EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Doe et al. 1997
Doe, R.A., Kelly, J.D., Lummerzheim, D., Parks, G.K., Brittnacher, M.J., Germany, G.A. and Spann, J. (1997). Initial comparison of POLAR UVI and Sondrestrom IS radar estimates for auroral electron energy flux. Geophysical Research Letters 24: doi: 10.1029/97GL00376. issn: 0094-8276.

Calibrated images from the POLAR satellite ultraviolet imager (UVI) in the 165.5 to 174.5 nm portion of the N2 Lyman-Birge-Hopfield band (LBH-long) can be used to estimate the energy flux (FE) of auroral electrons precipitating into the high-latitude ionosphere. Similarly, electron density profiles, as measured by ground-based incoherent-scatter radar, can be used to estimate FE and mean energy (E0) by solving a system of linear equations relating the E-region ionization rate profile to a family of monoenergetic ion production profiles. A coordinated POLAR/Sondrestrom radar experiment, designed as an initial comparison of POLAR UVI and ground-based estimates of FE for a stable auroral arc, was executed during a POLAR apogee on May 20, 1996 at the Sondrestrom radar facility (lat. 66.99 ¿N, long. 50.95 ¿W). Reconstructed energy distributions, based on radar-measured Ne profiles, indicate an approximately 2 keV Maxwellian source with an energy flux of from 6.4 to 14 mW m-2. LBH-long images, binned over 0.5¿ of latitude and 1.0¿ of longitude, were used to derive energy flux as well. The UVI-derived FE time history agrees favorably with radar estimates both in absolute magnitude and in the trend for this period. This experiment suggests that reliable estimates for the precipitating electron source energy and its ionospheric response can be derived from either ground-based radar or POLAR UVI images during summertime conditions.¿ 1997 American Geophysical Union

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Magnetospheric Physics, Energetic particles, precipitating, Ionosphere, Auroral ionosphere, Ionosphere, Particle precipitation, Ionosphere, Instruments and techniques
Journal
Geophysical Research Letters
http://www.agu.org/journals/gl/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit