neutralizing the accelerator payload.
Research activities on Antarctic middle atmosphere by JARE 25th team
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Hirasawa, T.; Eiwasaka, Y. AFTANAKA, M. agfujii, r.0 typ; Eiwasaka, Y. AFTANAKA, M. agfujii, r.0 typ
1985-01-01
The Antarctic Middle Atmosphere (AMA)-Japan research project was set about by the JARE (Japan Antarctic Research Expedition) 23rd team in 1982, and since then the JARE-24th and JARE-25th teams have been continuing reseach on the Antarctic Middle Atmosphere. Results gained by JARE-25th team members who are now working at Syowa Station (69.99 deg S, 39.35 deg E), Antarctica are presented. In their activities satellite measurements (Exos-C) and rocket soundings are used. Three rockets of the S310 type were launched at Syowa Station (Geomagnetic Latitude = 69.9 deg S) for the purpose of directly observing the electron density, ionospheric temperature, auroral patterns and luminosity in situ. Vertical profiles of electron density and auroral emission 4278A measured by three rockets are compared.
Statistical characterization of the Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kunduri, B.; Baker, J. B.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Erickson, P. J.; Coster, A. J.; Oksavik, K.
2017-12-01
The Sub-Auroral Polarization Stream (SAPS) is a narrow region of westward directed plasma convection typically observed in the dusk-midnight sector equatorward of the main auroral oval. SAPS plays an important role in mid-latitude space weather dynamics and has a controlling influence on the evolution of large-scale plasma features, such as Storm Enhanced Density (SED) plumes. In this study, data from North American mid-latitude SuperDARN radars collected between January 2011 and December 2014 have been used to compile a database of SAPS events for statistical analysis. We examine the dependence of SAPS velocity magnitude and direction on geomagnetic activity and magnetic local time. The lowest speed limit and electric fields observed during SAPS are discussed and histograms of SAPS velocities for different Dst bins and MLAT-MLT locations are presented. We find significant differences in SAPS characteristics between periods of low and high geomagnetic activity, suggesting that SAPS are driven by different mechanisms during storm and non-storm conditions. To further explore this possibility, we have characterized the SAPS location and peak speed relative to the ionospheric trough specified by GPS Total Electron Content (TEC) data from the MIT Haystack Madrigal database. A particular emphasis is placed on identifying the extent to which the location, structure, and depth of the trough may play a controlling influence on SAPS speeds during storm and non-storm periods. The results are interpreted in terms of the current paradigm for active thermosphere-ionosphere feedback being an important component of SAPS physics.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Djuth, Frank T.; Elder, John H.; Williams, Kenneth L.
1996-01-01
This research program focused on the construction of several key radio wave diagnostics in support of the HF Active Auroral Ionospheric Research Program (HAARP). Project activities led to the design, development, and fabrication of a variety of hardware units and to the development of several menu-driven software packages for data acquisition and analysis. The principal instrumentation includes an HF (28 MHz) radar system, a VHF (50 MHz) radar system, and a high-speed radar processor consisting of three separable processing units. The processor system supports the HF and VHF radars and is capable of acquiring very detailed data with large incoherent scatter radars. In addition, a tunable HF receiver system having high dynamic range was developed primarily for measurements of stimulated electromagnetic emissions (SEE). A separate processor unit was constructed for the SEE receiver. Finally, a large amount of support instrumentation was developed to accommodate complex field experiments. Overall, the HAARP diagnostics are powerful tools for studying diverse ionospheric modification phenomena. They are also flexible enough to support a host of other missions beyond the scope of HAARP. Many new research programs have been initiated by applying the HAARP diagnostics to studies of natural atmospheric processes.
Report on Research for Period January 1983-December 1984
1985-06-28
WORK UNIT ELEMENT NO. NO. NO. NO 11. TITLE (Include Security Clasification) 9993 XX Report on Research 12. PERSONAL AUTHOR(S) Alice B. McGinty...4rborne Measure- ments -Auroral Soundino Rocket Probes Infrared Atmospnerc Modeling Appendices A AFGL Projects by Program Element 203 B AFGL Rocket Program...obtained a strip map of the earth’s of neutral winds and ionospheric plasma, ionosphere seen from the polar- orbiting electric field-driven plasma drifts, ion
Analytic model of aurorally coupled magnetospheric and ionospheric electrostatic potentials
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cornwall, J. M.
1994-01-01
This paper describes modest but significant improvements on earlier studies of electrostatic potential structure in the auroral region using the adiabatic auroral arc model. This model has crucial nonlinearities (connected, for example. with aurorally produced ionization) which have hampered analysis; earlier work has either been linear, which I will show is a poor approximation or, if nonlinear, either numerical or too specialized to study parametric dependencies. With certain simplifying assumptions I find new analytic nonlinear solutions fully exhibiting the parametric dependence of potentials on magnetospheric (e.g.. cross-tail potential) and ionospheric (e.g., recombination rate) parameters. No purely phenomenological parameters are introduced. The results are in reasonable agreement with observed average auroral potential drops, inverted-V scale sizes, and dissipation rates. The dissipation rate is quite comparable to tail energization and transport rates and should have a major effect on tail and magnetospheric dynamics. This paper gives various relations between the cross-tail potential and auroral parameters (e.g., total parallel currents and potential drops) which can be studied with existing data sets.
Understanding the Origin of Jupiter's Diffuse Aurora Using Juno's First Perijove Observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Li, W.; Thorne, R. M.; Ma, Q.; Zhang, X.-J.; Gladstone, G. R.; Hue, V.; Valek, P. W.; Allegrini, F.; Mauk, B. H.; Clark, G.; Kurth, W. S.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Bolton, S. J.
2017-10-01
Juno observed the low-altitude polar region during perijove 1 on 27 August 2016 for the first time. Auroral intensity and false-color maps from the Ultraviolet Spectrograph (UVS) instrument show extensive diffuse aurora observed equatorward of the main auroral oval. Juno passed over the diffuse auroral region near the System III longitude of 120°-150° (90°-120°) in the northern (southern) hemisphere. In the region where these diffuse auroral emissions were observed, the Jupiter Energetic Particle Detector Instrument (JEDI) and Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) instruments measured nearly full loss cone distributions for the downward going electrons over energies of 0.1-700 keV but very few upward going electrons. The false-color maps from UVS indicate more energetic electron precipitation at lower latitudes than less energetic electron precipitation, consistent with observations of precipitating electrons measured by JEDI and JADE. The comparison between particle and aurora measurements provides first direct evidence that these precipitating energetic electrons are mainly responsible for the diffuse auroral emissions at Jupiter.
Alfven Waves Underlying Ionospheric Destabilization: Ground-Based Observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hirsch, Michael
During geomagnetic storms, terawatts of power in the million mile-per-hour solar wind pierce the Earth's magnetosphere. Geomagnetic storms and substorms create transverse magnetic waves known as Alfven waves. In the auroral acceleration region, Alfven waves accelerate electrons up to one-tenth the speed of light via wave-particle interactions. These inertial Alfven wave (IAW) accelerated electrons are imbued with sub-100 meter structure perpendicular to geomagnetic field B. The IAW electric field parallel to B accelerates electrons up to about 10 keV along B. The IAW dispersion relation quantifies the precipitating electron striation observed with high-speed cameras as spatiotemporally dynamic fine structured aurora. A network of tightly synchronized tomographic auroral observatories using model based iterative reconstruction (MBIR) techniques were developed in this dissertation. The TRANSCAR electron penetration model creates a basis set of monoenergetic electron beam eigenprofiles of auroral volume emission rate for the given location and ionospheric conditions. Each eigenprofile consists of nearly 200 broadband line spectra modulated by atmospheric attenuation, bandstop filter and imager quantum efficiency. The L-BFGS-B minimization routine combined with sub-pixel registered electron multiplying CCD video stream at order 10 ms cadence yields estimates of electron differential number flux at the top of the ionosphere. Our automatic data curation algorithm reduces one terabyte/camera/day into accurate MBIR-processed estimates of IAW-driven electron precipitation microstructure. This computer vision structured auroral discrimination algorithm was developed using a multiscale dual-camera system observing a 175 km and 14 km swath of sky simultaneously. This collective behavior algorithm exploits the "swarm" behavior of aurora, detectable even as video SNR approaches zero. A modified version of the algorithm is applied to topside ionospheric radar at Mars and broadcast FM passive radar. The fusion of data from coherent radar backscatter and optical data at order 10 ms cadence confirms and further quantifies the relation of strong Langmuir turbulence and streaming plasma upflows in the ionosphere with the finest spatiotemporal auroral dynamics associated with IAW acceleration. The software programs developed in this dissertation solve the century-old problem of automatically discriminating finely structured aurora from other forms and pushes the observational wave-particle science frontiers forward.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Spann, J.; Germany, G.; Swift, W.; Parks, G.; Brittnacher, M.; Elsen, R.
1997-01-01
The observed precipitating electron energy between 0130 UT and 0400 UT of January 10 th, 1997, indicates that there is a more energetic precipitating electron population that appears in the auroral oval at 1800-2200 UT at 030) UT. This increase in energy occurs after the initial shock of the magnetic cloud reaches the Earth (0114 UT) and after faint but dynamic polar cap precipitation has been cleared out. The more energetic population is observed to remain rather constant in MLT through the onset of auroral activity (0330 UT) and to the end of the Polar spacecraft apogee pass. Data from the Ultraviolet Imager LBH long and LBH short images are used to quantify the average energy of the precipitating auroral electrons. The Wind spacecraft located about 100 RE upstream monitored the IMF and plasma parameters during the passing of the cloud. The affects of oblique angle viewing are included in the analysis. Suggestions as to the source of this hot electron population will be presented.
The convection electrojet and the substorm electrojet
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kamide, Y.; Nakamura, R.
1996-06-01
Enhancements in the auroral electrojets associated with magnetospheric substorms result from those in either the electric field or the ionospheric conductivities, or both. Their relative importance varies significantly, even during a single substorm, depending on the location as well as on the substorm phases. It is predicted that different parts of the electrojets tend to respond in different ways to substorm activity. The unprecedented, unique opportunity for CLUSTER spacecraft observations of electric/magnetic fields and precipitating particles, combined with radar measurements of ionospheric quantities and with ground magnetometers, will provide us with crucial information regarding the physical nature of the separation between the electric field-dominant'' and conductivity-dominant'' auroral electrojets. This study also discusses the implications of these two auroral-electrojet components in terms of solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interactions. Acknowledgements. This study is supported in part by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture in Japan, under a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (Category B). Topical Editor D. Alcaydé thanks M. Lockwood and N. J. Fox for their help in evaluating this paper.--> Correspondence to: Y. Kamide-->
Alaskan Auroral All-Sky Images on the World Wide Web
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.
1997-01-01
In response to a 1995 NASA SPDS announcement of support for preservation and distribution of important data sets online, the Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Alaska, proposed to provide World Wide Web access to the Poker Flat Auroral All-sky Camera images in real time. The Poker auroral all-sky camera is located in the Davis Science Operation Center at Poker Flat Rocket Range about 30 miles north-east of Fairbanks, Alaska, and is connected, through a microwave link, with the Geophysical Institute where we maintain the data base linked to the Web. To protect the low light-level all-sky TV camera from damage due to excessive light, we only operate during the winter season when the moon is down. The camera and data acquisition is now fully computer controlled. Digital images are transmitted each minute to the Web linked data base where the data are available in a number of different presentations: (1) Individual JPEG compressed images (1 minute resolution); (2) Time lapse MPEG movie of the stored images; and (3) A meridional plot of the entire night activity.
Comparison of substorms near two solar cycle maxima: (1999-2000 and 2012-2013)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Despirak, I.; Lubchich, A.; Kleimenova, N.
2016-05-01
We present the comparative analysis of the substorm behavior during two solar cycle maxima. The substorms, observed during the large solar cycle maximum (1999- 2000, with Wp> 100) and during the last maximum (2012-2013 with Wp~60), were studied. The considered substorms were divided into 3 types according to auroral oval dynamic. First type - substorms which are observed only at auroral latitudes ("usual" substorms); second type - substorms which propagate from auroral latitudes (<70?) to polar geomagnetic latitudes (>70°) ("expanded" substorms, according to expanded oval); third type - substorms which are observed only at latitudes above ~70° in the absence of simultaneous geomagnetic disturbances below 70° ("polar" substorms, according to contracted oval). Over 1700 substorm events have been analyzed. The following substorm characteristics have been studied: (i) the seasonal variations, (ii) the latitudinal range of the occurrence, (iii) solar wind and IMF parameters before substorm onset, (iiii) PC-index before substorm onset. Thus, the difference between two solar activity maxima could be seen in the difference of substorm behavior in these periods as well.
Auroral photometry from the atmosphere Explorer satellite
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rees, M. H.; Abreu, V. J.
1984-01-01
Attention is given to the ability of remote sensing from space to yield quantitative auroral and ionospheric parametrers, in view of the auroral measurements made during two passes of the Explorer C satellite over the Poker Flat Optical Observatory and the Chatanika Radar Facility. The emission rate of the N2(+) 4278 A band computed from intensity measurements of energetic auroral electrons has tracked the same spetral feature that was measured remotely from the satellite over two decades of intensity, providing a stringent test for the measurement of atmospheric scattering effects. It also verifies the absolute intensity with respect to ground-based photometric measurements. In situ satellite measurments of ion densities and ground based electron density profile radar measurements provide a consistent picture of the ionospheric response to auroral input, while also predicting the observed optical emission rate.
Magnetospheric and auroral plasmas - A short survey of progress
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Frank, L. A.
1975-01-01
Important milestones in our researches of auroral and magnetospheric plasmas for the past quadrennium 1971-1975 are reviewed. Many exciting findings, including those of the polar cusp, the polar wind, the explosive disruptions of the magnetotail, the interactions of hot plasmas with the plasmapause, the auroral field-aligned currents, and the striking inverted V electron precipitation events, were reported during this period. Solutions to major questions concerning the origins and acceleration of these plasmas appear possible in the near future. A comprehensive bibliography of current research is appended to this brief survey of auroral and magnetospheric plasmas.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Russell, C. T.
1978-01-01
Methods of timing magnetic substorms, the rapid fluctuations of aurorae, electromagnetic and electrostatic instabilities observed on the field lines of aurorae, the auroral microstructure, and the relationship of currents, electric field and particle precipitation to auroral form are discussed. Attention is given to such topics as D-perturbations as an indicator of substorm onset, the role of the magnetotail in substorms, spectral information derived from imaging data on aurorae, terrestrial kilometric radiation, and the importance of the mirror force in self-consistent models of particle fluxes, currents and potentials on auroral field lines.
A mathematical model of the structure and evolution of small-scale discrete auroral arcs
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Seyler, Charles E.
1990-01-01
A three-dimensional fluid model for the structure and evolution of small-scale discrete auroral arcs originating from Alfven waves is developed and used to study the nonlinear macroscopic plasma dynamics of these auroral arcs. The results of simulations show that stationary auroral arcs can be unstable to a collisionless tearing mode which may be responsible for the observed transverse structuring in the form of folds and curls. At late times, the plasma becomes turbulent having transverse electric field power spectra that tend toward a universal k exp -5/3 spectral form.
Electron currents associated with an auroral band
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Spiger, R. J.; Anderson, H. R.
1975-01-01
Measurements of electron pitch angle distributions and energy spectra over a broad auroral band were used to calculate net electric current carried by auroral electrons in the vicinity of the band. The particle energy spectrometers were carried by a Nike-Tomahawk rocket launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 0722 UT on February 25, 1972. Data are presented which indicate the existence of upward field-aligned currents of electrons in the energy range 0.5-20 keV. The spatial relationship of these currents to visual structure of the auroral arc and the characteristics of the electrons carrying the currents are discussed.
AUGO II: a comprehensive subauroral zone observatory
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Schofield, I. S.; Connors, M. G.
2010-12-01
A new geophysical observatory dedicated to the study of the aurora borealis will be built 25 km southwest of the town of Athabasca, Alberta, Canada. It is anticipated to see first light in the winter of 2010/2011 and be fully operational in the fall of 2011. Based on the highly successful Athabasca University Geophysical Observatory (AUGO), opened in 2002 at the Athabasca University campus in Athabasca, Alberta, AUGO II will have expanded observational capacity featuring up to eight climate-controlled domed optical observation suites for instrumentation, on-site accommodation for up to six researchers, and most importantly, dark skies free of light pollution from urban development. AUGO II will share the same advantages as its predecessor, one being its location in central Alberta, allowing routine study of the subauroral zone, auroral oval studies during active times, and very rarely of the polar cap. Like the original AUGO, AUGO II will be in close proximity to major highways, be connected to a high bandwidth network, and be within two hour driving distance to the city of Edmonton and its international airport. Opportunities are open for guest researchers in space physics to conduct auroral studies at this new, state-of-the-art research facility through the installation of remotely controlled instruments and/or campaigns. An innovative program of instrument development will accompany the new observatory’s enhanced infrastructure with a focus on magnetics and H-beta meridian scanning photometry.
A THEMIS Case Study of Pi2 Pulsations in the Magnetotail and on the Ground Before a Substorm Onset
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Miyashita, Y.; Angelopoulos, V.; Hiraki, Y.; Ieda, A.; Machida, S.
2016-12-01
Using THEMIS spacecraft and ground data, we studied low-frequency Pi2 pulsations in the magnetotail and on the ground just before a substorm onset. A case study shows that a new compressional Pi2 pulsation was observed in the plasma sheet just earthward of the near-Earth reconnection site 4 min before initial auroral brightening or 2 min before auroral fading. The ion and magnetic pressure perturbations appeared to be partly in phase at the beginning, indicating that the wave had fast mode. A similar wave was observed also tailward of the near-Earth reconnection site, although it occurred 4 min later. These waves may have been generated at the near-Earth reconnection site. On the ground, Pi2 pulsations were observed widely in the polar cap and at the auroral oval before initial auroral brightening and auroral fading, although the amplitudes were small, compared to those associated with auroral poleward expansion. There was a tendency that the waves were observed first in the polar cap near the initial auroral brightening site and then in the surrounding regions. Ionospheric convection began to be enhanced gradually 1 or 2 min after the Pi2 onsets. We discuss the causal relationship between the Pi2 pulsations in the magnetotail and on the ground as well as their role in substorm triggering.
High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) Imager
1993-09-30
T-3 HCTL!; *WR-EN HCTL@ F- 3 HC7L! ; * HACK H(TL-@ F-4 HCTL!; ]NIiT-HOST 00 HB! F8 HCrL!; DSP-RESET INIT-HOST HCTL@ DUP F-6 HCTh! T-6 HCTU! DSP-IRQB...CONSTANTPS2 PI_HI P2-11 OR 3_-1O OR TG..LO OR CONSTANT PS3 P1I.,O P2_.i OR P3..LO OR TG_.LO OR CONSTANT PS4 PlLO P21-1I OR P3_H1 OR TGIIl OR CONSTANTPS5 P1_LO...CONSTANT PSTATEI PS2 SER-IDLE OR CONSTANT PSTATE2 PS3 SERIDLE OR CONSTANT PSTATE3 PS4 SERIDLE OR CONSTANT PSTATE4 PS5 SERIDLE OR CONSTANT PSTATES PS6
Lunar Radar Cross Section at Low Frequency
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rodriguez, P.; Kennedy, E. J.; Kossey, P.; McCarrick, M.; Kaiser, M. L.; Bougeret, J.-L.; Tokarev, Y. V.
2002-01-01
Recent bistatic measurements of the lunar radar cross-section have extended the spectrum to long radio wavelength. We have utilized the HF Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) radar facility near Gakona, Alaska to transmit high power pulses at 8.075 MHz to the Moon; the echo pulses were received onboard the NASA/WIND spacecraft by the WAVES HF receiver. This lunar radar experiment follows our previous use of earth-based HF radar with satellites to conduct space experiments. The spacecraft was approaching the Moon for a scheduled orbit perturbation when our experiment of 13 September 2001 was conducted. During the two-hour experiment, the radial distance of the satellite from the Moon varied from 28 to 24 Rm, where Rm is in lunar radii.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Lance, C.; Eather, R.
1993-09-30
A low-light-level monochromatic imaging system was designed and fabricated which was optimized to detect and record optical emissions associated with high-power rf heating of the ionosphere. The instrument is capable of detecting very low intensities, of the order of 1 Rayleigh, from typical ionospheric atomic and molecular emissions. This is achieved through co-adding of ON images during heater pulses and subtraction of OFF (background) images between pulses. Images can be displayed and analyzed in real time and stored in optical disc for later analysis. Full image processing software is provided which was customized for this application and uses menu ormore » mouse user interaction.« less
Low- to Mid-Latitude X-Ray Emission from Jupiter
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bhardwaj, Anil; Elsner, Ronald F.; Gladstone, G. Randall; Waite, J. Hunter, Jr.; Branduardi-Raymont, Graziella; Cravens, Thomas E.; Ford, Peter
2006-01-01
The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO) observed Jupiter during the period 2003 February 24-26 for approx.40 hours (4 Jupiter rotations), using both the spectroscopy array of the Advanced CCD Imaging Spectrometer (ACIS-S) and the imaging array of the High-Resolution Camera (HRC-I). Two ACIS-S exposures, each approx.8.5 hr long, were separated by an HRC-I exposure of approx.20 hr. The low- to mid-latitude non-auroral disk X-ray emission is much more spatially uniform than the auroral emission. However, the low- to mid-latitude X-ray count rate shows a small but statistically significant hour angle dependence, and is higher in regions of relatively low surface magnetic field strength, confirming ROSAT results. In addition, the spectrum from the low surface field region shows an enhancement in the energy band 1.14- 1.38 keV, perhaps partly due to line emission from that region. Correlation of surface magnetic field strength with count rate is not found for the 2000 December HRC-I data, at a time when solar activity was high. The low- to mid-latitude disk X-ray count rate observed by the HRC-I in the 2003 February observation is about 50% of that observed in 2000 December, roughly consistent with a decrease in the solar activity index (F10.7 cm flux) by a similar amount over the same time period. The low- to mid-latitude X-ray emission does not show any oscillations similar to the -45 minute oscillations sometimes seen from the northern auroral zone. The temporal variation in Jupiter's non-auroral X-ray emission exhibits similarities to variations in solar X-ray flux observed by GOES and TIMED/SEE. The two ACIS-S 0.3-2 keV low- to mid-latitude X-ray spectra are harder than the auroral spectrum, and are different from each other at energies above 0.7 keV, showing variability in Jupiter s non-auroral X-ray emission on a time scale of a day. The 0.3-2.0 keV X-ray power emitted at low- to mid-latitudes is 0.21 GW and 0.39 GW for the first and second ACIS-S exposures, respectively. We suggest that X-ray emission from Jupiter's disk may be largely generated by solar X-rays resonantly and fluorescently scattered in its upper atmosphere, especially at times of high incident solar X-ray flux. However, the correlation of higher count rate with low surface magnetic-field strength indicates the presence of some secondary component, possibly ion precipitation from radiation belts closer to the planet than elsewhere at low- to mid-latitudes.
Correlated variations of UV and radio emissions during an outstanding Jovian auroral event
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Prange, R.; Zarka, P.; Ballester, G. E.; Livengood, T. A.; Denis, L.; Carr, T.; Reyes, F.; Bame, S. J.; Moos, H. W.
1993-01-01
An exceptional Jovian aurora was detected in the FUV on December 21, 1990, by means of Vilspa and Goddard Space Flight Center (GFSC) International Ultraviolet Explorer (IUE) observations. This event included intensification by a factor of three between December 20 and 21, leading to the brightest aurora identified in the IUE data analyzed, and, in the north, to a shift of the emission peak towards larger longitudes. The Jovian radio emission simultaneously recorded at decameter wavelengths in Nancay also exhibits significant changes, from a weak and short-duration emission on December 20 to a very intense one, lasting several hours, on December 21. Confirmation of this intense radio event is also found in the observations at the University of Florida on December 21. The emissions are identified as right-handed Io-independent 'A' (or 'non Io-A') components from the northern hemisphere. The radio source region deduced from the Nancay observations lies, for both days, close to the UV peak emission, exhibiting in particular a similar shift of the source region toward larger longitudes from one day to the next. A significant broadening of the radio source was also observed and it is shown that on both days, the extent of the radio source closely followed the longitude range for which the UV brightness exceeds a given threshold. The correlated variations, both in intensity and longitude, strongly suggest that a common cause triggered the variation of the UV and radio emissions during this exceptional event. On one hand, the variation of the UV aurora could possibly be interpreted according to the Prange and Elkhamsi (1991) model of diffuse multicomponent auroral precipitation (electron and ion): it would arise from an increase in the precipitation rate of ions together with an inward shift of their precipitation locus from L approximately equal 10 to L approximately equal 6. On the other hand, the analysis of Ulysses observations in the upstream solar wind suggests that a significant disturbance in the solar wind, involving the generation of an interplanetary shock and the presence of a CME have interacted with the Jovian magnetosphere at about the time of the auroral event. Both arguments suggest that we may have observed for the first time a magnetic storm-type interaction in an outer planet magnetosphere, affecting simultaneously several auroral processes. Conversely, the observed relationship between the level of UV auroral activity and the detection of decameter emission (DAM), if it were a typical feature, might argue in favour of a more direct and permanent association between the auroral processes leading to UV and radio aurorae, possibly related to 'discrete-arc'-like activity and electron precipitation.
Ultraviolet aurora on outer planets: morphology and remote sensing of electron precipitation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gerard, Jean-Claude; Bisikalo, Dmitry; Shematovich, Valery; Soret, Lauriane
2016-07-01
The aurora is the result of the interaction between energetic particles and the upper atmosphere of a planet. Generally, energetic particles from the magnetosphere penetrate the atmosphere, partly deposit their energy and are partly reflected. Their collisional interactions with the atmospheric atoms and molecules heat the atmosphere and produce auroral emissions. Consequently, the aurora then bears the signature of both the acceleration mechanism and the atmospheric structure and composition. Jupiter's UV auroral H2 and H emissions are generally divided into several components. The main auroral emission at Jupiter is associated with the giant current loop connecting the region of co-rotation breakdown in the middle magnetosphere with the ionosphere. The polar emissions observed inside the main emission are very variable over short timescales. The observed diffuse emission equatorward of the main emission is most likely related to precipitation resulting from wave-particle interactions. Finally, the satellite magnetic footprints are created by accelerated electrons resulting from the interaction between the Galilean moons and the plasma in the Jovian magnetosphere. Saturn's magnetosphere and its aurorae appear to be both solar wind driven as the terrestrial magnetosphere and rotationally dominated, similarly to Jupiter. In addition to the main auroral ring, transient features have been recently identified. Uranus displays aurorae quite different from the other two with faint small-size structures appearing following solar storm activity. These different processes are probably associated with different energy spectra of the precipitated electrons. We present an overview of recent results concerning the relation between morphology, variability and remote sensing of the auroral electron energy in the different components. We show that mapping the UV color ratio is a powerful tool to globally characterize the electron precipitation and the flux-energy relation. Considerable progress is expected with the Cassini Grand Finale and the upcoming Juno mission. The characteristics of the Mars aurora are quite different in the absence of a global magnetic field. Two types of events have been detected. The first one corresponds to localized emissions in the southern hemisphere that are related to the presence of cusp-type structures in the residual magnetic field. Diffuse auroral emission has been observed with MAVEN-IUVS in the northern hemisphere during periods following solar events. Spectral features include the CO Cameron bands, the CO2+ UV doublet, the CO 4th Positive system and the OI multiplets at 130.4 and 135.6 nm. Optical and particle instruments on board Mars Express and MAVEN have simultaneously detected the energetic electrons and their optical auroral signatures. We summarize the characteristics of the discrete aurorae. Monte Carlo simulations of Martian auroral emissions generated by electron fluxes measured in situ with ASPERA-3 will be presented and compared with nadir observations made with the SPICAM instrument. The effects of the presence of the Mars crustal magnetic field on the upward and downward electron fluxes and the emitted power will be discussed and compared with available particle flux data.
Long-term variation of radar-auroral backscatter and the interplanetary sector structure
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Yeoman, T.K.; Burrage, M.D.; Lester, M.
Recurrent variation of geomagnetic activity at the {approximately}27-day solar rotation period and higher harmonics is a well-documented phenomenon. Auroral radar backscatter data from the Sweden and Britain Radar-Auroral Experiment (SABRE) radar provide a continuous time series from 1981 to the present which is a highly sensitive monitor of geomagnetic activity. In this study, Maximum Entropy Method (MEM) dynamic power spectra of SABRE backscatter data from 1981 to 1989, concurrent interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) and solar wind parameters from 1981 to 1987, and the Kp index since 1932 are examined. Data since 1977 are compared with previously published heliospheric current sheetmore » measurements mapped out from the solar photosphere. Stong periodic behavior is observed in the radar backscatter during the declining phase of solar cycle 21, but this periodicity disappears at the start of solar cycle 22. Similar behavior is observed in earlier solar cycles in the Kp spectra. Details of the radar backscatter, IMF, and solar wind spectra indicate that the solar wind momentum density is the dominant parameter in determining the backscatter periodicity. The temporal evolution of two- and four-sector structures, as predicted by SABRE backscatter spectra, throughout solar cycle 21 generally still agree well with heliospheric current sheet measurements. For one interval, however, there is evidence that evolution of the current sheet has occurred between the photospheric source surface and the Earth.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
LaBelle, J.; McAdams, K. L.; Trimpi, M. L.
High bandwidth electric field waveform measurements on a recent auroral sounding rocket reveal structured whistler mode signals at 400-800 kHz. These are observed intermittently between 300 and 500 km with spectral densities 0-10 dB above the detection threshold of 1.5×10-11V2/m2Hz. The lack of correlation with local particle measurements suggests a remote source. The signals are composed of discrete structures, in one case having bandwidths of about 10 kHz and exhibiting rapid frequency variations of the order of 200 kHz per 100 ms. In one case, emissions near the harmonic of the whistler mode signals are detected simultaneously. Current theories of auroral zone whistler mode emissions have not been applied to explain quantitatively the fine structure of these signals, which resemble auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) rather than auroral hiss.
Mirror instability and origin of morningside auroral structure
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chiu, Y. T.; Schulz, M.; Fennell, J. F.; Kishi, A. M.
1983-01-01
Auroral optical imagery shows marked differences between auroral features of the evening and morning sectors: the separation between diffuse and discrete auroras in the evening sector is not distinct in the morning sector, which is dominated by auroral patches and multiple banded structures aligned along some direction. Plasma distribution function signatures also show marked differences: downward electron beams and inverted-V signatures prefer the evening sector, while the electron spectra on the morning sector are similar to the diffuse aurora. A theory of morningside auroras consistent with these features was constructed. The theory is based on modulation of the growth rates of electron cyclotron waves by the mirror instability, which is in turn driven by inward-convected ions that have become anisotropic. This modulation produces alternating bands of enhanced and reduced electron precipitation which approximate the observed multiple auroral bands and patches of the morning sector.
Ultraviolet observations of the Saturnian north aurora and polar haze distribution with the HST-FOC
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gerard, J. C.; Dols, V.; Grodent, D.; Waite, J. H.; Gladstone, G. R.; Prange, R.
1995-01-01
Near simultaneous observations of the Saturnian H2 north ultraviolet aurora and the polar haze were made at 153 nm and 210 nm respectively with the Faint Object Camera on board the Hubble Space Telescope. The auroral observations cover a complete rotation of the planet and, when co-added, reveal the presence of an auroral emission near 80 deg N with a peak brightness of about 150 kR of total H2 emission. The maximum optical depth of the polar haze layer is found to be located approximately 5 deg equatorward of the auroral emission zone. The haze particles are presumably formed by hydrocarbon aerosols initiated by H2+ auroral production. In this case, the observed haze optical depth requires an efficiency of aerosol formation of about 6 percent, indicating that auroral production of hydrocarbon aerosols is a viable source of high-latitude haze.
Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gladstone, G. R.; Versteeg, M. H.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hue, V.; Davis, M. W.; Gérard, J.-C.; Grodent, D. C.; Bonfond, B.; Nichols, J. D.; Wilson, R. J.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S. M.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Adriani, A.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; Valek, P.; McComas, D. J.; Orton, G. S.; Bagenal, F.
2017-08-01
Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3-29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3-4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of 2 h and a decay time of 5 h.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Yee, J. H.; Gjerloev, J.; Wu, D.; Schwartz, M. J.
2017-01-01
Using the O2 118 GHz spectral radiance measurements obtained by the Microwave Limb Sounder instrument on board the Aura spacecraft, we demonstrate that the Zeeman effect can be used to remotely measure the magnetic field perturbations produced by the auroral electrojet near the Hall current closure altitudes. Our derived current-induced magnetic field perturbations are found to be highly correlated with those coincidently obtained by ground magnetometers. These perturbations are also found to be linearly correlated with auroral electrojet strength. The statistically derived polar maps of our measured magnetic field perturbation reveal a spatial-temporal morphology consistent with that produced by the Hall current during substorms and storms. With today's technology, a constellation of compact, low-power, high spectral-resolution cubesats would have the capability to provide high precision and spatiotemporal magnetic field samplings needed for auroral electrojet measurements to gain insights into the spatiotemporal behavior of the auroral electrojet system.
Relationship between Alfvén Wave and Quasi-Static Acceleration in Earth's Auroral Zone
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mottez, Fabrice
2016-02-01
There are two main categories of acceleration processes in the Earth's auroral zone: those based on quasi-static structures, and those based on Alfvén wave (AW). AWs play a nonnegligible role in the global energy budget of the plasma surrounding the Earth because they participate in auroral acceleration, and because auroral acceleration conveys a large portion of the energy flux across the magnetosphere. Acceleration events by double layers (DLs) and by AW have mostly been investigated separately, but many studies cited in this chapter show that they are not independent: these processes can occur simultaneously, and one process can be the cause of the other. The quasi-simultaneous occurrences of acceleration by AW and by quasi-static structures have been observed predominantly at the polar cap boundary of auroral arc systems, where often new bright arcs develop or intensify.
Field-aligned particle currents near an auroral arc.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Choy, L. W.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Potter, W.; Kintner, P.; Cahill, L. J., Jr.
1971-01-01
A Nike-Tomahawk rocket equipped to measure electric and magnetic fields and charged particles from a few eV to several hundred keV energy was flown into an auroral band on April 11, 1970. The purpose of this flight was to obtain evidence of the low-energy electrons and protons that constitute a field-aligned sheet current, and also to obtain the magnetic signature of such a current and the electric field in and near the auroral-arc electric current system. Particular attention was given to a sudden increase in the field-aligned current associated with a prior sudden increase in the electric field and a sudden change in the magnetic field, all occurring near the edge of a visual auroral arc. Data obtained are discussed and analyzed; they present an important contribution to the problem of mapping of atmospheric auroral phenomena to the magnetospheric equatorial plane.
Juno-UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras.
Gladstone, G R; Versteeg, M H; Greathouse, T K; Hue, V; Davis, M W; Gérard, J-C; Grodent, D C; Bonfond, B; Nichols, J D; Wilson, R J; Hospodarsky, G B; Bolton, S J; Levin, S M; Connerney, J E P; Adriani, A; Kurth, W S; Mauk, B H; Valek, P; McComas, D J; Orton, G S; Bagenal, F
2017-08-16
Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno-UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3-29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3-4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h and a decay time of ~5 h.
Rapid ray motions in barium plasma clouds and auroras
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wescott, E. M.; Hallinan, T. J.; Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.; Swift, D. W.; Wallis, D. D.
1993-01-01
On two evenings in 1968, anomalous field-aligned brightenings or emission enhancements of up to 3X were observed to move rapidly through three different Ba(+) clouds over Andoya, Norway. Similar effects were observed in Ba(+) clouds released from rockets launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, on March 21, 1973 and on March 22, 1980. On these occasions, auroras on or near the Ba(+) L shell also exhibited active rapid ray motions, which prompts the assumption that the two phenomena are related and the expectation that an explanation of the rapid ray motions in the Ba(+) clouds would lead to a better understanding of the physics of auroral ray motions and the auroral atmosphere. Seven possible mechanisms to produce the observed moving emission enhancements are discussed. The observations provide strong evidence for the existence of transient electric fields of order 100 mV/m at altitudes as low as 200 km during active aurora with rapid ray motions.
Jupiter's non-auroral Ionosphere and Thermosphere
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stallard, T.; Melin, H.; Burrell, A. G.; Hsu, V.; Johnson, R.; Moore, L.; O'Donoghue, J.; Thayer, J. P.
