The polar caps

• Main Author: Syun-Ichi Akasofu
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: Geophysical Institute, University of Alaska 1985
• Subjects: Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*; Memoirs of National Institute of Polar Research; Polar Research
• Online Access: https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_uri&item_id=1804; http://id.nii.ac.jp/1291/00001804/; https://nipr.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=1804&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1

In the past we have somewhat slighted upper atmospheric phenomena in the area bounded approximately by the auroral oval because our main interests have traditionally been concentrated on understanding magneto-spheric substorms along the auroral oval; substorms are due primarily to the southward component of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). However, it has recently become clear that a great variety of fascinating phenomena take place in this highest latitude region of the earth when the IMF has an appreciable northward component. The importance of those phenomena in understanding basic magnetospheric processes is emphasized. Systematic observational programs specifically designed to study those phenomena in the Antarctic region could make significant contributions to upper atmospheric physics and magnetospheric physics.