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

Detailed Reference Information
Maynard et al. 1977
Maynard, N.C., Evans, D.S., Maehlum, B. and Egeland, A. (1977). Auroral vector electric field and particle comparisons 1. Premidnight convection topology. Journal of Geophysical Research 82: doi: 10.1029/JA082i016p02227. issn: 0148-0227.

Polar 3 (a Nike-Tomahawk) was launched from the And¿ya Rocket Range in northern Norway on January 27, 1974. Traversing nearly 3¿ of latitude, the rocket crossed over a stable IBC II auroral are in the positive bay region and continued north to a convection boundary which has been identified as the Harang discontinuity. Measurements of the complete electric field vector, of energetic electrons, and of the auroral N2+ (4278 ¿) and O I (6300 ¿) emissions have been used to study the convection topology in the premagnetic midnight region. The electric field was mainly northerly (about 60 mV/m south of the auroral arc and 20 mV/m or less elsewhere) over most of the flight, rotating to the west in the region of the Harang discontinuity. No evidence of large magnitude ionospheric electric fields parallel to the magnetic field was seen throughout the flight. A strong anticorrelation was observed between the electric field and the precipitating energetic electrons as the rocket passed over the auroal arc. The inverted V nature of the electron precipitations at the convection boundary, compared with the lack of such structure over the arc which was within the positive bay region, leads to the conclusion that auroral arcs are likely to be associated with inverted V type precipitation only at or poleward of convection boundaries and their eddy structures.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
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