2017-12-01
Until recently, our understanding of the non-auroral ionosphere of Jupiter was very limited. However, with the arrival of the Juno spacecraft at Jupiter, we have begun to revise past observations of this region, as well as utilizing modern telescope facilities, in order to reveal a complex array of ionospheric features that show strong coupling with both the local magnetic field and dynamics within the underlying thermosphere. The first feature that was identified was an apparent `Great Dark Spot' in the sub-auroral ionosphere, almost as large as the Great Red Spot. This was observed well away from the northern magnetic pole, mapping to only 2.4 jovian radii. Spectra of the feature showed that it was produced by a 150K cooling in the thermosphere. However, images taken between 1995-2000 showed this feature was consistently observed over two decades at similar magnetic longitudes, but appeared to vary in size, morphology and exact location on a timescale of only days. This suggests that the Great Dark Spot is a large thermospheric vortex driven by auroral heating, similar to transitory features observed at Earth, forming in sub-auroral regions during periods of active aurora. Careful analysis of the Jupiter images then allowed us to measure ionospheric emission down to the equator. This revealed the location of Jupiter's magnetic equator for the first time, appearing as a dark sinusoidal ribbon. This feature appears to be produced as photo-electrons are pushed poleward of the equator when magnetic fields are parallel with the planet's surface, a different process than the dominant plasma fountain that drives Earth's equatorial anomaly. Also revealed were a series of dark spots. Recent Juno magnetometer measurements show that two of these spots appear in regions of high radial magnetic field, suggesting that these regions of the ionosphere are shielded, an inversion of the same process that drives higher ionization in the South Atlantic Anomaly.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rees, D.
1986-01-01
Several sequences of observations of strong vertical winds in the upper thermosphere are discussed, in conjunction with models of the generation of such winds. In the auroral oval, the strongest upward winds are observed in or close to regions of intense auroral precipitation and strong ionospheric currents. The strongest winds, of the order of 100 to 200 m/sec are usually upward, and are both localized and of relatively short duration (10 to 20 min). In regions adjacent to those displaying strong upward winds, and following periods of upward winds, downward winds of rather lower magnitude (40 to about 80 m/sec) may be observed. Strong and rapid changes of horizontal winds are correlated with these rapid vertical wind variations. Considered from a large scale viewpoint, this class of strongly time dependent winds propagate globally, and may be considered to be gravity waves launched from an auroral source. During periods of very disturbed geomagnetic activity, there may be regions within and close to the auroral oval where systematic vertical winds of the order of 50 m/sec will occur for periods of several hours. Such persistent winds are part of a very strong large scale horizontal wind circulation set up in the polar regions during a major geomagnetic disturbance. This second class of strong horizontal and vertical winds corresponds more to a standing wave than to a gravity wave, and it is not as effective as the first class in generating large scale propagating gravity waves and correlated horizontal and vertical oscillations. A third class of significant (10 to 30 m/sec) vertical winds can be associated with systematic features of the average geomagnetic energy and momentum input to the polar thermosphere, and appear in statistical studies of the average vertical wind as a function of Universal Time at a given location.
A Model for High Frequency Radar Auroral Clutter
1980-03-01
PROGRAM ELEMENT PROJECT. TA9K Deputy for Electronic Technology (HADCEEP) AREA A WORK UNIT Hansco AF13 02Fl II CONTROLLING OFFICE NAME AND ADDRESS W...region is sometimes referred to as the "polar cavity." 16 I wf, 2. RKlIO PROPA(ArION CONSIDERATIONS An essential element in computing the incidence and...called liaselgrove equations. 8 This is :iccomplished nume’rically by use of a computer program originally developed by ,lTnes .11rd later modified
1982-03-15
this work was to provide a piston tank filled with trimethyl aluminum for release as a trail in the upper atmosphere. This payload was launched from the...trail payloads. II. PAYLOAD DESCRIPTION The payload consists of a programmer section with plumbing and a piston tank section. The outer shell of the...payload is the wall of the piston tank . The liquid side of the piston tank is filled with 20 pounds of tri- methyl- aluminum (TMA). After filling the
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Mendes, Odim; Oliveira Domingues, Margarete; Echer, Ezequiel; Hajra, Rajkumar; Everton Menconi, Varlei
2017-08-01
Considering the magnetic reconnection and the viscous interaction as the fundamental mechanisms for transfer particles and energy into the magnetosphere, we study the dynamical characteristics of auroral electrojet (AE) index during high-intensity, long-duration continuous auroral activity (HILDCAA) events, using a long-term geomagnetic database (1975-2012), and other distinct interplanetary conditions (geomagnetically quiet intervals, co-rotating interaction regions (CIRs)/high-speed streams (HSSs) not followed by HILDCAAs, and events of AE comprised in global intense geomagnetic disturbances). It is worth noting that we also study active but non-HILDCAA intervals. Examining the geomagnetic AE index, we apply a dynamics analysis composed of the phase space, the recurrence plot (RP), and the recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) methods. As a result, the quantification finds two distinct clusterings of the dynamical behaviours occurring in the interplanetary medium: one regarding a geomagnetically quiet condition regime and the other regarding an interplanetary activity regime. Furthermore, the HILDCAAs seem unique events regarding a visible, intense manifestations of interplanetary Alfvénic waves; however, they are similar to the other kinds of conditions regarding a dynamical signature (based on RQA), because it is involved in the same complex mechanism of generating geomagnetic disturbances. Also, by characterizing the proper conditions of transitions from quiescent conditions to weaker geomagnetic disturbances inside the magnetosphere and ionosphere system, the RQA method indicates clearly the two fundamental dynamics (geomagnetically quiet intervals and HILDCAA events) to be evaluated with magneto-hydrodynamics simulations to understand better the critical processes related to energy and particle transfer into the magnetosphere-ionosphere system. Finally, with this work, we have also reinforced the potential applicability of the RQA method for characterizing nonlinear geomagnetic processes related to the magnetic reconnection and the viscous interaction affecting the magnetosphere.
Jupiter's Mid-Infrared Aurora: Solar Connection and Minor Constituents
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kostiuk, Theodore; Livengood, T.A.; Fast, K.E.; Hewagama, T.; Schmilling, F.; Sonnabend, G.; Delgado, J.
2009-01-01
High spectral resolution in the 12 pin region of the polar regions of Jupiter reveal unique information on auroral phenomena and upper stratospheric composition. Polar aurorae in Jupiter's atmosphere radiate; throughout the electromagnetic spectrum from X-ray through mid-infrared (mid-IR, 5 - 20 micron wavelength). Voyager IRIS data and ground-based. spectroscopic measurements of Jupiter's northern mid-IR aurora acquired since 1982, reveal a correlation between auroral brightness and solar activity that has not been observed in Jovian aurora at other wavelengths. Over nearly three solar cycles, Jupiter auroral ethane, emission brightness and solar 10.7-cm radar flux and sunspot number are positively correlated with high confidence. Ethane line emission intensity varies over tenfold between low and high scalar activity periods. Detailed measurements have been made using the GSFC HIPWAC spectrometer at the NASA IRTF since the last solar maximum, following the mid-IR emission through the declining phase toward solar minimum. An even more convincing correlation with solar activity is evident in these data. The spectra measured contain features that cannot be attributed to ethane and are most likely spectra of minor constituents whose molecular bands overlap the v9 band of ethane. Possible candidates are allene, propane, and other higher order hydrocarbons. These features appear to be enhanced in the active polar regions. Laboratory measurements at comparable spectral resolution of spectra of candidate molecules will be used to identify the constituents. Current analyses of these results will be described, including planned measurements on polar ethane line emission scheduled through the rise of the next solar maximum beginning in 2009, with a steep gradient to a maximum in 2012. This work is relevant to the Juno mission and to the development of the NASA/ESA Europa Jupiter System Mission.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nichols, J. D.; Badman, S. V.; Bagenal, F.; Bolton, S. J.; Bonfond, B.; Bunce, E. J.; Clarke, J. T.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Cowley, S. W. H.; Ebert, R. W.; Fujimoto, M.; Gérard, J.-C.; Gladstone, G. R.; Grodent, D.; Kimura, T.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; Murakami, G.; McComas, D. J.; Orton, G. S.; Radioti, A.; Stallard, T. S.; Tao, C.; Valek, P. W.; Wilson, R. J.; Yamazaki, A.; Yoshikawa, I.
2017-08-01
We present the first comparison of Jupiter's auroral morphology with an extended, continuous, and complete set of near-Jupiter interplanetary data, revealing the response of Jupiter's auroras to the interplanetary conditions. We show that for ˜1-3 days following compression region onset, the planet's main emission brightened. A duskside poleward region also brightened during compressions, as well as during shallow rarefaction conditions at the start of the program. The power emitted from the noon active region did not exhibit dependence on any interplanetary parameter, though the morphology typically differed between rarefactions and compressions. The auroras equatorward of the main emission brightened over ˜10 days following an interval of increased volcanic activity on Io. These results show that the dependence of Jupiter's magnetosphere and auroras on the interplanetary conditions are more diverse than previously thought.
UCLA IGPP Space Plasma Simulation Group
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1998-01-01
During the past 10 years the UCLA IGPP Space Plasma Simulation Group has pursued its theoretical effort to develop a Mission Oriented Theory (MOT) for the International Solar Terrestrial Physics (ISTP) program. This effort has been based on a combination of approaches: analytical theory, large scale kinetic (LSK) calculations, global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulations and self-consistent plasma kinetic (SCK) simulations. These models have been used to formulate a global interpretation of local measurements made by the ISTP spacecraft. The regions of applications of the MOT cover most of the magnetosphere: the solar wind, the low- and high-latitude magnetospheric boundary, the near-Earth and distant magnetotail, and the auroral region. Most recent investigations include: plasma processes in the electron foreshock, response of the magnetospheric cusp, particle entry in the magnetosphere, sources of observed distribution functions in the magnetotail, transport of oxygen ions, self-consistent evolution of the magnetotail, substorm studies, effects of explosive reconnection, and auroral acceleration simulations.
Spacecraft Charging and Auroral Boundary Predictions in Low Earth Orbit
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minow, Joseph I.
2016-01-01
Auroral charging of spacecraft is an important class of space weather impacts on technological systems in low Earth orbit. In order for space weather models to accurately specify auroral charging environments, they must provide the appropriate plasma environment characteristics responsible for charging. Improvements in operational space weather prediction capabilities relevant to charging must be tested against charging observations.
Field aligned currents and the auroral spectrum below 1 keV
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Arnoldy, R. L.
1973-01-01
Measurements during auroral events were conducted with the aid of detectors flown aboard three Nike-Tomahawk rocket flights. The detectors used to measure the auroral spectrum below 1 keV consisted of electrostatic analyzers positioned in the rocket to measure particles moving up and down the magnetic field lines. The analyzers measured electrons and protons simultaneously during a given sweep.
Excitation of whistler waves by reflected auroral electrons
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wu, C. S.; Dillenburg, D.; Ziebell, L. F.; Freund, H. P.
1983-01-01
Excitation of electron waves and whistlers by reflected auroral electrons which possess a loss-cone distribution is investigated. Based on a given magnetic field and density model, the instability problem is studied over a broad region along the auroral field lines. This region covers altitudes ranging from one quarter of an earth radius to five earth radii. It is found that the growth rate is significant only in the region of low altitude, say below the source region of the auroral kilometric radiation. In the high altitude region the instability is insignificant either because of low refractive indices or because of small loss cone angles.
Auroral-particle precipitation and trapping caused by electrostatic double layers in the ionosphere.
Albert, R D; Lindstrom, P J
1970-12-25
Interpretation of high-resolution angular distribution measurements of the primary auroral electron flux detected by a rocket probe launched into a visible aurora from Fort Churchill in the fall of 1966 leads to the following conclusions. The auroral electron flux is nearly monoenergetic and has a quasi-trapped as well as a precipitating component. The quasi-trapped flux appears to be limited to a region defined by magnetic-mirror points and multiple electrostatic double layers in the ionosphere. The electrostatic field of the double-layer distribution enhances the aurora by lowering the magnetic-mirror points and supplying energy to the primary auroral electrons.
First light from a kilometer-baseline Scintillation Auroral GPS Array.
Datta-Barua, S; Su, Y; Deshpande, K; Miladinovich, D; Bust, G S; Hampton, D; Crowley, G
2015-05-28
We introduce and analyze the first data from an array of closely spaced Global Positioning System (GPS) scintillation receivers established in the auroral zone in late 2013 to measure spatial and temporal variations in L band signals at 100-1000 m and subsecond scales. The seven receivers of the Scintillation Auroral GPS Array (SAGA) are sited at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska. The receivers produce 100 s scintillation indices and 100 Hz carrier phase and raw in-phase and quadrature-phase samples. SAGA is the largest existing array with baseline lengths of the ionospheric diffractive Fresnel scale at L band. With an initial array of five receivers, we identify a period of simultaneous amplitude and phase scintillation. We compare SAGA power and phase data with collocated 630.0 nm all-sky images of an auroral arc and incoherent scatter radar electron precipitation measurements, to illustrate how SAGA can be used in multi-instrument observations for subkilometer-scale studies. A seven-receiver Scintillation Auroral GPS Array (SAGA) is now at Poker Flat, Alaska SAGA is the largest subkilometer array to enable phase/irregularities studies Simultaneous scintillation, auroral arc, and electron precipitation are observed.
First light from a kilometer-baseline Scintillation Auroral GPS Array
Datta-Barua, S; Su, Y; Deshpande, K; Miladinovich, D; Bust, G S; Hampton, D; Crowley, G
2015-01-01
We introduce and analyze the first data from an array of closely spaced Global Positioning System (GPS) scintillation receivers established in the auroral zone in late 2013 to measure spatial and temporal variations in L band signals at 100–1000 m and subsecond scales. The seven receivers of the Scintillation Auroral GPS Array (SAGA) are sited at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska. The receivers produce 100 s scintillation indices and 100 Hz carrier phase and raw in-phase and quadrature-phase samples. SAGA is the largest existing array with baseline lengths of the ionospheric diffractive Fresnel scale at L band. With an initial array of five receivers, we identify a period of simultaneous amplitude and phase scintillation. We compare SAGA power and phase data with collocated 630.0 nm all-sky images of an auroral arc and incoherent scatter radar electron precipitation measurements, to illustrate how SAGA can be used in multi-instrument observations for subkilometer-scale studies. Key Points A seven-receiver Scintillation Auroral GPS Array (SAGA) is now at Poker Flat, Alaska SAGA is the largest subkilometer array to enable phase/irregularities studies Simultaneous scintillation, auroral arc, and electron precipitation are observed PMID:26709318
Accaleration of Electrons of the Outer Electron Radiation Belt and Auroral Oval Dynamics
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Antonova, Elizaveta; Ovchinnikov, Ilya; Riazantseva, Maria; Znatkova, Svetlana; Pulinets, Maria; Vorobjev, Viachislav; Yagodkina, Oksana; Stepanova, Marina
2016-07-01
We summarize the results of experimental observations demonstrating the role of auroral processes in the formation of the outer electron radiation belt and magnetic field distortion during magnetic storms. We show that the auroral oval does not mapped to the plasma sheet proper (region with magnetic field lines stretched in the tailward direction). It is mapped to the surrounding the Earth plasma ring in which transverse currents are closed inside the magnetosphere. Such currents constitute the high latitude continuation of the ordinary ring current. Mapping of the auroral oval to the region of high latitude continuation of the ordinary ring current explains the ring like shape of the auroral oval with finite thickness near noon and auroral oval dynamics during magnetic storms. The auroral oval shift to low latitudes during storms. The development of the ring current produce great distortion of the Earth's magnetic field and corresponding adiabatic variations of relativistic electron fluxes. Development of the asymmetric ring current produce the dawn-dusk asymmetry of such fluxes. We analyze main features of the observed processes including formation of sharp plasma pressure profiles during storms. The nature of observed pressure peak is analyzed. It is shown that the observed sharp pressure peak is directly connected with the creation of the seed population of relativistic electrons. The possibility to predict the position of new radiation belt during recovery phase of the magnetic storm using data of low orbiting and ground based observations is demonstrated.
Characteristics of dayside auroral displays in relation to magnetospheric processes
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Minow, Joseph I.
1997-09-01
The use of dayside aurorae as a ground based monitor of magnetopause activity is explored in this thesis. The origin of diffuse (OI) 630.0 nm emissions in the midday auroral oval is considered first. Analysis of low altitude satellite records of precipitating charged particles within the cusp show an unstructured electron component that will produce a 0.5-1 kR 630.0 nm emission throughout the cusp. Distribution of the electrons is controlled by the requirement of charge neutrality in the cusp, predicting a diffuse 630.0 nm background even if the magnetosheath plasma is introduced into the magnetosphere in discrete merging events. Cusp electron fluxes also contain a structured component characterized by enhancements in the electron energy and energy flux over background values in narrow regions a few 10's of kilometers in width. These structured features are identified as the source of the transient midday arcs. An auroral model is developed to study the morphology of (OI) 630.0 nm auroral emissions produced by the transient arcs. The model demonstrates that a diffuse 630.0 nm background emission is produced by transient arcs due to the long lifetime of the O(1D) state. Two sources of diffuse 630.0 nm background emissions exist in the cusp which may originate in discrete merging events. The conclusion is that persistent 630.0 nm emissions cannot be interpreted as prima facie evidence for continuous particle transport from the magnetosheath across the magnetopause boundary and into the polar cusp. The second subject that is considered is the analysis of temporal and spatial variations of the diffuse 557.7 nm pulsating aurora in relation to the 630.0 nm dominated transient aurora. Temporal variations at the poleward boundary of the diffuse 557.7 nm aurora correlate with the formation of the 630.0 nm transient aurorae suggesting that the two events are related. The character of the auroral variations is consistent with the behavior of particle populations reported during satellite observations of flux transfer events near the dayside magnetopause. An interpretation of the events in terms of impulsive magnetic reconnection yields a new observation that relates the poleward moving transient auroral arcs in the midday sector to the flux transfer events.
Planetary instrument definition and development program: 'Miniature Monochromatic Imager'
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Broadfoot, A. L.
1991-01-01
The miniature monochromatic imager (MMI) development work became the basis for the preparation of several instruments which were built and flown on the shuttle STS-39 as well as being used in ground based experiments. The following subject areas are covered: (1) applications of the ICCD to airglow and auroral measurements and (2) a panchromatic spectrograph with supporting monochromatic imagers.
MITHRAS: A Program of Simultaneous Radar Observations of the High-Latitude Auroral Zone.
1982-11-01
Latitude * and Time for Chatanika ..... ................. ... 38 111-5 Cross Polar Cap Potential Versus Solar-Wind Energy Parameter...49 vii 9 III-10 Scatter Plot of Pedersen Conductivities as a Function of Average Energy for Two Levels of Total...Precipitated Energy ....... ....... ......... .. 51 -IIl-1 For Initial Time and Steady State, (a) Latitudinal Profile of the Meridional Electric-Field
DMSP Spacecraft Charging in Auroral Environments
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Colson, Andrew; Minow, Joseph
2011-01-01
The Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft are a series of low-earth orbit (LEO) satellites whose mission is to observe the space environment using the precipitating energetic particle spectrometer (SSJ/4-5). DMSP satellites fly in a geosynchronous orbit at approx.840 km altitude which passes through Earth s ionosphere. The ionosphere is a region of partially ionized gas (plasma) formed by the photoionization of neutral atoms and molecules in the upper atmosphere of Earth. For satellites in LEO, such as DMSP, the plasma density is usually high and the main contributors to the currents to the spacecraft are the precipitating auroral electrons and ions from the magnetosphere as well as the cold plasma that constitutes the ionosphere. It is important to understand how the ionosphere and auroral electrons can accumulate surface charges on satellites because spacecraft charging has been the cause of a number of significant anomalies for on-board instrumentation on high altitude spacecraft. These range from limiting the sensitivity of measurements to instrument malfunction depending on the magnitude of the potential difference over the spacecraft surface. Interactive Data Language (IDL) software was developed to process SSJ/4-5 electron and ion data and to create a spectrogram of the particles number and energy fluxes. The purpose of this study is to identify DMSP spacecraft charging events and to present a preliminary statistical analysis. Nomenclature
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Winckler, J. R.; Erickson, K. N.; Abe, Y.; Steffen, J. E.; Malcolm, P. R.
1985-07-01
Orthogonal probes on a free-flying plasma diagnostics payload are used to study ELF electric disturbances in the auroral ionosphere that are due to the injection of powerful electron beams. Frequency spectrograms are presented for various pitch angles, pulsing characteristics, and other properties of the injected beams; the large scale DC ionospheric convection electric field is measured, together with auroral particle precipitation, visual auroral forms, and ionospheric parameters. In view of the experimental results obtained, it is postulated that the observed ELF waves are in the Alfven and drift modes, and are generated by the positive vehicle potential during beam injection.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sivjee, G. G.
1976-01-01
Auroral optical measurements made aboard NASA's CV 990 were analyzed. The measurements analyzed form a small part of extensive spectroscopic, photometric and photographic data gathered during the 1968 and 1969 Airborne Auroral Expeditions. Simultaneous particle measurements from ESRO IA satellite were used in the analysis. Information about magnetospheric boundaries, interaction between magnetosheath particles and the terrestrial ionosphere, the polar bulge in helium abundance and excitation mechanisms of the triplet state of atmospheric N2 in auroras was obtained. Further analysis of the data is required to elucidate the relation between 3466 and 5200 A emissions of NI and the excitation of 3726-3729 A emissions from atomic oxygen ions in auroras.
The spatial-temporal ambiguity in auroral modeling
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Rees, M. H.; Roble, R. G.; Kopp, J.; Abreu, V. J.; Rusch, D. W.; Brace, L. H.; Brinton, H. C.; Hoffman, R. A.; Heelis, R. A.; Kayser, D. C.
1980-01-01
The paper examines the time-dependent models of the aurora which show that various ionospheric parameters respond to the onset of auroral ionization with different time histories. A pass of the Atmosphere Explorer C satellite over Poker Flat, Alaska, and ground based photometric and photographic observations have been used to resolve the time-space ambiguity of a specific auroral event. The density of the O(+), NO(+), O2(+), and N2(+) ions, the electron density, and the electron temperature observed at 280 km altitude in a 50 km wide segment of an auroral arc are predicted by the model if particle precipitation into the region commenced about 11 min prior to the overpass.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Knudsen, David J.; Clemmons, James H.; Wahlund, Jan-Erik
1998-03-01
Observations of the lowest energy or core ions provide a particularly sensitive measure of the early stages of auroral ion energization. Freja satellite observations of 0-20 eV core ions in the topside auroral ionosphere and cusp/cleft show signs of heating within both regions of VLF hiss and broadband ELF plasma waves. However, heating to several eV or more is associated predominantly with the ELF waves. A correlation analysis of wave and core ion data formed from orbital segments shows that, on average, correlations are highest for wave frequencies below several hundred Hz, and less at VLF hiss frequencies. A similar analysis shows a higher correlation between electron precipitation and ion heating for electron energies below several hundred eV (i.e., the energies associated with suprathermal electron bursts) and a lower correlation above the 1 keV energies associated with auroral inverted-V's. Signs of core ion heating begin to appear when wave power at the O+ gyrofrequency exceeds about 10-3(mVm-1)2/Hz, and when the integrated field-aligned electron flux exceeds a few times 107cm-2s-1sr-1. This electron energy flux threshold is at least an order of magnitude lower than previously inferred from earlier studies comparing suprathermal electron fluxes and energetic ions. Almost all observed heating events occur during enhanced or active geomagnetic conditions; i.e., Kp>=4. While the most intense core ion heating is correlated with broadband ELF waves, we also present one example of weak ion heating of a few eV in a region of VLF auroral hiss.
Long-Term Variability of Jupiter's Magnetodisk and Implications for the Aurora
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Vogt, Marissa F.; Bunce, Emma J.; Nichols, Jonathan D.; Clarke, John T.; Kurth, William S.
2017-12-01
Observations of Jupiter's UV auroral emissions collected over several years show that the ionospheric positions of the main emission and the Ganymede footprint can vary by as much as 3° in latitude. One explanation for this shift is a change of Jupiter's current sheet current density, which would alter the amount of field line stretching and displace the ionospheric mapping of field lines from a given radial distance in the magnetosphere. In this study we measure the long-term variability of Jupiter's magnetodisk using Galileo magnetometer data collected from 1996 to 2003. Using the Connerney et al. (1981) current sheet model, we calculate the current sheet density parameter that gives the best fit to the data from each orbit and find that the current density parameter varies by about 15% of its average value during the Galileo era. We investigate possible relationships between the observed current sheet variability and quantities such as Io's plasma torus production rate inferred from volcanic activity and external solar wind conditions extrapolated from data at 1 AU but find only a weak correlation. Finally, we trace Khurana (1997) model field lines to show that the observed changes in Jupiter's current sheet are sufficient to shift the ionospheric footprint of Ganymede and main auroral emission by a few degrees of latitude, consistent with the magnitude of auroral variability observed by Hubble Space Telescope (HST). However, we find that the measured auroral shifts in HST images are not consistent with concurrent changes in the current density parameter measured by Galileo.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Knudsen, D. L.; Kabirzadeh, R.; Burchill, J. K.; Pfaff, Robert F.; Wallis, D. D.; Bounds, S. R.; Clemmons, J. H.; Pincon, J.-L.
2012-01-01
The Geoelectrodynamics and Electro-Optical Detection of Electron and SuprathermalIon Currents (GEODESIC) sounding rocket encountered more than 100 filamentary densitycavities associated with enhanced plasma waves at ELF (3 kHz) and VLF (310 kHz)frequencies and at altitudes of 800990 km during an auroral substorm. These cavities weresimilar in size (20 m diameter in most cases) to so-called lower-hybrid cavities (LHCs)observed by previous sounding rockets and satellites; however, in contrast, many of theGEODESIC cavities exhibited up to tenfold enhancements in magnetic wave powerthroughout the VLF band. GEODESIC also observed enhancements of ELF and VLFelectric fields both parallel and perpendicular to the geomagnetic field B0 within cavities,though the VLF E field increases were often not as large proportionally as seen in themagnetic fields. This behavior is opposite to that predicted by previously published theoriesof LHCs based on passive scattering of externally incident auroral hiss. We argue thatthe GEODESIC cavities are active wave generation sites capable of radiating VLF wavesinto the surrounding plasma and producing VLF saucers, with energy supplied by cold,upward flowing electron beams composing the auroral return current. This interpretation issupported by the observation that the most intense waves, both inside and outside cavities,occurred in regions where energetic electron precipitation was largely inhibited orabsent altogether. We suggest that the wave-enhanced cavities encountered by GEODESICwere qualitatively different from those observed by earlier spacecraft because of thefortuitous timing of the GEODESIC launch, which placed the payload at apogee within asubstorm-related return current during its most intense phase, lasting only a few minutes.
Saturn's North and South aurora observed by Cassini camera in visible wavelengths.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dyudina, U.; Ingersoll, A. P.; Wellington, D.; Ewald, S. P.; Porco, C.
2011-10-01
We present 2009-2010 movies from the Cassini camera showing Saturn's aurora in both the northern and southern hemispheres. The observations reveal reddish color of the aurora observed in filters spanning different wavelengths from 250 nm to 1000 nm. The prominent H-alpha line and the overall spectral shape agree with predicted spectra for Saturnian auroras [1]. Two 400+ frame movies, one in the northern hemisphere from October 5-9, 2009, and the other in the southern hemisphere from June 26, 2010, show the aurora varying dramatically with longitude and rotating together with Saturn. The main longitudinal structure of the aurora can persist for ~3 days, as seen on the repeated views of the same longitudes several Saturn rotations later. Besides the steady main structure, aurora may brighten suddenly on the timescales on the order of 10 minutes. Near the limb the height of the auroral curtains above its base can be measured; this height can reach more than 1200 km. The main auroral oval in the northern hemisphere appears near 75° latitude. The main auroral oval in the southern hemisphere appears near -72° latitude, with smaller instances of auroral activity near -75° and -77°. The stability of the longitudinal structure of the aurora allow us to estimate its period of rotation to be 10.65 +/- 0.05 h, which is consistent to the SKR period detected by Cassini in 2009. These periods are also close to the rotation period of the lightning storms on Saturn. We will discuss those periodicities and their relation to Saturn's rotation.
Juno‐UVS approach observations of Jupiter's auroras
Versteeg, M. H.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hue, V.; Davis, M. W.; Gérard, J.‐C.; Grodent, D. C.; Bonfond, B.; Nichols, J. D.; Wilson, R. J.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Bolton, S. J.; Levin, S. M.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Adriani, A.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; Valek, P.; McComas, D. J.; Orton, G. S.; Bagenal, F.
2017-01-01
Abstract Juno ultraviolet spectrograph (UVS) observations of Jupiter's aurora obtained during approach are presented. Prior to the bow shock crossing on 24 June 2016, the Juno approach provided a rare opportunity to correlate local solar wind conditions with Jovian auroral emissions. Some of Jupiter's auroral emissions are expected to be controlled or modified by local solar wind conditions. Here we compare synoptic Juno‐UVS observations of Jupiter's auroral emissions, acquired during 3–29 June 2016, with in situ solar wind observations, and related Jupiter observations from Earth. Four large auroral brightening events are evident in the synoptic data, in which the total emitted auroral power increases by a factor of 3–4 for a few hours. Only one of these brightening events correlates well with large transient increases in solar wind ram pressure. The brightening events which are not associated with the solar wind generally have a risetime of ~2 h and a decay time of ~5 h. PMID:28989207
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Evans, David S.
1987-01-01
The problems concerning the aurora posed prior to the war are now either solved in principle or were restated in a more fundamental form. The pre-war hypothesis concerning the nature of the auroral particles and their energies was fully confirmed, with the exception that helium and oxygen ions were identified as participating in the auroral particle precipitation in addition to the protons. The nature of the near-Earth energization processes affecting auroral particles was clarified. Charged particle trajectories in various electric field geometries were modeled. The physical problems have now moved from determining the nature and geometry of the electric fields, which accelerate charged particles near the Earth, to accounting for the existence of these electric fields as a natural consequence of the solar wind's interaction with Earth. Ultimately the reward in continuing the work in auroral and magnetospheric particle dynamics will be a deeper understanding of the subtleties of classical electricity and magnetism as applied to situations not blessed with well-defined and invariant geometries.
Morphology of Southern Hemisphere Riometer Auroral Absorption
2006-06-01
Departamento de Geofísica Universidad de Concepción, Concepción CHILE foppiano@udec.cl ABSTRACT A morphology of riometer auroral absorption is...PROJECT NUMBER 5e. TASK NUMBER 5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER 7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) Departamento de Geofísica Universidad de ...range of frequencies used an inverse -square frequency dependence approximately holds. Morphology of Southern Hemisphere Riometer Auroral Absorption
Comparative Statistical Analysis of Auroral Models
2012-03-22
was willing to add this project to her extremely busy schedule. Lastly, I must also express my sincere appreciation for the rest of the faculty and...models have been extensively used for estimating GPS and other communication satellite disturbances ( Newell et al., 2010a). The auroral oval...models predict changes in the auroral oval in response to various geomagnetic conditions. In 2010, Newell et al. conducted a comparative study of
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bhardwaj, Anil; Elsner, Ronald F.; Waite, J. Hunter, Jr.; Gladstone, G. Randall; Cravens, Thomas E.; Ford, Peter G.
2005-01-01
Saturn was observed by Chandra ACIS-S on 20 and 26-27 January 2004 for one full Saturn rotation (10.7 hr) at each epoch. We report here the first observation of an X-ray flare from Saturn s non-auroral (low-latitude) disk, which is seen in direct response to an M6-class flare emanating from a sunspot that was clearly visible from both Saturn and Earth. Saturn s X-ray emissions are found to be highly variable on time scales of tens of minutes to weeks. Unlike Jupiter, X-rays from Saturn s polar (auroral) region have characteristics similar to those from its disk and varies in brightness inversely to the FUV auroral emissions observed by the Hubble Space Telescope. This report establishes that disk X-ray emissions of the giant planets Saturn and Jupiter are directly regulated by processes happening on the Sun. We suggest that these emissions could be monitored to study X-ray flaring from solar active regions when they are on the far side and not visible to Near-Earth space weather satellites.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Collier, Michael R.; Chornay, D.; Clemmons, J.; Keller, J. W.; Klenzing, J.; Kujawski, J.; McLain, J.; Pfaff, R.; Rowland, D.; Zettergren, M.
2015-01-01
We report initial results from the VISualizing Ion Outflow via Neutral atom imaging during a Substorm (VISIONS) rocket that flew through and near several regions of enhanced auroral activity and also sensed regions of ion outflow both remotely and directly. The observed neutral atom fluxes were largest at the lower energies and generally higher in the auroral zone than in the polar cap. In this paper, we focus on data from the latter half of the VISIONS trajectory when the rocket traversed the polar cap region. During this period, many of the energetic neutral atom spectra show a peak at 100 electronvolts. Spectra with peaks around 100 electronvolts are also observed in the Electrostatic Ion Analyzer (EIA) data consistent with these ions comprising the source population for the energetic neutral atoms. The EIA observations of this low energy population extend only over a few tens of kilometers. Furthermore, the directionality of the arriving energetic neutral atoms is consistent with either this spatially localized source of energetic ions extending from as low as about 300 kilometers up to above 600 kilometers or a larger source of energetic ions to the southwest.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sivjee, G.; McEwen, D.; Walterscheid, R.
2003-01-01
The Polar Cap is the Upper-Atmosphere cum Mag-netosphere region which is enclosed by the poleward boundary of the Auroral Oval and is threaded by open geomagnetic tield lines. In this region, there is normally a steady precipition (Polar "drizzle") of low energy (w 300eV) electrons that excite optical emissions from the ionosphere. At times, enhanced ionization patches are formed near the Dayside Cusp regions that drift across the Polar Cap towards the Night Sector of the Auroral Oval. Discrete auroral arcs and auroras formed during Solar Magnetic Cloud (SMC)/Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) events are also observed in the Polar Cap. Spectrophotometric observations of all these Polar Cap phenomena provide a measure of the average energy as well a energy flux of the electrons precipitating in the Polar Cap region during these disturbances. Such measurements also point to modulations of the Polar Cap Mesosphere-Lower Thermosphere (MLT) air density and temperature by zonally symmetric tides whose Hough functions peak in the Polar region. MLT cooling during Stratospheric Warming events and their relation to Polar Vortex and associated Gravity wave activities are also observed at the Polar Cap sites.
Saturn's Auroral Response to the Solar Wind: Centrifugal Instability Model
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sittler, Edward C.; Blanc, Michel F.; Richardson, J. D.
2008-01-01
We describe a model initially presented by Sittler et al. [2006] which attempts to explain the global response of Saturn's magnetosphere and its corresponding auroral behavior to variations in the solar wind. The model was derived from published simultaneous Hubble Space Telescope (HST) auroral images and Cassini upstream measurements taken during the month of January 2004. These observations show a direct correlation between solar wind dynamic pressure and (1) auroral brightening toward dawn local time, (2) an increase of rotational movement of auroral features to as much as 75% of the corotation speed, (3) the movement of the auroral oval to higher latitudes and (4) an increase in the intensity of Saturn Kilometric Radiation (SKR). This model is an alternative to the reconnection model of Cowley et al. [2004a,b; 2005] which is more Earth-like while ours stresses rotation. If angular momentum is conserved in a global sense, then when compressed the magnetosphere will tend to spin up and when it expands will tend to spin down. With the plasma sheet outer boundary at L approximates 15 we argue this region to be the dominant source region for the precipitating particles. If radial transport is dominated by centrifugal driven flux tube interchange motions, then when the magnetosphere spins up, outward transport will increase, the precipitating particles will move radially outward and cause the auroral oval to move to higher latitudes as observed. The Kelvin-Helmholtz instability may contribute to the enhanced emission along the dawn meridian as observed by HST. We present this model in the context of presently published observations by Cassini.
The optical manifestation of dispersive field-aligned bursts in auroral breakup arcs
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dahlgren, H.; Semeter, J. L.; Marshall, R. A.; Zettergren, M.
2013-07-01
High-resolution optical observations of a substorm expansion show dynamic auroral rays with surges of luminosity traveling up the magnetic field lines. Observed in ground-based imagers, this phenomenon has been termed auroral flames, whereas the rocket signatures of the corresponding energy dispersions are more commonly known as field-aligned bursts. In this paper, observations of auroral flames obtained at 50 frames/s with a scientific-grade Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) sensor (30° × 30° field of view, 30 m resolution at 120 km) are used to provide insight into the nature of the precipitating electrons similar to high-resolution particle detectors. Thanks to the large field of view and high spatial resolution of this system, it is possible to obtain a first-order estimate of the temporal evolution in altitude of the volume emission rate from a single sensor. The measured volume emission rates are compared with the sum of modeled eigenprofiles obtained for a finite set of electron beams with varying energy provided by the TRANSCAR auroral flux tube model. The energy dispersion signatures within each auroral ray can be analyzed in detail during a fraction of a second. The evolution of energy and flux of the precipitation shows precipitation spanning over a large range of energies, with the characteristic energy dropping from 2.1 keV to 0.87 keV over 0.2 s. Oscillations at 2.4 Hz in the magnetic zenith correspond to the period of the auroral flames, and the acceleration is believed to be due to Alfvenic wave interaction with electrons above the ionosphere.
Jupiter's Aurora Observed With HST During Juno Orbits 3 to 7
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Grodent, Denis; Bonfond, B.; Yao, Z.; Gérard, J.-C.; Radioti, A.; Dumont, M.; Palmaerts, B.; Adriani, A.; Badman, S. V.; Bunce, E. J.; Clarke, J. T.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Gladstone, G. R.; Greathouse, T.; Kimura, T.; Kurth, W. S.; Mauk, B. H.; McComas, D. J.; Nichols, J. D.; Orton, G. S.; Roth, L.; Saur, J.; Valek, P.
