Energy source and mechanisms for accelerating the electrons and driving the field-aligned currents of the discrete auroral arc

Journal Article · Fri Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA081i028p05123· OSTI ID:7139336

Kan, J R; Akasofu, S h

The formation of a discrete auroral arc is studied in the framework of the arc energization system, which includes the energy source, the acceleration region for the auroral electrons, and the electromotive force for the field-aligned currents connected to the arc. The kinetic energy of an earthward plasma flow shock is proposed as a possible mechanism for generating V-shaped electric equipotential contours in the energization system which can accelerate the auroral electrons and, at the same time, drive the arc field-aligned current. It is shown that the shock must be located in the plasma sheet in order to drive the observed arc field-aligned current with a field-aligned potential jump of approx.10 kV for a plasma flow having a speed of a few hundred kilometers per second. The auroral electron beam is generated in the shock in the plasma sheet and then is modified by wave-particle interaction processes in the topside ionosphere. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
• OSTI ID: 7139336
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:28; 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
ACCELERATION
AURORAE
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
EARTH ATMOSPHERE
ELECTRIC FIELDS
ELECTRON PRECIPITATION
IONOSPHERE
PLASMA ACCELERATION
PLASMA SHEET
SHOCK WAVES