Polar cap arcs and the plasma sheet

Journal Article · Sun Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1981 · Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/GL008i003p00273· OSTI ID:6535327

Meng, C

This letter suggests that most of the so-called 'polar cap arcs' with the sun-aligned orientation at the high geomagnetic latitude region occurring during the quiescent magnetosphere are actually a part of discrete arcs in the auroral oval as a consequence of the poleward widening of the quiet auroral oval. This suggestion is based on (1) a detailed examination of two months of DMSP electron precipitation data and simultaneous auroral observations, (2) the observed widening in the latitudinal extent of the auroral oval precipitation to the very high geomagnetic latitude (> or approx. =80 /sup 0/) and the simultaneous occurrence of the sun-aligned arcs, and (3) the conjugate widening of the quiet auroral oval over both the northern and southern polar regions. The new interpretation of the 'polar cap arcs' is discussed in terms of the present understanding of the solar wind-magnetospheric interaction.

• Research Organization: Applied Physics Laboratory The Johns Hopkins University Laurel, Maryland 20810
• OSTI ID: 6535327
• Journal Information: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States), Journal Name: Geophys. Res. Lett.; (United States) Vol. 8:3; ISSN GPRLA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640203* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (-1987)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
AURORAL OVAL
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
GEOMAGNETIC FIELD
MAGNETIC FIELDS
MAGNETOSPHERE
PLASMA SHEET
POLAR REGIONS
POLAR-CAP AURORAE
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR WIND