2018-05-01
A large set of observations of Jupiter's ultraviolet aurora was collected with the Hubble Space Telescope concurrently with the NASA-Juno mission, during an eight-month period, from 30 November 2016 to 18 July 2017. These Hubble observations cover Juno orbits 3 to 7 during which Juno in situ and remote sensing instruments, as well as other observatories, obtained a wealth of unprecedented information on Jupiter's magnetosphere and the connection with its auroral ionosphere. Jupiter's ultraviolet aurora is known to vary rapidly, with timescales ranging from seconds to one Jovian rotation. The main objective of the present study is to provide a simplified description of the global ultraviolet auroral morphology that can be used for comparison with other quantities, such as those obtained with Juno. This represents an entirely new approach from which logical connections between different morphologies may be inferred. For that purpose, we define three auroral subregions in which we evaluate the auroral emitted power as a function of time. In parallel, we define six auroral morphology families that allow us to quantify the variations of the spatial distribution of the auroral emission. These variations are associated with changes in the state of the Jovian magnetosphere, possibly influenced by Io and the Io plasma torus and by the conditions prevailing in the upstream interplanetary medium. This study shows that the auroral morphology evolved differently during the five 2 week periods bracketing the times of Juno perijove (PJ03 to PJ07), suggesting that during these periods, the Jovian magnetosphere adopted various states.
Influence of Auroral Streamers on Rapid Evolution of Ionospheric SAPS Flows
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gallardo-Lacourt, Bea; Nishimura, Y.; Lyons, L. R.; Mishin, E. V.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Donovan, E. F.; Angelopoulos, V.; Nishitani, N.
2017-12-01
Subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) often show large, rapid enhancements above their slowly varying component. We present simultaneous observations from ground-based all-sky imagers and flows from the Super Dual Auroral Radar Network radars to investigate the relationship between auroral phenomena and flow enhancement. We first identified auroral streamers approaching the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval to examine how often the subauroral flow increased. We also performed the reverse query starting with subauroral flow enhancements and then evaluated the auroral conditions. In the forward study, 98% of the streamers approaching the equatorward boundary were associated with SAPS flow enhancements reaching 700 m/s and typically hundreds of m/s above background speeds. The reverse study reveals that flow enhancements associated with streamers (60%) and enhanced larger-scale convection (37%) contribute to SAPS flow enhancements. The strong correlation of auroral streamers with rapid evolution (approximately minutes) of SAPS flows suggests that transient fast earthward plasma sheet flows can often lead to westward SAPS flow enhancements in the subauroral region and that such enhancements are far more common than only during substorms because of the much more frequent occurrences of streamers under various geomagnetic conditions. We also found a strong correlation between flow duration and streamer duration and a weak correlation between SAPS flow velocity and streamer intensity. This result suggests that intense flow bursts in the plasma sheet (which correlate with intense streamers) are associated with intense SAPS ionospheric flows perhaps by enhancing the ring current pressure and localized pressure gradients when they are able to penetrate close enough to Earth.
Lessons learned from and the future for NASA's Small Explorer Program
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Newton, George P.
1991-01-01
NASA started the Small Explorer Program to provide space scientists with an opportunity to conduct space science research in the Explorer Program using scientific payloads launched on small-class expendable launch vehicles. A series of small payload, scientific missions was envisioned that could be launched at the rate of one to two missions per year. Three missions were selected in April 1989: Solar Anomalous and Magnetospheric Particle Explorer, Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer, and Sub-millimeter Wave Astronomy. These missions are planned for launch in June 1992, September 1994 and June 1995, respectively. At a program level, this paper presents the history, objectives, status, and lessons learned which may be applicable to similar programs, and discusses future program plans.
Effects of turbulence on a kinetic auroral arc model
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cornwall, J. M.; Chiu, Y. T.
1981-01-01
A plasma kinetic model of an inverted-V auroral arc structure which includes the effects of electrostatic turbulence is proposed. In the absence of turbulence, a parallel potential drop is supported by magnetic mirror forces and charge quasi neutrality, with energetic auroral ions penetrating to low altitudes; relative to the electrons, the ions' pitch angle distribution is skewed toward smaller pitch angles. The electrons energized by the potential drop form a current which excites electrostatic turbulence. In equilibrium the plasma is marginally stable. The conventional anomalous resistivity contribution to the potential drop is very small. Anomalous resistivity processes are far too dissipative to be powered by auroral particles. It is concluded that under certain circumstances equilibrium may be impossible and relaxation oscillations set in.
STS-60 Space Shuttle mission report
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Fricke, Robert W., Jr.
1994-01-01
The STS-60 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report summarizes the Payload activities as well as the Orbiter, External Tank (ET), Solid Rocket Booster (SRB), Redesigned Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM), and the Space Shuttle main engine (SSME) systems performance during the sixtieth flight of the Space Shuttle Program and eighteenth flight of the Orbiter vehicle Discovery (OV-103). In addition to the Orbiter, the flight vehicle consisted of an ET designated at ET-61 (Block 10); three SSME's which were designated as serial numbers 2012, 2034, and 2032 in positions 1, 2, and 3, respectively; and two SRB's which were designated BI-062. The RSRM's that were installed in each SRB were designated as 360L035A (lightweight) for the left SRB, and 360Q035B (quarterweight) for the right SRB. This STS-60 Space Shuttle Program Mission Report fulfills the Space Shuttle Program requirement as documented in NSTS 07700, Volume VIII, Appendix E. That document requires that each major organizational element supporting the Program report the results of its hardware evaluation and mission performance plus identify all related in-flight anomalies. The primary objectives of the STS-60 mission were to deploy and retrieve the Wake Shield Facility-1 (WSF-1), and to activate the Spacehab-2 payload and perform on-orbit experiments. Secondary objectives of this flight were to activate and command the Capillary Pumped Loop/Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Spheres/Breman Satellite Experiment/Getaway Special (GAS) Bridge Assembly (CAPL/ODERACS/BREMSAT/GBA) payload, the Auroral Photography Experiment-B (APE-B), and the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment-II (SAREX-II).
Time variations of oxygen emission lines and solar wind dynamic parameters in low latitude region
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jamlongkul, P.; Wannawichian, S.; Mkrtichian, D.; Sawangwit, U.; A-thano, N.
2017-09-01
Aurora phenomenon is an effect of collision between precipitating particles with gyromotion along Earth’s magnetic field and Earth’s ionospheric atoms or molecules. The particles’ precipitation occurs normally around polar regions. However, some auroral particles can reach lower latitude regions when they are highly energetic. A clear emission from Earth’s aurora is mostly from atomic oxygen. Moreover, the sun’s activities can influence the occurrence of the aurora as well. This work studies time variations of oxygen emission lines and solar wind parameters, simultaneously. The emission’s spectral lines were observed by Medium Resolution Echelle Spectrograph (MRES) along with 2.4 meters diameter telescope at Thai National Observatory, Intanon Mountain, Chiang Mai, Thailand. Oxygen (OI) emission lines were calibrated by Dech-Fits spectra processing program and Dech95 2D image processing program. The correlations between oxygen emission lines and solar wind dynamics will be analyzed. This result could be an evidence of the aurora in low latitude region.
An Auroral Boundary-Oriented Model of Subauroral Polarization Streams (SAPS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Landry, R. G.; Anderson, P. C.
2018-04-01
An empirical model of subauroral polarization stream (SAPS) electric fields has been developed using measurements of ion drifts and particle precipitation made by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program from 1987 to 2012 and Dynamics Explorer 2 as functions of magnetic local time (MLT), magnetic latitude, the auroral electrojet index (AE), hemisphere, and day of year. Over 500,000 subauroral passes are used. This model is oriented in degree magnetic latitude equatorward of the aurora and takes median values instead of the mean to avoid the contribution of low occurrence frequency subauroral ion drifts so that the model is representative of the much more common, latitudinally broad, low-amplitude SAPS field. The SAPS model is in broad agreement with previous statistical efforts in the variation of the SAPS field with MLT and magnetic activity level, although the median field is weaker. Furthermore, we find that the median SAPS field is roughly conjugate in both hemispheres for all seasons, with a maximum in SAPS amplitude and width found for 1800-2000 MLT. The SAPS amplitude is found to vary seasonally only from about 1800-2000 MLT, maximizing in both hemispheres during equinox months. Because this feature exists despite controlling for the AE index, it is suggested that this is due to a seasonal variation in the flux tube averaged ionospheric conductance at MLT sectors where it is more likely that one flux tube footprint is in darkness while the other is in daylight.
The DMSP Space Weather Sensors Data Archive Listing (1982-2013) and File Formats Descriptions
2014-08-01
environment sensors including the auroral particle spectrometer (SSJ), the fluxgate magnetometer (SSM), the topside thermal plasma monitor (SSIES... Fluxgate Magnetometer (SSM) for the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Block 5D-2, Flight 7, Instrument Papers, AFGL-TR-84-0225; ADA155229...Flux) SSM The fluxgate magnetometer . (Special Sensor, Magnetometer ) SSULI The ultraviolet limb imager SSUSI The ultraviolet spectrographic imager
A global model of the neutral thermosphere in magnetic coordinates based on AE-C data
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stehle, C. G.
1980-01-01
An empirical model of the global atomic oxygen and helium distributions in the thermosphere is developed in a magnetic coordinate system and compared to similar models which are expanded in geographic coordinates. The advantage of using magnetic coordinates is that fewer terms are needed to make predictions which are nearly identical to those which would be obtained from a geographic model with longitudinal and universal time corrections. Magnetic coordinates are more directly related to the major energy inputs in the polar regions than geographic coordinates and are more convenient to use in studies of high latitude energy deposition processes. This is important for comparison with theoretical models where the number of coordinates is limited. The effect of magnetic activity on the atomic oxygen distribution in the morning sector of the high latitude thermosphere in the auroral zone is also considered. A magnetic activity indicator (ML) based on an auroral electrojet index (AL) and the 3 hour ap index are used to relate the atomic oxygen density variations to magnetic activity in this region.
Kilometric radiation power flux dependence on area of discrete aurora
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Saflekos, N. A.; Burch, J. L.; Gurnett, D. A.; Anderson, R. R.; Sheehan, R. E.
1989-01-01
Kilometer wavelength radiation, measured from distant positions over the North Pole and over the Earth's equator, was compared to the area of discrete aurora imaged by several low-altitude spacecraft. Through correlative studies of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) with about two thousand auroral images, a stereoscopic view of the average auroral acceleration region was obtained. A major result is that the total AKR power increases as the area of the discrete auroral oval increases. The implications are that the regions of parallel potentials or the auroral plasma cavities, in which AKR is generated, must possess the following attributes: (1) they are shallow in altitude and their radial position depends on wavelength, (2) they thread flux tubes of small cross section, (3) the generation mechanism in them reaches a saturation limit rapidly, and (4) their distribution over the discrete auroral oval is nearly uniform. The above statistical results are true for large samples collected over a long period of time (about six months). In the short term, AKR frequently exhibits temporal variations with scales as short as three minutes (the resolution of the averaged data used). These fluctuations are explainable by rapid quenchings as well as fast starts of the electron cyclotron maser mechanism. There were times when AKR was present at substantial power levels while optical emissions were below instrument thresholds. A recent theoretical result may account for this set of observations by predicting that suprathermal electrons, of energies as low as several hundred eV, can generate second harmonic AKR. The indirect observations of second harmonic AKR require that these electrons have mirror points high above the atmosphere so as to minimize auroral light emissions. The results provide evidence supporting the electron cyclotron maser mechanism.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nishi, K.; Kazuo, S.
2017-12-01
The auroral finger-like structures appear in the equatorward part of the auroral oval in the diffuse auroral region, and contribute to the auroral fragmentation into patches during substorm recovery phase. In our previous presentations, we reported the first conjugate observation of auroral finger-like structures using the THEMIS GBO cameras and the THEMIS satellites, which was located at a radial distance of 9 Re in the dawnside plasma sheet. In this conjugate event, we found anti-phase fluctuation of plasma pressure and magnetic pressure with a time scale of 5-20 min in the plasma sheet. This observational fact is consistent with the idea that the finger-like structures are caused by a pressure-driven instability in the balance of plasma and magnetic pressures in the magnetosphere. Then we also searched simultaneous observation events of auroral finger-like structures with the RBSP satellites which have an apogee of 5.8 Re in the inner magnetosphere. Contrary to the first result, the observed variation of plasma and magnetic pressures do not show systematic phase relationship. In order to investigate these phase relationships between plasma and magnetic pressures in the magnetosphere, we statistically analyzed these pressure data using the THEMIS-E satellite for one year in 2011. In the preliminary analysis of pressure variation spectra, we found that out of phase relationship between magnetic and plasma pressures occupied 40 % of the entire period of study. In the presentation, we will discuss these results in the context of relationships between the pressure fluctuations and the magnetospheric instabilities that can cause auroral finger-like structures.
First Observations of 5fce Auroral Roar Emissions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Labelle, J. W.
2012-12-01
Auroral radio emissions reveal physics of beam-plasma interactions and provide possibilities to remotely sense ionospheric plasma processes. Sato et al. [2012] recently discovered that auroral roar emissions, long known to occur at two and three times the electron gyrofrequency (fce), also occur at 4fce. Using data from wave receivers in the British Antarctic Survey Automatic Geophysical Observatories (BAS AGOs), we confirm the existence of 4fce-roars and observe for the first time 5fce-roars. A search at higher frequencies did not find higher harmonics, however. Both 4fce- and 5fce-roars only occur in sunlit conditions near the summer soltices. The harmonic emissions scale as expected with the strength of the geomagnetic field, and combining data from four stations with a wide range of magnetic field strengths suggests that the source height of the 4fce may lie around 245 km, significantly lower than the ˜ 275 km estimated for 2fce-roars. These observations show that the auroral roar generation mechanism acts under a broader set of plasma densities than previously considered, highlight how ubiquitous and robust the mechanism must be in different plasma environments, and suggest a broader application for remote sensing methods exploiting auroral roar, such as those described by Weatherwax et al. [2002]. References: Sato, Y., T. Ono, N. Sato, and Y. Ogawa, First observations of 4fce auroral roar emissions, Geophys. Res. Lett., 39, L07101, doi:10.1029/2012GL051205, 2012. Weatherwax, A.T., P.H. Yoon, and J. LaBelle, Model results and interpretation related to topside observations of auroral roar, J. Geophys. Res., 107, 10.1029/2001JA000315, 2002.
Auroral magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling: A brief topical review
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chiu, Y. T.; Schulz, M.; Cornwall, J. M.
1979-01-01
Auroral arcs result from the acceleration and precipitation of magnetospheric plasma in narrow regions characterized by strong electric fields both perpendicular and parallel to the earth's magnetic field. The various mechanisms that were proposed for the origin of such strong electric fields are often complementary Such mechanisms include: (1) electrostatic double layers; (2) double reverse shock; (3) anomalous resistivity; (4) magnetic mirroring of hot plasma; and (5) mapping of the magnetospheric-convection electric field through an auroral discontinuity.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Brekke, A.; Doupnik, J. R.; Banks, P. M.
1974-01-01
Auroral zone E-region neutral winds have been derived from simultaneous measurements of ion drift velocities in different altitudes by the incoherent radar facility at Chatanika, Alaska, on a quiet day before and during the great magnetospheric storm of Aug. 3-9, 1972. The neutral wind expected for a day-night pressure asymmetry appears to be strongly opposed by ion drag and local pressure gradients in the auroral oval.
Pulsating aurora from electron scattering by chorus waves
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kasahara, S.; Miyoshi, Y.; Yokota, S.; Mitani, T.; Kasahara, Y.; Matsuda, S.; Kumamoto, A.; Matsuoka, A.; Kazama, Y.; Frey, H. U.; Angelopoulos, V.; Kurita, S.; Keika, K.; Seki, K.; Shinohara, I.
2018-02-01
Auroral substorms, dynamic phenomena that occur in the upper atmosphere at night, are caused by global reconfiguration of the magnetosphere, which releases stored solar wind energy. These storms are characterized by auroral brightening from dusk to midnight, followed by violent motions of distinct auroral arcs that suddenly break up, and the subsequent emergence of diffuse, pulsating auroral patches at dawn. Pulsating aurorae, which are quasiperiodic, blinking patches of light tens to hundreds of kilometres across, appear at altitudes of about 100 kilometres in the high-latitude regions of both hemispheres, and multiple patches often cover the entire sky. This auroral pulsation, with periods of several to tens of seconds, is generated by the intermittent precipitation of energetic electrons (several to tens of kiloelectronvolts) arriving from the magnetosphere and colliding with the atoms and molecules of the upper atmosphere. A possible cause of this precipitation is the interaction between magnetospheric electrons and electromagnetic waves called whistler-mode chorus waves. However, no direct observational evidence of this interaction has been obtained so far. Here we report that energetic electrons are scattered by chorus waves, resulting in their precipitation. Our observations were made in March 2017 with a magnetospheric spacecraft equipped with a high-angular-resolution electron sensor and electromagnetic field instruments. The measured quasiperiodic precipitating electron flux was sufficiently intense to generate a pulsating aurora, which was indeed simultaneously observed by a ground auroral imager.
Magnetosphere - ionosphere coupling process in the auroral region estimated from auroral tomography
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Tanaka, Y.; Ogawa, Y.; Kadokura, A.; Gustavsson, B.; Kauristie, K.; Whiter, D. K.; Enell, C. F. T.; Brandstrom, U.; Sergienko, T.; Partamies, N.; Kozlovsky, A.; Miyaoka, H.; Kosch, M. J.
2016-12-01
We have studied the magnetosphere - ionosphere coupling process by using multiple auroral images and the ionospheric data obtained by a campaign observation with multi-point imagers and the EISCAT UHF radar in Northern Europe. We observed wavy structure of discrete arcs around the magnetic zenith at Tromso, Norway, from 22:00 to 23:15 UT on March 14, 2015, followed by auroral breakup, poleward expansion, and pulsating auroras. During this interval, the monochromatic (427.8nm) images were taken at a sampling interval of 2 seconds by three EMCCD imagers and at an interval of 10 seconds by totally six imagers. The EISCAT UHF radar at Tromso measured the ionospheric parameters along the magnetic field line from 20 to 24 UT. We applied the tomographic inversion technique to these data set to retrieve 3D distribution of the 427.8nm emission, that enabled us to obtain the following quantities for the auroras that change from moment to moment; (1) the relation between the 427.8nm emission and the electron density enhancement along the field line, (2) the horizontal distribution of energy flux of auroral precipitating electrons, and (3) the horizontal distribution of height-integrated ionospheric conductivity. By combining those with the ionospheric equivalent current estimated from the ground-based magnetometer network, we discuss the current system of a sequence of the auroral event in terms of the magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling.
Using ultra-low frequency waves and their characteristics to diagnose key physics of substorm onset
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rae, I. J.; Murphy, K. R.; Watt, Clare E. J.; Mann, Ian R.; Yao, Zhonghua; Kalmoni, Nadine M. E.; Forsyth, Colin; Milling, David K.
2017-12-01
Substorm onset is marked in the ionosphere by the sudden brightening of an existing auroral arc or the creation of a new auroral arc. Also present is the formation of auroral beads, proposed to play a key role in the detonation of the substorm, as well as the development of the large-scale substorm current wedge (SCW), invoked to carry the current diversion. Both these phenomena, auroral beads and the SCW, have been intimately related to ultra-low frequency (ULF) waves of specific frequencies as observed by ground-based magnetometers. We present a case study of the absolute and relative timing of Pi1 and Pi2 ULF wave bands with regard to a small substorm expansion phase onset. We find that there is both a location and frequency dependence for the onset of ULF waves. A clear epicentre is observed in specific wave frequencies concurrent with the brightening of the substorm onset arc and the presence of "auroral beads". At higher and lower wave frequencies, different epicentre patterns are revealed, which we conclude demonstrate different characteristics of the onset process; at higher frequencies, this epicentre may demonstrate phase mixing, and at intermediate and lower frequencies these epicentres are characteristic of auroral beads and cold plasma approximation of the "Tamao travel time" from near-earth neutral line reconnection and formation of the SCW.
Sounding rocket study of auroral electron precipitation
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
McFadden, J.P.
1985-01-01
Measurement of energetic electrons in the auroral zone have proved to be one of the most useful tools in investigating the phenomena of auroral arc formation. This dissertation presents a detailed analysis of the electron data from two sounding rocket campaigns and interprets the measurements in terms of existing auroral models. The Polar Cusp campaign consisted of a single rocket launched from Cape Parry, Canada into the afternoon auroral zone at 1:31:13 UT on January 21, 1982. The results include the measurement of a narrow, magnetic field aligned electron flux at the edge of an arc. This electron precipitation wasmore » found to have a remarkably constant 1.2 eV temperature perpendicular to the magnetic field over a 200 to 900 eV energy range. The payload also made simultaneous measurements of both energetic electrons and 3-MHz plasma waves in an auroral arc. Analysis has shown that the waves are propagating in the upper hybrid band and should be generated by a positive slope in the parallel electron distribution. A correlation was found between the 3-MHz waves and small positive slopes in the parallel electron distribution but experimental uncertainties in the electron measurement were large enough to influence the analysis. The BIDARCA campaign consisted of two sounding rockets launched from Poker Flat and Fort Yukon, Alaska at 9:09:00 UT and 9:10:40 UT on February 7, 1984.« less
The Relationship of Magnetotail Flow Bursts and Ground Onset Signatures
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kepko, Larry; Spanswick, Emma; Angelopoulos, Vassilis; Donovan, Eric
2010-01-01
It has been known for decades that auroral substorm onset occurs on (or at least near) the most equatorward auroral arc, which is thought to map to the near geosynchronous region. The lack of auroral signatures poleward of this arc prior to onset has been a major criticism of flow-burst driven models of substorm onset. The combined THEMIS 5 spacecraft in-situ and ground array measurements provide an unprecedented opportunity to examine the causal relationship between midtail plasma flows, aurora, and ground magnetic signatures. I first present an event from 2008 using multi-spectral all sky imager data from Gillam and in-situ data from THEMIS. The multispectral data indicate an equatorward moving auroral form prior to substorm onset. When this forms reaches the most equatorward arc, the arc brightens and an auroral substorm begins. The THEMIS data show fast Earthward flows prior to onset as well. I discuss further the association of flow bursts and Pi2 pulsations, in the con text of the directly-driven Pi2 model. This model directly links flows and Pi2 pulsations, providing an important constraint on substorm onset theories.
A mathematical model of the structure and evolution of small scale discrete auroral arcs
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Seyler, C. E.
1990-01-01
A three dimensional fluid model which includes the dispersive effect of electron inertia is used to study the nonlinear macroscopic plasma dynamics of small scale discrete auroral arcs within the auroral acceleration zone and ionosphere. The motion of the Alfven wave source relative to the magnetospheric and ionospheric plasma forms an oblique Alfven wave which is reflected from the topside ionosphere by the negative density gradient. The superposition of the incident and reflected wave can be described by a steady state analytical solution of the model equations with the appropriate boundary conditions. This two dimensional discrete auroral arc equilibrium provides a simple explanation of auroral acceleration associated with the parallel electric field. Three dimensional fully nonlinear numerical simulations indicate that the equilibrium arc configuration evolves three dimensionally through collisionless tearing and reconnection of the current layer. The interaction of the perturbed flow and the transverse magnetic field produces complex transverse structure that may be the origin of the folds and curls observed to be associated with small scale discrete arcs.
High Altitude Plasma Instrument (HAPI) data analysis
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Burch, J. L.
1994-01-01
The objectives of the Dynamics Explorer mission are to investigate the coupling of energy, mass, and momentum among the earth's magnetosphere, ionosphere, and upper atmosphere. At launch, on August 3, 1981, DE-1 was placed into an elliptical polar orbit having an apogee of 23,130 km to allow global auroral imaging and crossings of auroral field lines at altitudes of several thousand kilometers. At the same time DE-2 was placed into a polar orbit, coplanar with that of DE-1 but with a perigee altitude low enough (309 km) for neutral measurements and an apogee altitude of 1012 km. The DE-1 High Altitude Plasma Instrument (HAPI) provided data on low and medium energy electrons and ions from August 13, 1981 until December 1, 1981, when a high-voltage failure occured. Analysis of HAPI data for the time period of this contract has produced new results on the source mechanisms for electron conical distributions, particle acceleration phenomena in auroral acceleration regions, Birkeland currents throughout the nightside auroral regions, the source region for auroral kilometric radiation (AKR), and plasma injection phenomena in the polar cusp.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pfaff, R.; Liebrecht, C.; Berthelier, J.-J.; Parrot, M.; Lebreton, J.-P.
2008-01-01
Detailed observations of the plasma structure and irregularities that characterize the topside ionosphere at sub-auroral, middle, and low-latitudes are presented that were gathered with probes on the DEMETER and DMSP satellites during geomagnetic storms. Data from successive orbits reveal how the density structure and irregularities evolve with changes in the Dst. The observations reveal that precisely during the main phase of severe geomagnetic storms, increased ambient plasma densities and broad regions of irregularities are observed at 700 km, initially at storm commencement near the magnetic equator and then extending to mid- and sub-auroral latitudes within the approximately 8 hour period corresponding to the negative Dst excursions. Furthermore, intense, broadband electric and magnetic field irregularities are often observed at sub-auroral latitudes and are typically associated with the trough region and its poleward plasma density gradient. The observations provide a general framework showing how low, mid, and sub-auroral latitude plasma density structuring and associated irregularities respond to geomagnetic storms.
Correlations between solar wind parameters and auroral kilometric radiation intensity
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gallagher, D. L.; Dangelo, N.
1981-01-01
The relationship between solar wind properties and the influx of energy into the nightside auroral region as indicated by the intensity of auroral kilometric radiation is investigated. Smoothed Hawkeye satellite observations of auroral radiation at 178, 100 and 56.2 kHz for days 160 through 365 of 1974 are compared with solar wind data from the composite Solar Wind Plasma Data Set, most of which was supplied by the IMP-8 spacecraft. Correlations are made between smoothed daily averages of solar wind ion density, bulk flow speed, total IMF strength, electric field, solar wind speed in the southward direction, solar wind speed multiplied by total IMF strength, the substorm parameter epsilon and the Kp index. The greatest correlation is found between solar wind bulk flow speed and auroral radiation intensity, with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.78 for the 203 daily averages examined. A possible mechanism for the relationship may be related to the propagation into the nightside magnetosphere of low-frequency long-wavelength electrostatic waves produced in the magnetosheath by the solar wind.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sharp, R. D.
1975-01-01
Satellite observations of auroral electrojets, electron fluxes, and magnetic storm activity are presented and discussed. Plasma-particle interactions are examined for the earth's magnetosphere, and data (i.e., magnetograms) of the satellite observations are analyzed.
The sunspots and the auroral displays of the Maunder Minimum
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Rek, Radosław
2016-06-01
The period in years 1645-1715 (or 1717 what can be concluded from an earlier text by tet{Maunder1894} stays in opinion of a part of scientists as an example of very low level of solar activity in the past. A new findings of archival reports appear to confirm that the level of solar activity was in fact higher.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Reiff, P. H.; Collin, H. L.; Craven, J. D.; Burch, J. L.; Winningham, J. D.
1988-01-01
The auroral electrostatic potential differences were determined from the particle distribution functions obtained nearly simultaneously above and below the auroral acceleration region by DE-1 at altitudes 9000-15,000 km and DE-2 at 400-800 km. Three independent techniques were used: (1) the peak energies of precipitating electrons observed by DE-2, (2) the widening of loss cones for upward traveling electrons observed by DE-1, and (3) the energies of upgoing ions observed by DE-1. The assumed parallel electrostatic potential difference calculated by the three methods was nearly the same. The results confirmed the hypothesis that parallel electrostatic fields of 1-10 kV potential drop at 1-2 earth radii altitude are an important source for auroral particle acceleration.
Auroral Phenomenology and Magnetospheric Processes: Earth and Other Planets
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Schultz, Colin
2013-07-01
The dancing glow of the aurorae, the long tendrils of light that seem to reach up into space, has mesmerized scientists for centuries. More than a beautiful display, the aurorae tell us about the Earth—about its atmosphere, its magnetic field, and its relationship with the Sun. As technology developed, researchers looking beyond Earth's borders discovered an array of auroral processes on planets throughout the solar system. In the AGU monograph Auroral Phenomenology and Magnetospheric Processes: Earth and Other Planets, editors Andreas Keiling, Eric Donovan, Fran Bagenal, and Tomas Karlsson explore the many open questions that permeate the science of auroral physics and the relatively recent field of extraterrestrial aurorae. In this interview, Eos talks to Karlsson about extraterrestrial aurorae, Alfvén waves, and the sounds of the northern lights.
Luminosity variations in several parallel auroral arcs before auroral breakup
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Safargaleev, V.; Lyatsky, W.; Tagirov, V.
1997-08-01
Variation of the luminosity in two parallel auroral arcs before auroral breakup has been studied by using digitised TV-data with high temporal and spatial resolution. The intervals when a new arc appears near already existing one were chosen for analysis. It is shown, for all cases, that the appearance of a new arc is accompanied by fading or disappearance of another arc. We have named these events out-of-phase events, OP. Another type of luminosity variation is characterised by almost simultaneous enhancement of intensity in the both arcs (in-phase event, IP). The characteristic time of IP events is 10-20 s, whereas OP events last about one minute. Sometimes out-of-phase events begin as IP events. The possible mechanisms for OP and IP events are discussed.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fernandes, P. A.; Lynch, K. A.; Hysell, D. L.; Powell, S.; Miceli, R.; Hampton, D. L.; Ahrns, J.; Lessard, M.; Cohen, I. J.; Moen, J. I.; Bekkeng, T.
2012-12-01
The nightside sounding rocket MICA (Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén Resonator) launched from Poker Flat, AK, on February 19, 2012, and reached an apogee of 325km. MICA was launched into several discrete, localized arcs in the wake of a westward traveling surge. The MICA instrumentation included both in situ and ground based instruments, and was designed to measure the response of the ionosphere to an auroral driver. More specifically, the science goal was to measure response of the ionosphere to a feedback instability in the ionospheric Alfvén resonator. The MICA payload included in situ particle, electric and magnetic field, and GPS instruments. The ground-based array consisted of a multitude of imagers, coherent and incoherent scatter radars, and a Fabry-Perot interferometer. We present observational characteristics of the response of the ionospheric plasma to the auroral drivers inferred from inverting camera data. We compare the measured precipitating electron population to inversions of camera images, which use a transport model to infer a 2D map of the precipitation. Comparisons show that as the payload passes through what appears to be an Alfvénic auroral arc, the in situ electron instrument shows dispersions indicative of Alfvénic activity. We then introduce measurements of the thermal ion distribution, to examine how the auroral arcs drive a response in the ionosphere. The thermal ion data show that the payload potential strengthens as the payload passes through the arc. When including electron density, temperature, and electric field data, we observe times in which the ionospheric environment changes as the precipitation changes, and times during which there is no measured response by the ionosphere. Future work will compare how the ion bulk flow as measured by the thermal ion instrument compares to the ExB drift as measured by the electric field instrument and to the neutral wind measurements from the Fabry-Perot interferometer. Further analysis of the particle data will yield the ion temperature, whose validity we will quantify by comparison to sheath models.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Patel, K.; MacDonald, E.; Case, N.; Hall, M.; Clayton, J.; Heavner, M.; Tapia, A.; Lalone, N.; McCloat, S.
2015-12-01
On March 17, 2015, a geomagnetic storm—the largest of the solar cycle to date— hit Earth and gave many sky watchers around the world a beautiful auroral display. People made thousands of aurora-related tweets and direct reports to Aurorasaurus.org, an interdisciplinary citizen science project that tracks auroras worldwide in real-time through social media and the project's apps and website. Through Aurorasaurus, researchers are converting these crowdsourced observations into valuable data points to help improve models of where aurora can be seen. In this presentation, we will highlight how the team communicates with the public during these global, sporadic events to help drive and retain participation for Aurorasaurus. We will highlight some of the co-produced scientific results and increased media interest following this event. Aurorasaurus uses mobile apps, blogging, and a volunteer scientist network to reach out to aurora enthusiasts to engage in the project. Real-time tweets are voted on by other users to verify their accuracy and are pinned on a map located on aurorasaurus.org to help show the instantaneous, global auroral visibility. Since the project launched in October 2014, hundreds of users have documented the two largest geomagnetic storms of this solar cycle. In some cases, like for the St. Patrick's Day storm, users even reported seeing aurora in areas different than aurora models suggested. Online analytics indicate these events drive users to our page and many also share images with various interest groups on social media. While citizen scientists provide observations, Aurorasaurus gives back by providing tools to help the public see and understand the aurora. When people verify auroral sightings in a specific area, the project sends out alerts to nearby users of possible auroral visibility. Aurorasaurus team members around the world also help the public understand the intricacies of space weather and aurora science through blog articles, infographics, and quizzes. The project holds public engagement events during large storms via social media "hangouts" where anyone can ask our space weather scientists questions on the recent activity. Focused on long-term engagement, we will discuss our strategies for expanding and retaining this new community and lessons learned.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bhardwaj, Anil; Elsner, Ronald F.; Gladstone, G. Randall; Cravens, Thomas E.; Waiate J. Hunter, Jr.; Branduardi-Raymont, Graziella; Ford, Peter
2004-01-01
Chandra observed X-rays from Jupiter during 24-26 February 2003 for about 40 hours with the ACIS-S and HRC-I instruments. The analysis of Jovian low-latitude "disk" Xray emissions are presented and compared with the high-latitude "auroral" emissions. We report the first Chandra ACIS-S measured X-ray spectrum (0.3-2 keV) of Jupiter's low-latitude disk The disk X-ray emission is harder and extends to higher energies than the auroral spectrum. The temporal variation in the Jovian disk X-rays is on an average consistent with those in the solar X-rays observed by GOES, and TIMED/SSE. Contrary to the auroral X-rays, the disk emissions are uniformly distributed over Jupiter; no indication of longitudinal dependence or correlation with surface magneh field strength is visible. Also, unlike the approx. 40 +/- 20 min periodic oscillations seen in the auroral X-ray emissions, the disk emissions do not show any periodic oscillations. The disk spectrum seems to be consistent with resonant and fluorescent scattering of solar X-rays by the Jovian upper atmosphere. Jupiter's disk is found to be about 50% dimmer in soft X-rays in February 2003 compared that in December 2000, which is consistent with the decrease in solar activity. No evidence of lightning-induced X-rays is seen in the Chandra X-ray data. The Jovian disk spectra observed with Chandra-ACIS is stronger than that observed with XMM-Newton two months later during April 28-29, 2003. The XMM-Newton Xray image of Jupiter shows evidence of limb darkening on the anti-sunward side as seen from Earth, as well as an asymmetry with respect to the subsolar point: suggesting a solar driven process.
Field-aligned current and auroral Hall current characteristics derived from the Swarm constellation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Tao; Wang, Hui; Hermann, Luehr
2017-04-01
On the basis of field-aligned currents (FACs) and Hall currents derived from high-resolution magnetic field data of the Swarm constellation the average characteristics of these two current systems in the auroral regions are comprehensively investigated by statistical methods. This is the first study considering both current types simultaneously and for both hemispheres. The FAC distribution, derived from the Swarm dual-spacecraft approach, reveals the well-known features of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) FACs. At high latitudes, Region 0 (R0) FACs appear on the dayside. Their direction depends on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component. Of particular interest is the distribution of auroral Hall currents. The most prominent auroral electrojets are found to be closely controlled by the solar wind input. But there is no dependence on the IMF By orientation. The eastward electrojet is about twice as strong in summer as in winter. Conversely, the westward electrojet shows less dependence on season. Part of the electrojet current is closed over the polar cap. Here the seasonal variation of conductivity mainly controls the current density. There is a clear channeling of return currents over the polar cap. Depending on IMF By orientation most of the current is flowing either on the dawn or dusk side. The direction of Hall currents in the noon sector depends directly on the orientation of the IMF By. This is true for both signs of the IMF Bz component. But largest differences between summer and winter seasons are found for northward IMF Bz. Around the midnight sector the westward substorm electrojet is dominating. As expected, it is highly dependent on magnetic activity, but shows only little response to the IMF By polarity.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Verkhoglyadova, O. P.; Tsurutani, B. T.; Mannucci, A. J.; Mlynczak, M. G.; Hunt, L. A.; Paxton, L. J.
