Plasma Waves in the Polar Cusp: Observations from Hawkeye 1.

Abstract

In this paper we investigate the characteristics of plasma waves observed by the Hawkeye 1 spacecraft in the vicinity of the polar cusp. The primary types of plasma waves associated with the polar cusp are (1) a band of ULF-ELF magnetic noise extending from a few Hz to several hundred Hz, (2) a broad-band electrostatic emission extending from a few Hz to about 30 to 100 kHz, with maximum intensities at about 10 to 50 Hz, (3) electrostatic electron cyclotron waves near the electron gyrofrequency and (4) whistler-mode auroral hiss emissions. Of these various types of waves, only the ULF-ELF magnetic noise is uniquely associated with the cusp in the sense that the noise can be used as a reliable indicator of the polar cusp region. All of the other types of plasma waves occur in regions adjacent to the polar cusp as well as in the cusp itself.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 1977
Accession Number
ADA045321

Entities

People

  • Donald A. Gurnett
  • Louis A. Frank

Organizations

  • University of Iowa

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Altitude
  • Charged Particles
  • Contracts
  • Cyclotron Waves
  • Electric Fields
  • Electromagnetic Radiation
  • Field Emission
  • Frequency
  • High Altitude
  • High Latitudes
  • Indicators
  • Latitude
  • Low Altitude
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • Wave Phenomena

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space