Imperfect magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling and discrete auroras. Final report 1 Jan 79-31 Dec 80

Technical Report · Wed Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

OSTI ID:5435245

Kan, J R

Recent theoretical developments on the formation of discrete auroras are reviewed to assess the progress of our understanding of discrete auroral phenomenon. In spite of the great complexity involved, a unified physical picture begins to emerge in which the roles of various auroral acceleration processes can be identified in the context of magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. Potential drops for the formation of inverted V precipitations are supported predominantly by a combination of double layer and pitch angle anisotropy processes. Additional electron energizations for the formation of thin auroral arcs are most likely due to filamentations of electrostatic ion cyclotron turbulence along the inverted V field lines. the discrete auroras can be understood as a manifestation of the imperfect coupling state of the magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction due to enhanced magnetospheric convection.

• Research Organization: Alaska Univ., College (USA). Geophysical Inst.
• OSTI ID: 5435245
• Report Number(s): AD-A-104509/5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ANISOTROPY
AURORAE
BOUNDARY LAYERS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
CONVECTION
COUPLING
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTROSTATICS
IONOSPHERE
LAYERS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
TURBULENCE
VOLTAGE DROP