2014-08-01
A series of four geomagnetic storms (the minimum SYM-H~-148 nT) occurred during the March 6-17, 2012 in the ascending phase of the solar cycle 24. This interval was selected by CAWSES II for its campaign. The GPS total electron content (TEC) database and JPL's Global Ionospheric Maps (GIM) were used to study vertical TEC (VTEC) for different local times and latitude ranges. The largest response to geomagnetic activity is shown in increases of the low-latitude dayside VTEC. Several GPS sites feature post-afternoon VTEC “bite-outs”. During Sudden Impulse (SI+) event on March 8th a peak daytime VTEC restores to about quiet-time values. It is shown that the TIMED/SABER zonal flux of nitric oxide (NO) infrared cooling radiation correlates well with auroral heating. A factor of ~5 cooling increase is noted in some storms. The cooling radiation intensifies in the auroral zone and spreads towards the equator. Effects of the storm appear at lower latitudes ~18.6 h later. The column density ratio Σ[O/N2] is analyzed based on TIMED/GUVI measurements. Both increases (at low latitudes) and decreases (from auroral to middle latitudes) in the ratio occurs during the geomagnetic storms. We suggest that the column density ratio could be enhanced at low to middle latitudes on the dayside partially due to the superfountain effect (atomic oxygen uplift due to ion-neutral drag). It is suggested that decreases in the Σ[O/N2] ratio at high to middle-latitudes may be caused by high thermospheric temperatures. During SI+s, there is an increase in Σ[O/N2] ratio at auroral latitudes.
Research to Operations Transition of an Auroral Specification and Forecast Model
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Jones, J.; Sanders, S.; Davis, B.; Hedrick, C.; Mitchell, E. J.; Cox, J. M.
Aurorae are generally caused by collisions of high-energy precipitating electrons and neutral molecules in Earth’s polar atmosphere. The electrons, originating in Earth’s magnetosphere, collide with oxygen and nitrogen molecules driving them to an excited state. As the molecules return to their normal state, a photon is released resulting in the aurora. Aurora can become troublesome for operations of UHF and L-Band radars since these radio frequencies can be scattered by these abundant free electrons and excited molecules. The presence of aurorae under some conditions can lead to radar clutter or false targets. It is important to know the state of the aurora and when radar clutter is likely. For this reason, models of the aurora have been developed and used in an operational center for many decades. Recently, a data-driven auroral precipitation model was integrated into the DoD operational center for space weather. The auroral precipitation model is data-driven in a sense that solar wind observations from the Lagrangian point L1 are used to drive a statistical model of Earth’s aurorae to provide nowcasts and short-duration forecasts of auroral activity. The project began with a laboratory-grade prototype and an algorithm theoretical basis document, then through a tailored Agile development process, deployed operational-grade code to a DoD operational center. The Agile development process promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary development, early delivery, continuous improvement, regular collaboration with the customer, and encourages rapid and flexible response to customer-driven changes. The result was an operational capability that met customer expectations for reliability, security, and scientific accuracy. Details of the model and the process of operational integration are discussed as well as lessons learned to improve performance on future projects.
Comprehensive Ionospheric Polar and Auroral Observations for Solar Minimum of Cycle 23/24
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sojka, Jan J.; Nicolls, Michael; van Eyken, Anthony; Heinselman, Craig
Only the incoherent scatter radar (ISR) is able to simultaneously measure full profiles of elec-tron density, ion temperature, and electron temperatures through the E-and F-layers of the terrestrial ionosphere. Historically ISR's have been operated for periods much less than a month. Hence, their measurements do not constitute a continuous sequence from which quiet, disturbed, and storm periods can reliably be discerned. This is particularly true in the auroral and polar regions. During the International Polar Year (IPY) two ISRs achieved close to 24/7 continuous observations. This presentation describes their data sets and specifically how they can provide the IRI with a fiduciary E-and F-region ionosphere descriptions for solar minimum conditions at auroral and polar cap locations. The ionospheric description being electron den-sity, ion temperature, electron temperature, and even molecular ion composition profiles from as low as 90 km extending several scale heights above the F-layer peak. The auroral location is Poker Flat in Alaska at 65.4° N, 147.5° W where the NSF's new Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) is located. During solar minimum conditions this location is in the auroral region for most of the day and is at mid-latitudes, equatorward of the cusp, for about 4 to 8 hours per day dependent upon geomagnetic activity. In contrast the polar location is Svalbard, at 78° N, 16° E where the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) is located. For most of the day the ESR is in the Northern Polar Cap often with a noon sector passage through the dayside cusp. Of unique relevance to IRI is that these extended observations have enabled the ionospheric morphology to be demarked between quiet and disturbed. During the IPY year, 1 March 2007 to 29 February 2008, a total of 50 solar wind corotating interaction regions (CIRs) impacted geospace. Each CIR has a one-to-three day geomagnetic disturbance that is observed in the ISR auroral and polar observations. Hence, this data set enables the quiet-background ionosphere to be established as a function of season and local time. This quiet-background ionosphere has the unique attribute that it has self-consistent altitude profiles of the density and the temper-ature. This we believe is a true fiduciary reference for the IRI in a high latitude region, that is otherwise particularly difficult to quantify.
V and V Efforts of Auroral Precipitation Models: Preliminary Results
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zheng, Yihua; Kuznetsova, Masha; Rastaetter, Lutz; Hesse, Michael
2011-01-01
Auroral precipitation models have been valuable both in terms of space weather applications and space science research. Yet very limited testing has been performed regarding model performance. A variety of auroral models are available, including empirical models that are parameterized by geomagnetic indices or upstream solar wind conditions, now casting models that are based on satellite observations, or those derived from physics-based, coupled global models. In this presentation, we will show our preliminary results regarding V&V efforts of some of the models.
Magnetospheric and auroral plasmas: A short survey of progress, 1971 - 1975
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Frank, L. A.
1975-01-01
Milestones in researches of auroral and magnetospheric plasmas for the past quadrennium 1971 - 1975 are reviewed. Findings, including those of the polar cusp, the polar wind, the explosive disruptions of the magnetotail, the interactions of hot plasmas with the plasmapause, the auroral field-aligned currents, and the striking 'inverted-V' electron precipitation events, are reported. Solutions to major questions concerning the origins and acceleration of these plasmas are discussed. A comprehensive bibliography of current research is included.
Mid-latitude Plasma Irregularities During Sub-Auroral Polarization Streams
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Smith, N.; Loper, R. D.
2017-12-01
Geomagnetic storming impacts the ionosphere in different ways at different latitudes. In the mid latitudes, Sub-Auroral Polarization Streams (SAPS) may trigger a redistribution of plasma leading to the creation of ionospheric troughs, storm enhanced density plumes, and acceleration of sub-auroral ion drifts. Solar cycle data, real time space weather satellite data, and radar data will be analyzed to study mid-latitude plasma densities and characterize the plasma anomalies SAPS create in order to increase short-term mid-latitude space weather forecasting.
Cusp and LLBL as Sources of the Isolated Dayside Auroral Feature During Northward IMF
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chang, S.-W.; Gallagher, D. L.; Spann, J. F.; Mende, S. B.; Greenwald, R. A.; Newell, P. T.
2004-01-01
An intense dayside proton aurora was observed by Imager for Magnetopause-to- Aurora Global Exploration Far Ultra-Violet imager (IMAGE FUV) for an extensive period of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on 17 and 18 September 2000. This aurora partially coincided with the auroral oval and intruded farther poleward into the polar cap, and it showed longitudinal motions in response to IMF By variation. Intense magnetosheath-like electron and ion precipitations have been simultaneously detected by Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) above the poleward portion of the high-latitude dayside aurora. They resemble the typical plasmas observed in the low-altitude cusp. However, less intense electrons and more energetic ions were detected over the equatonvard part of the aurora. These plasmas are closer to the low-latitude boundary layer (LLBL) plasmas. Under strongly northward IMF, global ionospheric convection derived from Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radar measurements showed a four-cell pattern with sunward convection in the middle of the dayside polar cap and the dayside aurora corresponded to two different convection cells. This result further supports two source regions for the aurora. The cusp proton aurora is on open magnetic field lines convecting sunward whereas the LLBL proton aurora is on closed field lines convecting antisunward. These IMAGE, DMSP, and SuperDARN observations reveal the structure and dynamics of the aurora and provide strong evidence for magnetic merging occurring at the high-latitude magnetopause poleward from the cusp. This merging process was very likely quasi-stationary.
UV Remote Sensing Data Products - Turning Data Into Knowledge
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Weiss, M.; Paxton, L.; Schaefer, R. K.; Comberiate, J.; Hsieh, S. W.; Romeo, G.; Wolven, B. C.; Zhang, Y.
2013-12-01
The DMSP/SSUSI instruments have been taking UV images of the upper atmosphere for more than a decade. Each of the SSUSI instruments takes complete global UV images on a daily basis. Although this scientific data is very valuable, it is not actionable information. Perhaps the simplest use of SSUSI data is the assimilation of radiances into the GAIM ionospheric forecast model; even then, the data must be massaged to get it into a GAIM-ingestable form. We describe a development effort funded by the DMSP program and the Air Force Weather Agency to turn the raw data into actionable information in the form of SSUSI environmental data parameters and other derived information. We will describe current nowcasts, forecasts, and other related actionable information (e.g. auroral oval forecasts) that is currently generated by the SSUSI ground processing system for AFWA, and also concepts we have for future tools (e.g., geomagnetic storm alerts, scintillation forecasts, HF radio propagation information, auroral radar clutter) to turn more of the SSUSI dataset into actionable knowledge.
Hubble Images Reveal Jupiter's Auroras
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1996-01-01
These images, taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, reveal changes in Jupiter's auroral emissions and how small auroral spots just outside the emission rings are linked to the planet's volcanic moon, Io. The images represent the most sensitive and sharply-detailed views ever taken of Jovian auroras.
The top panel pinpoints the effects of emissions from Io, which is about the size of Earth's moon. The black-and-white image on the left, taken in visible light, shows how Io and Jupiter are linked by an invisible electrical current of charged particles called a 'flux tube.' The particles - ejected from Io (the bright spot on Jupiter's right) by volcanic eruptions - flow along Jupiter's magnetic field lines, which thread through Io, to the planet's north and south magnetic poles. This image also shows the belts of clouds surrounding Jupiter as well as the Great Red Spot.The black-and-white image on the right, taken in ultraviolet light about 15 minutes later, shows Jupiter's auroral emissions at the north and south poles. Just outside these emissions are the auroral spots. Called 'footprints,' the spots are created when the particles in Io's 'flux tube' reach Jupiter's upper atmosphere and interact with hydrogen gas, making it fluoresce. In this image, Io is not observable because it is faint in the ultraviolet.The two ultraviolet images at the bottom of the picture show how the auroral emissions change in brightness and structure as Jupiter rotates. These false-color images also reveal how the magnetic field is offset from Jupiter's spin axis by 10 to 15 degrees. In the right image, the north auroral emission is rising over the left limb; the south auroral oval is beginning to set. The image on the left, obtained on a different date, shows a full view of the north aurora, with a strong emission inside the main auroral oval.The images were taken by the telescope's Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 between May 1994 and September 1995.This image and other images and data received from the Hubble Space Telescope are posted on the World Wide Web on the Space Telescope Science Institute home page at URL http://oposite.stsci.edu/pubinfo/NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Song, Y.; Lysak, R. L.
2017-12-01
Parallel electrostatic electric fields provide a powerful mechanism to accelerate auroral particles to high energy in the auroral acceleration region (AAR), creating both quasi-static and Alfvenic discrete aurorae. The total field-aligned current can be written as J||total=J||+J||D, where the displacement current is denoted as J||D=(1/4π)(∂E||/∂t), which describes the E||-generation (Song and Lysak, 2006). The generation of the total field-aligned current is related to spatial gradients of the parallel vorticity caused by the axial torque acting on field-aligned flux tubes in M-I coupling system. It should be noticed that parallel electric fields are not produced by the field-aligned current. In fact, the E||-generation is caused by Alfvenic interaction in the M-I coupling system, and is favored by a low plasma density and the enhanced localized azimuthal magnetic flux. We suggest that the nonlinear interaction of incident and reflected Alfven wave packets in the AAR can create reactive stress concentration, and therefore can generate the parallel electrostatic electric fields together with a seed low density cavity. The generated electric fields will quickly deepen the seed low density cavity, which can effectively create even stronger electrostatic electric fields. The electrostatic electric fields nested in a low density cavity and surrounded by enhanced azimuthal magnetic flux constitute Alfvenic electromagnetic plasma structures, such as Alfvenic Double Layers (DLs). The Poynting flux carried by Alfven waves can continuously supply energy from the generator region to the auroral acceleration region, supporting and sustaining Alfvenic DLs with long-lasting electrostatic electric fields which accelerate auroral particles to high energy. The generation of parallel electric fields and the formation of auroral arcs can redistribute perpendicular mechanical and magnetic stresses in auroral flux tubes, decoupling the magnetosphere from ionosphere drag locally. This may enhance the magnetotail earthward shear flows and rapidly buildup stronger parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region, leading to a sudden and violent tail energy release, if there is accumulated free magnetic energy in the tail.
New DMSP database of precipitating auroral electrons and ions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Redmon, Robert J.; Denig, William F.; Kilcommons, Liam M.; Knipp, Delores J.
2017-08-01
Since the mid-1970s, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft have operated instruments for monitoring the space environment from low Earth orbit. As the program evolved, so have the measurement capabilities such that modern DMSP spacecraft include a comprehensive suite of instruments providing estimates of precipitating electron and ion fluxes, cold/bulk plasma composition and moments, the geomagnetic field, and optical emissions in the far and extreme ultraviolet. We describe the creation of a new public database of precipitating electrons and ions from the Special Sensor J (SSJ) instrument, complete with original counts, calibrated differential fluxes adjusted for penetrating radiation, estimates of the total kinetic energy flux and characteristic energy, uncertainty estimates, and accurate ephemerides. These are provided in a common and self-describing format that covers 30+ years of DMSP spacecraft from F06 (launched in 1982) to F18 (launched in 2009). This new database is accessible at the National Centers for Environmental Information and the Coordinated Data Analysis Web. We describe how the new database is being applied to high-latitude studies of the colocation of kinetic and electromagnetic energy inputs, ionospheric conductivity variability, field-aligned currents, and auroral boundary identification. We anticipate that this new database will support a broad range of space science endeavors from single observatory studies to coordinated system science investigations.
Untangling the Space-Time Ambiguity of Auroral Emissions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gjerloev, J. W.; Humberset, B.; Michell, R. G.; Samara, M.; Mann, I. R.
2012-12-01
In this paper we address the spatiotemporal characteristics of the magnetosphere-ionosphere (M-I) system as observed by an all-sky imager (ASI). We utilize 557.7 nm images obtained by a ground based ASI located under the dark ionosphere (~22 MLT) at Poker Flat, Alaska. The 19 min movie was recorded at 3.31 Hz during continuous moderately intense auroral activity driven by a southward IMF Bz of about -5 nT. We analyze this movie using a simple, yet robust, 2D FFT technique that allows us to determine the scale size dependent variability. When plotting the correlation pattern as a function of scale size and time separation we find a pattern with distinct regions of high and low correlation. Larger scale sizes are found to have longer duration. We interpret this remarkable result as indicative of a M-I system that uses repeatable solutions to transfer energy and momentum from the magnetosphere to the ionosphere. Our findings support the characteristics of the field-aligned currents as determined from multi-point satellite observations (ST-5, Gjerloev et al., Annales Geophysicae, 2011). Two different electromagnetic parameters, auroral emissions and field-aligned currents, display similar characteristics supporting our conclusion that this is indicative of a fundamental behavior of the M-I system.
The electric field structure of auroral arcs as determined from barium plasma injection experiments
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Wescott, E. M.
1981-01-01
Barium plasma injection experiments have revealed a number of features of electric fields in and near auroral forms extending from a few hundred to many thousands of km in altitude. There is evidence for V-type potential structures over some auroras, but not in others. For some auroral arcs, large E fields are found at ionospheric altitudes outside the arc but the E field inside the arc is near zero. In a few other auroras, most recently one investigated in an experiment conducted from Poker Flat on March 22, 1980, large, rapidly fluctuating E fields were detected by barium plasma near 600 km altitude. These E fields suggest that the motion of auroral rays can be an effect of low-altitude electric fields, or that V-type potential structures may be found at low altitudes.
Infrasonic waves generated by supersonic auroral arcs
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Pasko, Victor P.
2012-10-01
A finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) model of infrasound propagation in a realistic atmosphere is used to provide quantitative interpretation of infrasonic waves produced by auroral arcs moving with supersonic speed. The Lorentz force and Joule heating are discussed in the existing literature as primary sources producing infrasound waves in the frequency range 0.1-0.01 Hz associated with the auroral electrojet. The results are consistent with original ideas of Swift (1973) and demonstrate that the synchronization of the speed of auroral arc and phase speed of the acoustic wave in the electrojet volume is an important condition for generation of magnitudes and frequency contents of infrasonic waves observable on the ground. The reported modeling also allows accurate quantitative reproduction of previously observed complex infrasonic waveforms including direct shock and reflected shockwaves, which are refracted back to the earth by the thermosphere.
1978 Diffuse Auroral Boundaries and a Derived Auroral Boundary Index
1982-12-28
they have nothing to do with the auroral precipitation, they must be differentiated from the auroral electrons when determining boundaries. Due to the...47.8 -54.6 -61.4 -68.0 -74.2 -79.4 -81.7 -78.9 -73.5 - 7.2 -60.6 GLON 121.0 118.5 115 S 1114 105.3 95.0 74.69 37.7 352.2 332.? 323:.1 317:3 M1LAY -56.2...1IN NN 1 1 NI M- I II- IN - N1 C , S~li-o N nol- O) N.010 DTN440 W00CO0 10011aN IIU0 )0 r,0 0 N0 t N1e . 0 MC0t)O0 r- ,J o 110 00 toC 0 0010 01 0t n 1
Computer assisted analysis of auroral images obtained from high altitude polar satellites
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Samadani, Ramin; Flynn, Michael
1993-01-01
Automatic techniques that allow the extraction of physically significant parameters from auroral images were developed. This allows the processing of a much larger number of images than is currently possible with manual techniques. Our techniques were applied to diverse auroral image datasets. These results were made available to geophysicists at NASA and at universities in the form of a software system that performs the analysis. After some feedback from users, an upgraded system was transferred to NASA and to two universities. The feasibility of user-trained search and retrieval of large amounts of data using our automatically derived parameter indices was demonstrated. Techniques based on classification and regression trees (CART) were developed and applied to broaden the types of images to which the automated search and retrieval may be applied. Our techniques were tested with DE-1 auroral images.
Occurrence and average behavior of pulsating aurora
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Partamies, N.; Whiter, D.; Kadokura, A.; Kauristie, K.; Nesse Tyssøy, H.; Massetti, S.; Stauning, P.; Raita, T.
2017-05-01
Motivated by recent event studies and modeling efforts on pulsating aurora, which conclude that the precipitation energy during these events is high enough to cause significant chemical changes in the mesosphere, this study looks for the bulk behavior of auroral pulsations. Based on about 400 pulsating aurora events, we outline the typical duration, geomagnetic conditions, and change in the peak emission height for the events. We show that the auroral peak emission height for both green and blue emission decreases by about 8 km at the start of the pulsating aurora interval. This brings the hardest 10% of the electrons down to about 90 km altitude. The median duration of pulsating aurora is about 1.4 h. This value is a conservative estimate since in many cases the end of event is limited by the end of auroral imaging for the night or the aurora drifting out of the camera field of view. The longest durations of auroral pulsations are observed during events which start within the substorm recovery phases. As a result, the geomagnetic indices are not able to describe pulsating aurora. Simultaneous Antarctic auroral images were found for 10 pulsating aurora events. In eight cases auroral pulsations were seen in the southern hemispheric data as well, suggesting an equatorial precipitation source and a frequent interhemispheric occurrence. The long lifetimes of pulsating aurora, their interhemispheric occurrence, and the relatively high-precipitation energies make this type of aurora an effective energy deposition process which is easy to identify from the ground-based image data.
Numerical simulation for a vortex street near the poleward boundary of the nighttime auroral oval
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yamamoto, T.
2012-02-01
The formation of a vortex street is numerically studied as an aftermath of a transient (≈1 min) depression of the energy density of injected particles. It is basically assumed that the kinetic energies of auroral particles are substantially provided by nonadiabatic acceleration in the tail current sheet. One of the causes of such energy density depression is an outward (away from the Earth) movement of the neutral line because in such situation, a particle passes the acceleration zone for a shorter time interval while it is inwardly transported in the current sheet. The numerical simulation shows that a long chain of many (≥5) vortices can be formed in the nighttime high-latitude auroral oval as a result of the hybrid Kelvin-Helmholtz/Rayleigh-Taylor (KH/RT) instability. The main characteristics of long vortex chains in the simulation such as the short lifetime (≲2 min) and the correlation between wavelength, λ, and arc system width, A, compare well with those of the periodic auroral distortions observed primarily in the high-latitude auroral oval. Specifically, either λ-A relationship from simulation or observation shows a positive correlation between λ and A but with considerable dispersion in λ. Since auroral vortices arising from the hybrid KH/RT instability are not accompanied by significant rotational motions, the magnetic shear instability caused by undulations in the field-aligned current (FAC) sheet could turn the vortices into spirals which wind or unwind in response to increase or decrease of FACs, respectively.
Chandra Looks Back At The Earth
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
2005-12-01
In an unusual observation, a team of scientists has scanned the northern polar region of Earth with NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory. The results show that the aurora borealis, or "northern lights," also dance in X-ray light, creating changing bright arcs of X-ray energy above the Earth's surface. While other satellite observations had previously detected high-energy X-rays from the Earth auroras, the latest Chandra observations reveal low-energy X-rays generated during auroral activity for the first time. The researchers, led by Dr. Ron Elsner of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., used Chandra to observe the Earth 10 times over a four-month period in 2004. The images were created from approximately 20-minute scans during which Chandra was aimed at a fixed point in the sky and the Earth's motion carried the auroral regions through Chandra's field of view. From the ground, the aurora are well known to change dramatically over time and this is the case in X-ray light as well. The X-rays in this sample of the Chandra observations, which have been superimposed on a simulated image of the Earth, are seen here at four different epochs. Illlustration of Earth's Magnetosphere and Auroras Illlustration of Earth's Magnetosphere and Auroras Auroras are produced by solar storms that eject clouds of energetic charged particles. These particles are deflected when they encounter the Earth�s magnetic field, but in the process large electric voltages are created. Electrons trapped in the Earth�s magnetic field are accelerated by these voltages and spiral along the magnetic field into the polar regions. There they collide with atoms high in the atmosphere and emit X-rays. Chandra has also observed dramatic auroral activity on Jupiter. Dr. Anil Bhardwaj of Vikram Sarabhai Space Center in Trivandrum, India, is the lead author on a paper describing these results in the Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics. Dr. Bhardwaj was a co-investigator on this project and worked with Dr. Elsner at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center while this research was conducted. The research team also includes Randy Gladstone (Southwest Research Institute, San Antonio, Texas); Nikolai Østgaard (University of Bergen, Norway); Hunter Waite and Tariq Majeed (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor); Thomas Cravens (University of Kansas, Lawrence); Shen-Wu Chang (University of Alabama, Huntsville); and, Albert E. Metzger (Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif). NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala., manages the Chandra program for the agency's Science Mission Directorate. The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory controls science and flight operations from the Chandra X-ray Center in Cambridge, Mass. Additional information and images are available at: http://chandra.harvard.edu and http://chandra.nasa.gov For information about NASA and agency programs on the Web, visit: http://www.nasa.gov
Artificial Excitation of Schumann Resonance with HAARP
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Streltsov, A. V.; Chang, C. L.
2014-12-01
We report results from the experiment aimed at the artificial excitation of extremely-low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves with frequencies corresponding to the frequency of Schumann resonance (typically, 7.5 - 8.0 Hz frequency range). Electromagnetic waves with these frequencies can form a standing pattern inside the spherical cavity formed by the surface of the earth and the ionosphere. In the experiment the ELF waves were excited by heating the ionosphere with X-mode HF electromagnetic waves generated by the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska. The experiment demonstrates that heating of the ionosphere can excite relatively large-amplitude electromagnetic waves with frequencies in the range of the Schumann resonance, when the ionosphere has a strong F-layer and an electric field greater than 5 mV/m is present in the E-region.
Artificial periodic irregularities in the high-latitude ionosphere excited by the HAARP facility
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bakhmetieva, N. V.; Grach, S. M.; Sergeev, E. N.; Shindin, A. V.; Milikh, G. M.; Siefring, C. L.; Bernhardt, P. A.; McCarrick, M.
2016-07-01
We present results of the new observations of artificial periodic irregularities (APIs) in the ionosphere using the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) heating facility carried out in late May and early June 2014.The objective of this work is to detect API using high-latitude facility and analyze possible differences of the temporal and spatial variations of the API echoes in the high (HAARP) and middle (Sura) latitudes. Irregularities were created by the powerful wave of X mode and were sounded using the short probing pulses signals of X mode. API echoes were observed in the D, E, and F regions of the ionosphere. Amplitudes and characteristic times of the API echoes were measured. The API growth and decay times at HAARP (high latitudes) observed were similar to those at the Sura heating facility (midlatitudes).
Artificial ionospheric layers during pump frequency stepping near the 4th gyroharmonic at HAARP.
Sergeev, E; Grach, S; Shindin, A; Mishin, E; Bernhardt, P; Briczinski, S; Isham, B; Broughton, M; LaBelle, J; Watkins, B
2013-02-08
We report on artificial descending plasma layers created in the ionosphere F region by high-power high-frequency (HF) radio waves from High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program at frequencies f(0) near the fourth electron gyroharmonic 4f(ce). The data come from concurrent measurements of the secondary escaping radiation from the HF-pumped ionosphere, also known as stimulated electromagnetic emission, reflected probing signals at f(0), and plasma line radar echoes. The artificial layers appeared only for injections along the magnetic field and f(0)>4f(ce) at the nominal HF interaction altitude in the background ionosphere. Their average downward speed ~0.5 km/s holds until the terminal altitude where the local fourth gyroharmonic matches f(0). The total descent increases with the nominal offset f(0)-4f(ce).
New frontiers in H-Beta auroral photometry
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Unick, C.; Donovan, E.; Connors, M. G.; Spanswick, E.; Jackel, B. J.; Greffen, M. J.; Wilson, C.; Little, J.; Chaddock, D.; Schofield, I.; MacRae, A.; Chen, S.; Crowther, A.; James, S.; Read, A.; Willis, T.
2013-12-01
The proton aurora provides valuable information about magnetotail structure and dynamics. For example, the location of the equatorward boundary of the proton aurora is a robust indicator of magnetotail stretching. Also, proton auroral luminosities combined with in situ ion measurements provide important information about magnetic mapping between the inner CPS and the auroral ionosphere. In this paper, we present a new and innovative proton-auroral (H-Beta) meridian-scanning photometer (MSP) capable of higher spatial and temporal resolution than has been achieved in the past. This H-Beta MSP is the first of a new dual-wavelength (signal/background) MSP design with a single scanning mirror and no other moving parts. The novel filtering architecture allows for a near 100% duty cycle with a 30-second meridian scan and configurable operating modes. The new design is significantly more sensitive than the legacy CANOPUS MSPs. The increased SNR can be employed in a variety of ways, such as to achieve significantly higher time resolution. Here, we present the new instrument design, test data from a commissioning campaign in Athabasca, and some thoughts on how the enhance proton auroral capability can increase the science value of these measurements.
Auroral research at the Tromsø Northern Lights Observatory: the Harang directorship, 1928-1946
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Egeland, Alv; Burke, William J.
2016-03-01
The Northern Lights Observatory in Tromsø began as Professor Lars Vegard's dream for a permanent facility in northern Norway, dedicated to the continuous study of auroral phenomenology and dynamics. Fortunately, not only was Vegard an internationally recognized spectroscopist, he was a great salesman and persuaded the Rockefeller Foundation that such an observatory represented an important long-term investment. A shrewd judge of talent, Vegard recognized the scientific and managerial skills of Leiv Harang, a recent graduate from the University of Oslo, and recommended that he become the observatory's first director. In 1929, subsequent to receiving the Rockefeller Foundation grant, the University of Oslo established a low temperature laboratory to support Vegard's spectroscopic investigations. This paper follows the scientific accomplishments of observatory personnel during the 18 years of Harang's directorship. These include: identifying the chemical sources of auroral emissions, discovering the Vegard-Kaplan bands, quantifying height distributions of different auroral forms, interpreting patterns of magnetic field variations, remotely probing auroral electron distribution profiles in the polar ionosphere, and monitoring the evolving states of the ozone layer. The Rockefeller Foundation judges got it right: the Tromsø Nordlysobservatoriet was, and for decades remained, an outstanding scientific investment.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Grubbs, Guy; Michell, Robert; Samara, Marilia; Hampton, Donald; Hecht, James; Solomon, Stanley; Jahn, Jorg-Micha
2018-01-01
It is important to routinely examine and update models used to predict auroral emissions resulting from precipitating electrons in Earth's magnetotail. These models are commonly used to invert spectral auroral ground-based images to infer characteristics about incident electron populations when in situ measurements are unavailable. In this work, we examine and compare auroral emission intensities predicted by three commonly used electron transport models using varying electron population characteristics. We then compare model predictions to same-volume in situ electron measurements and ground-based imaging to qualitatively examine modeling prediction error. Initial comparisons showed differences in predictions by the GLobal airglOW (GLOW) model and the other transport models examined. Chemical reaction rates and radiative rates in GLOW were updated using recent publications, and predictions showed better agreement with the other models and the same-volume data, stressing that these rates are important to consider when modeling auroral processes. Predictions by each model exhibit similar behavior for varying atmospheric constants, energies, and energy fluxes. Same-volume electron data and images are highly correlated with predictions by each model, showing that these models can be used to accurately derive electron characteristics and ionospheric parameters based solely on multispectral optical imaging data.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Dombeck, J. P.; Cattell, C. A.; Prasad, N.; Sakher, A.; Hanson, E.; McFadden, J. P.; Strangeway, R. J.
2016-12-01
Field-aligned currents (FACs) provide a fundamental driver and means of Magnetosphere-Ionosphere (M-I) coupling. These currents need to be supported by local physics along the entire field line generally with quasi-static potential structures, but also supporting the time-evolution of the structures and currents, producing Alfvén waves and Alfvénic electron acceleration. In regions of upward current, precipitating auroral electrons are accelerated earthward. These processes can result in ion outflow, changes in ionospheric conductivity, and affect the particle distributions on the field line, affecting the M-I coupling processes supporting the individual FACs and potentially the entire FAC system. The FAST mission was well suited to study both the FACs and the electron auroral acceleration processes. We present the results of the comparisons between meso- and small-scale FACs determined from FAST using the method of Peria, et al., 2000, and our FAST auroral acceleration mechanism study when such identification is possible for the entire ˜13 year FAST mission. We also present the latest results of the electron energy (and number) flux ionospheric input based on acceleration mechanism (and FAC characteristics) from our FAST auroral acceleration mechanism study.
On the location of Steve, the mysterious subauroral feature
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gallardo-Lacourt, B.; Nishimura, Y.; Donovan, E.; Gillies, D. M.; Spanswick, E.; Archer, W. E.; MacDonald, E.; Knudsen, D. J.
2017-12-01
Over the past year, there has been an exciting development in auroral research with the finding of a new subauroral phenomenon called Steve. Although Steve has been documented by amateur night sky watchers for decades, this is a new phenomenon about which scientists know very little. From optical observations including images from amateur photographers, Steve is a luminous arc that is narrow in north-south extent, and thousands of kilometers in east-west extent. We use auroral images from the ground-based THEMIS all-sky imagers and the Redline Geospace Observatory (REGO) array to identify Steve events. In addition, we use data from Meridian Scanning Photometers (NORSTAR and FESO) that measure brightness of H-β proton auroral emission at 4861Å. We surveyed data from December 2007 up to May 2017. Our observations suggest that Steve is always located equatorward of the proton aurora, and thus is not a traditional electron auroral arc, a feature which is always poleward of the peak in proton auroral brightness. Further, we have developed a picture of the magnetospheric region which is magnetically conjugate to Steve, and the magnetospheric conditions which give rise to the feature.
STS-47 view of the Aurora Australis
1992-09-20
STS047-20-015 (12-20 Sept. 1992) --- This 35mm frame represents one of the more spectacular views of Aurora Australis, photographed by the crew. The crew observed and photographed a great deal of auroral activity from the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Endeavour during the eight-day Spacelab-J mission.
STS-45 Earth observation of the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights
1992-04-02
STS-45 Earth observation taken onboard Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, is of the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights. The green appearing auroral activity engulfs the thin blue line on the Earth's limb. Aurorae were observed and photographed throughout the STS-45 nine-day mission.
STS-45 Earth observation of the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1992-01-01
STS-45 Earth observation taken onboard Atlantis, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 104, is of the Aurora Australis or Southern Lights. The green appearing auroral activity engulfs the thin blue line on the Earth's limb. Aurorae were observed and photographed throughout the STS-45 nine-day mission.
Mapping and distortions of auroral structures in the quiet magnetosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaufmann, Richard L.; Larson, Douglas J.; Lu, Chen
1990-01-01
The closed quiet magnetosphere model of Beard (1979) and Beard et al. (1982) is used to identify those features of commonly observed dayside auroras that can be explained by either of two processes: mapping distortions or distortions caused by nearby Birkeland currents. It is shown that single and multiple linear and hooked auroral forms can be easily explained in terms of mapping distortions in a quiet magnetosphere. On the other hand, the shapes of bright twisted or folded auroral forms can be more easily explained as distortions produced by localized Birkeland currents.
Artificial auroras in the upper atmosphere. I - Electron beam injections
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Burch, J. L.; Mende, S. B.; Kawashima, N.; Roberts, W. T.; Taylor, W. W. L.; Neubert, T.; Gibson, W. C.; Marshall, J. A.; Swenson, G. R.
1993-01-01
The Atlas-1 Spacelab payload's Space Experiments with Particle Accelerators generated artificial electron beams for the stimulation of auroral emissions at southern auroral latitudes. Optical measurements were made by the Shuttle Orbiter's onboard TV cameras, as well as by the Atmospheric Emissions Photometric Imager (in both white light and the 427.8 nm N2(+) emission line). Shuttle-based auroral imaging furnished a novel perspective on the artificial auroras; the emissions were traced from 295 km to the 110 km level along the curved magnetic-field lines.
Rocket measurement of auroral partial parallel distribution functions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lin, C.-A.
1980-01-01
The auroral partial parallel distribution functions are obtained by using the observed energy spectra of electrons. The experiment package was launched by a Nike-Tomahawk rocket from Poker Flat, Alaska over a bright auroral band and covered an altitude range of up to 180 km. Calculated partial distribution functions are presented with emphasis on their slopes. The implications of the slopes are discussed. It should be pointed out that the slope of the partial parallel distribution function obtained from one energy spectra will be changed by superposing another energy spectra on it.
The role of lower-hybrid-wave collapse in the auroral ionosphere.
Schuck, P W; Ganguli, G I; Kintner, P M
2002-08-05
In regions where lower-hybrid solitary structures (LHSS) are observed, the character of auroral lower-hybrid turbulence (LHT) (0-20 kHz) is investigated using the amplitude probability distribution of the electric field. The observed probability distributions are accurately described by a Rayleigh distribution with two degrees of freedom. The statistics of the LHT exhibit no evidence of the global modulational instability or self-similar wave collapse. We conclude that nucleation and resonant scattering in preexisting density depletions are the processes responsible for LHSS in auroral LHT.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pongratz, M. B.
1972-01-01
The results of high time-resolution measurements of energetic electrons in an auroral break up are presented. Electrons with energies from 500 eV to over 100 keV and pitch angles from 0 to 150 deg were detected with two detectors onboard sounding rocket 18:63 UE. Complete energy spectra were taken every 0.1 seconds. The procedure for cleaning and activating the BeCu dynodes of a small, rugged, high gain electron multiplier is described. A theoretical study of the energy-angular response of a spherical plate electrostatic analyzer is compared to experimental results. An energy spectrum unfolding technique which does not require the assumption of a histogram-type energy spectrum is presented. A method of determining sounding rocket orientation from the output of a single magnetometer is described.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Roble, R. G.; Killeen, T. L.; Spencer, N. W.; Heelis, R. A.; Reiff, P. H.
1988-01-01
Time-dependent aurora and magnetospheric convection parameterizations have been derived from solar wind and aurora particle data for November 21-22, 1981, and are used to drive the auroral and magnetospheric convection models that are embedded in the National Center for Atmospheric Research thermospheric general circulation model (TGCM). Neutral wind speeds and transition boundaries between the midlatitude solar-driven circulation and the high-latitude magnetospheric convection-driven circulation are examined on an orbit-by-orbit basis. The results show that TGCM-calculated winds and reversal boundary locations are in generally good agreement with Dynamics Explorer 2 measurements for the orbits studied. This suggests that, at least for this particular period of relatively moderate geomagnetic activity, the TGCM parameterizations on the eveningside of the auroral oval and polar cap are adequate.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Smith, R. A.; Goertz, C. K.; Harrold, B. G.; Goldstein, M. L.; Lepping, R. P.; Fitch, C. A.; Sands, M. R.
1990-01-01
Time-series observations of the magnetotail-lobe magnetic field have been Fourier analyzed to compute the frequency-weighted energy density Pfz in the range 1-30 mHz. Pfz is generally observed in the range 0.0001-0.01 gamma-squared Hz with a mean value of 0.0012 during substorm growth phases and 0.001 in the comparison intervals. No strong correlation of Pfz is found with the auroral electrojet index in either set of intervals, but during substorm growth phases Pfz may vary by an order of magnitude over time scales of 30 min, with a tendency for higher power levels to occur later in the growth phase. Increases in Pfz precede by about 10 min localized expansive phase activity observed in individual magnetograms.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Steen, A.; Collis, P. N.; Evans, D.; Kremser, G.; Capelle, S.; Rees, D.; Tsurutani, B. T.
1988-01-01
This paper describes a long-lasting large-amplitude pulsation event, which occurred on January 10, 1983 in the ionosphere and magnetosphere and was characterized by Steen and Rees (1983). Over the 4-h period (0200-0600 UT), the characteristics of the pulsations in the ionosphere changed from being Ps 6 auroral torches toward substorms and back to Ps 6. At GEO, the corresponding characteristics were a modulation of the high-energy particle intensity and plasma dropouts. Based on the ideas presented by Rostoker and Samson (1984), an interpretation of the event is offered, according to which the pulsations are caused by the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability during an interval of strong magnetospheric convection. On the basis of this explanation, a new interpretation of the substorm time sequence is proposed.
Auroral zone effects on hydrogen geocorona structure and variability
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Moore, T. E.; Biddle, A. P.; Waite, J. H., Jr.; Killeen, T. L.
1985-01-01
The effect of diurnal and magnetospheric modulations on the structure of the hydrogen geocorona is analyzed on the basis of recent observations. Particular attention is given to the enhancement of neutral escape by plasma effects, including the recently observed phenomenon of low-altitude ion acceleration. It is found that, while significant fluxes of neutral H should be produced by transverse ion acceleration in the auroral zone, the process is probably insufficient to account for the observed polar depletion of hydrogen atoms. Analysis of recent exospheric temperature measurements from the Dynamics Explorer-2 satellite suggest that neutral heating in and near the high latitude cusp may be the major contributor to depleted atomic hydrogen densities at high latitudes. Altitude profiles of the production rates for escaping neutral hydrogen atoms during periods of maximum, minimum, and typical solar activity are provided.
Sources, properties, and energization of auroral particle precipitation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Wing, S.; Johnson, J.; Khazanov, G. V.
2017-12-01
The sources of and the physical processes associated with the auroral ion and electron precipitation are studied with DMSP satellites. The electron aurora has been previously classified into three categories: diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband aurorae. The diffuse auroral electrons can be observed mainly in 22:00 - 09:00 MLT, which coincides much with the spatial distribution of the whistler-mode chorus waves that have been shown to be the predominant mechanism for pitch-angle scattering magnetospheric electrons into the loss cone, but there appears to be a separate population near noon, which may be associated with solar wind particles. The broadband auroral electrons can be found mostly at 22:00 - 02:00 MLT and pre-noon where Alfvén waves, which cause broadband electron acceleration, are observed in the magnetosphere. On the other hand, the monoenergetic auroral electrons can be observed at dusk-midnight sector, pre- and post-noon. The monoenergetic electrons have been previously thought as magnetospheric electrons that have gone through a quasi-static parallel electric field in the upward field-aligned current regions. However, there may be a connection between monoenergetic and broadband electrons in that the low frequency Alfvén wave-electron interaction can result in monoenergetic electron signature. This is consistent with the observations where broadband and monoenergetic electrons are often spatially co-located. Precipitating electrons can ionize the neutrals in the ionosphere, which can travel upward, which can precipitate in the opposite hemisphere or reflected back to the same hemisphere by upward field-aligned potential drop. Either way, the upward flowing electrons can greatly modify the initial precipitating electron population. Substorm processes increase the power of the diffuse, monoenergetic, and broadband electron aurora by 310%, 71%, and 170%, respectively. Substorms energize the ion aurora mainly in the 21:00-05:00 MLT sector. The duration of the substorm cycle for monoenergetic and broadband auroral is 5 hr, but it is larger than 5 hr for diffuse auroral electrons.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
2004-01-01
The following research work was accomplished: 1. We operated high throughput spectrophotometers and interferometers at eight observatories in the Arctic, Antarctic and mid-latitude regions to record relatively high-resolution spectra of very low light level airglow and auroral line as well as band emissions. 2. Our Polar observations of auroral emissions from N2 and O emissions have been analyzed to derive the O/N2 ratios around 110 km height in the Polar thermosphere during different auroral events triggered by the precipitation of auroral electrons with average energy of about 10 keV. These results have been compared with similar ratios derived from TIMED satellite s GUVI measurements of N2 LBH and 01 1356A emissions. 3. Our airglow measurements show MLT density and temperature modulations by Planetary, Tidal and Gravity Waves. They also indicate Mesopause cooling preceding a Stratospheric Warming Event (SWE).
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Waite, J. Hunter, Jr.
1992-01-01
The Jovian aurora is the most powerful aurora in the solar system, over 100 times more powerful than the Earth's aurora. These magnificent visual displays can provide important information about the planetary magnetosphere which is responsible for the acceleration of energetic particles that produce aurora at any planet. Similarities and differences in planetary auroral emissions are thus a viable means of classifying and studying both comparative atmospheric and magnetospheric processes. For instance, at Earth the solar wind is the primary source of auroral power while at Jupiter it is conjectured that the rotation of the planet is the major source of magnetospheric and auroral power. The purpose of this IR project was to develop a model: (1) for use in interpreting the existing set of multispectral observations of Jupiter's aurora; and (2) to design new experiments based on the findings to improve understanding of the underlying auroral processes.
The auroral current circuit and field-aligned currents observed by FAST
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Elphic, R. C.; Bonnell, J. W.; Strangeway, R. J.; Kepko, L.; Ergun, R. E.; McFadden, J. P.; Carlson, C. W.; Peria, W.; Cattell, C. A.; Klumpar, D.; Shelley, E.; Peterson, W.; Moebius, E.; Kistler, L.; Pfaff, R.
FAST observes signatures of small-scale downward-going current at the edges of the inverted-V regions where the primary (auroral) electrons are found. In the winter pre-midnight auroral zone these downward currents are carried by upward flowing low- and medium-energy (up to several keV) electron beams. FAST instrumentation shows agreement between the current densities inferred from both the electron distributions and gradients in the magnetic field. FAST data taken near apogee (˜4000-km altitude) commonly show downward current magnetic field deflections consistent with the observed upward flux of ˜109 electrons cm-2 s-1, or current densities of several µA m-2. The electron, field-aligned current and electric field signatures indicate the downward currents may be associated with “black aurora” and auroral ionospheric cavities. The field-aligned voltage-current relationship in the downward current region is nonlinear.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Livengood, T. A.; Strobel, D. F.; Moos, H. W.
1990-01-01
The wavelength-dependent absorption apparent in IUE spectra of the north Jovian aurora is analyzed to determine the column density of hydrocarbons above the altitude of the FUV auroral emission. Both the magnetotail and torus auroral zone models are considered in estimating zenith angles, with very similar results obtained for both models. It is found that the hydrocarbon column density above the FUV emission displays a consistent dependence on magnetic longitude, with the peak density occurring approximately coincident with the peak in the observed auroral intensity. Two distinct scenarios for the longitude dependence of the column density are discussed. In one, the Jovian upper atmosphere is longitudinally homogeneous, and the variation in optical depth is due to a variation in penetration, and thus energy, of the primary particles. In the other, the energy of the primaries is longitudinally homogeneous, and it is aeronomic properties which change, probably due to auroral heating.
Comparison of the Jovian north and south pole aurorae using the IUE observatory
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Skinner, T. E.; Moos, H. W.
1984-01-01
New results on the spatial and temporal variability of the auroral emissions from Jupiter have been obtained from three IUE observations of the south pole made during the period July 1983 to March 1984. The current observations, together with previous IUE studies of the north pole aurora, provide convincing evidence for persistent longitudinal asymmetries in the Jovian auroral emissions. The strongest emissions appear to originate from regions centered near lambda-III of about 0 deg at the south pole and lambda-III of about 185 deg at the north pole. Differences in surface magnetic field strength seem inadequate to explain the extent to which particles precipitating along field lines into a given longitude sector in one hemisphere are inhibited from precipitating along the same field lines into the opposite hemisphere. Thus, the IUE auroral results present a challenge to existing models of auroral production.
Generation of BBFs and DFs, Formation of Substorm Auroras and Triggers of Substorm Onset
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Song, Y.; Lysak, R. L.
2014-12-01
Substorm onset is a dynamical response of the MI coupling system to external solar wind driving conditions and to internal dynamical processes. During the growth phase, the solar wind energy and momentum are transferred into the magnetosphere via MHD mesoscale Alfvenic interactions throughout the magnetopause current sheet. A decrease in momentum transfer from the solar wind into the magnetosphere starts a preconditioning stage, and produces a strong earthward body force acting on the whole magnetotail within a short time period. The strong earthward force will cause localized transients in the tail, such as multiple BBFs, DFs, plasma bubbles, and excited MHD waves. On auroral flux tubes, FACs carried by Alfven waves are generated by Alfvenic interactions between tail earthward flows associated with BBFs/DFs/Bubbles and the ionospheric drag. Nonlinear Alfvenic interaction between the incident and reflected Alfven wave packets in the auroral acceleration region can produce localized parallel electric fields and substorm auroral arcs. During the preconditioning stage prior to substorm onset, the generation of parallel electric fields and auroral arcs can redistribute perpendicular mechanical and magnetic stresses, "decoupling" the magnetosphere from the ionosphere drag. This will enhance the tail earthward flows and rapidly build up stronger parallel electric fields in the auroral acceleration region, leading to a sudden and violent tail energy release and substorm auroral poleward expansion. We suggest that in preconditioning stage, the decrease in the solar wind momentum transfer is a necessary condition of the substorm onset. Additionally, "decoupling" the magnetosphere from ionosphere drag can trigger substorm expansion onset.
Evidence for Auroral Emissions From Callisto's Footprint in HST UV Images
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Bhattacharyya, Dolon; Clarke, John T.; Montgomery, Jordan; Bonfond, Bertrand; Gérard, Jean-Claude; Grodent, Denis
2018-01-01
Auroral emissions are expected from the footprint of Callisto in Jupiter's upper atmosphere owing to the known interaction of its atmosphere with Jupiter's magnetosphere, and from the observed auroral emissions from the footprints of the other three Galilean satellites. The mapping of Callisto along modeled magnetic field lines at Jupiter, however, places the expected footprint at the same latitude as the main auroral emissions, making it difficult to detect. We analyzed ultraviolet images of Jupiter taken using the Hubble Space Telescope/Advanced Camera for Surveys instrument during a large observing campaign in 2007. Using a coaddition method similar to one used for Enceladus, we have identified a strong candidate for the footprint of Callisto on 24 May 2007. We tested this finding by applying the same coaddition technique to a nearly identical auroral configuration on 30 May 2007 when Callisto was behind Jupiter, not visible from Earth (central meridian longitude = 22°; sub-Callisto system III longitude = 327°). By comparing the two coadded images, we can clearly see the presence of a strongly subcorotating spot close to the expected Callisto footprint location on 24 May and its absence on 30 May. On 24 May Callisto was located in the current sheet. We also found a probable candidate on 26 May 2007 during which time Callisto was positioned below the current sheet. The measured location and intensity of the auroral emission provide important information about the interaction of Callisto with Jupiter's magnetic field, the corotating plasma, and the neutral and ionized state of the thin atmosphere of Callisto.
Latitude Dependence of Low-Altitude O+ Ion Upflow: Statistical Results From FAST Observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Zhao, K.; Chen, K. W.; Jiang, Y.; Chen, W. J.; Huang, L. F.; Fu, S.
2017-09-01
We introduce a statistical model to explain the latitudinal dependence of the occurrence rate and energy flux of the ionospheric escaping ions, taking advantage of advances in the spatial coverage and accuracy of FAST observations. We use a weighted piecewise Gaussian function to fit the dependence, because two probability peaks are located in the dayside polar cusp source region and the nightside auroral oval zone source region. The statistical results show that (1) the Gaussian Mixture Model suitably describes the dayside polar cusp upflows, and the dayside and the nightside auroral oval zone upflows. (2) The magnetic latitudes of the ionospheric upflow source regions expand toward the magnetic equator as Kp increases, from 81° magnetic latitude (MLAT) (cusp upflows) and 63° MLAT (auroral oval upflows) during quiet times to 76° MLAT and 61° MLAT, respectively. (3) The dayside polar cusp region provides only 3-5% O+ upflows among all the source regions, which include the dayside auroral oval zone, dayside polar cusp, nightside auroral oval zone, and even the polar cap. However, observations show that more than 70% of upflows occur in the auroral oval zone and that the occurrence probability increases at the altitudes of 3500-4200 km, which is considered to be the lower altitude boundary of ion beams. This observed result suggests that soft electron precipitation and transverse wave heating are the most efficient ion energization/acceleration mechanisms at the altitudes of FAST orbit, and that the parallel acceleration caused by field-aligned potential drops becomes effective above that altitude.
Cleaning and activation of beryllium-copper electron multiplier dynodes.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Pongratz, M. B.
1972-01-01
Description of a cleaning and activation procedure followed in preparing beryllium-copper dynodes for electron multipliers used in sounding-rocket experiments to detect auroral electrons. The initial degreasing step involved a 5-min bath in trichloroethylene in an ultrasonic cleaner. This was followed by an ultrasonic rinse in methanol and by a two-step acid pickling treatment to remove the oxides. Additional rinsing in water and methanol was followed by activation in a stainless-steel RF induction oven.
ISINGLASS Auroral Sounding Rocket Campaign Data Synthesis: Radar, Imagery, and In Situ Observations
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Clayton, R.; Lynch, K. A.; Evans, T.; Hampton, D. L.; Burleigh, M.; Zettergren, M. D.; Varney, R. H.; Reimer, A.; Hysell, D. L.; Michell, R.; Samara, M.; Grubbs, G. A., II
2017-12-01
E-field and flow variations across auroral arc boundaries are typically sub-grid measurements for ground based sensors such as radars and imagers, even for quiet stable arcs. In situ measurements can provide small scale resolution, but only provide a snapshot at a localized time and place. Using ground based and in situ measurements of the ISINGLASS auroral sounding rocket campaign in conjunction, we use the in situ measurements to validate ground based synthesis of these small scale observations based on the classification of auroral arcs in Marklund(1984). With validation of this technique, sub-grid information can be gained from radar data using particular visible auroral features during times where only ground based measurements are present. The ISINGLASS campaign (Poker Flat Alaska, Winter 2017) included the nights of Feb 22 2017 and Mar 02 2017, which possessed multiple stable arc boundaries that can be used for synthesis, including the two events into which the ISINGLASS rockets were launched. On Mar 02 from 0700 to 0800 UT, two stable slowly southward-propagating auroral arcs persisted within the instrument field of view, and lasted for a period of >15min. The second of these events contains the 36.304 rocket trajectory, while both events have full ground support from camera imagery and radar. Data synthesis from these events is accomplished using Butler (2010), Vennell (2009), and manually selected auroral boundaries from ground based cameras. With determination of the auroral arc boundaries from ground based imagery, a prediction of the fields along the length of a long straight arc boundary can be made using the ground based radar data, even on a sub-radar-grid scale, using the Marklund arc boundary classification. We assume that fields everywhere along a long stable arc boundary should be the same. Given a long stable arc, measurements anywhere along the arc (i.e. from PFISR) can be replicated along the length of the boundary. This prediction can then be validated from the in situ measurements of the fields from the ISINGLASS campaign. Upon successful synthesis and validation of the ground based data for the times where in situ data are present, the same analysis will be applied to similar long straight stable arcs during the campaign window when ground support is present to further explore the data synthesis method.
Analysis of Simultaneous Polar Fox II Backscatter and Ionospheric Sounding Data
latitudes where vertical soundings show spread-E and -F. Those regions appear to be identical to the auroral E (night E) layer and ’ plasma ring ’ F layer known to be associated with the auroral oval.
Infrared Auroral Emissions Driven by Resonant Electron Impact Excitation of NO Molecules
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Campbell, L.; Brunger, M. J.; Petrovic, Z. Lj.; Jelisavcic, M.; Panajotovic, R.; Buckman, S. J.
2004-05-01
Although only a minor constituent of the earth's upper atmosphere, nitric oxide (NO) plays a major role in infrared auroral emissions due to radiation from vibrationally excited (NO*) states. The main process leading to the production of these excited molecules was thought to be chemiluminescence, whereby excited nitrogen atoms interact with oxygen molecules to form vibrationally excited nitric oxide (NO*) and atomic oxygen. Here we show evidence that a different production mechanism for NO*, due to low energy electron impact excitation of NO molecules, is responsible for more than 30% of the NO auroral emission near 5 μm.
Rocket study of auroral processes
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Arnoldy, R. L.
1981-01-01
Abstracts are presented of previously published reports analyzing data from three Echo 3 rocket flights. Particle experiments designed for the Terrier-Malmute flight, the Echo 5 flight, and the Norwegian Corbier Ferdinand 50 flight are described and their flight performance evaluated. Theoretical studies on auroral particle precipitation are reviewed according to observations made in three regions of space: (1) the region accessible to rockets and low altitude satellites (few hundred to a few thousand kilometers); (2) the region extending from 4000 to 8000 km (S3-3 satellite range); and (3) near the equatorial plane (geosynchronous satellite measurements). Questions raised about auroral arc formation are considered.
Feedback between neutral winds and auroral arc electrodynamics
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lyons, L. R.; Walterscheid, R. L.
1986-01-01
The feedback between neutral atmospheric winds and the electrodynamics of a stable, discrete auroral arc is analyzed. The ionospheric current continuity equation and the equation for neutral gas acceleration by ion drag are solved simultaneously, as a function of time. The results show that, in general, the electric field in the ionosphere adjusts to neutral wind acceleration so as to keep auroral field-aligned currents and electron acceleration approximately independent of time. It is thus concluded that the neutral winds that develop as a result of the electrodynamical forcing associated with an arc do not significantly affect the intensity of the arc.
Space Weather Impacts on Spacecraft Design and Operations in Auroral Charging Environments
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minow, Joseph I.; Parker, Linda N.
2012-01-01
Spacecraft in low altitude, high inclination (including sun-synchronous) orbits are widely used for remote sensing of the Earth s land surface and oceans, monitoring weather and climate, communications, scientific studies of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, and a variety of other scientific, commercial, and military applications. These systems are episodically exposed to environments characterized by a high flux of energetic (approx.1 to 10 s kilovolt) electrons in regions of very low background plasma density which is similar in some ways to the space weather conditions in geostationary orbit responsible for spacecraft charging to kilovolt levels. While it is well established that charging conditions in geostationary orbit are responsible for many anomalies and even spacecraft failures, to date there have been relatively few such reports due to charging in auroral environments. This presentation first reviews the physics of the space environment and its interactions with spacecraft materials that control auroral charging rates and the anticipated maximum potentials that should be observed on spacecraft surfaces during disturbed space weather conditions. We then describe how the theoretical values compare to the observational history of extreme charging in auroral environments and discuss how space weather impacts both spacecraft design and operations for vehicles on orbital trajectories that traverse auroral charging environments.
An auroral oval at the footprint of Saturn's kilometric radio sources, colocated with the UV aurorae
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, L.; Cecconi, B.; Prangé, R.; Zarka, P.; Nichols, J. D.; Clarke, J. T.
2009-10-01
Similarly to other magnetized planets, Saturn displays auroral emissions generated by accelerated electrons gyrating around high-latitude magnetic field lines. They mainly divide in ultraviolet (UV) and infrared (IR) aurorae, excited by electron collisions with the upper atmosphere, and Saturn's kilometric radiation (SKR), radiated from higher altitudes by electron-wave resonance. Whereas spatially resolved UV and IR images of atmospheric aurorae reveal a continuous auroral oval around each pole, the SKR source locus was only indirectly constrained by the Voyager radio experiment to a limited local time (LT) range on the morningside, leading to interpretation of the SKR modulation as a fixed flashing light. Here, we present resolved SKR maps derived from the Cassini Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) experiment using goniopolarimetric techniques. We observe radio sources all around the planet, organized along a high-latitude continuous auroral oval. Observations of the Hubble Space Telescope obtained in January 2004 and January 2007 have been compared to simultaneous and averaged Cassini-RPWS measurements, revealing that SKR and UV auroral ovals are very similar, both significantly enhanced on the dawnside. These results imply that the SKR and atmospheric aurorae are triggered by the same populations of energetic electron beams, requiring a unified model of particle acceleration and precipitation on Saturn.
A Kp-based model of auroral boundaries
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Carbary, James F.
2005-10-01
The auroral oval can serve as both a representation and a prediction of space weather on a global scale, so a competent model of the oval as a function of a geomagnetic index could conveniently appraise space weather itself. A simple model of the auroral boundaries is constructed by binning several months of images from the Polar Ultraviolet Imager by Kp index. The pixel intensities are first averaged into magnetic latitude-magnetic local time (MLT-MLAT) and local time bins, and intensity profiles are then derived for each Kp level at 1 hour intervals of MLT. After background correction, the boundary latitudes of each profile are determined at a threshold of 4 photons cm-2 s1. The peak locations and peak intensities are also found. The boundary and peak locations vary linearly with Kp index, and the coefficients of the linear fits are tabulated for each MLT. As a general rule of thumb, the UV intensity peak shifts 1° in magnetic latitude for each increment in Kp. The fits are surprisingly good for Kp < 6 but begin to deteriorate at high Kp because of auroral boundary irregularities and poor statistics. The statistical model allows calculation of the auroral boundaries at most MLTs as a function of Kp and can serve as an approximation to the shape and extent of the statistical oval.
Detection of the 'continuous' H3(+) electrojet in the Jovian Aurora
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Stallard, T. S.; Miller, S.; Achilleos, N.; Rego, D.; Prange, R.; Dougherty, M.; Joseph, R. D.
1999-09-01
Recently we have published the first detection of an auroral electrojet - a fast ion wind circulating around the auroral oval - on Jupiter (Rego et al., Nature, 399, 121-123). The detection was made during an unusual "auroral event", but raised the possibility that such electrojets might be detectable under "normal" auroral conditions. This work, currently in progress, is directed towards that aim. To accomplish this, high resolution infrared spectra and images of the Jovian aurora were taken on the nights of September 7-11(th) 1998, observing the nu_ {2} Q(1,0(-) ) line of H(+}_{3) at 3.953 mu m. The slit was aligned across the planet, perpendicular to the rotational axis, and the spectra were taken at 1 arcsec steps across the planet through the region of aurora. Each spectrum has been fitted row by row with a gaussian using height, width, background and central position as free parameters. This results in a measurement of how the relative central position varies across each spectra. Having processed the data, removing any systematic array effects, rotation, and instrumentally based spatial effects, we intend to show a measurable electrojet from the dopler shift it causes. This will be in the form of LOS maps of the auroral region at different CML taken over the 5 night observation period.
Electric field measurements across the harang discontinuity. [of the auroral zone
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.
1974-01-01
The Harang discontinuity, the area separating the positive and negative bay regions in the midnight sector of the auroral zone, is a focal point for changes in behavior of many phenomena. Through this region the electric field rotates through the west from a basically northward field in the positive bay region to a basically southward field in the negative bay region, appearing as a reversal in a single axis measurement; 32 of these reversals have been identified in the OGO-6 data from November and December, 1969. The discontinuity is dynamic in nature, moving southward and steepening its latitudinal profile as magnetic activity is increased. As activity decreases it relaxes poleward and spreads out in latitudinal width. It occurs over several hours of magnetic local time. The boundary in the electric field data is consistent with the reversal of ground magnetic disturbances from a positive to negative bay condition. The discontinuity is present in the electric field data both during substorms and during quiet times and appears to define a pattern on which other effects can occur.
Long-lasting Extreme Magnetic Storm Activities in 1770 Found in Historical Documents
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hayakawa, Hisashi; Iwahashi, Kiyomi; Ebihara, Yusuke; Tamazawa, Harufumi; Shibata, Kazunari; Knipp, Delores J.; Kawamura, Akito D.; Hattori, Kentaro; Mase, Kumiko; Nakanishi, Ichiro; Isobe, Hiroaki
2017-12-01
Dim red aurora at low magnetic latitudes is a visual and recognized manifestation of magnetic storms. The great low-latitude auroral displays seen throughout East Asia on 1770 September 16-18 are considered to manifest one of the greatest storms. Recently found, 111 historical documents in East Asia attest that these low-latitude auroral displays appeared in succession for almost nine nights during 1770 September 10-19 in low magnetic latitude areas (<30°). This suggests that the duration of the great magnetic storm is much longer than usual. Sunspot drawings from 1770 reveal that the sunspot areas were twice as large as those observed in another great storm of 1859, which substantiates these unusual storm activities in 1770. These spots likely ejected several huge, sequential magnetic structures in short duration into interplanetary space, resulting in spectacular worldwide aurorae in mid-September of 1770. These findings provide new insight into the history, duration, and effects of extreme magnetic storms that may be valuable for those who need to mitigate against extreme events.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Greenwald, R. A.; Ruohoniemi, M.; Baker, J. B.; Talaat, E.; Lester, M.; Oksavik, K.
2008-12-01
During the IPY, the second of two lower-latitude SuperDARN radars was put into operation in the eastern U.S. Located at Blackstone, VA and directed toward central Canada, it extends the coverage of the preexisting Wallops Island radar to more than 4 hours of magnetic local time and covers 50-70 degrees geomagnetic latitude providing coverage of ionospheric plasma convection and electric fields on magnetic field lines connected to the inner boundary of the plasmasheet, ring current and plasmapause. Although initial measurements with this coordinated pair of radars were made at a time of low geomagnetic activity, there have been many opportunities to examine both the spatial and temporal response of low-latitude auroral and subauroral plasma convection and its associated electric field to a variety of high-latitude magnetospheric drivers including dayside reconnection and midnight sector substorms. In this paper, we discuss the dynamical response of these flows to both dayside reconnection and substorms. We specifically examine the timing, location, spatial extent and intensity of these flow enhancements versus the nature and strength of the driver.
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Duncan, L.M.
1995-12-12
The objectives of this research and development program were to conduct simulation modeling of the generation and propagation of atmospheric acoustic signals associated with surface and subsurface ground disturbances; to construct an experimental measurement system for exploratory research studies of acoustic generated ionospheric disturbances; to model high power radio wave propagation through the ionosphere, including nonlinear wave plasma interaction effects; and to assist in the assessment of diagnostic systems for observation of ionospheric modification experiments using existing and planned high latitude high power RF transmitting facilities. A computer simulation of ionospheric response to ground launched acoustic pulses was constructed andmore » results compared to observational data associated with HF and incoherent scatter radar measurements of ionospheric effects produced by earthquakes and ground level explosions. These results were then utilized to help define the design, construct and test for an HF Doppler radar system. In addition, an assessment was conducted of ionospheric diagnostic instruments proposed for the Air Force/Navy High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP).« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chen, M.; Lemon, C.; Sazykin, S. Y.; Wolf, R.; Anderson, P. C.
2016-12-01
Sub-Auroral Polarization Streams (SAPS), characterized by large subauroral E x B velocities that span from dusk to the early morning sector for high magnetic activity, result from strong magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. We investigate how electron and ion precipitation and the ionospheric conductance affect the simulated development of the SAPS electric field for the 17 March 2013 storm. Our approach is to use the magnetically and electrically self-consistent Rice Convection Model - Equilibrium (RCM-E) of the inner magnetosphere to simulate the SAPS. We use parameterized rates of whistler-generated electron pitch-angle scattering from Orlova and Shprits [JGR, 2014] that depend on equatorial radial distance, magnetic activity (Kp), and magnetic local time (MLT) outside the simulated plasmasphere. Inside the plasmasphere, parameterized scattering rates due to hiss [Orlova et al., GRL, 2014] are used. Ions are scattered at a fraction of strong pitch-angle scattering where the fraction is scaled by epsilon, the ratio of the gyroradius to the field-line radius of curvature, when epsilon is greater than 0.1. The electron and proton contributions to the auroral conductance in the RCM-E are calculated using the empirical Robinson et al. [JGR, 1987] and Galand and Richmond [JGR, 2001] equations, respectively. The "background" ionospheric conductance is based on parameters from the International Reference Ionosphere [Bilitza and Reinisch, JASR, 2008] but modified to include the effect of specified ionospheric troughs. Parameterized simulations will aid in understanding the underlying physical process. We compare simulated precipitating particle energy flux and E x B velocities with DMSP observations where SAPS are observed during the 17 March 2013 storm. Analysis of discerpancies between the simulation results and data will aid us in assessing needed improvements in the model.
Copernicus Measurement of the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission and its aeronomical significance
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Atreya, S.K.; Festou, M.C.; Donahue, T.M.
1982-11-01
Observations of Jupiter made with the high-resolution ultraviolet spectrometer of the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory Copernicus in 1980 April and May yield the intensity of the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission to be 7 +- 2.5 kR. These measurements indicate that the Lyman-alpha intensity has decreased by about a factor of 2 from the time of the Voyager ultraviolet spectrometer measurements, nearly a year earlier. The Copernicus measurements, when combined with all other previous measurements of the Jovian Lyman-alpha emission, point to an unusually high column abundance of hydrogen atoms above the methane homopause at the Voyager epoch. Since the auroral charged particlemore » bombardment of moelcular hydrogen is expected to contribute significantly to the global population of the hydrogen atoms, it is suggested that at the time of the Voyager Jupiter encounter, unusually high auroral activity existed, and it was perhaps linked to the high concentration of the Io plasma torus. It should be pointed out that the temporal variation of the Saturn Lyman-alpha emission, when contrasted with the Jovian data, reveals that the auroral processes are not nearly as important in determining the Saturn Lyman-alpha intensity in the nonauroral region. The latest Copernicus observations also suggest an increase in the Jovian homopause value of the eddy mixing coefficient by about a factor of 5--10 since the Voyager epoch.« less
Stability of Alfvén eigenmodes in the vicinity of auroral arc
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hiraki, Yasutaka
2013-08-01
The purpose of this study is to give a theoretical suggestion to the essential question why east-west elongated auroral arc can keep its anisotropic structure for a long time. It could be related to the stability of east-westward traveling modes in the vicinity of arc, which may develop into wavy or spiral structures, whereas north-southward modes are related to splitting of arcs. Taking into account the arc-inducing field-aligned current and magnetic shears, we examine changes in the stability of Alfvén eigenmodes that are coupled to perpendicular modes in the presence of convection electric field. It is demonstrated that the poleward current shear suppresses growth of the westward mode in case of the westward convection electric field. Only the poleward mode is still unstable because of the properties of feedback shear waves. It is suggested that this tends to promote (poleward) arc splitting as often observed during quiet times. We further draw a diagram of the westward mode growth rate as a function of convection electric field and current shear, evaluating critical fields for instabilities of lower Alfvén harmonics. It is discovered that a switching phenomenon of fast-growing mode from fundamental to the first harmonic occurs for a high electric field regime. Our stability criterion is applied to some observed situations of auroral arc current system during pre-breakup active times.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Spann, J. F., Jr.; Germany, G. A.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Parks, G. K.; Elsen, R.
1997-01-01
The January 10-11, 1997 magnetic cloud event provided a rare opportunity to study auroral energy deposition under varying but intense IMF conditions. The Wind spacecraft located about 100 RE upstream monitored the IMF and plasma parameters during the passing of the cloud. The Polar Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) observed the aurora[ precipitation during the first encounter of the cloud with Earth's magnetosphere and during several subsequent substorm events. The UVI has the unique capability of measuring the energy flux and characteristic energy of the precipitating electrons through the use of narrow band filters that distinguish short and long wavelength molecular nitrogen emissions. The spatial and temporal characteristics of the precipitating electron energy will be discussed beginning with the inception of the event at the Earth early January 1 Oth and continuing through the subsidence of auroral activity on January 11th.
Aurora over the Southern Hemisphere
1985-05-02
51B-116-005 (29 April - 6 May 1985) --- Astronaut Don L. Lind, mission specialist, termed this scene of an aurora in the Southern Hemisphere as "spectacular," during a TV down link featuring discussion of the auroral observations on the seven-day flight. This scene was captured by astronaut Robert F. Overmyer, crew commander, using a 35mm camera. Dr. Lind, monitoring activity in the magnetosphere at various points throughout the flight, pinpointed the spacecraft's location as being over a point halfway between Australia and the Antarctic continent. There are moonlit clouds on Earth. The blue-green band and the tall red rays are aurora. The brownish band parallel to the Earth's horizon is a luminescence of the atmosphere itself and is referred to as airglow. Dr. T. Hallinan of the Geophysical Institute of Fairbanks serves as principal investigator for the auroral observations experiment and spent a great deal of time with Dr. Lind in preparation for the flight. Photo credit: NASA
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Streltsov, A. V.; Lynch, K. A.; Fernandes, P. A.; Miceli, R.; Hampton, D. L.; Michell, R. G.; Samara, M.
2012-12-01
The MICA (Magnetosphere-Ionosphere Coupling in the Alfvén Resonator) sounding rocket was launched from Poker Flat on February 19, 2012. The rocket was aimed into the system of discrete auroral arcs and during its flight it detected small-scale electromagnetic disturbances with characteristic features of dispersive Alfvén waves. We report results from numerical modeling of these observations. Our simulations are based on a two-fluid MHD model describing multi-scale interactions between magnetic field-aligned currents carried by shear Alfven waves and the ionosphere. The results from our simulations suggest that the small-scale electromagnetic structures measured by MICA indeed can be interpreted as dispersive Alfvén waves generated by the active ionospheric response (ionopspheric feedback instability) inside the large-scale downward magnetic field-aligned current interacting with the ionosphere.
SA13B-1900 Auroral Charging of the International Space Station
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Minow, Joseph I.; Chandler, Michael O.; Wright, Kenneth H., Jr.
2011-01-01
Electrostatic potential variations of the International Space Station (ISS) relative to the space plasma environment are dominated by interaction of the negatively grounded 160 volt US photovoltaic power system with the plasma environment in sunlight and inductive potential variations across the ISS structure generated by motion of the vehicle across the Earth's magnetic field. Auroral charging is also a source of potential variations because the 51.6? orbital inclination of ISS takes the vehicle to sufficiently high magnetic latitudes to encounter precipitating electrons during geomagnetic storms. Analysis of auroral charging for small spacecraft or isolated insulating regions on ISS predict rapid charging to high potentials of hundreds of volts but it has been thought that the large capacitance of the entire ISS structure on the order of 0.01 F will limit frame potentials to less than a volt when exposed to auroral conditions. We present three candidate auroral charging events characterized by transient ISS structure potentials varying from approximately 2 to 17 volts. The events occur primarily at night when the solar arrays are unbiased and cannot therefore be due to solar array current collection. ISS potential decreases to more negative values during the events indicating electron current collection and the events are always observed at the highest latitudes along the ISS trajectory. Comparison of the events with integral >30 keV electron flux measurements from NOAA TIROS spacecraft demonstrate they occur within regions of precipitating electron flux at levels consistent with the energetic electron thresholds reported for onset of auroral charging of the DMSP and Freja satellites. In contrast to the DMSP and Freja events, one of the ISS charging events occur in sunlight.
Theoretical and experimental studies relevant to interpretation of auroral emissions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Keffer, Charles E.
1991-01-01
The accomplishments achieved over the past year are detailed with emphasis on the interpretation or auroral emissions and studies of potential spacecraft-induced contamination effects. Accordingly, the research was divided into two tasks. The first task is designed to add to the understanding of space vehicle induced external contamination. An experimental facility for simulation of the external environment for a spacecraft in low earth orbit was developed. The facility was used to make laboratory measurements of important phenomena required for improving the understanding of the space vehicle induced external environment and its effect on measurement of auroral emissions from space-based platforms. A workshop was sponsored to provide a forum for presentation of the latest research by nationally recognized experts on space vehicle contamination and to discuss the impact of this research on future missions involving space-based platforms. The second task is to add an ab initio auroral calculation to the extant ionospheric/thermospheric global modeling capabilities. Once the addition of the code was complete, the combined model was to be used to compare the relative intensities and behavior of various emission sources (dayglow, aurora, etc.). Such studies are essential to an understanding of the types of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) auroral images which are expected to be available within two years with the successful deployment of the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) on the ISTP POLAR spacecraft. In anticipation of this, the second task includes support for meetings of the science working group for the UVI to discuss operational and data analysis needs. Taken together, the proposed tasks outline a course of study designed to make significant contributions to the field of space-based auroral imaging.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Ohtani, S.; Yoshikawa, A.
2016-12-01
Although the field-aligned currents (Birkeland currents) are generally considered to be driven by magnetospheric processes, it is possible that some field-aligned currents are locally induced in the ionosphere in the presence of sharp conductance gradient. In this presentation we shall discuss the poleward boundary intensification (PBI) of auroral emission as an example effect of such electrostatic polarization. The observations show that the PBIs are very often preceded by the fast polar cap convection approaching the nightside auroral oval. We propose that the ionospheric currents driven by the associated electric field diverges/converges at the poleward boundary of the auroral oval as the background ionospheric conductance changes sharply in space, and they close with field-aligned currents. The associated upward field-aligned current is accompanied by electron precipitation, which may cause auroral emission as observed as PBIs. We test this idea by modeling the ionosphere as a slab-shaped enhancement of conductance and the polar cap flow channel as a pair of upward and downward FACs. The results show that (i) a pair of upward and downward FACs is induced at the poleward boundary when the front of the polar cap flow channel approaches the auroral oval; (ii) the upward FAC extends westward much wider in longitude than the flow channel; (iii) the peak FAC density is significantly larger than the incident FAC; and (iv) the induced upward and downward FACs are distributed almost symmetrically in longitude, indicating that the Pedersen polarization dominates the Hall polarization. These results are consistent with some general characteristics of PBIs, which are rather difficult to explain if the PBIs are the ionospheric manefestation of distant reconnection as often suggested.
