Pulsating aurora - a review

• Main Authors: Kangas, Jorma, Chong, Cao
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Polar Research Institute of China - PRIC 1995
• Subjects: Advances in Polar Science; Polar Science
• Online Access: http://library.arcticportal.org/2091/; http://library.arcticportal.org/2091/1/A501.004.pdf

In this review, the observational facts about pulsating aurorae are summarized and discussed in the frame of the recent development of the theories which intend to explain the mechanism of auroral pulsations. Although new data are available some key observations in the magnetosphere are still missing in order to identify the wave mode to precipitate electrons into the atmosphere and in order to understand the role of magnetospheric plasma in producing pulsating aurora. It appears that the Coroniti-Kennel or micro-pulsation theory needs to be re-visited although the so-called flow cyclotron maser model seems to explain many of the characteristics of auroral pulsations.