Thermospheric Infrared Radiance Response to the April 2002 Geomagnetic Storm from SABER Infrared and GUVI Ultraviolet Limb Data

Abstract

The SABER instrument on TIMED continuously measures certain infrared limb radiance profiles with unprecedented sensitivity. Among these are emissions of CO2 v3 at 4.3 micrometers, routinely recorded to tangent heights of ^140-150 km, and NO at 5.3 micrometers, seen to above 200 km. Both of these are greatly enhanced during periods of strong auroral activity, when they can be measured to 200 km and 300 km, respectively. We use these infrared channels of SABER and coincident far ultraviolet (FUV) measurements from GUVI on TIMED, to study the geomagnetic storm of April 2002. These all give a consistent measure of auroral energy input into the lower thermosphere at high latitudes. Emission in yet another SABER channel, near 2.0 microns, correlates well with enhanced electron energy deposition. We also have, in the 5.3-micron emissions from the long-lived population of aurorally produced NO, a tracer of how this energy is transported equatorward and released over an extended period of time, a few days. In this paper, we discuss the global patterns of energy deposition into the expanded auroral oval, its transport to lower latitudes, and its loss as revealed by the NO 5.3-micron emissions.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA437960

Entities

People

  • Adam Christensen
  • F. J. Martin-torres
  • J. M. Russell
  • Jeremy R. Winick
  • L. Gordley
  • L. Paxton
  • M. G. Mlynczak
  • M. Lopez-puertas
  • P. P. Wintersteiner
  • R. H. Picard

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Electron Energy
  • Electrons
  • Emission
  • Energy
  • Energy Transfer
  • Focal Planes
  • Grids
  • High Latitudes
  • Latitude
  • Magnetic Storms
  • Measurement
  • Radiance
  • Spacecraft
  • Thermosphere
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics