Multiple brightenings of transient dayside auroral forms during oval expansions

Journal Article · Thu Dec 24 04:00:00 EST 1992 · Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/92GL02103· OSTI ID:6821472

Fasel, G J; Minow, J I; Smith, R W; Deehr, C S; Lee, L C ^[1]

---

1. Univ. of Alaska, Fairbanks (United States)

Poleward moving transients have been proposed to be ionospheric signatures of plasma transfer events taking place at the dayside magnetopause. They are usually observed to brighten at the equatorward edge of the dayside auroral oval and fade as they move into the polar cap. This paper reports the observation of a new type of poleward moving dayside auroral transient which has several cycles of intensity variations. Observations of these transients show a series of intensifications in brightness along the arc or rayed band during poleward motion accompanied by a brightening in the auroral oval. As they reach their extreme poleward position they brighten and then fade from view. This brightening sequence may be explained by multiple reconnection of the magnetic flux tube associated with the transient. 24 refs., 5 figs.

• OSTI ID: 6821472
• Journal Information: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States), Journal Name: Geophysical Research Letters (American Geophysical Union); (United States) Vol. 19:24; ISSN GPRLAJ; ISSN 0094-8276
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

661320* -- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magnetospheric Phenomena-- (1992-)
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
AURORAL OVAL
BRIGHTNESS
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
EXPANSION
IONOSPHERE
LUMINOSITY
MAGNETIC FLUX
MAGNETOPAUSE
MOTION
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANETARY IONOSPHERES
PLASMA
PLASMA DRIFT
TRANSIENTS
VARIATIONS