Rocket measurements of electrons in a system of multiple auroral arcs

Journal Article · Tue Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1977 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA082i007p01197· OSTI ID:7120351

Boyd, J S; Davis, T N

A Nike-Tomahawk rocket was launched into a system of auroral arcs northward of Poker Flat Research Range, Fairbanks, Alaska, at 0815 UT on March 20, 1971. The pitch angle distribution of electrons was measured at 2.5, 5, and 10 keV and also at 10 keV on a separating forward section of the payload. The auroral activity appeared to be the extension of substorm activity centered to the east. The rocket crossed a westward propagating fold in the brightest band. The electron spectrum was relatively hard through most of the flight, showing a peak in the range 2.55 keV in the brightest arc. The detailed structure of the pitch angle distribution suggested that, at times, a very selective process was accelerating some electrons in the direction of B, so that a narrow field-aligned component appeared superimposed on a more isotropic distribution. It is concluded that this process could not be a near-ionosphere field-aligned potential drop, although the more isotropic component may have been produced by a parallel electric field extending several thousand kilometers along the field line above the ionsophere.

• Research Organization: Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
• OSTI ID: 7120351
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 82:7; 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
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
ENERGY SPECTRA
FERMIONS
INCLINATION
IONOSPHERE
LEPTONS
MAGNETIC BAYS
PLANETARY IONSPHERES
SPECTRA