Observed relation between magnetic field aligned electric fields and downward electron energy fluxes in the vicinity of auroral forms

Journal Article · Thu Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA084iA02p00457· OSTI ID:6463613

Lyons, L R; Evans, D S; Lundin, R

Using electron observations in the vicinity of, and over, auroral forms obtained from three rocket flights, we have found that the net downward electron energy flux generally varied as V/sup 2/, where V is the magnetic-field-aligned electric potential difference inferred from the peak in the observed energy spectra of precipitating electrons. We show that this relation implies that V is proportional to the net downward number flux of electrons from the magnetosphere to the auroral ionosphere and thus that increases in V and increases in the net downward number flux of electrons are equally responsible for the enhanced electron energy deposition responsible for auroral forms. This also indicates a direct physical connection may exist between V and the net downward electron number flux.

• Research Organization: Space Environment Laboratory, ERL, NOAA, Boulder, Colorado 80303
• OSTI ID: 6463613
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Journal Issue: A2 Vol. 84:A2; 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
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
DATA
DATA FORMS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
ENERGY SPECTRA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INFORMATION
IONOSPHERE
ISOLATED VALUES
MAGNETOSPHERE
NUMERICAL DATA
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
SPECTRA