Electromagnetic plasma wave emissions from the auroral field lines

Technical Report · Thu Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1977

OSTI ID:7087912

Gurnett, D A

The most important types of auroral radio emissions are reviewed, both from a historical perspective as well as considering the latest results. Particular emphasis is placed on four types of electromagnetic emissions which are directly associated with the plasma on the auroral field lines. These emissions are (1) auroral hiss, (2) saucers, (3) ELF noise bands, and (4) auroral kilometric radiation. Ray tracing and radio direction finding measurements indicate that both the auroral hiss and auroral kilometric radiation are generated along the auroral field lines relatively close to the earth, at radial distances from about 2.5 to 5 R sub e. For the auroral hiss the favored mechanism appears to be amplified Cerenkov radiation. For the auroral kilometric radiation several mechanisms have been proposed, usually involving the intermediate generation of electrostatic waves by the precipitating electrons.

• Research Organization: Iowa Univ., Iowa City (USA). Dept. of Physics and Astronomy
• OSTI ID: 7087912
• Report Number(s): N-77-33387; NASA-CR-155172; U-OF-IOWA-77-36
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

640201* -- Atmospheric Physics-- Auroral
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
AURORAL HISS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
FREQUENCY RANGE
IONIZATION
KHZ RANGE
PLASMA WAVES
RADIATIONS
RADIOWAVE RADIATION