| 1. |
- Berthomier, M., et al.
(författare)
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Alfven : magnetosphere-ionosphere connection explorers
- 2012
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Ingår i: Experimental astronomy. - Dordrecht : Springer. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 33:2-3, s. 445-489
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aurorae are dynamic, luminous displays that grace the night skies of Earth's high latitude regions. The solar wind emanating from the Sun is their ultimate energy source, but the chain of plasma physical processes leading to auroral displays is complex. The special conditions at the interface between the solar wind-driven magnetosphere and the ionospheric environment at the top of Earth's atmosphere play a central role. In this Auroral Acceleration Region (AAR) persistent electric fields directed along the magnetic field accelerate magnetospheric electrons to the high energies needed to excite luminosity when they hit the atmosphere. The "ideal magnetohydrodynamics" description of space plasmas which is useful in much of the magnetosphere cannot be used to understand the AAR. The AAR has been studied by a small number of single spacecraft missions which revealed an environment rich in wave-particle interactions, plasma turbulence, and nonlinear acceleration processes, acting on a variety of spatio-temporal scales. The pioneering 4-spacecraft Cluster magnetospheric research mission is now fortuitously visiting the AAR, but its particle instruments are too slow to allow resolve many of the key plasma physics phenomena. The Alfv,n concept is designed specifically to take the next step in studying the aurora, by making the crucial high-time resolution, multi-scale measurements in the AAR, needed to address the key science questions of auroral plasma physics. The new knowledge that the mission will produce will find application in studies of the Sun, the processes that accelerate the solar wind and that produce aurora on other planets.
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| 2. |
- Whiter, D. K., et al.
(författare)
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Relative brightness of the O+(2D-2P) doublets in low-energy aurorae
- 2014
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 797:1, s. 64-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ratio of the emission line doublets from O+ at 732.0 nm (I-732) and 733.0 nm (I-733) has been measured in auroral conditions of low-energy electron precipitation from Svalbard (78.degrees 20 north, 15.degrees 83 east). Accurate determination of R = I-732/I-733 provides a powerful method for separating the density of the O+ P-2(1/2,3/2)o levels in modeling of the emissions from the doublets. A total of 383 spectra were included from the winter of 2003-2004. The value obtained is R = I-732/I-733 = 1.38 +/- 0.02, which is higher than theoretical values for thermal equilibrium in fully ionized plasma, but is lower than reported measurements by other authors in similar auroral conditions. The continuity equations for the densities of the two levels are solved for different conditions, in order to estimate the possible variations of R. The results suggest that the production of ions in the two levels from O(P-3(1)) and O(P-3(2)) does not follow the statistical weights, unlike astrophysical calculations for plasmas in nebulae. The physics of auroral impact ionization may account for this difference, and therefore for the raised value of R. In addition, the auroral solution of the densities of the ions, and thus of the value of R, is sensitive to the temperature of the neutral atmosphere. Although the present work is a statistical study, it shows that it is necessary to determine whether there are significant variations in the ratio resulting from non-equilibrium conditions, from auroral energy deposition, large electric fields, and changes in temperature and composition.
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| 3. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Energy and flux variations across thin auroral arcs
- 2011
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 29:10, s. 1699-1712
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two discrete auroral arc filaments, with widths of less than 1 km, have been analysed using multi-station, multi-monochromatic optical observations from small and medium field-of-view imagers and the EISCAT radar. The energy and flux of the precipitating electrons, volume emission rates and local electric fields in the ionosphere have been determined at high temporal (up to 30 Hz) and spatial (down to tens of metres) resolution. A new time-dependent inversion model is used to derive energy spectra from EISCAT electron density profiles. The energy and flux are also derived independently from optical emissions combined with ion-chemistry modelling, and a good agreement is found. A robust method to obtain detailed 2-D maps of the average energy and number flux of small scale aurora is presented. The arcs are stretched in the north-south direction, and the lowest energies are found on the western, leading edges of the arcs. The large ionospheric electric fields (250 mV m(-1)) found from tristatic radar measurements are evidence of strong currents associated with the region close to the optical arcs. The different data sets indicate that the arcs appear on the boundaries between regions with different average energy of diffuse precipitation, caused by pitch-angle scattering. The two thin arcs on these boundaries are found to be related to an increase in number flux (and thus increased energy flux) without an increase in energy.
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| 4. |
- Whiter, D. K., et al.
