Snapshots of high-latitude electrodynamics using Viking and DMSP f7 observations

Technical Report · Thu Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1988

OSTI ID:5898782

Marklund, G T; Blomberg, L G; Stasiewicz, K; Murphree, J S; Pottelette, R

Simultaneous observations by the Viking and the DMSP F7 satellites were used as input to a new method to obtain snapshot pictures of the auroral electrodynamics. In particular, an instantaneous global equipotential (or convection) pattern is calculated from distributions of field-aligned current and conductivity which are qualitatively consistent with the Viking auroral imager data and quantitatively consistent with magnetic field and particle data from the two satellites. This convection pattern, which is of the normal two-cell type, with a weak dusk cell and a strong, elongated crescent-shaped dawn cell (consistent with positive interplanetary magnetic field By), agrees well with the Viking electric-field data. The model and the observed potential profiles agree nicely along the entire Viking orbit except for two intervals above acceleration regions where deviations are to be expected (due to parallel electric fields). These regions are characterized by U-shaped potential minima, upward field-aligned currents, upgoing ion beams, and relatively intense auroral kilometric radiation. Thus, the model results are consistent with the Viking observations not only on a global scale but also on the scale of the auroral acceleration regions. The corresponding convection in the magnetosphere is obtained from a simple projection to the equatorial plane of the deduced two-cell convection pattern. From this the location of the plasmapause is inferred.

• Research Organization: Air Force Geophysics Lab., Hanscom AFB, MA (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5898782
• Report Number(s): AD-A-204693/6/XAB; AFGL-TR-89-0040
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
ACCELERATION
AURORAE
BEAMS
CONVECTION
CURRENTS
DISTRIBUTION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EARTH MAGNETOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRODYNAMICS
ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ENERGY TRANSFER
HEAT TRANSFER
ION BEAMS
IONOSPHERE
LONG WAVE RADIATION
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MASS TRANSFER
ORIENTATION
PARTICLES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
POLAR REGIONS
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION
SATELLITES