Recent improved Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) auroral observations have provided new data to increase the understanding of auroral phenomena in the local day hemisphere. The data are further evidence of the continuity of the auroral oval and provide the first detailed synoptic scale views of the midday auroras. The noon portion of the auroral oval is often characterized by arc segments which fan out from near midday. The forenoon sector is characterized by many arcs and bands which converge toward midday. Midday patches have also been clearly observed slightly equatorward of the discrete midday auroras. These DMSP observations provide a new framework for undertaking comprehensive studies of day hemisphere auroral phenomena.