Artificial excitation of ELF waves with frequency of Schumann resonance
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Streltsov, A. V.; Guido, T.; Tulegenov, B.; Labenski, J.; Chang, C.-L.
2014-11-01
We report results from the experiment aimed at the artificial excitation of extremely low-frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves with frequencies corresponding to the frequency of Schumann resonance. Electromagnetic waves with these frequencies can form a standing pattern inside the spherical cavity formed by the surface of the Earth and the ionosphere. In the experiment the ELF waves were excited by heating the ionosphere with X-mode HF electromagnetic waves generated at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska. The experiment demonstrates that heating of the ionosphere can excite relatively large-amplitude electromagnetic waves with frequencies in the range 7.8-8.0 Hz when the ionosphere has a strong F layer, the frequency of the HF radiation is in the range 3.20-4.57 MHz, and the electric field greater than 5 mV/m is present in the ionosphere.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Maxworth, Ashanthi; Golkowski, Mark; University of Colorado Denver Team
2013-10-01
ELF/VLF wave generation via HF modulated ionospheric heating has been practiced for many years as a unique way to generate waves in the ELF/VLF band (3 Hz - 30 kHz). This paper presents experimental results and associated theoretical modeling from work performed at the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) facility in Alaska, USA. An experiment was designed to investigate the modulation frequency dependence of the generated ELF/VLF signal amplitudes and polarization at multiple sites at distances of 37 km, 50 km and 99 km from the facility. While no difference is observed for X mode versus O mode modulation of the heating wave, it is found that ELF/VLF amplitude and polarization as a function of modulated ELF/VLF frequency is different for each site. An ionospheric heating code is used to determine the primary current sources leading to the observations.
Initial results of stimulated radiation measurements during the HAARP campaign of September 2017
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Yellu, A. D.; Scales, W. A.; Mahmoudian, A.; Siefring, C.; Bernhardt, P.
2018-02-01
Initial results of stimulated electromagnetic radiation observed during an ionosphere heating experiment conducted at the High-Frequency Active Auroral Program (HAARP) facility are reported. The frequency of the pump wave used in the heating is in the neighborhood of the third harmonic of the electron cyclotron frequency, and of interest are simulated electromagnetic emissions (SEEs) within ? kHz of the heating frequency known as narrowband SEE (NSEE) and the commonly known wideband SEE (WSEE) which occur within ? kHz of the pump wave frequency. With the transmit power maintained at maximum, and all other conditions of the experiment invariable, the characteristics of NSEE and WSEE as time progresses from the time the transmitter is switched on are detailed in the results. The dependence of the characteristics of the NSEE and WSEE with temporal evolution into the heating cycle are observed to be fundamentally different.
Ionospheric Modification from Under-Dense Heating by High-Power HF Transmitter
2011-03-03
Auroral Research Program ( HAARP ) is a HF transmitter, which delivers 0.36 to 3.6 GW effective isotropic radiated powers (F.IRP) for the radiation...dense heating, the EIRP of the HAARP heater can be increased significantly by increasing the heater frequency. With higher heater frequency, the loss...1304 local time) and on 13 April from 0812 to 0844 UTC (0012 to 0044 local time), using the HAARP transmitter facility at Gakona, AK, at full power
HST observations of Jupiter's UV aurora during Juno's orbits PJ03, PJ04 and PJ05
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Grodent, Denis; Gladstone, G. randall; Clarke, John T.; Bonfond, Bertrand; Gérard, Jean-Claude; Radioti, Aikaterini; Nichols, Jonathan D.; Bunce, Emma J.; Roth, Lorenz; Saur, Joachim; Kimura, Tomoki; Orton, Glenn S.; Badman, Sarah V.; Mauk, Barry; Connerney, John E. P.; McComas, David J.; Kurth, William S.; Adriani, Alberto; Hansen, Candice; Yao, Zhonghua
2017-04-01
The intense ultraviolet auroral emissions of Jupiter are currently being monitored in the frame of a large Hubble Space Telescope (HST) program meant to support the NASA Juno prime mission. The present study addresses the three first Juno orbits (PJ03, 04 and 05) during which HST obtained parallel observations. These three campaigns basically consist of a 2-week period bracketing the time of Juno's closest approach of Jupiter (CA). At least one HST visit is scheduled every day during the week before and the week following CA. During the 12-hour period centered on CA and depending on observing constraints, several HST visits are programmed in order to obtain as many simultaneous observations with Juno-UVS as possible. In addition, at least one HST visit is obtained near Juno's apojove, when UVS is continuously monitoring Jupiter's global auroral power, without spatial resolution, for about 12 hours. We are using the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) in time-tag mode in order to provide spatially resolved movies of Jupiter's highly dynamic aurora with timescales ranging from seconds to several days. We discuss the preliminary exploitation of the HST data and present these results in such a way as to provide a global magnetospheric context for the different Juno instruments studying Jupiter's magnetosphere, as well as for the numerous ground based and space based observatories participating to the Juno mission.
New DMSP Database of Precipitating Auroral Electrons and Ions.
Redmon, Robert J; Denig, William F; Kilcommons, Liam M; Knipp, Delores J
2017-08-01
Since the mid 1970's, the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft have operated instruments for monitoring the space environment from low earth orbit. As the program evolved, so to have the measurement capabilities such that modern DMSP spacecraft include a comprehensive suite of instruments providing estimates of precipitating electron and ion fluxes, cold/bulk plasma composition and moments, the geomagnetic field, and optical emissions in the far and extreme ultraviolet. We describe the creation of a new public database of precipitating electrons and ions from the Special Sensor J (SSJ) instrument, complete with original counts, calibrated differential fluxes adjusted for penetrating radiation, estimates of the total kinetic energy flux and characteristic energy, uncertainty estimates, and accurate ephemerides. These are provided in a common and self-describing format that covers 30+ years of DMSP spacecraft from F06 (launched in 1982) through F18 (launched in 2009). This new database is accessible at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) and the Coordinated Data Analysis Web (CDAWeb). We describe how the new database is being applied to high latitude studies of: the co-location of kinetic and electromagnetic energy inputs, ionospheric conductivity variability, field aligned currents and auroral boundary identification. We anticipate that this new database will support a broad range of space science endeavors from single observatory studies to coordinated system science investigations.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hue, V.; Roth, L.; Grodent, D. C.; Gladstone, R.; Saur, J.; Bonfond, B.
2017-12-01
The interaction of the co-rotating magnetospheric plasma with Jupiter's Galilean moons generates local perturbations and auroral emissions in the moons' tenuous atmospheres. Alfvén waves are launched by this local interaction and travel along Jupiter's field lines triggering various effects that finally lead to the auroral moon footprints far away in Jupiter's polar regions. Within the large Hubble Space Telescope aurora program in support of the NASA Juno mission (HST GO-14634, PI D. Grodent), HST observed the local aurora at the moons Io and Ganymede on three occasions in 2017 while the Juno Ultraviolet Spectrograph simultaneously observed Jupiter's aurora and the moon footprints. In this presentation, we will provide first results from the first-ever simultaneous moon and footprint observations for the case of Io. We compare the temporal variability of the local moon aurora and the Io footprint, addressing the question how much of the footprint variability originates from changes at the moon source and how much originates from processes in the regions that lie in between the moon and Jupiter's poles.
Intermediate-scale plasma irregularities in the polar ionosphere inferred from GPS radio occultation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Shume, E. B.; Komjathy, A.; Langley, R. B.; Verkhoglyadova, O.; Butala, M. D.; Mannucci, A. J.
2015-02-01
We report intermediate-scale plasma irregularities in the polar ionosphere inferred from high-resolution radio occultation (RO) measurements using GPS (Global Positioning System) to CASSIOPE (CAScade Smallsat and IOnospheric Polar Explorer) satellite radio links. The high inclination of CASSIOPE and the high rate of signal reception by the GPS Attitude, Positioning, and Profiling RO receiver on CASSIOPE enable a high-resolution investigation of the dynamics of the polar ionosphere with unprecedented detail. Intermediate-scale, scintillation-producing irregularities, which correspond to 1 to 40 km scales, were inferred by applying multiscale spectral analysis on the RO phase measurements. Using our multiscale spectral analysis approach and satellite data (Polar Operational Environmental Satellites and Defense Meteorological Satellite Program), we discovered that the irregularity scales and phase scintillations have distinct features in the auroral oval and polar cap. We found that large length scales and more intense phase scintillations are prevalent in the auroral oval compared to the polar cap implying that the irregularity scales and phase scintillation characteristics are a function of the solar wind and magnetospheric forcings.
Energetics of the April 2000 magnetic superstorm observed by DMSP
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Burke, William J.; Huang, Cheryl Y.; Rich, Frederick J.
2006-01-01
During the late main phase of the April 6, 2000 storm with Dst approaching -300 nT, four Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites encountered repeated episodes of intense field-aligned currents whose magnetic perturbations exceeded 1300 nT, corresponding to |J∥| > 1 A/m. They had relatively fast rise times (˜5 min) and lasted for ˜20 min. The large magnetic perturbations occurred within the expanded auroral oval at magnetic latitudes below 60°. From Poynting-flux calculations we estimate that during each event several hundred tera-Joules of energy that dissipates in the mid-latitude ionosphere and thermosphere. Ground magnetometers at auroral and middle latitudes detected weak fluctuations that were incommensurate with magnetic perturbations observations at DMSP altitudes. Observed discrepancies between ground and satellite magnetometer measurements suggest that under storm conditions operational models systematically underestimate the level of electromagnetic energy available to the ionosphere thermosphere. We demonstrate a transmission-line model for M-I coupling that allows calculations of this electromagnetic energy input with no a priori knowledge of ionospheric conductances.
A region of intense plasma wave turbulence on auroral field lines
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Gurnett, D. A.; Frank, L. A.
1976-01-01
This report presents a detailed study of the plasma wave turbulence observed by HAWKEYE-1 and IMP-6 on high latitude auroral field lines and investigates the relationship of this turbulence to magnetic field and plasma measurements obtained in the same region.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Le, G.; Luehr, H.; Anderson, B. J.; Strangeway, R. J.; Russell, C. T.; Singer, H.; Slavin, J. A.; Zhang, Y.; Huang, T.; Bromund, K.;
2016-01-01
We present multimission observations of field-aligned currents, auroral oval, and magnetopause crossings during the 17 March 2015 magnetic storm. Dayside reconnection is expected to transport magnetic flux, strengthen field-aligned currents, lead to polar cap expansion and magnetopause erosion. Our multimission observations assemble evidence for all these manifestations. After a prolonged period of strongly southward interplanetary magnetic field, Swarm and AMPERE observe significant intensification of field-aligned currents .The dayside auroral oval, as seen by DMSP, appears as a thin arc associated with ongoing dayside reconnection. Both the field-aligned currents and the auroral arc move equatorward reaching as low as approx. 60 deg. magnetic latitude. Strong magnetopause erosion is evident in the in situ measurements of the magnetopause crossings by GOES 13/15 and MMS. The coordinated Swarm, AMPERE, DMSP, MMS and GOES observations, with both global and in situ coverage of the key regions, provide a clear demonstration of the effects of dayside reconnection on the entire magnetosphere.
The Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy (APIS) service
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, L.; Prangé, R.; Henry, F.; Le Sidaner, P.
2015-06-01
The Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy (APIS) service, accessible online, provides an open and interactive access to processed auroral observations of the outer planets and their satellites. Such observations are of interest for a wide community at the interface between planetology, magnetospheric and heliospheric physics. APIS consists of (i) a high level database, built from planetary auroral observations acquired by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) since 1997 with its mostly used Far-Ultraviolet spectro-imagers, (ii) a dedicated search interface aimed at browsing efficiently this database through relevant conditional search criteria and (iii) the ability to interactively work with the data online through plotting tools developed by the Virtual Observatory (VO) community, such as Aladin and Specview. This service is VO compliant and can therefore also been queried by external search tools of the VO community. The diversity of available data and the capability to sort them out by relevant physical criteria shall in particular facilitate statistical studies, on long-term scales and/or multi-instrumental multi-spectral combined analysis.
Issues in Quantitative Analysis of Ultraviolet Imager (UV) Data: Airglow
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Germany, G. A.; Richards, P. G.; Spann, J. F.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Parks, G. K.
1999-01-01
The GGS Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) has proven to be especially valuable in correlative substorm, auroral morphology, and extended statistical studies of the auroral regions. Such studies are based on knowledge of the location, spatial, and temporal behavior of auroral emissions. More quantitative studies, based on absolute radiometric intensities from UVI images, require a more intimate knowledge of the instrument behavior and data processing requirements and are inherently more difficult than studies based on relative knowledge of the oval location. In this study, UVI airglow observations are analyzed and compared with model predictions to illustrate issues that arise in quantitative analysis of UVI images. These issues include instrument calibration, long term changes in sensitivity, and imager flat field response as well as proper background correction. Airglow emissions are chosen for this study because of their relatively straightforward modeling requirements and because of their implications for thermospheric compositional studies. The analysis issues discussed here, however, are identical to those faced in quantitative auroral studies.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moriconi, M. L.; Adriani, A.; Dinelli, B. M.; Fabiano, F.; Altieri, F.; Tosi, F.; Filacchione, G.; Migliorini, A.; Gérard, J. C.; Mura, A.; Grassi, D.; Sindoni, G.; Piccioni, G.; Noschese, R.; Cicchetti, A.; Bolton, S. J.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Atreya, S. K.; Bagenal, F.; Gladstone, G. R.; Hansen, C.; Kurth, W. S.; Levin, S. M.; Mauk, B. H.; McComas, D. J.; Turrini, D.; Stefani, S.; Olivieri, A.; Amoroso, M.
2017-05-01
Throughout the first orbit of the NASA Juno mission around Jupiter, the Jupiter InfraRed Auroral Mapper (JIRAM) targeted the northern and southern polar regions several times. The analyses of the acquired images and spectra confirmed a significant presence of methane (CH4) near both poles through its 3.3 μm emission overlapping the H3+ auroral feature at 3.31 μm. Neither acetylene (C2H2) nor ethane (C2H6) have been observed so far. The analysis method, developed for the retrieval of H3+ temperature and abundances and applied to the JIRAM-measured spectra, has enabled an estimate of the effective temperature for methane peak emission and the distribution of its spectral contribution in the polar regions. The enhanced methane inside the auroral oval regions in the two hemispheres at different longitude suggests an excitation mechanism driven by energized particle precipitation from the magnetosphere.
Dupont, C; Gonnaud, F; Touzet, S; Luciani, F; Perié, M-A; Molenat, F; Evrard, A; Fernandez, M-P; Roy, J; Rudigoz, R-C
2008-11-01
Early prenatal interview has needed the implementation of a new communication tool between follow-up pregnancy professionals: a link sheet filled and carried by patients. To assess the utilization of link sheet by trained professionals, the contribution of the interview and the patient acceptation of the link sheet. Descriptive survey from the database of link sheets returned by professionals to Aurore perinatal network and semi-guided interviews with 100 randomized patients. One thousand one hundred and nineteen link sheets were sent to Aurore perinatal network by 55 professionals out of 78 trained. For primipare, precocious prenatal interview contribution has concerned health care security (60%) and emotional security (56%). For multipare, this contribution has concerned mainly emotional security (80%). No interviewed patient has refused link sheet principle. Link sheet principle, like implemented by Aurore perinatal network, seems pertinent to professionals and patients but it constitutes only one of the elements of network elaboration of personalized care.
Two-dimensional quasi-neutral description of particles and fields above discrete auroral arcs
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Newman, A. L.; Chiu, Y. T.; Cornwall, J. M.
1986-01-01
Models are presented for particle distributions, electric fields and currents in an adiabatic treatment of auroral electrostatic potential distributions in order to describe the quiet-time evening auroral arcs featuring both upward and return currents. The models are consistent with current continuity and charge balance requirements for particle populations controlled by adiabatic invariants and quasi-neutrality in the magnetosphere. The effective energy of the cool electron population is demonstrated to have a significant effect on the latitudinal breadth of the auroral electrostatic potential structure and the extent of the penetration of the accelerating potential into the ionosphere. Another finding is that the energy of any parallel potential drop in the lowest few thousand kilometers of the field line is of the same order of magnitude as the thermal energy of the cool electrons. Additional predictions include density cavities along field lines that support large potential drops, and density enhancements along field lines at the edge of an inverted V with a small potential drop.
Polar Lights at Saturn Bid Cassini Farewell
2017-10-16
On Sept. 14, 2017, one day before making its final plunge into Saturn's atmosphere, NASA's Cassini spacecraft used its Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph, or UVIS, instrument to capture this final view of ultraviolet auroral emissions in the planet's north polar region. The view is centered on the north pole of Saturn, with lines of latitude visible for 80, 70 and 60 degrees. Lines of longitude are spaced 40 degrees apart. The planet's day side is at bottom, while the night side is at top. A sequence of images from this observation has also been assembled into a movie sequence. The last image in the movie was taken about an hour before the still image, which was the actual final UVIS auroral image. Auroral emissions are generated by charged particles traveling along the invisible lines of Saturn's magnetic field. These particles precipitate into the atmosphere, releasing light when they strike gas molecules there. Several individual auroral structures are visible here, despite that this UVIS view was acquired at a fairly large distance from the planet (about 424,000 miles or 683,000 kilometers). Each of these features is connected to a particular phenomenon in Saturn's magnetosphere. For instance, it is possible to identify auroral signatures here that are related to the injection of hot plasma from the dayside magnetosphere, as well as auroral features associated with a change in the magnetic field's shape on the magnetosphere's night side. Several possible scenarios have been postulated over the years to explain Saturn's changing auroral emissions, but researchers are still far from a complete understanding of this complicated puzzle. Researchers will continue to analyze the hundreds of image sequences UVIS obtained of Saturn's auroras during Cassini's 13-year mission, with many new discoveries likely to be made. This image and movie sequence were produced by the Laboratory for Planetary and Atmospheric Physics (LPAP) of the STAR Institute of the University of Liege in Belgium, in collaboration with the UVIS Team. The animation is available at https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21899
Investigating the auroral electrojets with low altitude polar orbiting satellites
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Moretto, T.; Olsen, N.; Ritter, P.; Lu, G.
2002-07-01
Three geomagnetic satellite missions currently provide high precision magnetic field measurements from low altitude polar orbiting spacecraft. We demonstrate how these data can be used to determine the intensity and location of the horizontal currents that flow in the ionosphere, predominantly in the auroral electrojets. First, we examine the results during a recent geomagnetic storm. The currents derived from two satellites at different altitudes are in very good agreement, which verifies good stability of the method. Further, a very high degree of correlation (correlation coefficients of 0.8 0.9) is observed between the amplitudes of the derived currents and the commonly used auroral electrojet indices based on magnetic measurements at ground. This points to the potential of defining an auroral activity index based on the satellite observations, which could be useful for space weather monitoring. A specific advantage of the satellite observations over the ground-based magnetic measurements is their coverage of the Southern Hemisphere, as well as the Northern. We utilize this in an investigation of the ionospheric currents observed in both polar regions during a period of unusually steady interplanetary magnetic field with a large negative Y-component. A pronounced asymmetry is found between the currents in the two hemispheres, which indicates real inter-hemispheric differences beyond the mirror-asymmetry between hemispheres that earlier studies have revealed. The method is also applied to another event for which the combined measurements of the three satellites provide a comprehensive view of the current systems. The analysis hereof reveals some surprising results concerning the connection between solar wind driver and the resulting ionospheric currents. Specifically, preconditioning of the magnetosphere (history of the interplanetary magnetic field) is seen to play an important role, and in the winther hemisphere, it seems to be harder to drive currents on the nightside than on the dayside.
Jupiter's atmospheric composition from the Cassini thermal infrared spectroscopy experiment
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kunde, V. G.; Flasar, F. M.; Jennings, D. E.; Bezard, B.; Strobel, D. F.; Conrath, B. J.; Nixon, C. A.; Bjoraker, G. L.; Romani, P. N.; Achterberg, R. K.;
2004-01-01
The Composite Infrared Spectrometer observed Jupiter in the thermal infrared during the swing-by of the Cassini spacecraft. Results include the detection of two new stratospheric species, the methyl radical and diacetylene, gaseous species present in the north and south auroral infrared hot spots; determination of the variations with latitude of acetylene and ethane, the latter a tracer of atmospheric motion; observations of unexpected spatial distributions of carbon dioxide and hydrogen cyanide, both considered to be products of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 impacts; characterization of the morphology of the auroral infrared hot spot acetylene emission; and a new evaluation of the energetics of the northern auroral infrared hot spot.
Stormtime Simulations of Sub-Auroral Polarization Streams (SAPS)
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huba, J.; Sazykin, S. Y.; Coster, A. J.
2017-12-01
We present simulation results from the self-consistently coupled SAMI3/RCM code on the impact of geomagnetic storms on the ionosphere/plasmasphere system with an emphasis on the development of sub-auroral plasma streams (SAPS). We consider the following storm events: March 31, 2001, March 17, 2013, March 17, 2015, September 3, 2012, and June 23, 2015. We compare and contrast the development of SAPS for these storms. The main results are the development of sub-auroral (< 60 degrees) low-density, high-speed flows (1 - 2 km/s). Additionally, we discuss the impact on plasmaspheric dynamics. We compare our model results to data (e.g., Millstone Hill radar, GPS TEC).
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Heelis, R. A.; Winningham, J. D.; Hanson, W. B.; Burch, J. L.
1980-01-01
Simultaneous measurements of the auroral zone particle precipitation and the ion convection velocity by Atmosphere Explorer show a consistent difference between the location of the poleward boundary of the auroral particle precipitation and the ion convection reversal. The difference of about 1.5 degrees of invariant latitude is such that some part of the antisunward convection lies wholly within the auroral particle precipitation region. The nature of the convection reversals within the precipitation region suggests that in this region the convection electric field is generated on closed field lines that connect in the magnetosphere to the low latitude boundary layer.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Solovyev, Stepan; Boroev, Roman; Moiseyev, Alexey; Du, Aimin; Yumoto, Kiyohumi
According to the global ground geomagnetic observations in the six meridian chains and analysis of satellite measurements the auroral elektrojet features at various conditions in the solar wind (SW) and the IMF: during a sharp rise of dynamic pressure up to 15-60 nPa and variations in the intensity and sign of the IMF Bz-component to -40 --50 nT. The data obtained during super strong magnetic storms of October 29-30, 2003, November 20-21, 2003, November 07-08, 2004 and November 09-10, 2004 (Dst = -300 --400 nT) are analysed. The following scientific results are obtained: • It is shown that a sharp increase of the SW dynamic pressure (Pd) and the excitation of a sudden impulse (SC) during IMF Bz negative (Bz<0) leads to a simultaneous (with accuracy 1-3 min) increase of DP2 current system and the intensity of the western elec-trojet (Jw) in a broad sector of longitudes and expansion of Jw to the pole up to the polar cap latitudes with the velocity of VN = 1-3 km/s. • It is found that during the sharp rise of Pd up to 60 nPa for IMF Bz positive (Bz>0) 35 nT is the amplification of eastward magnetopause currents and DP2 current system are observed. Strengthening and dynamics of the westward electrojet is not observed. • We find that during periods of intensity growth of negative values of IMF Bz to -50 nT within a few hours there is a shift of the centers of auroral electrojet to the equator up to latitudes about 10-20 degrees along the meridian with a speed of 1-4 km/s with a simultaneous amplifications of Jw repeated in 1-2 hours with a duration of 1-2 hours at latitudes from low to auroral latitudes and with a possible extension to electrojets up to the polar cap latitudes and the abrupt extension of the subsequent Jw electrojets localization region by azimuth. • It is shown that after the electrojet displacement to the equator during southward direc-tion of IMF Bz and enhancement of the SW electric field the IMF Bz turning to the north accompanied by the poleward expansion of Jw electrojet at a speed of 1 km/s in a wide range of longitudes is observed. • It is found that the electrojet expansion to the pole during superstorms often occurs up to the polar cap latitudes due to the extension of the precipitating particles and increased ionospheric conductivity region from the low and auroral latitudes, but not due to the movement of localized westward electrojet along the meridian, as is the case in the substorm. The report discusses the possible causes of the dynamics of auroral electrojets under different geophysical conditions. This work was supported by the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences (program 16, part 3), by the RFBR grant No.09-05-98546 and also supported by the SB RAS project No.69.
Anomalous Resistivity of Auroral Field Lines.
1982-01-25
Anomalous Resistivity on Auroral Field Lines H-. L. R0VNLAND AND K. PAPADOPOULOS Laboratory for Plasma and Fusion Energy Studies$ University of Maryland...d in Stock 20, It difitir.oI from Reprt) It.SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES * Laboratory for Plasma and Fusion Energy Studies, University of NMarland, College
Eyewitness Reports of the Great Auroral Storm of 1859
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Green, James L.; Boardsen, Scott; Odenwald, Sten; Humble, John; Pazamickas, Katherine A.
2005-01-01
The great geomagnetic storm of 1859 is really composed of two closely spaced massive worldwide auroral events. The first event began on August 28th and the second began on September 2nd. It is the storm on September 2nd that results from the Carrington-Hodgson white light flare that occurred on the sun September l&. In addition to published scientific measurements; newspapers, ship logs and other records of that era provide an untapped wealth of first hand observations giving time and location along with reports of the auroral forms and colors. At its height, the aurora was described as a blood or deep crimson red that was so bright that one "could read a newspaper by." Several important aspects of this great geomagnetic storm are simply phenomenal. Auroral forms of all types and colors were observed to latitudes of 25deg and lower. A significant portion of the world's 125,000 miles of telegraph lines were also adversely affected. Many of - which were unusable for 8 hours or more and had a small but notable economic impact. T h s paper presents only a select few available first hand accounts of the Great Auroral Event of 1859 in an attempt to give the modern reader a sense of how this spectacular display was received by the public from many places around the globe and present some other important historical aspects of the storm.
Relation of the auroral substorm to the substorm current wedge
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
McPherron, Robert L.; Chu, Xiangning
2016-12-01
The auroral substorm is an organized sequence of events seen in the aurora near midnight. It is a manifestation of the magnetospheric substorm which is a disturbance of the magnetosphere brought about by the solar wind transfer of magnetic flux from the dayside to the tail lobes and its return through the plasma sheet to the dayside. The most dramatic feature of the auroral substorm is the sudden brightening and poleward expansion of the aurora. Intimately associated with this expansion is a westward electrical current flowing across the bulge of expanding aurora. This current is fed by a downward field-aligned current (FAC) at its eastern edge and an upward current at its western edge. This current system is called the substorm current wedge (SCW). The SCW forms within a minute of auroral expansion. FAC are created by pressure gradients and field line bending from shears in plasma flow. Both of these are the result of pileup and diversion of plasma flows in the near-earth plasma sheet. The origins of these flows are reconnection sites further back in the tail. The auroral expansion can be explained by a combination of a change in field line mapping caused by the substorm current wedge and a tailward growth of the outer edge of the pileup region. We illustrate this scenario with a complex substorm and discuss some of the problems associated with this interpretation.
Conjugate Magnetic Observations in the Polar Environments by PRIMO and AUTUMNX
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Chi, P. J.; Russell, C. T.; Strangeway, R. J.; Raymond, C. A.; Connors, M. G.; Wilson, T. J.; Boteler, D. H.; Rowe, K.; Schofield, I.
2014-12-01
While magnetically conjugate observations by ground-based magnetometers are available at both high and low magnetic latitudes, few have been established at auroral latitudes to monitor the hemispheric asymmetry of auroral electric currents and its impact to geospace dynamics. Due to the limitations of global land areas, the only regions where conjugate ground-based magnetic observations can cover the full range of auroral latitudes are between Quebec, Canada and West Antarctica. Funded by the Canadian Space Agency, the AUTUMNX project is currently emplacing 10 ground-based magnetometers in Quebec, Canada, and will provide the magnetic field observations in the Northern Hemisphere. The proposed U.S. Polar Region Interhemispheric Magnetic Observatories (PRIMO) project plans to establish six new ground-based magnetometers in West Antarctica at L-values between 3.9 and 10.1. The instrument is based on the new low-power fluxgate magnetometer system recently developed at UCLA for operation in the polar environments. The PRIMO magnetometers will operate on the power and communications platform well proven by the POLENET project, and the six PRIMO systems will co-locate with existing ANET stations in the region for synergy in logistic support. Focusing on the American longitudinal sector and leveraging infrastructure through international collaborations, PRIMO and AUTUMNX can monitor the intensity and location of auroral electrojets in both hemispheres simultaneously, enabling the first systematic interhemispheric magnetic observations at auroral latitudes.
AURORAL X-RAYS, COSMIC RAYS, AND RELATED PHENOMENA DURING THE STORM OF FEBRUARY 10-11, 1958
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Winckler, J.R.; Peterson, L.; Hoffman, R.
1959-06-01
Balloon observations were made during the auroral storm of February 10- 11, 1958, at Minneapolis. Strong x-ray bursts in two groups were detected. The groups appeared coincident with two large magnetic bays, with strong radio noise absorption, and with the passage across the zenith of a very large amount of auroral luminosity. From the x-ray intensity and measured energies, an electron current of 0.6 x 10/sup 6/ electrons /cm/sup 2// scc was present. These electrons ionizing the upper D layer accounted for the increased cosmic noise absorption. The x-rays themselves carried 1000 times less energy than the electrons and couldmore » not provide sufficient ionization for the observed radio absorption. Visual auroral fornis during this storm are reported to have lower borders at thc 200 to 300 km level. There is thus a difficulty in bringing the electrons to the D layer without ani accompanying visible aurora. A cosmic-ray decrease accompanied the storm and was observed to be from 4 to 6% at sea level, 21% in the balloon altitude ionization, and 15% in total energy influx at 55 deg geomagnetic latitude. Compared with the great intensity of the magnetic and auroral phenomena in this storm, the cosmic-ray modulation was not exceptionally large. (auth)« less
Life Modeling for Nickel-Hydrogen Batteries in Geosynchronous Satellite Operation
2005-03-25
aerothermodynamics; chemical and electric propulsion; environmental chemistry; combustion processes; space environment effects on materials, hardening and...intelligent microinstruments for monitoring space and launch system environments . Space Science Applications Laboratory: Magnetospheric, auroral and cosmic-ray...hyperspectral imagery to defense, civil space, commercial, and environmental missions; effects of solar activity, magnetic storms and nuclear explosions on the
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Frissell, N. A.; Baker, J. B.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Greenwald, R. A.; Gerrard, A. J.; Miller, E. S.; West, M. L.
2015-12-01
Medium Scale Traveling Ionospheric Disturbances (MSTIDs) are wave-like perturbations of the F-region ionosphere with horizontal wavelengths on the order of several hundred kilometers, and periods between 15 - 60 min. In SuperDARN radar data, MSTID signatures are manifested as quasi-periodic enhancements of ground backscatter (i.e. skip focusing) which propagate through the radar field-of-view. At high latitudes, SuperDARN observations of MSTIDs have generally been attributed to atmospheric gravity waves (AGWs) launched by auroral sources (e.g. Joule heating). However, recent studies with newer mid-latitude radars have shown MSTIDs are routinely observed in the subauroral ionosphere as well. To develop a more complete picture of MSTID activity, we have surveyed observations from four high latitude and six mid latitude SuperDARN radars located in the North American sector collected between 2011 and 2015 during the months of November to May. Consistent with previous SuperDARN MSTID studies, all radars observed MSTIDs with horizontal wavelengths between ~250 - 500 km and horizontal velocities between ~100 - 250 m/s. The majority of the MSTIDs were observed to propagate in a predominantly southward direction, with bearings ranging from ~135 ̊ - 250 ̊ geographic azimuth. This is highly suggestive of high latitude auroral sources; however, no apparent correlation with geomagnetic or space weather activity could be identified. Rather, comparison of the SuperDARN MSTID time-series data with northern hemisphere geopotential data from the European Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) operational model reveals a strong correlation of MSTID activity with dynamics in the polar vortex structure on two primary time scales. First, a seasonal effect manifests as enhanced MSTID activity from November through January, followed by a depressed period from February to May. This appears to correspond with the seasonal development and later decay of the polar vortex. A second, shorter time scale correlation occurs on a 1 to 3 week timescale with MSTID enhancements and depressions again corresponding with strong and weak polar vortex structuring. Collectively, these observations suggest the polar vortex is a more dominant source for MSTIDs observed by SuperDARN radars, rather than auroral sources.
Controlling Charging and Arcing on a Solar Powered Auroral Orbiting Spacecraft
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Ferguson, Dale C.; Rhee, Michael S.
2008-01-01
The Global Precipitation Measurement satellite (GPM) will be launched into a high inclination (65 degree) orbit to monitor rainfall on a global scale. Satellites in high inclination orbits have been shown to charge to high negative potentials, with the possibility of arcing on the solar arrays, when three conditions are met: a drop in plasma density below approximately 10,000 cm(exp -3), an injection of energetic electrons of energy more that 7-10 keV, and passage through darkness. Since all of these conditions are expected to obtain for some of the GPM orbits, charging calculations were done using first the Space Environment and Effects (SEE) Program Interactive Spacecraft Charging Handbook, and secondly the NASA Air-force Spacecraft Charging Analyzer Program (NASCAP-2k). The object of the calculations was to determine if charging was likely for the GPM configuration and materials, and specifically to see if choosing a particular type of thermal white paint would help minimize charging. A detailed NASCAP-2k geometrical model of the GPM spacecraft was built, with such a large number of nodes that it challenged the capability of NASCAP-2k to do the calculations. The results of the calculations were that for worst-case auroral charging conditions, charging to levels on the order of -120 to -230 volts could occur on GPM during night-time, with differential voltages on the solar arrays that might lead to solar array arcing. In sunlit conditions, charging did not exceed -20 V under any conditions. The night-time results were sensitive to the spacecraft surface materials chosen. For non-conducting white paints, the charging was severe, and could continue unabated throughout the passage of GPM through the auroral zone. Somewhat conductive (dissipative) white paints minimized the night-time charging to levels of -120 V or less, and thus were recommended for GPM thermal control. It is shown that the choice of thermal control paints is important to prevent arcing on high inclination orbiting spacecraft solar arrays as well as for GEO satellites, even for solar array designs chosen to minimize arcing.
Juno-UVS and Chandra Observations of Jupiter's Polar Auroral Emissions
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Gladstone, G. R.; Kammer, J. A.; Versteeg, M. H.; Greathouse, T. K.; Hue, V.; Gérard, J.-C.; Grodent, D.; Bonfond, B.; Jackman, C.; Branduardi-Raymont, G.; Kraft, R. P.; Dunn, W. R.; Bolton, S. J.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Levin, S. M.; Mauk, B. H.; Valek, P.; Adriani, A.; Kurth, W. S.; Orton, G. S.
2017-09-01
New results are presented comparing Jupiter's auroras at far-ultraviolet and x-ray wavelengths, using data acquired by Juno-UVS and Chandra. The highly variable polar auroras (which are located within the main auroral oval) track each other quite well in brightness at these two wavelengths.
2007-05-22
HAARP ) HF transmitter in Gakona, Alaska, and detected after propagating more than 4400 km in the Earth-ionosphere waveguide to Midway Atoll. The...conductivity variation (created by modulated HF heating) and radiating 4–32 W. The HF-ELF conversion efficiency at HAARP is thus estimated to be...Program ( HAARP ) research station in Gakona, Alaska. The HAARP HF transmitter (or heater), which JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH, VOL. 112, A05309, doi
Spacecraft Environmental Interactions Technology 1983
1985-01-01
sr. 144 S+ +. + ’ J9 • "=• _Z7 `16~ r’r f,"::,irC 14 0 ral Irl -r -4: 3J’ r. .4 1 .. i. . Figure 3. - Isocontour maps as in figiire 1 for the average ...Geophysics Laboratory ....... . . . . . . . . . .. 125 AVERAGE AND WORST-CASE SPECIFICATIONS OF PRECIPITATING AURORAL ELECTRON ENVIRONMENT David A...force now, In volume S we d( ’elop a road- map of how a technology program would co-tinue to develop the technology base required for the specific
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
1995-01-01
The objective of the Twin Electric Magnetospheric Probes Exploring on Spiral Trajectories (TEMPEST) mission is to understand the nature and causes of magnetic storm conditions in the magnetosphere whether they be manifested classically in the buildup of the ring current, or (as recently discovered) by storms of relativistic electrons that cause the deep dielectric charging responsible for disabling satellites in synchronous orbit, or by the release of energy into the auroral ionosphere and the plasma sheet during substorms.
