Kilometer scale structures in auroral X ray arcs detected by combining satellite X ray images with in situ energetic electron flux profiles

Journal Article · Tue Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1993 · Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92JA02669· OSTI ID:6142221

Datlowe, D W; Imhof, W L; Voss, H D ^[1]

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1. Lockheed Palo Alto Research Lab., CA (United States)

This paper reports on analysis of combined x-ray and electron energy measurements by satellite of auroral arcs, to reveal more information on the spatial scale of the arcs. Bremsstrahlung radiation from precipitating electrons of auroral arcs stopping in the earths atmosphere provide x-ray images of the regions of the arcs. They have the advantage that a satellite can sense them from a distance, and thus can sample a larger area than just the path of its orbit. The x-ray images also reveal narrower features than seen from optical emission. Here x-ray images from the XRIS imager on the S81-1 polar orbiting satellite are analyzed. 4 to 40 keV x-rays were observed, with the 40 km resolution of the XRIS imager. However, by combining this with high time resolution measurements of electrons with energies above 16 keV, which could be measured along the satellite track, one can see 2 km spatial features. These measurements showed km scale structure within the auroral arcs.

• OSTI ID: 6142221
• Journal Information: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States), Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research; (United States) Vol. 98:A6; ISSN JGREA2; ISSN 0148-0227
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
BREMSSTRAHLUNG
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY RANGE
FERMIONS
IMAGES
IONIZING RADIATIONS
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 01-10
KEV RANGE 10-100
LEPTONS
RADIATIONS
REMOTE SENSING
RESOLUTION
SPATIAL RESOLUTION
TIME RESOLUTION
TIMING PROPERTIES
X RADIATION