(författare)
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Small-scale structures in flickering aurora
- 2008
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 35:23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A state-of-the-art multispectral imager has been used to study the flickering component of an auroral event at high spatial (40 m) and temporal (32 fps) resolution. Scale sizes for the flickering patches were found to be regularly smaller than 1 km. The typical flickering frequency observed was in the range 6-8 Hz, although flickering patches at both lower and higher frequencies were identified. The flickering structure was correlated with the coincident non-flickering aurora, showing that although there is a temporal relationship between the two, there is no spatial correlation. These results support the theory that flickering structure is caused by interfering dispersive Alfven waves.
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| 5. |
- Whiter, D. K., et al.
(författare)
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Using multispectral optical observations to identify the acceleration mechanism responsible for flickering aurora
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 115, s. A12315-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present an analysis of flickering (2-10 Hz) auroras observed with a state-of-the-art multispectral imaging system, Auroral Structure and Kinetics, located in Tromso, Norway. Short (1-2 s) periods of flickering aurora have been identified in which the frequency of the brightness oscillations decreases or increases smoothly over time. To the authors' knowledge this is the first detailed analysis of such "chirps" in flickering aurora or field-aligned bursts. We have found that the electron precipitation energy is strongly anticorrelated with the flickering frequency during all identified chirps. This result is consistent with the theory that flickering aurora is caused by the resonance interaction between electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves and precipitating electrons and that the wave parallel phase velocity is the primary factor determining the electron acceleration produced by this mechanism. Other current theories known to the authors cannot completely explain our observations.
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| 6. |
- Ashrafi, M., et al.
(författare)
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Modelling of N(2)1P emission rates in aurora using various cross sections for excitation
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 27:6, s. 2545-2553
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Measurements of N(2)1P auroral emissions from the (4,1) and (5,2) bands have been made at high temporal and spatial resolution in the region of the magnetic zenith. The instrument used was the auroral imager ASK, situated at Ramfjordmoen, Norway (69.6 N, 19.2 E) on 22 October 2006. Measurements from the European Incoherent Scatter Radar (EISCAT) have been combined with the optical measurements, and incorporated into an ionospheric model to obtain height profiles of electron density and emission rates of the N(2)1P bands. The radar data provide essential verification that the energy flux used in the model is correct. One of the most important inputs to the model is the cross section for excitation to the B-3 Pi(g) electronic state, as well as the cross sections to higher states from which cascading into the B state occurs. The balance equations for production and loss of the populations of all levels in each state are solved in order to find the cascade contributions. Several sets of cross sections have been considered, and selected cross sections have been used to construct "emission" cross sections for the observed bands. The resulting brightnesses are compared with those measured by ASK. The importance of specific contributions from cascading is found, with more than 50% of the total brightness resulting from cascading. The cross sections used are found to produce a range of brightnesses well within the uncertainty of both the modelled and measured values.
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| 7. |
- Blixt, E. M., et al.
(författare)
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Dynamic rayed aurora and enhanced ion-acoustic radar echoes
- 2005
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 23:1, s. 3-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The generation mechanism for naturally enhanced ion-acoustic echoes is still debated. One important issue is how these enhancements are related to auroral activity. All events of enhanced ion-acoustic echoes observed simultaneously with the EISCAT Svalbard Radar (ESR) and with high-resolution narrow field-of-view auroral imagers have been collected and studied. Characteristic of all the events is the appearance of very dynamic rayed aurora, and some of the intrinsic features of these auroral displays are identified. Several of these identified features are directly related to the presence of low energy (10-100 eV) precipitating electrons in addition to the higher energy population producing most of the associated light. The low energy contribution is vital for the formation of the enhanced ion-acoustic echoes. We argue that this type of aurora is sufficient for the generation of naturally enhanced ion-acoustic echoes. In one event two imagers were used to observe the auroral rays simultaneously, one from the radar site and one 7 kin away. The data from these imagers shows that the auroral rays and the strong backscattering filaments (where the enhanced echoes are produced) are located on the same field line, which is in contrast to earlier statements in the litterature that they should be separated.
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| 8. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Coexisting structures fromhigh- and low-energy precipitation in fine-scale aurora
- 2015
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 42:5, s. 1290-1296
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High-resolution multimonochromatic measurements of auroral emissions have revealed the first optical evidence of coexisting small-scale auroral features resulting from separate high- and low-energy populations of precipitating electrons on the same field line. The features exhibit completely separate motion and morphology. From emission ratios and ion chemistry modeling, the average energy and energy flux of the precipitation is estimated. The high-energy precipitation is found to form large pulsating patches of 0.1Hz with a 3Hz modulation, and nonpulsating coexisting discrete auroral filaments. The low-energy precipitation is observed simultaneously on the same field line as discrete filaments with no pulsation. The simultaneous structures do not interact, and they drift with different speeds in different directions. We suggest that the high- and low-energy electron populations are accelerated by separate mechanisms, at different distances from Earth. The small-scale structures could be caused by local instabilities above the ionosphere.
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| 9. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Electrodynamics and energy characteristics of aurora at high resolution by optical methods
- 2016
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 2169-9380 .- 2169-9402. ; 121:6, s. 5966-5974
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Technological advances leading to improved sensitivity of optical detectors have revealed that aurora contains a richness of dynamic and thin filamentary structures, but the source of the structured emissions is not fully understood. In addition, high-resolution radar data have indicated that thin auroral arcs can be correlated with highly varying and large electric fields, but the detailed picture of the electrodynamics of auroral filaments is yet incomplete. The Auroral Structure and Kinetics (ASK) instrument is a state-of-the-art ground-based instrument designed to investigate these smallest auroral features at very high spatial and temporal resolution, by using three electron multiplying CCDs in parallel for three different narrow spectral regions. ASK is specifically designed to utilize a new optical technique to determine the ionospheric electric fields. By imaging the long-lived O+ line at 732 nm, the plasma flow in the region can be traced, and since the plasma motion is controlled by the electric field, the field strength and direction can be estimated at unprecedented resolution. The method is a powerful tool to investigate the detailed electrodynamics and current systems around the thin auroral filaments. The two other ASK cameras provide information on the precipitation by imaging prompt emissions, and the emission brightness ratio of the two emissions, together with ion chemistry modeling, is used to give information on the energy and energy flux of the precipitating electrons. In this paper, we discuss these measuring techniques and give a few examples of how they are used to reveal the nature and source of fine-scale structuring in the aurora.
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| 10. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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First direct optical observations of plasma flows using afterglow of O+ in discrete aurora
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1364-6826 .- 1879-1824. ; 71:2, s. 228-238
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Imaging of active structured aurora in the forbidden O+ ion line at 732.0 nm provides a possibility of direct observation of plasma drifts in the topside ionosphere. The metastable O+ P-2 state has a radiative lifetime of 5 s, so the oxygen ions can be detected after the precipitation creating them has ceased. The decay time of the O+ emission is studied and modelled with a time-dependent electron transport and ion chemistry model. Four examples are given of O+ afterglow observed with the multi-spectral imager, auroral structure and kinetics (ASK), which was located near Tromso, Norway, in 2006. Estimates are given of drift velocities resulting from the analysis of the afterglow motions. Bulk plasma velocities of 340 and 720 m/s directed eastwards were found for two afterglowing arc filaments, corresponding to southward electric fields of 18 and 40 mV/m, respectively.
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| 11. |
- Dahlgren, H., et al.
(författare)
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Monoenergetic high-energy electron precipitation in thin auroral filaments
- 2012
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 39:20, s. L20101-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The energy distribution of the electron precipitation responsible for extremely narrow (70 m) and dynamic auroral filaments is found to be sharply peaked at around 8 keV. The events were captured with high resolution low-light optical imagers located near Tromso, Norway. The method uses imaging in two emissions which have different energy dependent responses to auroral electron precipitation. The key feature of the events was that no difference in the altitude of the two emissions was detected, nor any time-of-flight dispersion, thus leading to the conclusion that the filaments were caused by monoenergetic precipitation. Comparisons with an electron transport and ion chemistry model show that the high energy filaments were embedded in a region of lower energy precipitation of about 4 keV. There is currently no consistent theory to explain the characteristics of the observed auroral structures.
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| 12. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Morphology and dynamics of aurora at fine scale : first results for the ASK instrument
- 2008
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:5, s. 1041-1048
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ASK instrument (Auroral Structure and Kinetics) is a narrow field auroral imager, providing simultaneous images of aurora in three different spectral bands at multiple frames per second resolution. The three emission species studied are O-2(+) (5620 angstrom), O+ (7319 angstrom) and O (7774 angstrom). ASK was installed and operated for the first time in an observational campaign on Svalbard, from December 2005 to March 2006. The measurements were supported by data from the Spectrographic Imaging Facility (SIF). The relation between the morphology and dynamics of the visible aurora and its spectral characteristics is studied for selected events from this period. In these events it is found that dynamic aurora is coupled to high energy electron precipitation. By studying the O-2(+)/O intensity ratio we find that some auroral filaments are caused by higher energy precipitation within regions of lower energy precipitation, whereas other filaments are the result of a higher particle flux compared to the surroundings.
