Relationship between field-aligned currents, diffuse auroral precipitation and the westward electrojet in the early morning sector

Journal Article · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1982 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA087iA12p10469· OSTI ID:5987527

Senior, C; Robinson, R M; Potemra, T A

On the basis of Chatanika radar data and simultaneous Triad satellite data, the relationships between field-aligned currents, diffuse aurora, electric fields, and currents in the early morning sector are examined. The diffuse aurora is coincident with the upward region 2 field-aligned current. Within the upward region 2 field-aligned current, small-scale current structures are often present. These structures seem to coincide with small-scale electron density enhancements in the E region, which are probably produced by energetic electron precipitation. The westward electrojet extends across the region 2/region 1 boundary in the morning sector. The southward electric field is large at and poleward of this boundary. It is most probable that the region 2 field-aligned currents are closed by southward Pedersen currents within the ionosphere.

• Research Organization: Radio Physics Laboratory, SRI International, Menlo Park, California 94025
• OSTI ID: 5987527
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 87:A12; 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
AURORAL OVAL
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
CURRENTS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC CURRENTS
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
IONOSPHERE
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES