Modulation of auroral electron fluxes in the frequency range 50 kHz to 10 MHz
A detector designed to search for modulation of auroral electron fluxes in the frequency range 50 kHz to 10 MHz and energy range 5--7 keV was flown on a Nike-Tomahawk sounding rocket payload launched from Poker Flat, Alaska, at 0722 UT on February 25, 1972. Data from the flight show no obvious peaks in the frequency spectra. However, cross-correlation analysis of the data shows low-level modulation near the detection threshold of the instrument. The 5% modulation occurs at frequencies from 4.2 to 5.6 MHz at 211--218 s into the flight. The indicated modulation occurred near the boundary of two oppositely directed Birkeland sheet currents whose position was determined by the use of an on-board vector magnetometer. Also, accompanying the boundary was a large increase in the flux of electrons in the 0.5- to 20-keV range and strong pitch angle anisotropy peaked at 0degree--10degree. Lack of modulation at other times suggests that the observed modulation is related to these features. (AIP)
- Research Organization:
- Rice University, Houston, Texas 77001
- OSTI ID:
- 7365077
- Journal Information:
- J. Geophys. Res.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res.; (United States) Vol. 81:7; ISSN JGREA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
Ionospheric
& Magetospheric Phenomena
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
AURORAE
ELECTRON DENSITY
ELECTRON SPECTROMETERS
ENERGY RANGE
FREQUENCY RANGE
KEV RANGE
KEV RANGE 01-10
KHZ RANGE
KHZ RANGE 01-100
KHZ RANGE 100-1000
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MHZ RANGE
MHZ RANGE 01-100
MODULATION
SPECTROMETERS