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| 13. |
- Dahlgren, Hanna, 1980-, et al.
(författare)
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Using spectral characteristics to interpret auroral imaging in the 731.9 nm 0+ line
- 2008
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:7, s. 1905-1917
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simultaneous observations were made of dynamic aurora during substorm activity on 26 January 2006 with three high spatial and temporal resolution instruments: the ASK (Auroral Structure and Kinetics) instrument, SIF (Spectrographic Imaging Facility) and ESR (EISCAT Svalbard Radar), all located on Svalbard (78° N, 16.2° E). One of the narrow field of view ASK cameras is designed to detect O+ ion emission at 731.9 nm. From the spectrographic data we have been able to determine the amount of contaminating N2 and OH emission detected in the same filter. This is of great importance to further studies using the ASK instrument, when the O+ ion emission will be used to detect flows and afterglows in active aurora. The ratio of O+ to N2 emission is dependent on the energy spectra of electron precipitation, and was found to be related to changes in the morphology of the small-scale aurora. The ESR measured height profiles of electron densities, which allowed estimates to be made of the energy spectrum of the precipitation during the events studied with optical data from ASK and SIF. It was found that the higher energy precipitation corresponded to discrete and dynamic features, including curls, and low energy precipitation corresponded to auroral signatures that were dominated by rays. The evolution of these changes on time scales of seconds is of importance to theories of auroral acceleration mechanisms.
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| 14. |
- Frey, H. U., et al.
(författare)
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Small and meso-scale properties of a substorm onset auroral arc
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 115, s. A10209-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present small and meso-scale properties of a substorm onset arc observed simultaneously by the Reimei and THEMIS satellites together with ground-based observations by the THEMIS GBO system. The optical observations revealed the slow equatorward motion of the growth-phase arc and the development of a much brighter onset arc poleward of it. Both arcs showed the typical particle signature of electrostatic acceleration in an inverted-V structure together with a strong Alfven wave acceleration signature at the poleward edge of the onset arc. Two THEMIS spacecraft encountered earthward flow bursts around the times the expanding optical aurora reached their magnetic footprints in the ionosphere. The particle and field measurements allowed for the reconstruction of the field-aligned current system and the determination of plasma properties in the auroral source region. Auroral arc properties were extracted from the optical and particle measurements and were used to compare measured values to theoretical predictions of the electrodynamic model for the generation of auroral arcs. Good agreement could be reached for the meso-scale arc properties. A qualitative analysis of the internal structuring of the bright onset arc suggests the operation of the tearing instability which provides a 'rope-like' appearance due to advection of the current in the sheared flow across the arc. We also note that for the observed parameters ionospheric conductivity gradients due to electron precipitation will be unstable to the feedback instability in the ionospheric Alfven resonator that can drive structuring in luminosity over the range of scales observed.
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| 15. |
- Ivchenko, Nickolay V., et al.
(författare)
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Multispectral observations of auroral rays and curls
- 2005
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 32:18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two cases of discrete aurora are presented, in which auroral curls and auroral rays, respectively, were seen. The aurora was imaged by two spatially separated imagers with a long-pass filter ( mainly sensitive to N-2 and N-2(+) emissions), and another imager with a narrow- band 7325 angstrom filter ( sensitive to forbidden O+ doublet). Also, spectra of the aurora were recorded. Using the multispectral imaging and spectra we find that the curls occurred in aurora caused by precipitation of energetic electrons with a lack of low-energy population, while in the rays both high and low energy precipitation were present simultaneously. These findings are confirmed by the altitude determination from triangulation.
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| 16. |
- Ivchenko, Nickolay V., et al.
(författare)
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Observation of O+4P-D-4(0) lines in proton aurora over Svalbard
- 2004
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 31:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Spectra of a proton aurora event show lines of O+ P-4-D-4(0) multiplet (4639-4696 Angstrom) enhanced relative to the N(2)(+)1N(0,2) compared to normal electron aurora. Conjugate satellite particle measurements are used as input to electron and proton transport models, to show that p/H precipitation is the dominant source of both the O+ and N(2)(+)1N emissions. The emission cross-section of the multiplet in p collisions with O and O-2 estimated from published work does not explain the observed O+ brightness, suggesting a higher emission cross-section for low energy p impact on O.
