Auroral Data Analysis.

• Main Authors: Winningham,J. David, Heikkila,Walter J.
• Other Authors: TEXAS UNIV AT DALLAS RICHARDSON
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1975
• Subjects: Atmospheric Physics; *IONOSPHERE; *AURORAE; *MAGNETOSPHERE; COUPLING(INTERACTION); ANOMALIES; MAGNETIC FIELDS; INTERPLANETARY SPACE; ELECTRON DENSITY; CONVECTION; ELECTRIC FIELDS; ELECTRON ENERGY; PRECIPITATION; IONOSONDES; POLAR CAP; ELECTRON FLUX; DIURNAL VARIATIONS; SOUNDING ROCKETS; MAGNETIC STORMS; IONOGRAMS; GREENLAND; IONOSPHERIC DISTURBANCES; PARTICLE FLUX; *Magnetospheric cleft; Magnetic substorms; Isis satellites; Greenland
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA020300; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA020300

Data from soft particle spectrometers on the ISIS-1 and -2 satellites, and a sounding rocket have been analyzed and compared with other observations to reveal their relation to auroral, magnetospheric, and ionospheric effects. Comparison of concurrent ground and interplanetary magnetic field data with ISIS-1 cleft data revealed the cleft position to be sensitive to changes in both AE and B sub z. Concurrent plasma, particle, and field data from a sounding rocket launched into the cleft demonstrated the cleft to be a region of complex physical interactions. Electron temperature and density enhancements were observed in the cleft as well as changes in the convection pattern. This flight also demonstrated that a bottomside ionosonde is a useful tool to determine the cleft's equatorward boundary, even in full sunlight. All-sky-camera data shows that a distinct fade occurs in auroral arcs prior to the brightening characteristics of the initiation of a substorm. Detailed comparison of aircraft and satellite data taken during a period of magnetic quiescence revealed that the region of auroral particle precipitation coincides with the region of diffuse aurora. Electron density and scale height increased within the auroral precipitation band as did fluctuations in density. An empirical relation was derived that relates electron energy flux to 6300 A fluxes. It was also shown that significant non-particle induced 6300 A fluxes exist in and poleward of the cleft. Continuation of Contract F19628-72-C-0230. See also Rept. no. AFCRL-TR-74-0379, AD-A002 317.