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Observations of Ion Upflow and 630.0 Nm Emission During Pulsating Aurora

Authors :
Niharika H. Godbole
Marc R. Lessard
David R. Kenward
Bruce A. Fritz
Roger H. Varney
Robert G. Michell
Don Hampton
Source :
Frontiers in Physics. 10
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
United States: NASA Center for Aerospace Information (CASI), 2022.

Abstract

In this study, we report observations made by filtered (557.7 and 630.0 nm) All-Sky Imagers located at Poker Flat, Alaska alongside Poker Flat Incoherent Scatter Radar data for an event observed on 5 February 2017. Together, the data indicate ion upflow in the vicinity of pulsating aurora. Additionally, the data show a strong 630.0 nm (red-line) auroral emission. Observations of pulsating aurora are typically reported at 557.7 and 427.8 nm, as these wavelengths are more sensitive to high-energy (∼ tens of keV) electron precipitation. In contrast, 630.0 nm emission is generated preferentially by low-energy soft electron precipitation (∼ hundreds of eV), and is less commonly observed. The All-Sky Imager data discussed here are unusual in that they suggest regions of enhanced soft electron precipitation in conjunction with enhanced ambipolar electric fields, which are a known factor contributing to ion outflow.

Subjects

Subjects :
Physics (General)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2296424X
Volume :
10
Database :
NASA Technical Reports
Journal :
Frontiers in Physics
Notes :
791926.02.05.02.90, , 80NSSC18K0965, , NNX13AJ94G, , NNX17A138G, , AGS-1840962
Publication Type :
Report
Accession number :
edsnas.20230001225
Document Type :
Report
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphy.2022.997229