Electrodynamics of very high latitude arcs in the morning sector auroral zone

Journal Article · Mon Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1988 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA093iA02p00913· OSTI ID:5378037

Robinson, R M; Vondrak, R R; Hardy, D; Gussenhoven, M S; Potemra, T A; Bythrow, P F

In November 1985 an experimental campaign was conducted at Sondre Stromfjord, Greenland, to study the electrodynamics of auroral arcs at very high latitudes. The experiments involved coordinated observations by the Sondrestrom radar and two polar orbiting spacecraft. For several hours around local dawn on November 17 a system of auroral arcs was observed over Sondrestrom. These arcs varied in intensity and width but were all extended generally in the magnetic east-west direction. A Defense Meteorological Satellite Program photograph obtained during the observations showed that two types of arcs were present. In the south the arcs were localized enhancements or striations within a broad diffuse aurora. Poleward of the diffuse aurora was a system of arc segments that extended over about 5/sup 0/ of latitude. The radar measured enhanced ionospheric electron densities associated with each of these arcs, although the altitudes of the enhancements were different for the two types. In the diffuse aurora the ionization peaked at altitudes near 115 km, whereas in the arc segments the ionization peaked at altitudes above 180 km.

• Research Organization: Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratories, Space Sciences, Palo Alto, California
• OSTI ID: 5378037
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 93:A2; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
DAILY VARIATIONS
DATA
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTRON DENSITY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATIONS
INFORMATION
IONIZATION
IONOSPHERE
LATITUDE EFFECT
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
RADAR
RANGE FINDERS
VARIATIONS