Aurora Research: Earth/Space Data Fusion Powered by GIS and Python
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kalb, V. L.; Collado-Vega, Y. M.; MacDonald, E.; Kosar, B.
2017-12-01
The Aurora Borealis and Australis Borealis are visually spectacular, but are also an indicator of Sun-magnetosphere-ionosphere energy transfer during geomagnetic storms. The Saint Patrick's Day Storm of 2015 is a stellar example of this, and is the focus of our study that utilizes the Geographical Information Services of ArcGIS to bring together diverse and cross disciplinary data for analysis. This research leverages data from a polar-orbiting Earth science sensor band that is exquisitely sensitive to visible light, namely the Day/Night Band (DNB) of the VIIRS instrument onboard the Suomi NPP satellite. This Sun-synchronous data source can provide high temporal and spatial resolution observations of the aurorae, which is not possible with current space science instruments. This data can be compared with auroral model data, solar wind measurements, and citizen science data of aurora observations and tweets. While the proposed data sources are diverse in type and format, their common attribute is location. This is exploited by bringing all the data into ArcGIS for mapping and analysis. The Python programming language is used extensively to automate the data preprocessing, group the DNB and citizen science observations to temporal windows associated with an auroral model timestep, and print the data to a pdf mapbook for sharing with team members. There are several goals for this study: compare the auroral model predictions with DNB data, look for fine-grained structure of the aurora in the DNB data, compare citizen science data with DNB values, and correlate DNB intensity with solar wind data. This study demonstrates the benefits of using a GIS platform to bring together data that is diverse in type and format for scientific exploration, and shows how Python can be used to scale up to large datasets.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Grandal, B.; Troim, J.; Maehlum, B.; Holtet, J. A.; Pran, B.
1980-01-01
Observations of waves stimulated by artificial injection inside an auroral arc by an electron accelerator mounted on the POLAR 5 sounding rocket are presented. The accelerator produced a pulsed electron beam with currents up to 130 mA and energies up to 10 keV; emissions after the end of beam injection were generated by perturbations in the ambient plasma near the accelerator during beam injection. These emissions were independent of the electron beam direction along the geomagnetic field. The high frequency emission observed after beam injection correlated with the passage through an auroral arc; the low frequency emissions after beam injection were concentrated in two bands below the lower hybrid frequency.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Keskinen, M. J.; Chaturvedi, P. K.; Ossakow, S. L.
1992-01-01
The 2D nonlinear evolution of the ionization-driven adiabatic auroral arc instability is studied. We find: (1) the adiabatic auroral arc instability can fully develop on time scales of tens to hundreds of seconds and on spatial scales of tens to hundreds of kilometers; (2) the evolution of this instability leads to nonlinear 'hook-shaped' conductivity structures: (3) this instability can lead to parallel current filamentation over a wide range of scale sizes; and (4) the k-spectra of the density, electric field, and parallel current develop into inverse power laws in agreement with satellite observations. Comparison with mesoscale auroral phenomenology and current filamentation structures is made.
Energy flux and characteristic energy of an elemental auroral structure
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lanchester, B. S.; Palmer, J. R.; Rees, M. H.; Lummerzheim, D.; Kaila, K.; Turunen, T.
1994-01-01
Electron density profiles acquired with the EISCAT radar at 0.2 s time resolution, together with TV images and photometric intensities, were used to study the characteristics of thin (less than 1 km) auroral arc structures that drifted through the field of view of the instruments. It is demonstrated that both high time and space resolution are essential for deriving the input parameters of the electron flux responsible for the elemental auroral structures. One such structure required a 400 mW/sq m (erg/sq cm s) downward energy flux carried by an 8 keV monochromatic electron flux equivalent to a current density of 50 micro Angstrom/sq m.
An example of anticorrelation of auroral particles and electric fields.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Maynard, N. C.; Bahnsen, A.; Christophersen, P.; Lundin, R.; Egeland, A.
1973-01-01
The question of whether correlation or anticorrelation should occur is complex and depends on many factors, e.g., the internal impedance of the source; the Pedersen conductivity, which in turn is dependent on the incident energy of the precipitated particles; whether space charge can build up; and the magnitude of the incoming flux. Data are presented from a case in which an anticorrelation between auroral particles and electric fields is especially striking. The data were obtained from a Nike Tomahawk launched from the Norwegian rocket range at Andoya. The experiments carried are described briefly. The data support the anticorrelation model as one mechanism that can affect the electric field strength in auroral regions.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Miceli, R. J.; Hysell, D. L.; Munk, J.; McCarrick, M.; Huba, J. D.
2013-09-01
Artificial field-aligned plasma density irregularities (FAIs) were generated in the E region of the ionosphere above the High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program facility during campaigns in May and August of 2012 and observed using a 30 MHz coherent scatter radar imager in Homer, Alaska. The purpose of this ionospheric modification experiment was to measure the threshold pump power required to excite thermal parametric instabilities by O-mode heating and to investigate the suppression of the FAIs by simultaneous X-mode heating. We find that the threshold pump power for irregularity excitation was consistent with theoretical predictions and increased by approximately a factor of 2 when X-mode heating was present. A modified version of the Another Model of the Ionosphere (SAMI2) ionospheric model was used to simulate the threshold experiments and suggested that the increase was entirely due to enhanced D region absorption associated with X-mode heating. Additionally, a remarkable degree of fine structure possibly caused by natural gradient drift instability in the heater-modified volume was observed in experiments performed during geomagnetically active conditions.
Search for Jovian auroral hot spots
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Atreya, S. K.; Barker, E. S.; Yung, Y. L.; Donahue, T. M.
1977-01-01
Auroral emission originating at the foot of the Io-associated flux tube at Jupiter has been detected with a high-resolution spectrometer/telescope on board the Orbiting Astronomical Observatory Copernicus. The emission intensity at Ly-alpha is found to be greater than 100 kR, and the emission is located at zenographic latitudes greater than 65 deg.
Acceleration of auroral electrons in parallel electric fields
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaufmann, R. L.; Walker, D. N.; Arnoldy, R. L.
1976-01-01
Rocket observations of auroral electrons are compared with the predictions of a number of theoretical acceleration mechanisms that involve an electric field parallel to the earth's magnetic field. The theoretical models are discussed in terms of required plasma sources, the location of the acceleration region, and properties of necessary wave-particle scattering mechanisms. We have been unable to find any steady state scatter-free electric field configuration that predicts electron flux distributions in agreement with the observations. The addition of a fluctuating electric field or wave-particle scattering several thousand kilometers above the rocket can modify the theoretical flux distributions so that they agree with measurements. The presence of very narrow energy peaks in the flux contours implies a characteristic temperature of several tens of electron volts or less for the source of field-aligned auroral electrons and a temperature of several hundred electron volts or less for the relatively isotropic 'monoenergetic' auroral electrons. The temperature of the field-aligned electrons is more representative of the magnetosheath or possibly the ionosphere as a source region than of the plasma sheet.
Effect of double layers on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Lysak, Robert L.; Hudson, Mary K.
1987-01-01
The Earth's auroral zone contains dynamic processes occurring on scales from the length of an auroral zone field line which characterizes Alfven wave propagation to the scale of microscopic processes which occur over a few Debye lengths. These processes interact in a time-dependent fashion since the current carried by the Alfven waves can excite microscopic turbulence which can in turn provide dissipation of the Alfven wave energy. This review will first describe the dynamic aspects of auroral current structures with emphasis on consequences for models of microscopic turbulence. A number of models of microscopic turbulence will be introduced into a large-scale model of Alfven wave propagation to determine the effect of various models on the overall structure of auroral currents. In particular, the effects of a double layer electric field which scales with the plasma temperature and Debye length is compared with the effect of anomalous resistivity due to electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence in which the electric field scales with the magnetic field strength. It is found that the double layer model is less diffusive than in the resistive model leading to the possibility of narrow, intense current structures.
Forcing of the Coupled Ionosphere-Thermosphere (IT) System During Magnetic Storms
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Huang, Cheryl; Huang, Yanshi; Su, Yi-Jiun; Sutton, Eric; Hairston, Marc; Coley, W. Robin; Doornbos, Eelco; Zhang, Yongliang
2014-01-01
Poynting flux shows peaks around auroral zone AND inside polar cap. Energy enters IT system at all local times in polar cap. Track-integrated flux at DMSP often peaks at polar latitudes- probably due to increased area of polar cap during storm main phases. center dot lon temperatures at DMSP show large increases in polar region at all local times; cusp and auroral zones do not show distinctively high Ti. center dot I on temperatures in the polar cap are higher than in the auroral zones during quiet times. center dot Neutral densities at GRACE and GOCE show maxima at polar latitudes without clear auroral signatures. Response is fast, minutes from onset to density peaks. center dot GUVI observations of O/N2 ratio during storms show similar response as direct measurements of ion and neutral densities, i.e. high temperatures in polar cap during prestorm quiet period, heating proceeding from polar cap to lower latitudes during storm main phase. center dot Discrepancy between maps of Poynting flux and of ion temperatures/neutral densities suggests that connection between Poynting flux and Joule heating is not simple.
Testing the Auroral Current-Voltage Relation in Multiple Arcs
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cameron, T. G.; Knudsen, D. J.; Cully, C. M.
2013-12-01
The well-known current-voltage relation within auroral inverted-V regions [Knight, Planet. Space Sci., 21, 741, 1973] predicts current carried by an auroral flux tube given the total potential drop between a plasma-sheet source region and the ionosphere. Numerous previous studies have tested this relation using spacecraft that traverse auroral arcs at low (ionospheric) or mid altitudes. Typically, the potential drop is estimated at the peak of the inverted-V, and field-aligned current is estimated from magnetometer data; statistical information is then gathered over many arc crossings that occur over a wide range of source conditions. In this study we use electron data from the FAST satellite to examine the current-voltage relation in multiple arc sets, in which the key source parameters (plasma sheet density and temperature) are presumed to be identical. We argue that this approach provides a more sensitive test of the Knight relation, and we seek to explain remaining variability with factors other than source variability. This study is supported by a grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.
Direct comparison between satellite electric field measurements and the visual aurora
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Swift, D. W.; Gurnett, D. A.
1973-01-01
Electric field data from two passes of the Injun 5 satellite, one corresponding to magnetically quiet conditions and one corresponding to substorm conditions, are compared with simultaneous all-sky-camera data from College, Alaska. In each case, a significant deviation of the electric field from the expected V x B field (where V is the satellite velocity) was evident and a distinct electric field reversal could be identified. In the region of substantial electric field equatorward of the electric field reversal a diffuse auroral arc was observed during the magnetically quiet pass and auroral patches were observed during the substorm pass. The motion of the auroral patches was consistent with the general direction and magnitude of the E x B drift computed from the satellite electric field measurements. In the substorm case the electric field reversal occurred very near a discrete auroral arc at the poleward side of the diffuse arcs and patches. Comparison of the quiet time and substorm cases suggests that the convection electric field penetrates deeper into the magnetosphere during a substorm.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Klimas, Alex; Uritsky, Vadim; Donovan, Eric
2010-01-01
We provide indirect evidence for turbulent reconnection in Earth's midtail plasma sheet by reexamining the statistical properties of bright, nightside auroral emission events as observed by the UVI experiment on the Polar spacecraft and discussed previously by Uritsky et al. The events are divided into two groups: (1) those that map to absolute value of (X(sub GSM)) < 12 R(sub E) in the magnetotail and do not show scale-free statistics and (2) those that map to absolute value of (X(sub GSM)) > 12 R(sub E) and do show scale-free statistics. The absolute value of (X(sub GSM)) dependence is shown to most effectively organize the events into these two groups. Power law exponents obtained for group 2 are shown to validate the conclusions of Uritsky et al. concerning the existence of critical dynamics in the auroral emissions. It is suggested that the auroral dynamics is a reflection of a critical state in the magnetotail that is based on the dynamics of turbulent reconnection in the midtail plasma sheet.
Distributed sensing of ionospheric irregularities with a GNSS receiver array
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Su, Yang; Datta-Barua, Seebany; Bust, Gary S.; Deshpande, Kshitija B.
2017-08-01
We present analysis methods for studying the structuring and motion of ionospheric irregularities at the subkilometer scale sizes that produce L band scintillations. Spaced-receiver methods are used for Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receivers' phase measurements over approximately subkilometer to kilometer length baselines for the first time. The quantities estimated by these techniques are plasma drift velocity, diffraction anisotropy magnitude and orientation, and characteristic velocity. Uncertainties are quantified by ensemble simulation of noise on the phase signals carried through to the observations of the spaced-receiver linear system. These covariances are then propagated through to uncertainties on drifts through linearization about the estimated values of the state. Five receivers of SAGA, the Scintillation Auroral Global Positioning System (GPS) Array, provide 100 Hz power and phase data for each channel at L1 frequency. The array is sited in the auroral zone at Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska. A case study of a single scintillating satellite observed by the array is used to demonstrate the spaced-receiver and uncertainty estimation process. A second case study estimates drifts as measured by multiple scintillating channels. These scintillations are correlated with auroral activity, based on all-sky camera images. Measurements and uncertainty estimates made over a 30 min period are compared to a collocated incoherent scatter radar and show good agreement in horizontal drift speed and direction during periods of scintillation for which the characteristic velocity is less than the drift velocity.
The Detectability of Radio Auroral Emission from Proxima b
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Burkhart, Blakesley; Loeb, Abraham
Magnetically active stars possess stellar winds whose interactions with planetary magnetic fields produce radio auroral emission. We examine the detectability of radio auroral emission from Proxima b, the closest known exosolar planet orbiting our nearest neighboring star, Proxima Centauri. Using the radiometric Bode’s law, we estimate the radio flux produced by the interaction of Proxima Centauri’s stellar wind and Proxima b’s magnetosphere for different planetary magnetic field strengths. For plausible planetary masses, Proxima b could produce radio fluxes of 100 mJy or more in a frequency range of 0.02–3 MHz for planetary magnetic field strengths of 0.007–1 G. According tomore » recent MHD models that vary the orbital parameters of the system, this emission is expected to be highly variable. This variability is due to large fluctuations in the size of Proxima b’s magnetosphere as it crosses the equatorial streamer regions of dense stellar wind and high dynamic pressure. Using the MHD model of Garraffo et al. for the variation of the magnetosphere radius during the orbit, we estimate that the observed radio flux can vary nearly by an order of magnitude over the 11.2-day period of Proxima b. The detailed amplitude variation depends on the stellar wind, orbital, and planetary magnetic field parameters. We discuss observing strategies for proposed future space-based observatories to reach frequencies below the ionospheric cutoff (∼10 MHz), which would be required to detect the signal we investigate.« less
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Newell, P. T.; Liou, K.; Zhang, Y.; Paxton, L.; Sotirelis, T.; Mitchell, E. J.
2013-12-01
OVATION Prime is an auroral precipitation model parameterized by solar wind driving. Distinguishing features of the model include an optimized solar wind-magnetosphere coupling function (dΦMP/dt) which predicts auroral power far better than Kp or other traditional parameters, the separation of aurora into categories (diffuse aurora, monoenergetic, broadband, and ion), the inclusion of seasonal variations, and separate parameter fits for each MLATxMLT bin, thus permitting each type of aurora and each location to have differing responses to season and solar wind input (as indeed they do). We here introduce OVATION Prime-2013, an upgrade to the 2008 version currently widely available. The most notable advantage of OP-2013 is that it uses UV images from the GUVI instrument on the satellite TIMED for high disturbance levels (dΦMP/dt > 12,000 (nT2/3 (km/s)4/3 which roughly corresponds to Kp = 5+ or 6-). The range of validity is thought to be about 0 < dΦMP/dt = 30000 (say Kp = 8 or 8+). Other upgrades include a reduced susceptibility to salt and pepper noise, and smoother interpolation across the postmidnight data gap. We will also provide a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of other current precipitation models, especially OVATION-SuperMAG, which produces particularly good estimates for total auroral power, at the expense of working best on an historical basis. OVATION Prime-2013, for high solar wind driving, as TIMED GUVI data takes over from DMSP
Quasi-periodic latitudinal shift of Saturn's main auroral emission
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Roussos, E.; Palmaerts, B.; Grodent, D. C.; Radioti, K.; Krupp, N.; Yao, Z.
2017-12-01
The main component of the ultraviolet auroral emissions at Saturn consists in a ring of emission around each pole of the planet. This main ring of emission has been revealed to oscillate by a few degrees in the prenoon-premidnight direction with a period of 10.8h. This auroral oscillation is thought to be induced by a rotating external magnetospheric current system associated with the planetary period oscillations. Here we report, by means of auroral imaging sequences obtained with the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) on board the Cassini spacecraft, the first direct observation of an additional motion of the main emission superimposed to this oscillation. The whole main emission ring exhibits step-like displacements in latitude mainly towards dayside, decoupled from the 10.8h oscillation. These latitude shifts recur around every hour, which is a typical short periodicity at Saturn previously identified in the aurora intensity, in the charged particle fluxes and in the magnetic field. This unique observation directly demonstrates what has been inferred from past in-situ and remote measurements: the 1-hour periodicities reveal a global and fundamental magnetospheric oscillation mode that acts independently of the local magnetospheric conditions. However, the magnetospheric mechanism responsible for these 1-hour auroral shifts is still unknown. It is possible that Alfvén waves inducing hourly magnetic fluctuations might also modify the place where the field-aligned electrons precipitate in the ionosphere and produce the main emission.
The Search for Precursor Redline Auroral Events
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sobel, E. I.; Kepko, L.; Angelopoulos, V.; Donovan, E.; Spanswick, E.
2013-12-01
A popular theory of geomagnetic substorms postulates that substorms begin in the downtail region of the magnetosphere and propagate Earthward. This should result in a visible auroral precursor; however, observations have not shown such formations. This poster presents the results of our project to examine the little-studied redline data in search of these early-cycle auroral phenomena. We reviewed daily ground-based redline auroral observations for relevant months of 2008-2013 using software developed in IDL and created an event database with the observation stations, onset timestamp, available satellites, and notes. After narrowing the initial list of nearly 350 events to the best 5, we analyzed the redline events alongside white light and green light observations from the same stations, as well as in situ measurements from THEMIS and geomagnetic readings from ground-based stations. Preliminary results from 36 suspected cases and 5 confirmed cases show some instances of clear redline formations that precede visual onsets. These phenomena form above the equatorward auroral arc, descend over several minutes, and then appear to trigger onset within minutes of reaching the arc boundary. We also found evidence that these precursors are created by earthward plasma flows. This research helps answer the long-standing question of why there has been no visible precursor, despite strong evidence of pre-onset earthward flows. It is one of the first ventures into the lower spectra of the aurora, opening the door for future work on the longer-lasting, lower-energy, and more sensitive red wavelengths.
Polar cap potential saturation during the Bastille Day storm event using global MHD simulation
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kubota, Y.; Nagatsuma, T.; Den, M.; Tanaka, T.; Fujita, S.
2017-04-01
We investigated the temporal variations and saturation of the cross polar cap potential (CPCP) in the Bastille Day storm event (15 July 2000) by global magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) simulation. The CPCP is considered to depend on the electric field and dynamic pressure of the solar wind as well as on the ionospheric conductivity. Previous studies considered only the ionospheric conductivity due to solar extreme ultraviolet (EUV) variations. In this paper, we dealt with the changes in the CPCP attributable to auroral conductivity variations caused by pressure enhancement in the inner magnetosphere owing to energy injection from the magnetosphere because the energy injection is considerably enhanced in a severe magnetic storm event. Our simulation reveals that the auroral conductivity enhancement is significant for the CPCP variation in a severe magnetic storm event. The numerical results concerning the Bastille Day event show that the ionospheric conductivity averaged over the auroral oval is enhanced up to 18 mho in the case of Bz of less than -59 nT. On the other hand, the average conductivity without the auroral effect is almost 6 mho throughout the entire period. Resultantly, the saturated CPCP is about 240 kV in the former and 704 kV in the latter when Bz is -59 nT. This result indicates that the CPCP variations could be correctly reproduced when the time variation of auroral conductivity caused by pressure enhancement due to the energy injection from the magnetosphere is correctly considered in a severe magnetic storm event.
Aurora and Non-Auroral X-ray Emissions from Jupiter: A Comparative View
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Bhardwal, Anil; Elsner, Ron; Gladstone, Randy; Waite, Hunter, Jr.; Lugaz, Noe; Cravens, Tom; Branduardi-Raymont, Graziella; Ramsay, Gavin; Soria, Rob; Ford, Peter
2004-01-01
Jovian X-rays can be broadly classified into two categories: (1) auroral emission, which is confined to high-latitudes (approximately greater than 60 deg.) at both polar regions, and (2) dayglow emission, which originates from the sunlit low-latitude (approximately less than 50 deg.) regions of the disk (hereafter called disk emissions). Recent X-ray observations of Jupiter by chandra and XMM-Newton have shown that these two types of X-ray emission from Jupiter have different morphological, temporal, and spectral characteristics. In particular: 1) contrary to the auroral X-rays, which are concentrated in a spot in the north and in a band that runs half-way across the planet in the south, the low-latitude X-ray disk is almost uniform; 2) unlike the approximately 40 plus or minus 20-min periodic oscillations seen in the auroral X-ray emissions, the disk emissions do not show any periodic oscillations; 3) the disk emission is harder and extends to higher energies than the auroral spectrum; and 4) the disk X-ray emission show time variability similar to that seen in solar X-rays. These differences and features imply that the processes producing X-rays are different at these two latitude regions on Jupiter. We will present the details of these and other features that suggest the differences between these two classes of X-ray emissions from Jupiter, and discuss the current scenario of the production mechanism of them.
Superposed epoch analysis of O+ auroral outflow during sawtooth events and substorms
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Nowrouzi, N.; Kistler, L. M.; Lund, E. J.; Cai, X.
2017-12-01
Sawtooth events are repeated injection of energetic particles at geosynchronous orbit. Studies have shown that 94% of sawtooth events occurred during magnetic storm times. The main factor that causes a sawtooth event is still an open question. Simulations have suggested that heavy ions like O+ may play a role in triggering the injections. One of the sources of the O+ in the Earth's magnetosphere is the nightside aurora. O+ ions coming from the nightside auroral region have direct access to the near-earth magnetotail. A model (Brambles et al. 2013) for interplanetary coronal mass ejection driven sawtooth events found that nightside O+ outflow caused the subsequent teeth of the sawtooth event through a feedback mechanism. This work is a superposed epoch analysis to test whether the observed auroral outflow supports this model. Using FAST spacecraft data from 1997-2007, we examine the auroral O+ outflow as a function of time relative to an injection onset. Then we determine whether the profile of outflow flux of O+ during sawtooth events is different from the outflow observed during isolated substorms. The auroral region boundaries are estimated using the method of (Andersson et al. 2004). Subsequently the O+ outflow flux inside these boundaries are calculated and binned as a function of superposed epoch time for substorms and sawtooth "teeth". In this way, we will determine if sawtooth events do in fact have greater O+ outflow, and if that outflow is predominantly from the nightside, as suggested by the model results.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaeppler, S. R.; Kletzing, C. A.; Bounds, S. R.; Gjerloev, J. W.; Anderson, B. J.; Korth, H.; LaBelle, J. W.; Dombrowski, M. P.; Lessard, M.; Pfaff, R. F.;
2012-01-01
The Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission consisted of two sounding rockets launched nearly simultaneously from Poker Flat Research Range, AK on January 29, 2009 into a dynamic multiple-arc aurora. The ACES rocket mission was designed to observe electrodynamic and plasma parameters above and within the current closure region of the auroral ionosphere. Two well instrumented payloads were flown along very similar magnetic field footprints, at different altitudes, with small temporal separation between both payloads. The higher altitude payload (apogee 360 km), obtained in-situ measurements of electrodynamic and plasma parameters above the current closure region to determine the input signature. The low altitude payload (apogee 130 km), made similar observations within the current closure region. Results are presented comparing observations of the electric fields, magnetic components, and the differential electron energy flux at magnetic footpoints common to both payloads. In situ data is compared to the ground based all-sky imager data, which presents the evolution of the auroral event as the payloads traversed through magnetically similar regions. Current measurements derived from the magnetometers on the high altitude payload observed upward and downward field-aligned currents. The effect of collisions with the neutral atmosphere is investigated to determine if it is a significant mechanism to explain discrepancies in the low energy electron flux. The high altitude payload also observed time-dispersed arrivals in the electron flux and perturbations in the electric and magnetic field components, which are indicative of Alfven waves.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Kaeppler, S. R.; Kletzing, C. A.; Bounds, S. R.; Gjerloev, J. W.; Anderson, B. J.; Korth, H.; LaBelle, J. W.; Dombrowski, M. P.; Lessard, M.; Pfaff, R. F.;
2011-01-01
The Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission consisted of two sounding rockets launched nearly simultaneously from Poker Flat Research Range, AK on January 29, 2009 into a dynamic multiple-arc aurora. The ACES rocket mission was designed to observe electrodynamic and plasma parameters above and within the current closure region of the auroral ionosphere. Two well instrumented payloads were flown along very similar magnetic field footprints, at different altitudes, with small temporal separation between both payloads. The higher altitude payload (apogee 360 km), obtained in-situ measurements of electrodynamic and plasma parameters above the current closure region to determine the input signature. The low altitude payload (apogee 130 km), made similar observations within the current closure region. Results are presented comparing observations of the electric fields, magnetic components, and the differential electron energy flux at magnetic footpoints common to both payloads. In situ data is compared to the ground based all-sky imager data, which presents the evolution of the auroral event as the payloads traversed through magnetically similar regions. Current measurements derived from the magnetometers on the high altitude payload observed upward and downward field-aligned currents. The effect of collisions with the neutral atmosphere is investigated to determine it is a significant mechanism to explain discrepancies in the low energy electron flux. The high altitude payload also observed time-dispersed arrivals in the electron flux and perturbations in the electric and magnetic field components, which are indicative of Alfven waves.
Using Citizen Science Reports to Define the Equatorial Extent of Auroral Visibility
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Case, N. A.; MacDonald, E. A.; Viereck, R.
2016-01-01
An aurora may often be viewed hundreds of kilometers equatorward of the auroral oval owing to its altitude. As such, the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC) Aurora Forecast product provides a "view line" to demonstrate the equatorial extent of auroral visibility, assuming that it is sufficiently bright and high in altitude. The view line in the SWPC product is based upon the latitude of the brightest aurora, for each hemisphere, as specified by the real-time oval variation, assessment, tracking, intensity, and online nowcasting (OVATION) Prime (2010) aurora precipitation model. In this study, we utilize nearly 500 citizen science auroral reports to compare with the view line provided by an updated SWPC aurora forecast product using auroral precipitation data from OVATION Prime (2013). The citizen science observations were recorded during March and April 2015 using the Aurorasaurus platform and cover one large geomagnetic storm and several smaller events. We find that this updated SWPC view line is conservative in its estimate and that the aurora is often viewable further equatorward than Is indicated by the forecast. By using the citizen reports to modify the scaling parameters used to link the OVATION Prime (2013) model to the view line, we produce a new view line estimate that more accurately represents the equatorial extent of visible aurora. An OVATION Prime (2013) energy flux-based equatorial boundary view line is also developed and is found to provide the best overall agreement with the citizen science reports, with an accuracy of 91 percent.
An Overlooked Source of Auroral Arc Field-Aligned Current
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Knudsen, D. J.
2017-12-01
The search for the elusive generator of quiet auroral arcs often focuses on magnetospheric pressure gradients, based on the static terms in the so-called Vaslyiunas equation [Vasyliunas, in "Magneospheric Currents", Geophysical Monograph 28, 1984]. However, magnetospheric pressure gradient scale sizes are much larger than the width of individual auroral arcs. This discrepancy was noted by Atkinson [JGR, 27, p4746, 1970], who proposed that the auroral arcs are fed instead by steady-state polarization currents, in which large-scale convection across quasi-static electric field structures leads to an apparent time dependence in the frame co-moving with the plasma, and therefore to the generation of ion polarization currents. This mechanism has been adopted by a series of authors over several decades, relating to studies of the ionospheric feedback instability, or IFI. However, the steady-state polarization current mechanism does not require the IFI, nor even the ionsophere. Specifically, any quasi-static electric field structure that is stationary relative to large-scale plasma convection is subject to the generation this current. This talk demonstrates that assumed convection speeds of the order of a 100 m/s across typical arc fields structures can lead to the generation FAC magintudes of several μA/m2, typical of values observed at the ionospheric footpoint of auoral arcs. This current can be viewed as originating within the M-I coupling medium, along the entire field line connecting an auroral arc to its root in the magnetosphere.
A study of a sector spectrophotometer and auroral O+(2P-2D) emissions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Swenson, G. R.
1976-01-01
The metastable O+(2P-2D) auroral emission was investigated. The neighboring OH contaminants and low intensity levels of the emission itself necessitated the evolution of an instrument capable of separating the emission from the contaminants and having a high sensitivity in the wavelength region of interest. A new type of scanning photometer was developed and its properties are discussed. The theoretical aspects of auroral electron interaction with atomic oxygen and the resultant O+(2P-2D) emissions were examined in conjunction with N2(+)1NEG emissions. Ground based measurements of O+(2P-2D) auroral emission intensities were made using the spatial scanning photometer (sector spectrophotometer). Simultaneous measurements of N2(+)1NEG sub 1,0 emission intensity were made in the same field of view using a tilting photometer. Time histories of the ratio of these two emissions made in the magnetic zenith during auroral breakup periods are given. Theories of I sub 7319/I sub 4278 of previous investigators were presented. A rocket measurement of N2(+)1NEG sub 0,0 and O+(2P-2D) emission in aurora was examined in detail and was found to agree with the ground based measurements. Theoretical examination resulted in the deduction of the electron impact efficiency generating O+(2P) and also suggests a large source of O+(2P) at low altitude. A possible source is charge exchange of N+(1S) with OI(3P).
Extreme Spacecraft Charging in Polar Low Earth Orbit
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Colson, Andrew D.; Minow, Joseph I.; Parker, L. Neergaard
2012-01-01
Spacecraft in low altitude, high inclination (including sun -synchronous) orbits are widely used for remote sensing of the Earth fs land surface and oceans, monitoring weather and climate, communications, scientific studies of the upper atmosphere and ionosphere, and a variety of other scientific, commercial, and military applications. These systems episodically charge to frame potentials in the kilovolt range when exposed to space weather environments characterized by a high flux of energetic (approx.10 fs kilovolt) electrons in regions of low background plasma density. Auroral charging conditions are similar in some ways to the space weather conditions in geostationary orbit responsible for spacecraft charging to kilovolt levels. We first review the physics of space environment interactions with spacecraft materials that control auroral charging rates and the anticipated maximum potentials that should be observed on spacecraft surfaces during disturbed space weather conditions. We then describe how the theoretical values compare to the observational history of extreme charging in auroral environments. Finally, a set of extreme DMSP charging events are described varying in maximum negative frame potential from approx.0.6 kV to approx.2 kV, focusing on the characteristics of the charging events that are of importance both to the space system designer and to spacecraft operators. The goal of the presentation is to bridge the gap between scientific studies of auroral charging and the need for engineering teams to understand how space weather impacts both spacecraft design and operations for vehicles on orbital trajectories that traverse auroral charging environments.
Contamination and Micropropulsion Technology
2012-07-01
23, 027101 (2011) Evaluation of active flow control applied to wind turbine blade section J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 2, 063101 (2010) Effect...field lines at high latitudes where solar wind electrons can readily access the upper atmosphere. The electron energy distribution in the auroral... slip behavior of n-hexadecane in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow via nonequilibrium molecular dynamic simulation J. Chem. Phys. 136, 104904
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mcdade, Ian C.
1991-01-01
Techniques were developed for recovering two-dimensional distributions of auroral volume emission rates from rocket photometer measurements made in a tomographic spin scan mode. These tomographic inversion procedures are based upon an algebraic reconstruction technique (ART) and utilize two different iterative relaxation techniques for solving the problems associated with noise in the observational data. One of the inversion algorithms is based upon a least squares method and the other on a maximum probability approach. The performance of the inversion algorithms, and the limitations of the rocket tomography technique, were critically assessed using various factors such as (1) statistical and non-statistical noise in the observational data, (2) rocket penetration of the auroral form, (3) background sources of emission, (4) smearing due to the photometer field of view, and (5) temporal variations in the auroral form. These tests show that the inversion procedures may be successfully applied to rocket observations made in medium intensity aurora with standard rocket photometer instruments. The inversion procedures have been used to recover two-dimensional distributions of auroral emission rates and ionization rates from an existing set of N2+3914A rocket photometer measurements which were made in a tomographic spin scan mode during the ARIES auroral campaign. The two-dimensional distributions of the 3914A volume emission rates recoverd from the inversion of the rocket data compare very well with the distributions that were inferred from ground-based measurements using triangulation-tomography techniques and the N2 ionization rates derived from the rocket tomography results are in very good agreement with the in situ particle measurements that were made during the flight. Three pre-prints describing the tomographic inversion techniques and the tomographic analysis of the ARIES rocket data are included as appendices.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sinclair, J. A.; Orton, G. S.; Greathouse, T. K.; Fletcher, L. N.; Moses, J. I.; Hue, V.; Irwin, P. G. J.
2018-01-01
We present a retrieval analysis of TEXES (Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph (Lacy et al., 2002)) spectra of Jupiter's high latitudes obtained on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility on December 10 and 11th 2014. The vertical temperature profile and vertical profiles of C2H2, C2H4 and C2H6 were retrieved at both high-northern and high-southern latitudes and results were compared in 'quiescent' regions and regions known to be affected by Jupiter's aurora in order to highlight how auroral processes modify the thermal structure and hydrocarbon chemistry of the stratosphere. In qualitative agreement with Sinclair et al. (2017a), we find temperatures in auroral regions to be elevated with respect to quiescent regions at two discrete pressures levels at approximately 1 mbar and 0.01 mbar. For example, in comparing retrieved temperatures at 70°N, 60°W (a representative quiescent region) and 70°N, 180°W (centred on the northern auroral oval), temperatures increase by 19.0 ± 4.2 K at 0.98 mbar, 20.8 ± 3.9 K at 0.01 mbar but only by 8.3 ± 4.9 K at the intermediate level of 0.1 mbar. We conclude that elevated temperatures at 0.01 mbar result from heating by joule resistance of the atmosphere and the energy imparted by electron and ion precipitation. However, temperatures at 1 mbar are considered to result either from heating by shortwave radiation of aurorally-produced haze particulates or precipitation of higher energy population of charged particles. Our former conclusion would be consistent with results of auroral-chemistry models, that predict the highest number densities of aurorally-produced haze particles at this pressure level (Wong et al., 2000, 2003). C2H2 and C2H4 exhibit enrichments but C2H6 remains constant within uncertainty when comparing retrieved concentrations in the northern auroral region with quiescent longitudes in the same latitude band. At 1 mbar, C2H2 increases from 278.4 ± 40.3 ppbv at 70°N, 60°W to 564.4 ± 72.0 ppbv at 70°N, 180°W and at 0.01 mbar, over the same longitude range at 70°N, C2H4 increases from 0.669 ± 0.129 ppmv to 6.509 ± 0.811 ppmv. However, we note that non-LTE (local thermodynamic equilibrium) emission may affect the cores of the strongest C2H2 and C2H4 lines on the northern auroral region, which may be a possible source of error in our derived concentrations. We retrieved concentrations of C2H6 at 1 mbar of 9.03 ± 0.98 ppmv at 70°N, 60°W and 7.66 ± 0.70 ppmv at 70°N, 180°W. Thus, C2H6's concentration appears constant (within uncertainty) as a function of longitude at 70°N.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sinclair, J. A.; Orton, G. S.; Greathouse, T. K.; Lacy, J.; Giles, R.; Fletcher, L. N.; Vogt, M.; Irwin, P. G.
2017-12-01
Jupiter exhibits auroral emission at a multitude of wavelengths. Auroral emission at X-ray, ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths demonstrate the precipitation of ion and electrons in Jupiter's upper atmosphere, at altitudes exceeding 250 km above the 1-bar level. Enhanced mid-infrared emission of CH4, C2H2, C2H4 and further hydrocarbons is also observed coincident with Jupiter's auroral regions. Retrieval analyses of infrared spectra from IRTF-TEXES (Texas Echelon Cross Echelle Spectrograph on NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility) indicate strong heating at the 1-mbar level and evidence of ion-neutral chemistry, which enriches the abundances of unsaturated hydrocarbons (Sinclair et al., 2017b, doi:10.1002/2017GL073529, Sinclair et al., 2017c (under review)). The extent to which these phenomena in the stratosphere are correlated and coupled physically with the shorter-wavelength auroral emission originating from higher altitudes has been a challenge due to the limited spatial resolution available on the IRTF. Smaller-scale features observed in the near-infrared and ultraviolet emission, such as the main `oval', transient `swirls' and dusk-active regions within the main oval (e.g. Stallard et al., 2014, doi:10.1016/j/Icarus.2015.12.044, Nichols et al., 2017, doi: 10.1002/2017GL073029) are potentially being blurred in the mid-infrared by the diffraction-limited resolution (0.7") of IRTF's 3-metre primary aperture. However, on March 17-19th 2017, we obtained spectral measurements of H2 S(1), CH4, C2H2, C2H4 and C2H6 emission of Jupiter's high latitudes using TEXES on Gemini-North, which has a 8-metre primary aperture. This rare opportunity combines the superior spectral resolving power of TEXES and the high spatial resolution provided by Gemini-North's 8-metre aperture. We will perform a retrieval analyses to determine the 3D distributions of temperature, C2H2, C2H4 and C2H6. The morphology will be compared with near-contemporaneous measurements of H3+ emission from IRTF-SpeX and Juno-JIRAM/UVS to assess the extent of coupling between the stratosphere and ionosphere. In addition, a magnetospheric mapping tool (Vogt et al. 2011, doi:10.1029/2010JA016148) will be used to determine whether small-scale features are likely linked to the solar wind or the magnetosphere.
