A study of the dynamics of a discrete auroral arc |
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| Authors: | G Marklund I Sandahl H Opgenoorth |
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| Institution: | Department of Plasma Physics, Royal Institute of Technology, 100 44, Stockholm, Sweden;Kiruna Geophysical Institute, Kiruna, Sweden;Uppsala Ionospheric Observatory, Uppsala, Sweden |
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| Abstract: | High resolution electric field and particle data, obtained by the S23L1 rocket crossing over a discrete prebreakup arc in January 1979, are studied in coordination with ground observations (Scandinavian Magnetometer Array—SMA, TV and all-sky cameras) in order to clarify the electrodynamics of the arc and its surroundings. Height-integrated conductivities have been calculated from the particle data, including the ionization effects of precipitating protons and assuming a steady state balance between ion production and recombination losses. High resolution optical information of arc location relative to the rocket permitted a check of the validity of this assumption for each flux tube passed by the rocket. Another check was provided by a comparison between calculated (equilibrium values) and observed electron densities along the rocket trajectory. A way to compensate for the finite precipitation time when calculating the electron densities is outlined. The height-integrated HalI-Pedersen conductivity ratio is typically 1.4 within the arc and about 1 at the arc edges, indicative of a relatively softer energy spectrum there. The height-integrated conductivities combined with the DC electric field measurements permitted calculation of the horizontal ionospheric current vectors (J⊥), Birkeland currents (from div J⊥) and energy dissipation through Joule heating (ΣpE2). An eastward current of typically 1 A m?1 was found to be concentrated mainly to the arc region and equatorward of it. A comparison has been made with the equivalent current system deduced from ground based magnetometer data (SMA) showing a generally good agreement with the rocket results. An intense Pedersen current peak (1.2 A m?1) was found at the southern arc edge. This edge constituted a division line between a very intense (> 10 μA m?1) and localized (~ 6 km) downward current sheet to the south, probably carried by upward flowing cold ionospheric electrons and a more extended upward current sheet (> 10 μA m?2) over the arc carried by measured precipitating electrons. Joule and particle heating across the arc were anticorrelated, consistent with the findings of Evans et al. (1977) with a total value of about 100mW m?2. |
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