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We present heretofore unreported Viking observations of sporadic AKR bursts occurring well above the electron gyrofrequency together with spiky electrostatic emissions recorded just above the lower hybrid frequency, which exhibit a high degree of correlation in time. Both types of waves show simultaneous large amplitude variations of the order of 30-40 dB on time scales of a few hundreds of ms. Possible interpretations which may account for the observed correlation are investigated. Arguments are given which suggest that such events could be the signature of small scale non-linear structures in the plasma., QCR 20170123

The great number of bursts of broadband electrostatic noise (BEN) recorded during crossings of the dayside auroral zone by the Viking satellite enables their statistical study. The angular distribution of BEN with respect to the Earth's magnetic field is shown to be most likely isotropic, implying that it cannot consist of a unique linear plasma mode. Most of the bursts evidence a power law spectrum from the lower hybrid and ion plasma frequencies up to frequencies sometimes much higher than the electron plasma frequency, suggesting the presence of nonlinear effects. This is confirmed by their high intensity, and by the correlation between their amplitude and their frequency extension. BEN emissions are associated with ion conical distributions and with field-aligned electron beams. Although most of the power is concentrated at very low frequencies and around the lower hybrid and ion plasma frequencies, electron acoustic and beam mode waves may contribute to the high-frequency extension of BEN. The most intense BEN emissions are also correlated with sharp cold plasma density gradients and probably involve drift instabilities. Strong quasi-static perpendicular electric fields, which induce high-speed plasma flows, are also measured, so that the Doppler effect may contribute to the broadening of the BEN spectrum., QC 20170120

Simultaneous observations by the Viking and the DMSP F7 satellites have been used as input to a new method to obtain snapshot pictures of the auroral electrodynamics. In particular, an instantaneous global equipotential (or convection) pattern is calculated from distributions of field-aligned current and conductivity which are qualitatively consistent with the Viking auroral imager data and quantitatively consistent with magnetic field and particle data from the two satellites. This convection pattern, which is of the normal two-cell type, with a weak dusk cell and a strong, elongated crescent- shaped dawn cell (consistent with positive interplanetary magnetic field By), agrees well with the Viking electric field data. The model and the observed potential profiles agree nicely along the entire Viking orbit except for two intervals above acceleration regions where deviations are to be expected (due to parallel electric fields). These regions are characterized by U-shaped potential minima, upward field-aligned currents, upgoing ion beams, and relatively intense auroral kilometric radiation. Thus, the model results are consistent with the Viking observations not only on a global scale but also on the scale of the auroral acceleration regions. The corresponding convection in the magnetosphere is obtained from a simple projection to the equatorial plane of the deduced two-cell convection pattern. From this the location of the plasmapause is inferred. Aurora, Ionosphere, Reprints., Pub. in Jnl. of Geophysical Research, v93 nA12 p14,479-14, 492, 1 Dec 1988.