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| 17. |
- Ivchenko, Nickolay V., et al.
(författare)
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Observation of O+ (P-4-D-4(0)) lines in electron aurora over Svalbard
- 2004
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 22:8, s. 2805-2817
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This work reports on observations of O+ lines in aurora over Svalbard, Norway. The Spectrographic Imaging Facility measures auroral spectra in three wavelength intervals(H-beta, N-2(+) 1N(0,2) and N-2(+) 1N(1,3)). The oxygen ion P-4-D-4(0) multiplet (4639-4696 Angstrom) is blended with the N-2(+) 1N(1,3) band. It is found that in electron aurora, the brightness of this multiplet, is on average, about 0.1 of the N-2(+) 1N(0,2) total brightness. A joint optical and incoherent scatter radar study of an electron aurora event shows that the ratio is enhanced when the ionisation in the upper E-layer (140-190 km) is significant with respect to the E-layer peak below 130 km. Rayed arcs were observed on one such occasion, whereas on other occasions the auroral intensity was below the threshold of the imager. A one-dimensional electron transport model is used to estimate the cross section for production of the multiplet in electron collisions, yielding 0.18 x 10(-18) cm(2).
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| 18. |
- Jokiaho, O., et al.
(författare)
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Resonance scattering by auroral N-2(+) : steady state theory and observations from Svalbard
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 27:9, s. 3465-3478
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Studies of auroral energy input at high latitudes often depend on observations of emissions from the first negative band of ionised nitrogen. However, these emissions are affected by solar resonance scattering, which makes photometric and spectrographic measurements difficult to interpret. This work is a statistical study from Longyear-byen, Svalbard, Norway, during the solar minimum between January and March 2007, providing a good coverage in shadow height position and precipitation conditions. The High Throughput Imaging Echelle Spectrograph (HiTIES) measured three bands of N-2(+) 1N (0,1), (1,2) and (2,3), and one N-2 2P band (0,3) in the magnetic zenith. The brightness ratios of the N-2(+) bands are compared with a theoretical treatment with excellent results. Balance equations for all important vibrational levels of the three lowest electronic states of the N-2(+) molecule are solved for steady-state, and the results combined with ion chemistry modelling. Brightnesses of the (0,1), (1,2) and (2,3) bands of N-2(+) 1N are calculated for a range of auroral electron energies, and different values of shadow heights. It is shown that in sunlit aurora, the brightness of the (0,1) band is enhanced, with the scattered contribution increasing with decreasing energy of precipitation (10-fold enhancements for energies of 100 eV). The higher vibrational bands are enhanced even more significantly. In sunlit aurora the observed 1N (1,2)/(0,1) and (2,3)/(0,1) ratios increase as a function of decreasing precipitation energy, as predicted by theory. In non-sunlit aurora the N-2(+) species have a constant proportionality to neutral N-2. The ratio of 2P(0,3)/ 1N(0,1) in the morning hours shows a pronounced decrease, indicating enhancement of N-2(+) 1N emission. Finally we study the relationship of all emissions and their ratios to rotational temperatures. A clear effect is observed on rotational development of the bands. It is possible that greatly enhanced rotational temperatures may be a signature of ion upflows.
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| 19. |
- Jokiaho, O., et al.
(författare)
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Rotational temperature of N-2(+) (0,2) ions from spectrographic measurements used to infer the energy of precipitation in different auroral forms and compared with radar measurements
- 2008
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:4, s. 853-866
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High resolution spectral data are used to estimate neutral temperatures at auroral heights. The data are from the High Throughput Imaging Echelle Spectrograph (HiTIES) which forms part of the Spectrographic Imaging Facility (SIF), located at Longyearbyen, Svalbard in Norway. The platform also contains photometers and a narrow angle auroral imager. Quantum molecular spectroscopy is used for modelling N-2(+) 1NG (0,2), which serves as a diagnostic tool for neutral temperature and emission height variations. The theoretical spectra are convolved with the instrument function and fitted to measured rotational transition lines as a function of temperature. Measurements were made in the magnetic zenith, and along a meridian slit centred on the magnetic zenith. In the results described, the high spectral resolution of the data (0.08 nm) allows an error analysis to be performed more thoroughly than previous findings, with particular attention paid to the correct subtraction of background, and to precise wavelength calibration. Supporting measurements were made with the Svalbard Eiscat Radar (ESR). Estimates were made from both optical and radar observations of the average energy of precipitating electrons in different types of aurora. These provide confirmation that the spectral results are in agreement with the variations observed in radar profiles. In rayed aurora the neutral temperature was highest (800 K) and the energy lowest (1 keV). In a bright curling arc, the temperature at the lower border was about 550 K, corresponding to energies of 2 keV. The radar and modelling results confirm that these average values are a lower limit for an estimation of the characteristic energy. In each event the energy distribution is clearly made up of more than one spectral shape. This work emphasises the need for high time resolution as well as high spectral resolution. The present work is the first to provide rotational temperatures using a method which pays particular attention to errors in measurement and fitting, and background subtraction.
