An Isis 2 pass is singled out for a detailed examination of the particle fluxes, optical emissions, and ionospheric parameters observed during a quiescent period (late recovery) between two substorms. This pass was chosen because it was part of a coordinated data acquisition period between the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory (AFGL) Airborne Ionospheric Observatory, Isis 2, and DMSP (Defense Meteorological Satellite Program). As a result, both long-duration measurements (aircraft) and transient, snapshot (spacecraft) data are available. This allows, on a macroscopic level, the separation of space and time effects.

On the basis of the joint data set it was established that the latitudinal morphology observed by the satellite is basically spatial in nature. It is concluded that the observed particle fluxes are most easily understood in terms of precipitation from the quiet time plasma sheet without intervening acceleration. The obsered optical emissions and ionospheric parameters are found to be in good qualitative and quantitative agreement (within experimental error) with the electron fluxes, although establishment of this point has required careful determination of the viewing direction of the optical instruments, removal of scattered light (albedo) from underlying cloud and snow, and consideration of the effects of photon-counting statistics on contour plots of the optical data.