Comparisons of Solar Wind Coupling Parameters with Auroral Energy Deposition Rates
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Elsen, R.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Fillingim, M. O.; Parks, G. K.; Germany G. A.; Spann, J. F., Jr.
1997-01-01
Measurement of the global rate of energy deposition in the ionosphere via auroral particle precipitation is one of the primary goals of the Polar UVI program and is an important component of the ISTP program. The instantaneous rate of energy deposition for the entire month of January 1997 has been calculated by applying models to the UVI images and is presented by Fillingim et al. In this session. A number of parameters that predict the rate of coupling of solar wind energy into the magnetosphere have been proposed in the last few decades. Some of these parameters, such as the epsilon parameter of Perrault and Akasofu, depend on the instantaneous values in the solar wind. Other parameters depend on the integrated values of solar wind parameters, especially IMF Bz, e.g. applied flux which predicts the net transfer of magnetic flux to the tail. While these parameters have often been used successfully with substorm studies, their validity in terms of global energy input has not yet been ascertained, largely because data such as that supplied by the ISTP program was lacking. We have calculated these and other energy coupling parameters for January 1997 using solar wind data provided by WIND and other solar wind monitors. The rates of energy input predicted by these parameters are compared to those measured through UVI data and correlations are sought. Whether these parameters are better at providing an instantaneous rate of energy input or an average input over some time period is addressed. We also study if either type of parameter may provide better correlations if a time delay is introduced; if so, this time delay may provide a characteristic time for energy transport in the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Folkestad, K.; Troeim, J.
1973-01-01
Resonance phenomena have been observed in swept frequency experiments carried out on two mother-daughter Nike-Tomahawk rocket flights at auroral latitudes. The experimental method is briefly described and characteristic samples of the results are presented. A possible interpretation of some main resonances is offered, involving cold plasma cone resonances.
Ganymede and Europa and their Jovian polar footprints
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sejkora, N.; Rucker, H. O.; Panchenko, M.
2017-09-01
The interactions between the Galilean moons Europa and Ganymede and the Jovian magnetosphere are studied. The focus lies on the satellites' auroral footprints observable in the polar regions of Jupiter. The work encompasses case studies of UV observations, obtained by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), showing auroral features potentially triggered by either Europa or Ganymede. For those situations the footprint lead angles are determined, using different magnetic field models. The aim is to estimate the relationship between satellite longitude and lead angle. The delay between the local interaction at the satellite and the resulting auroral emission, which is implied by the obtained lead angles, is compared to the travel time of an Alfvén wave along a magnetic field line from the satellite to the planet.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Peterson, W. K.; Shelley, E. G.; Boardsen, S. A.; Gurnett, D. A.; Ledley, B. G.; Sugiura, M.; Moore, T. E.
1988-01-01
Evidence of transverse ion energization at altitudes of several earth radii in the auroral zone was reexamined using several hundred hours of high-sensitivity and high-resolution plasma data obtained by the Dynamics Explorer 1 satellite. The data on particle environment encountered at midaltitudes in the auroral zone disclosed rapid variations in the values of total density, thermal structure, and composition of the plasma in the interval measured; the modes of low-frequency plasma waves also varied rapidly. It was not possible to unambiguously identify in these data particle and wave signature of local transverse ion energization; however, many intervals were found where local transverse ion heating was consistent with the observations.
Auroral Observations from the POLAR Ultraviolet Imager (UVI)
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Germany, G. A.; Spann, J. F.; Parks, G. K.; Brittnacher, M. J.; Elsen, R.; Chen, L.; Lummerzheim, D.; Rees, M. H.
1998-01-01
Because of the importance of the auroral regions as a remote diagnostic of near-Earth plasma processes and magnetospheric structure, spacebased instrumentation for imaging the auroral regions have been designed and operated for the last twenty-five years. The latest generation of imagers, including those flown on the POLAR satellite, extends this quest for multispectral resolution by providing three separate imagers for the visible, ultraviolet, and X ray images of the aurora. The ability to observe extended regions allows imaging missions to significantly extend the observations available from in situ or groundbased instrumentation. The complementary nature of imaging and other observations is illustrated below using results from tile GGS Ultraviolet Imager (UVI). Details of the requisite energy and intensity analysis are also presented.
Analysis of auroral particle fluxes
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Chappell, C. R.
1972-01-01
The physical processes which describe the interaction of auroral electrons with the atmosphere appear to be more complex than just the Coulomb scattering of the incident primary electrons with a subsequent loss of energy. The comparison of the measured backscattered electron spectra with spectra predicted using a theoretical scattering calculation has led to a discrepancy for energies below about 1 to 2 keV. It was found that the very high ratio (100%) of backscattered to incident fluxes for these energies could be most reasonably explained by a parallel downward-directed electric field which prevents these lower energy electrons from entering the atmospheric scattering region. This parallel field with potential drop of about 1 keV is thought to have its origin in waveparticle interactions in the turbulent auroral ionosphere.
Field-aligned currents and the auroral electrojet
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cahill, L. J.; Potter, W. E.; Kintner, P. M.; Arnoldy, R. L.; Choy, L. W.
1974-01-01
A Nike Tomahawk with fields and particles payload was launched on Nov. 18, 1970, over a strong westward electrojet current and auroral forms moving rapidly to the east. Electron fluxes moving up and down the magnetic field lines were measured. Upward-moving electrons below 1-keV energy were dominant and were equivalent to a net downward electric current that fluctuated between .2 and .6 microamp/sq m during the flight above 130 km. As the rocket traversed this broad region of downward electric current over and to the north of the auroral forms, the horizontal electric field slowly rotated from east to west. The magnetic measurements indicate that the westward electrojet was a horizontal sheet of current several hundred kilometers in north-south extent.
Jovian Small Orbiter for Magnetospheric and Auroral Studies
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Takashima, T.; Kasaba, Y.; Misawa, H.; Kawaguchi, J.
2005-12-01
Solar-Sail Project to have been examined by ISAS/JAXA as an engineering mission has a possibility of a small probe into the Jovian orbit. This paper summarizes the basic design of Jovian magnetospheric and auroral studies by this small chance. The large-scale Jovian mission has been a hope since the 1970s when the examinations of planetary exploration were started in Japan. In the one of plans, the largest planet in the solar system would be solved by two main objectives: (1) Structure of a gas planet: the internal & atmospheric structures of a gas planet which could not become a star (following the objectives of Planet-C and BepiColombo). (2) Jovian-type magnetosphere: the process of a pulsar-like magnetosphere with the strongest magnetospheric activities in the solar system (following the objectives of BepiColombo and SCOPE). The small polar-orbit orbiter in Solar-Sail Project aims to establish the feasibility of such future outer planet missions by ISAS/JAXA. It aims the former target in its limited resources.
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Zipf, E. C.
1974-01-01
The aeronomy group at the University of Pittsburgh is actively engaged in a series of coordinated satellite, sounding rocket, and laboratory studies designed to expand and clarify knowledge of the physics and chemistry of planetary atmospheres. Three major discoveries have been made that will lead ultimately to a complete and dramatic revision of our ideas on the ionospheres of Mars, Venus, and the Earth and on the origin of their vacuum ultraviolet airglows. The results have already suggested a new generation of ionosphere studies which probably can be carried out best by laser heterodyning techniques. Laboratory studies have also identified, for the first time, the physical mechanism responsible for the remarkable nitric oxide buildup observed in some auroral arcs. This development is an important break-through in auroral physics, and has military ramifications of considerable interest to the Department of Defense. This work may also shed some light on related NO and atomic nitrogen problems in the mesosphere.
Space weather activities in Australia
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Cole, D.
Space Weather Plan Australia has a draft space weather plan to drive and focus appropriate research into services that meet future industry and social needs. The Plan has three main platforms, space weather monitoring and service delivery, support for priority research, and outreach to the community. The details of monitoring, service, research and outreach activities are summarised. A ground-based network of 14 monitoring stations from Antarctica to Papua New Guinea is operated by IPS, a government agency. These sites monitor ionospheric and geomagnetic characteristics, while two of them also monitor the sun at radio and optical wavelengths. Services provided through the Australian Space Forecast Centre (ASFC) include real-time information on the solar, space, ionospheric and geomagnetic environments. Data are gathered automatically from monitoring sites and integrated with data exchanged internationally to create snapshots of current space weather conditions and forecasts of conditions up to several days ahead. IPS also hosts the WDC for Solar-Terrestrial Science and specialises in ground-based solar, ionospheric, and geomagnetic data sets, although recent in-situ magnetospheric measurements are also included. Space weather activities A research consortium operates the Tasman International Geospace Environment Radar (TIGER), an HF southward pointing auroral radar operating from Hobart (Tasmania). A second cooperative radar (Unwin radar) is being constructed in the South Island of New Zealand. This will intersect with TIGER over the auroral zone and enhance the ability of the radar to image the surge of currents that herald space environment changes entering the Polar Regions. Launched in November 2002, the micro satellite FEDSAT, operated by the Cooperative Research Centre for Satellite Systems, has led to successful space science programs and data streams. FEDSAT is making measurements of the magnetic field over Australia and higher latitudes. It also carries a GPS receiver measuring total electron content data for magnetospheric and ionospheric studies. Understanding cosmic ray phenomena requires observations from a range of locations. The Mawson observatory, comprising low and high energy surface and high energy underground instruments, is the largest and most sophisticated observatory of its type in the Southern Hemisphere, and the only one at polar latitudes. The Australian Antarctic Division operates similar detectors at other sites. Australia has proved to be a successful site for ground-based studies and satellite downlink facilities for international collaborative projects, such as ILWS, which are monitoring Sun-Earth activity and exploring techniques for space weather forecasting.
Intense uniform precipitation of low-energy electrons over the polar cap
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Meng, C.; Kroehl, H.W.
1977-06-01
Analysis of precipitating electron data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) revealed significant enhancements (as large as two orders of magnitude) over the quiet time level of the low-energy electron flux over the polar cap during magnetic storms in September and October 1974. Strong asymmetry between the two polar caps was observed, and it may indicate that these electrons are of interplanetary (i.e., solar) origin and that their entry is influenced by the interplanetary magnetic field as illustrated by Yeager and Frank (1976) and Fennell et al., (1975). Energy spectra showing the spatial and temporal variations of the phenomenamore » are presented. There also is a region between the equatorward edge of the polar cap enhancement and the poleward edge of the evening auroral precipitation in which the electron flux drops down to the background level. If the observed intense polar cap precipitation is indeed of interplanetary origin, this void region implies that the poleward boundary of the auroral precipitation does not coincide with the equatorward boundary of the open field lines and that their separation cna be as wide as a few degrees in latitude.« less
Statistical characterization of the large-scale structure of the subauroral polarization stream
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Kunduri, B. S. R.; Baker, J. B. H.; Ruohoniemi, J. M.; Thomas, E. G.; Shepherd, S. G.; Sterne, K. T.
2017-06-01
The subauroral polarization streams (SAPS) are latitudinally narrow regions of westward directed flows observed equatorward of the evening sector auroral oval. Previous studies have shown that SAPS generally occur during geomagnetically disturbed conditions and exhibit a strong dependence on geomagnetic activity. In this paper, we present the first comprehensive statistical study of SAPS using measurements from the U.S. midlatitude Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) radars. The study period spans January 2011 to December 2014, and the results show that SuperDARN radars observe SAPS over a broad range of activity levels spanning storm time and nonstorm conditions. During relatively quiet conditions (-10 nT
Networked high-speed auroral observations combined with radar measurements for multi-scale insights
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hirsch, M.; Semeter, J. L.
2015-12-01
Networks of ground-based instruments to study terrestrial aurora for the purpose of analyzing particle precipitation characteristics driving the aurora have been established. Additional funding is pouring into future ground-based auroral observation networks consisting of combinations of tossable, portable, and fixed installation ground-based legacy equipment. Our approach to this problem using the High Speed Tomography (HiST) system combines tightly-synchronized filtered auroral optical observations capturing temporal features of order 10 ms with supporting measurements from incoherent scatter radar (ISR). ISR provides a broader spatial context up to order 100 km laterally on one minute time scales, while our camera field of view (FOV) is chosen to be order 10 km at auroral altitudes in order to capture 100 m scale lateral auroral features. The dual-scale observations of ISR and HiST fine-scale optical observations may be coupled through a physical model using linear basis functions to estimate important ionospheric quantities such as electron number density in 3-D (time, perpendicular and parallel to the geomagnetic field).Field measurements and analysis using HiST and PFISR are presented from experiments conducted at the Poker Flat Research Range in central Alaska. Other multiscale configuration candidates include supplementing networks of all-sky cameras such as THEMIS with co-locations of HiST-like instruments to fuse wide FOV measurements with the fine-scale HiST precipitation characteristic estimates. Candidate models for this coupling include GLOW and TRANSCAR. Future extensions of this work may include incorporating line of sight total electron count estimates from ground-based networks of GPS receivers in a sensor fusion problem.
Analysis of Imp-C data from the magnetospheric tail
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Speiser, T. W.
1973-01-01
Satellite magnetic field measurements in the geomagnetic tail current sheet are analyzed to determine the normal field component, and other CS parameters such as thickness, motion, vector current density, etc., and to make correlations with auroral activity as measured by the A sub e index. The satellite data used in the initial part of this study were from Explorer 28 and Explorer 34 satellites.
Jovian System as a Demonstration of JWST’s Capabilities for Solar System Science: Status Update
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Conrad, Al; Fouchet, Thierry
2018-06-01
Characterize Jupiter’s cloud layers, winds, composition, auroral activity, and temperature structureProduce maps of the atmosphere and surface of volcanically-active Io and icy satellite Ganymede to constrain their thermal and atmospheric structure, and search for plumesCharacterize the ring structure, and its sources, sinks and evolution.We will present our progress to date in planning these observations and provide an update on our expectations.Our program will utilize all JWST instruments in different observing modes to demonstrate the capabilities of JWST’s instruments on one of the largest and brightest sources in the Solar System and on very faint targets next to it. We will also observe weak emission/absorption bands on strong continua, and with NIRIS/AMI we will maximize the Strehl ratio on unresolved features, such as Io’s volcanoes.We will deliver a number of science enabling products that will facilitate community science, including, e.g.: i) characterizing Jupiter’s scattered light in the context of scientific observations, ii) resolve point sources with AMI in a crowded field (Io’s volcanoes), and compare this to classical observations, iii) develop tools to mosaic/visualize spectral datacubes using MIRI and NIRSpec on Jupiter. Finally, our program will also set a first temporal benchmark to study time variations in the jovian system and any interconnectivity (e.g., through its magnetic field) during JWST’s lifetime.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Hatch, Spencer M.; LaBelle, James; Chaston, Christopher C.
2018-01-01
We review the role of Alfvén waves in magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling during geomagnetically active periods, and use three years of high-latitude FAST satellite observations of inertial Alfvén waves (IAWs) together with 55 years of tabulated measurements of the Dst index to answer the following questions: 1) How do global rates of IAW-related energy deposition, electron precipitation, and ion outflow during storm main phase and storm recovery phase compare with global rates during geomagnetically quiet periods? 2) What fraction of net IAW-related energy deposition, electron precipitation, and ion outflow is associated with storm main phase and storm recovery phase; that is, how are these budgets partitioned by storm phase? We find that during the period between October 1996 and November 1999, rates of IAW-related energy deposition, electron precipitation, and ion outflow during geomagnetically quiet periods are increased by factors of 4-5 during storm phases. We also find that ∼62-68% of the net Alfvénic energy deposition, electron precipitation, and ion outflow in the auroral ionosphere occurred during storm main and recovery phases, despite storm phases comprising only 31% of this period. In particular storm main phase, which comprised less than 14% of the three-year period, was associated with roughly a third of the total Alfvénic energy input and ion outflow in the auroral ionosphere. Measures of geomagnetic activity during the IAW study period fall near corresponding 55-year median values, from which we conclude that each storm phase is associated with a fraction of total Alfvénic energy, precipitation, and outflow budgets in the auroral ionosphere that is, in the long term, probably as great or greater than the fraction associated with geomagnetic quiescence for all times except possibly those when geomagnetic activity is protractedly weak, such as solar minimum. These results suggest that the budgets of IAW-related energy deposition, electron precipitation, and ion outflow are roughly equally partitioned by geomagnetic storm phase.
Observations of large parallel electric fields in the auroral ionosphere
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Mozer, F. S.
1976-01-01
Rocket borne measurements employing a double probe technique were used to gather evidence for the existence of electric fields in the auroral ionosphere having components parallel to the magnetic field direction. An analysis of possible experimental errors leads to the conclusion that no known uncertainties can account for the roughly 10 mV/m parallel electric fields that are observed.
The auroral 6300 A emission - Observations and modeling
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Solomon, Stanley C.; Hays, Paul B.; Abreu, Vincent J.
1988-01-01
A tomographic inversion is used to analyze measurements of the auroral atomic oxygen emission line at 6300 A made by the atmosphere explorer visible airglow experiment. A comparison is made between emission altitude profiles and the results from an electron transport and chemical reaction model. Measurements of the energetic electron flux, neutral composition, ion composition, and electron density are incorporated in the model.
Rocket investigations of the auroral electrojet
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Davis, T. N.
1973-01-01
Five Nike-Tomahawk rockets were flown to measure perturbations in the magnitude of the geomagnetic field due to auroral electrojets. The dates and locations of the rocket launches are given along with a brief explanation of payloads and instrumentation. Papers published as a result of the project are listed. An abstract is included which outlines the scientific results from one of the flights.
Do solar cycles influence giant cell arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis incidence?
Wing, Simon; Rider, Lisa G.; Johnson, Jay R.; ...
2015-05-15
Our objective was to examine the influence of solar cycle and geomagnetic effects on the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We used data from patients with GCA (1950-2004) and RA (1955-2007) obtained from population-based cohorts. Yearly trends in age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence were correlated with the F10.7 index (solar radiation at 10.7 cm wavelength, a proxy for the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation) and AL index (a proxy for the westward auroral electrojet and a measure of geomagnetic activity). Fourier analysis was performed on AL, F10.7, and GCA and RA incidence rates. Results: The correlationmore » of GCA incidence with AL is highly significant: GCA incidence peaks 0-1 year after the AL reaches its minimum (ie, auroral electrojet reaches a maximum). The correlation of RA incidence with AL is also highly significant. RA incidence rates are lowest 5-7 years after AL reaches maximum. AL, GCA and RA incidence power spectra are similar: they have a main peak (periodicity) at about 10 years and a minor peak at 4-5 years. However, the RA incidence power spectrum main peak is broader (8-11 years), which partly explains the lower correlation between RA onset and AL. The auroral electrojets may be linked to the decline of RA incidence more strongly than the onset of RA. The incidences of RA and GCA are aligned in geomagnetic latitude. Conclusions: AL and the incidences of GCA and RA all have a major periodicity of about 10 years and a secondary periodicity at 4-5 years. Geomagnetic activity may explain the temporal and spatial variations, including east-west skewness in geographic coordinates, in GCA and RA incidence, although the mechanism is unknown. Lastly, the link with solar, geospace and atmospheric parameters need to be investigated. These novel findings warrant examination in other populations and with other autoimmune diseases.« less
Do solar cycles influence giant cell arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis incidence?
Wing, Simon; Rider, Lisa G; Johnson, Jay R; Miller, Federick W; Matteson, Eric L; Gabriel, Sherine E
2015-01-01
Objective To examine the influence of solar cycle and geomagnetic effects on the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods We used data from patients with GCA (1950–2004) and RA (1955–2007) obtained from population-based cohorts. Yearly trends in age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence were correlated with the F10.7 index (solar radiation at 10.7 cm wavelength, a proxy for the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation) and AL index (a proxy for the westward auroral electrojet and a measure of geomagnetic activity). Fourier analysis was performed on AL, F10.7, and GCA and RA incidence rates. Results The correlation of GCA incidence with AL is highly significant: GCA incidence peaks 0–1 year after the AL reaches its minimum (ie, auroral electrojet reaches a maximum). The correlation of RA incidence with AL is also highly significant. RA incidence rates are lowest 5–7 years after AL reaches maximum. AL, GCA and RA incidence power spectra are similar: they have a main peak (periodicity) at about 10 years and a minor peak at 4–5 years. However, the RA incidence power spectrum main peak is broader (8–11 years), which partly explains the lower correlation between RA onset and AL. The auroral electrojets may be linked to the decline of RA incidence more strongly than the onset of RA. The incidences of RA and GCA are aligned in geomagnetic latitude. Conclusions AL and the incidences of GCA and RA all have a major periodicity of about 10 years and a secondary periodicity at 4–5 years. Geomagnetic activity may explain the temporal and spatial variations, including east-west skewness in geographic coordinates, in GCA and RA incidence, although the mechanism is unknown. The link with solar, geospace and atmospheric parameters need to be investigated. These novel findings warrant examination in other populations and with other autoimmune diseases. PMID:25979866
Do solar cycles influence giant cell arteritis and rheumatoid arthritis incidence?
DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)
Wing, Simon; Rider, Lisa G.; Johnson, Jay R.
Our objective was to examine the influence of solar cycle and geomagnetic effects on the incidence of giant cell arteritis (GCA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: We used data from patients with GCA (1950-2004) and RA (1955-2007) obtained from population-based cohorts. Yearly trends in age-adjusted and sex-adjusted incidence were correlated with the F10.7 index (solar radiation at 10.7 cm wavelength, a proxy for the solar extreme ultraviolet radiation) and AL index (a proxy for the westward auroral electrojet and a measure of geomagnetic activity). Fourier analysis was performed on AL, F10.7, and GCA and RA incidence rates. Results: The correlationmore » of GCA incidence with AL is highly significant: GCA incidence peaks 0-1 year after the AL reaches its minimum (ie, auroral electrojet reaches a maximum). The correlation of RA incidence with AL is also highly significant. RA incidence rates are lowest 5-7 years after AL reaches maximum. AL, GCA and RA incidence power spectra are similar: they have a main peak (periodicity) at about 10 years and a minor peak at 4-5 years. However, the RA incidence power spectrum main peak is broader (8-11 years), which partly explains the lower correlation between RA onset and AL. The auroral electrojets may be linked to the decline of RA incidence more strongly than the onset of RA. The incidences of RA and GCA are aligned in geomagnetic latitude. Conclusions: AL and the incidences of GCA and RA all have a major periodicity of about 10 years and a secondary periodicity at 4-5 years. Geomagnetic activity may explain the temporal and spatial variations, including east-west skewness in geographic coordinates, in GCA and RA incidence, although the mechanism is unknown. Lastly, the link with solar, geospace and atmospheric parameters need to be investigated. These novel findings warrant examination in other populations and with other autoimmune diseases.« less
A correlative comparison of the ring current and auroral electrojects usig geomagnetic indices
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Cade, W. B., III; Sojka, J. J.; Zhu, L.
1995-01-01
From a study of the 21 largest geomagnetic storms during solar cycle 21, a strong correlation is established between the ring current index Dst and the time-weighted accumulation of the 1-hour auroral electrojets indices, AE and AL. The time-weighted accumulation corresponds to convolution of the auroral electrojet indices with an exponential weighting function with an e-folding time of 9.4 hours. The weighted indices AE(sub w) and AL(sub w) have correltation coefficients against Dst ranging between 0.8 and 0.95 for 20 of the 21 storms. Correlation over the entire solar cycle 21 database is also strong but not as strong as for an individual storm. A set of simple Dst prediction functions provide a first approximation of the inferred dependence, but the specific functional relationship of Dst (AL(sub w)) or Dst (AL(sub w)) varies from one storm to the next in a systematic way. This variation reveals a missing parametric dependence in the transfer function. However, our results indicate that auroral electroject indices are potentially useful for predicting storm time enhancements of ring current intensity with a few hours lead time.
Acceleration of barium ions near 8000 km above an aurora
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Stenbaek-Nielsen, H. C.; Hallinan, T. J.; Wescott, E. M.; Foeppl, H.
1984-01-01
A barium shaped charge, named Limerick, was released from a rocket launched from Poker Flat Research Range, Alaska, on March 30, 1982, at 1033 UT. The release took place in a small auroral breakup. The jet of ionized barium reached an altitude of 8100 km 14.5 min after release, indicating that there were no parallel electric fields below this altitude. At 8100 km the jet appeared to stop. Analysis shows that the barium at this altitude was effectively removed from the tip. It is concluded that the barium was actually accelerated upward, resulting in a large decrease in the line-of-sight density and hence the optical intensity. The parallel electric potential in the acceleration region must have been greater than 1 kV over an altitude interval of less than 200 km. The acceleration region, although presumably auroral in origin, did not seem to be related to individual auroral structures, but appeared to be a large-scale horizontal structure. The perpendicular electric field below, as deduced from the drift of the barium, was temporally and spatially very uniform and showed no variation related to individual auroral structures passing through.
The Auroral Field-aligned Acceleration - Cluster Results
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Vaivads, A.; Cluster Auroral Team
The four Cluster satellites cross the auroral field lines at altitudes well above most of acceleration region. Thus, the orbit is appropriate for studies of the generator side of this region. We consider the energy transport towards the acceleration region and different mechanisms for generating the potential drop. Using data from Cluster we can also for the first time study the dynamics of the generator on a minute scale. We present data from a few auroral field crossings where Cluster are in conjunction with DMSP satellites. We use electric and magnetic field data to estimate electrostatic po- tential along the satellite orbit, Poynting flux as well as the presence of plasma waves. These we can compare with data from particle and wave instruments on Cluster and on low latitude satellites to try to make a consistent picture of the acceleration region formation in these cases. Preliminary results show close agreement both between in- tegrated potential values at Cluster and electron peak energies at DMSP as well as close agreement between the integrated Poynting flux values at Cluster and the elec- tron energy flux at DMSP. At the end we draw a parallels between auroral electron acceleration and electron acceleration at the magnetopause.
Auroral zone electric fields from DE 1 and 2 at magnetic conjunctions
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Weimer, D. R.; Goertz, C. K.; Gurnett, D. A.; Maynard, N. C.; Burch, J. L.
1985-01-01
Nearly simultaneous measurements of auroral zone electric fields are obtained by the Dynamics Explorer spacecraft at altitudes below 900 km and above 4,500 km during magnetic conjunctions. The measured electric fields are usually perpendicular to the magnetic field lines. The north-south meridional electric fields are projected to a common altitude by a mapping function which accounts for the convergence of the magnetic field lines. When plotted as a function of invariant latitude, graphs of the projected electric fields measured by both DE-1 and DE-2 show that the large-scale electric field is the same at both altitudes, as expected. Superimposed on the large-scale fields, however, are small-scale features with wavelengths less than 100 km which are larger in magnitude at the higher altitude. Fourier transforms of the electric fields show that the magnitudes depend on wavelength. Outside of the auroral zone the electric field spectrums are nearly identical. But within the auroral zone the high and low altitude electric fields have a ratio which increases with the reciprocal of the wavelength. The small-scale electric field variations are associated with field-aligned currents. These currents are measured with both a plasma instrument and magnetometer on DE-1.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Allegrini, F.; Bagenal, F.; Bolton, S. J.; Bonfond, B.; Chae, K.; Clark, G. B.; Connerney, J. E. P.; Ebert, R. W.; Gladstone, R.; Hue, V.; Hospodarsky, G. B.; Kim, T. K. H.; Kurth, W. S.; Levin, S.; Louarn, P.; Mauk, B.; McComas, D. J.; Pollock, C. J.; Ranquist, D. A.; Reno, M. L.; Saur, J.; Szalay, J.; Thomsen, M. F.; Valek, P. W.; Wilson, R. J.
2017-12-01
The Jovian Auroral Distributions Experiment (JADE) on Juno provides critical in situ measurements of electrons and ions needed to understand the plasma distributions and processes that fill the Jovian magnetosphere and ultimately produce Jupiter's bright and dynamic aurora. JADE is an instrument suite that includes two essentially identical electron sensors (JADE-Es) and a single ion sensor (JADE-I). JADE-E measures electron energy distributions from 0.1 to 100 keV and provides detailed electron pitch angle distributions (PAD) at 7.5° resolution. Juno's trajectories in the northern hemisphere have allowed JADE to sample electron energy and pitch angle distributions on field lines connected to the auroral regions from as close as 1.2 RJ all the way to distances greater than 25 RJ. Here, we report on the evolution of these distributions. Specifically, the PADs change from mostly uniform at distances greater than 20 RJ, to butterfly from 18 to 12 RJ, to field aligned or pancake, depending on the energy, closer to Jupiter. Below 1.5 RJ, electron beams and loss cones are observed.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Lamy, L.; Henry, F.; Prangé, R.; Le Sidaner, P.
2015-10-01
The Auroral Planetary Imaging and Spectroscopy (APIS) service http://obspm.fr/apis/ provides an open and interactive access to processed auroral observations of the outer planets and their satellites. Such observations are of interest for a wide community at the interface between planetology, magnetospheric and heliospheric physics. APIS consists of (i) a high level database, built from planetary auroral observations acquired by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) since 1997 with its mostly used Far-Ultraviolet spectro- imagers, (ii) a dedicated search interface aimed at browsing efficiently this database through relevant conditional search criteria (Figure 1) and (iii) the ability to interactively work with the data online through plotting tools developed by the Virtual Observatory (VO) community, such as Aladin and Specview. This service is VO compliant and can therefore also been queried by external search tools of the VO community. The diversity of available data and the capability to sort them out by relevant physical criteria shall in particular facilitate statistical studies, on long-term scales and/or multi-instrumental multispectral combined analysis [1,2]. We will present the updated capabilities of APIS with several examples. Several tutorials are available online.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Huang, Tao; Lühr, Hermann; Wang, Hui
2017-11-01
On the basis of field-aligned currents (FACs) and Hall currents derived from high-resolution magnetic field data of the Swarm constellation, the average characteristics of these two current systems in the auroral regions are comprehensively investigated by statistical methods. This is the first study considering both current types determined simultaneously by the same spacecraft in both hemispheres. The FAC distribution, derived from the novel Swarm dual-spacecraft approach, reveals the well-known features of Region 1 (R1) and Region 2 (R2) FACs. At high latitudes, Region 0 (R0) FACs appear on the dayside. Their flow direction, up or down, depends on the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) By component. Of particular interest is the distribution of auroral Hall currents. The prominent auroral electrojets are found to be closely controlled by the solar wind input, but we find no dependence of their intensity on the IMF By orientation. The eastward electrojet is about 1.5 times stronger in local summer than in winter. Conversely, the westward electrojet shows less dependence on season. As to higher latitudes, part of the electrojet current is closed over the polar cap. Here the seasonal variation of conductivity mainly controls the current density. During local summer of the Northern Hemisphere, there is a clear channeling of return currents over the polar cap. For positive (negative) IMF By a dominant eastward (westward) Hall current circuit is formed from the afternoon (morning) electrojet towards the dawn side (dusk side) polar cap return current. The direction of polar cap Hall currents in the noon sector depends directly on the orientation of the IMF By. This is true for both signs of the IMF Bz component. Comparable Hall current distributions can be observed in the Southern Hemisphere but for opposite IMF By signs. Around the midnight sector the westward substorm electrojet is dominating. As expected, it is highly dependent on magnetic activity, but it shows only little response to season and IMF By polarity. An important finding is that all the IMF By dependences of FACs and Hall currents practically disappear in the dark winter hemisphere.
24/7 Solar Minimum Polar Cap and Auroral Ion Temperature Observations
NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)
Sojka, Jan J.; Nicolls, Michael; van Eyken, Anthony; Heinselman, Craig; Bilitza, Dieter
2011-01-01
During the International Polar Year (IPY) two Incoherent Scatter Radars (ISRs) achieved close to 24/7 continuous observations. This presentation describes their data sets and specifically how they can provide the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI) a fiduciary E- and F-region ionosphere description for solar minimum conditions in both the auroral and polar cap regions. The ionospheric description being electron density, ion temperature and electron temperature profiles from as low as 90 km extending to several scale heights above the F-layer peak. The auroral location is Poker Flat in Alaska at 65.1 N latitude, 212.5 E longitude where the NSF s new Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar (PFISR) is located. This location during solar minimum conditions is in the auroral region for most of the day but is at midlatitudes, equator ward of the cusp, for about 4-8 h per day dependent upon geomagnetic activity. In contrast the polar location is Svalbard, at 78.2 N latitude, 16.0 E longitude where the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) is located. For most of the day the ESR is in the Northern Polar Cap with a noon sector passage often through the dayside cusp. Of unique relevance to IRI is that these extended observations have enabled the ionospheric morphology to be distinguished between quiet and disturbed geomagnetic conditions. During the IPY year, 1 March 2007 - 29 February 2008, about 50 solar wind Corotating Interaction Regions (CIRs) impacted geospace. Each CIR has a two to five day geomagnetic disturbance that is observed in the ESR and PFISR observations. Hence, this data set also enables the quiet-background ionospheric climatology to be established as a function of season and local time. These two separate climatologies for the ion temperature at an altitude of 300 km are presented and compared with IRI ion temperatures. The IRI ion temperatures are about 200-300 K hotter than the observed values. However, the MSIS neutral temperature at 300 km compares favorably with the quiet-background in temperature, both in magnitude and climatology.
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Fukui, K.; Machida, S.; Miyashita, Y.; Yoshizumi, M.; Angelopoulos, V.
2017-12-01
Substorms and pseudosubstorms (pseudobreakups) are very similar phenomena. In terms of auroral morphology, pseudosubstorms are generally more localized and more short-lived, compared with substorms, and are not accompanied by poleward expansion. We examined auroral development for events from November 2007 through April 2010, using data from THEMIS all-sky imagers. We defined events accompanied and not accompanied by poleward expansion as substorms and pseudosubstorms, respectively. To understand the cause of auroral development, we investigated temporal and spatial development of the near-Earth magnetotail during substorms and pseudosubstorms, based on superposed epoch analysis of THEMIS data. We find that Vx begins to increase at -9.5 >X(GSM)>-11.5 Re around onset for both substorms and pseudosubstorms. This seems to be due to earthward flows caused by magnetic reconnection. The northward Bz also increases around onset at -9.5 >X>-10.5 Re both substorms and pseudosubstorms. The amount and rate of Bz change are larger for substorms than for pseudosubstorms. In the earthward (-7.5 >X>-9.5 Re) and tailward (-10.5 >X>-12.5 Re) regions, Bz increases substantially for substorms, whereas it does not increase very much for pseudosubstorms. These results indicate that dipolarization is weaker for pseudosubstorms than for substorms, and the dipolarization region does not spread extensively for pseudosubstorms. We, therefore, suggest that current disruption related to dipolarization does not develop tailward and hence auroral poleward expansion does not occur for pseudosubstorms. Meanwhile, the plasma and magnetic pressures increase at -6.5 >X>-7.5 Re after onset in association with dipolarization, particularly for substorms. The total pressure (the sum of the plasma and magnetic pressures) prior to the onset is larger in that region for substorms than for pseudosubstorms. At -7.5 >X>-8.5 Re the total pressure hardly differ between substorms and pseudosubstorms. Thus we conclude that the spatial gradient of the total pressure is a key that determines whether the current disruption takes place, that is, whether initial activation develops into a substorm or into a subsiding pseudosubstorm.
1986-03-20
a thermal plasma analyzer, a fluxgate magnetometer , and a space radiation dosimeter. Together, ’these provide a strong tool for analyzing the high...the SSJ/4 auroral electron and ion detectors (Hardy et al ). the SSIE and SSIES thermal plasma experiments (Smiddy et al2 ), the SSM magnetometer (Rich...1978) The Topside Ionosphere Plasma Monitor (SSIE) for the Block 5D/Flight 2 DMSP Satellite, AFGL-TR-78-007 1, AD A058503. 3. Rich. F.J. (1984) Fluxgate
NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)
Sadeghi, S.; Emami, M. R.
2018-04-01
This paper studies an auroral event using data from three spacecraft of the Cluster mission, one inside and two at the poleward edge of the bottom of the Auroral Acceleration Region (AAR). The study reveals the three-dimensional profile of the region's poleward boundary, showing spatial segmentation of the electric potential structures and their decay in time. It also depicts localized magnetic field variations and field-aligned currents that appear to have remained stable for at least 80 s. Such observations became possible due to the fortuitous motion of the three spacecraft nearly parallel to each other and tangential to the AAR edge, so that the differences and variations can be seen when the spacecraft enter and exit the segmentations, hence revealing their position with respect to the AAR.