Study of concurrent riometer and magnetometer variations in the PC 4--5 pulsation band

Journal Article · Tue Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1980 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA085iA04p01695· OSTI ID:5391111

Olson, J V; Rostoker, G; Olchowy, G

We report the results of a study of concurrent, periodic variations in riometer and magnetometer signals in the ULF frequency band. We have found that the riometer signals show azimuthal phase variations consistent with the phase variations observed in the magnetometer signals. Prenoon pulsations show apparent phase motion toward the dawn terminator, while postnoon pulsations show apparent phase motion toward the dusk terminator. The apparent phase motion of the riometer pulses toward dawn in the morning sector is in opposition to the direction of electron drift, indicating modulation of electron drift, indicating modulation of electron precipitation by the ULF magnetic perturbations. In addition, we find the magnitude of the riometer absorption pulsations are linearly correlated with the magnitude of the background riometer absorption level with deltaA0.22=(plus-or-minus0.04)A when measured in decibels from the quiet day level. This fact indicates modulation of the loss rate of an electron plasma which is at or near the stable trapping limit. These two observations, when combined with other information on variations in electron precipitation, imply that the variations in electron precipitation are controlled by the ULF magnetic perturbations through a ULF-VLF-electron interaction.

• Research Organization: Institute of Earth and Planetary Physics, Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Danada T5G 2J1
• OSTI ID: 5391111
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 85:A4; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
IONOSPHERE
MAGNETOMETERS
MAGNETOSPHERE
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MIDDAY AURORAE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PULSATIONS
RADIATIONS
RIOMETERS
ULTRALOW FREQUENCY RADIATION
VARIATIONS