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| 20. |
- Lanchester, B. S., et al.
(författare)
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Simultaneous imaging of aurora on small scale in OI (777.4 nm) and N(2)1P to estimate energy and flux of precipitation
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 27:7, s. 2881-2891
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Simultaneous images of the aurora in three emissions, N(2)1P (673.0 nm), OII (732.0 nm) and OI (777.4 nm), have been analysed; the ratio of atomic oxygen to molecular nitrogen has been used to provide estimates of the changes in energy and flux of precipitation within scale sizes of 100 m, and with temporal resolution of 32 frames per second. The choice of filters for the imagers is discussed, with particular emphasis on the choice of the atomic oxygen line at 777.4 nm as one of the three emissions measured. The optical measurements have been combined with radar measurements and compared with the results of an auroral model, hence showing that the ratio of emission rates OI/N2 can be used to estimate the energy within the smallest auroral structures. In the event chosen, measurements were made from mainland Norway, near Tromso, (69.6 N, 19.2 E). The peak energies of precipitation were between 1-15 keV. In a narrow curling arc, it was found that the arc filaments resulted from energies in excess of 10 keV and fluxes of approximately 7mW/m(2). These filaments of the order of 100 m in width were embedded in a region of lower energies (about 5-10 keV) and fluxes of about 3 mW/m(2). The modelling results show that the method promises to be most powerful for detecting low energy precipitation, more prevalent at the higher latitudes of Svalbard where the multispectral imager, known as ASK, is now installed.
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| 21. |
- Sullivan, J. M., et al.
(författare)
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An optical study of multiple NEIAL events driven by low energy electron precipitation
- 2008
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 26:8, s. 2435-2447
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Optical data are compared with EISCAT radar observations of multiple Naturally Enhanced Ion-Acoustic Line (NEIAL) events in the dayside cusp. This study uses narrow field of view cameras to observe small-scale, short-lived auroral features. Using multiple-wavelength optical observations, a direct link between NEIAL occurrences and low energy (about 100 eV) optical emissions is shown. This is consistent with the Langmuir wave decay interpretation of NEIALs being driven by streams of low-energy electrons. Modelling work connected with this study shows that, for the measured ionospheric conditions and precipitation characteristics, growth of unstable Langmuir (electron plasma) waves can occur, which decay into ion-acoustic wave modes. The link with low energy optical emissions shown here, will enable future studies of the shape, extent, lifetime, grouping and motions of NEIALs.
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| 22. |
- Sullivan, J. M., et al.
(författare)
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Phase calibration of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar interferometer using optical satellite signatures
- 2006
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 24:9, s. 2419-2427
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The link between natural ion-line enhancements in radar spectra and auroral activity has been the subject of recent studies but conclusions have been limited by the spatial and temporal resolution previously available. The next challenge is to use shorter sub-second integration times in combination with interferometric programmes to resolve spatial structure within the main radar beam, and so relate enhanced filaments to individual auroral rays. This paper presents initial studies of a technique, using optical and spectral satellite signatures, to calibrate the received phase of a signal with the position of the scattering source along the interferometric baseline of the EISCAT Svalbard Radar. It is shown that a consistent relationship can be found only if the satellite passage through the phase fringes is adjusted from the passage predicted by optical tracking. This required adjustment is interpreted as being due to the vector between the theoretical focusing points of the two antennae, i.e. the true radar baseline, differing from the baseline obtained by survey between the antenna foot points. A method to obtain a measurement of the true interferometric baseline using multiple satellite passes is outlined.
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