Optical diagnostics of the August 1972 PCA event

Journal Article · Mon Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1976 · J. Geophys. Res.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA081i031p05479· OSTI ID:7340335

Weber, E J

Auroral photometric measurements were carried out at South Pole, Antarctica (74.5degree invariant latitude), throughout the austral winter of 1972. Observed auroral emissions included 4278 A N/sub 2/ /sup +/, 4861 A H/sub ..beta../ 5577 A I, and 6300 A I. A comprehensive study of auroral emissions and riometer absorption associated with the solar flare activity of August 1972 has been carried out. Energetic solar protons (>1 MeV) measured by satellite detectors over the polar caps were found to be reasonable for the measured 30-MHz absorption in both the northern and the southern hemispheres, except for two substorm-related events. These protons account for only a fraction of the measured 4278 A N/sub 2/ /sup +/ with the remainder of the emissions excited by protons and electrons of lower energies. Simultaneous photometric measurements and riometer observations allow separation of precipitating particle species and characteristic energy, which in turn allows separation of substorm effects from energetic solar proton effects. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Department of Physics, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02167
• OSTI ID: 7340335
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:31; 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
ABSORPTION
BARYONS
CHARGED-PARTICLE PRECIPITATION
ELECTRON TEMPERATURE
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
HADRONS
IONOSPHERIC STORMS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NUCLEONS
PHOTOMETERS
PHOTOMETRY
POLAR-CAP ABSORPTION
PROTONS
RADIATIONS
RIOMETERS
SOLAR ACTIVITY
SOLAR FLARES
SOLAR PARTICLES
SOLAR PROTONS
SOLAR RADIATION
STELLAR RADIATION