Distribution of auroral electrostatic shocks below 8000-km altitude

Journal Article · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1983 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA088iA09p07107· OSTI ID:5667957

Bennett, E L; Temerin, M; Mozer, F S

This paper examines the distributions and characteristics of electrostatic shocks as observed by the S3-3 polar-orbiting satellite. There is auroral oval coverage by the satellite at all magnetic local times and at all altitudes between 240 and 8000 km. Electrostatic shocks are reasonably uniformly distributed in magnetic local time, with a slight increase in the probability of occurrence in the cusp region and a decrease in the post-midnight region (0--6 hours magnetic local time). The occurrence of shocks increases sharply with altitude up to 5000 km, and at a slower rate above 5000-km altitude. Larger shocks tend to occur above 5000-km altitude and between 16 and 22 hours magnetic local time. Electrostatic shocks occur in or near the latitudes of the auroral oval, with few shocks occurring inside the polar cap. Only during periods of high Kp do shocks occur at low latitudes. Shocks occur with greater probability at low altitudes (2000--4000 km) during winter periods than during summer periods. In addition, a comparison of upward flowing ion beams with electrostatic shocks showed that energetic ion beams are associated with shocks but low energy ion beams are not, indicating a possible potential threshold for shocks in ion beams regions. Also, a search for upward flowing ion beams near electrostatic shocks at altitudes below 4000 km showed that upward flowing ion beams occur between 3000--4000 km altitude and between 15--24 hours magnetic local time with at least a 10% probability.

• Research Organization: Space Sciences Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley Physics Department, University of California, Berkeley
• OSTI ID: 5667957
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 88:A9; 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
AURORAL OVAL
BEAMS
DAILY VARIATIONS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ION BEAMS
IONOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA WAVES
POLAR CUSP
POLAR-CAP AURORAE
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SHOCK WAVES
VARIATIONS