Study of Characteristics of Polar Cap Auroras in DMSP Images.
Abstract
Energetic electron measurements from a particle detector on the DMSP/F2 satellite have been used to determine the corrected geomagnetic latitude (Lambda sub CGM) of the equatorward boundary of the auroral oval. The satellite was launched into a nearly sun-synchronous, polar orbit centered on the 0700-1900 MLT meridian. Due to the wobble of the dipole and a very slow precessional motion of the orbit more than 6000 boundary crossings could be studied in the 1600-2300 and 0400-1000 MLT sectors. The detectors, which have large geometric factors, look radially away from the earth and detect precipitating electrons with energies between 50eV and 20keV. In the evening sector the equatorward boundaries are precisely determined from the rise in the total electron flux. The morningside boundary cannot always be clearly delineated. Data were divided into one hour magnetic local time bins with about 400 samples per bin. In each of the MLT bins Lambda sub CGM was found to be linearly correlated to the Kp index. Regression values of Lambda sub CGM were projected to the magnetic equatorial plane using the Mead-Fairfield magnetic field model. The projected boundaries are not in good agreement with the injection boundaries of Mauk and McIlwain (1974).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 29, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA082184
Entities
People
- M. S. Gussenhoven
Organizations
- Boston College