DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF PARTICLES PRODUCING VISIBLE A URORAS

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1960 · J. Geophys. Research

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JZ065i009p02727· OSTI ID:4123456

McIlwain, C E

The nature of particles producing two visible auroras at Fort Churchill, Canada, was determined with the aid of rocket-borne detectors. Magnetic fields were used to separate the proton and electron components of the particle flux. It was found in each case that a major fraction of the auroral light was produced by electron with energies of less than 10 kev. IGY rocket II6.26F was fired into a quiescent auroral glow of about intensity I. The integral number energy spectrum of protons incident upon the atmosphere during this flight was measured to be approximately 2.5 x 10/sup 6/ exp (-E/30) protons/sec cm/sup 2/ ster at 80 to 250 kev, where E is the proton energy in kev. The observed altitude dependence of the electron energy flux could have been produced by an integral number energy spectrum equal to 2.5x 10/sup 9/ exp (-E/5) electrons/sec cm/sup 2/ ster at 3 to 30 kev. IGY rocket II6.27F was fired into a bright active auroral arc. At least 75% of the light in this aurora was produced by nearly monoenergetic electrons with about 6-kev energy. The electron flux varied rapidly with time; peak values were about 5 x 10/sup 10/ electrons/sec cm/sup 2/ ster. The presence of monoenergetic electrons strongly suggests an electrostatic acceleration mechanism. (auth)

• Research Organization: State Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-15-000810
• OSTI ID: 4123456
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Research, Journal Name: J. Geophys. Research Vol. Vol: 65
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

AURORAE
CANADA
ELECTRONS
ELECTROSTATICS
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MEASURED VALUES
PARTICLES
PHYSICS
PROTONS
SPACE FLIGHT