Measurement of auroral Birkeland currents and energetic particle fluxes

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1973 · J. Geophys. Res., v. 78, no. 4, pp. 640-647

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA078i004p00640· OSTI ID:4401107

Cloutier, P A; Sandel, B R; Anderson, H R; Pazich, P M; Spiger, R J

A rocket-borne experiment containing a vector magnetometer and a set of charged-particle detectors was launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 2217 LT on February 13, 1971, over a single auroral arc. Particle data in the energy range 0.5-20 kev, obtained during part of the night, show a peak incident flux of 4x10/ sup 7/ el/cm/sup 2/ sec ster kev in the energy range 1-2 kev. The pitch angle distributions of these precipitating electrons were found to be fairly isotropic from 0 deg to 60 deg and to decrease from 60 deg to 90 deg . The results of the vector magnetometer indicate the existence of a system of Birkeland currents with magnitudes of 5x 10/sup 6/ amp/m/sup 2/ in the vicinity of the auroral arc. Two different models that fit the data are discussed. In both of these models the current carried by precipitating electrons opposed the net downward current measured by the magnetometer in ihe same region, this region being located south of that containing the peak auroral luminosity. The net upward current measured by the magnetometer flowed somewhat north of the peak auroral luminosity. (auth)

• Research Organization: Department of Space Science, Rice University, Houston, Texas, 77001
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-29-005996
• OSTI ID: 4401107
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res., v. 78, no. 4, pp. 640-647, Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res., v. 78, no. 4, pp. 640-647; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*AURORAE-- ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
*IONOSPHERE-- ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ENERGY SPECTRA
LUMINOSITY
N58100* --Physics (Atmospheric)--Auroral & Ionospheric Phenomena