| 1. |
- Knipp, D.J., et al.
(författare)
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Ionospheric Convection Response to Slow, Strong Variations in a Northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field: A Case Study for January 14, 1988
- 1993
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 98, s. 19273-19292
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We analyze ionospheric convection patterns over the polar regions during the passage of an interplanetary magnetic cloud on January 14, 1988, when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) rotated slowly in direction and had a large amplitude. Using the assimilative mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics (AMIE) procedure, we combine simultaneous observations of ionospheric drifts and magnetic perturbations from many different instruments into consistent patterns of high-latitude electrodynamics, focusing on the period of northward IMF. By combining satellite data with ground-based observations, we have generated one of the most comprehensive data sets yet assembled and used it to produce convection maps for both hemispheres. We present evidence that a lobe convection cell was embedded within normal merging convection during a period when the IMF B(y) and B(z) components were large and positive. As the IMF became predominantly northward, a strong reversed convection pattern (afternoon-to-morning potential drop of around 100 kV) appeared in the southern (summer) polar cap, while convection in the northern (winter) hemisphere became weak and disordered with a dawn-to-dusk potential drop of the order of 30 kV. These patterns persisted for about 3 hours, until the IMF rotated significantly toward the west. We interpret this behavior in terms of a recently proposed merging model for northward IMF under solstice conditions, for which lobe field lines from the hemisphere tilted toward the Sun (summer hemisphere) drape over the dayside magnetosphere, producing reverse convection in the summer hemisphere and impeding direct contact between the solar wind and field lines connected to the winter polar cap. The positive IMF B(x) component present at this time could have contributed to the observed hemispheric asymmetry. Reverse convection in the summer hemisphere broke down rapidly after the ratio \textbackslashB(y)/B(z)\textbackslash exceeded unity, while convection in the winter hemisphere strengthened. A dominant dawn-to-dusk potential drop was established in both hemispheres when the magnitude of B(y) exceeded that of B(z), with potential drops of the order of 100 kV, even while B(z) remained northward. The later transition to southward B(z) produced a gradual intensification of the convection, but a greater qualitative change occurred at the transition through \textbackslashB(y)/B(z)\textbackslash = 1 than at the transition through B(z) = 0. The various convection patterns we derive under northward IMF conditions illustrate all possibilities previously discussed in the literature: nearly single-cell and multicell, distorted and symmetric, ordered and unordered, and sunward and antisunward.
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| 2. |
- Blomberg, Lars G., et al.
(författare)
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MEFISTO - An electric field instrument for BepiColombo/MMO
- 2006
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Ingår i: Advances in Space Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0273-1177 .- 1879-1948. ; 38:4, s. 672-679
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- MEFISTO, together with the companion instrument WPT, are planning the first-ever in situ measurements of the electric field in the magnetosphere of planet Mercury. The instruments have been selected by JAXA for inclusion in the BepiColombo/MMO payload, as part of the Plasma Wave Investigation coordinated by Kyoto University. The magnetosphere of Mercury was discovered by Mariner 10 in 1974 and will be studied further by Messenger starting in 2011. However, neither spacecraft did or will measure the electric field. Electric fields are crucial in the dynamics of a magnetosphere and for the energy and plasma transport between different regions within the magnetosphere as well as between the magnetosphere and the surrounding regions. The MEFISTO instrument will be capable of measuring electric fields from DC to 3 MHz, and will thus also allow diagnostics of waves at all frequencies of relevance to the Hermean magnetosphere. MEFISTO is a double-probe electric field instrument. The double-probe technique has strong heritage and is well proven on missions such as Viking, Polar, and Cluster. For BepiColombo, a newly developed deployment mechanism is planned which reduces the mass by a factor of about 5 compared to conventional mechanisms for 15 in long booms. We describe the basic characteristics of the instrument and briefly discuss the new developments made to tailor the instrument to flight in Mercury orbit.
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| 3. |
- Feldstein, Y. I., et al.
(författare)
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Auroral electrojets and 3D currents in the ionosphere-magnetosphere system
- 2006
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Ingår i: “Physics of Auroral Phenomena”, Proc. XXIX Annual Seminar, Apatity. - : Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Science. ; , s. 25-30
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There are shortly described results of the analysis of variations in the location and intensity of the auroral electrojets during magnetic storms and substorms using a numerical method for estimating the equivalent ionospheric currents based on data from meridian chains of magnetic observatories. It is shown that the westward electrojet adjoins to the polar electrojet located at cusp latitudes in the dayside sector. The association of electrojets with the field-aligned currents (FACs), namely Region 1 FAC and Region 2 FAC is considered. During intense disturbances a Region 3 FAC (accompanied with diffuse electron precipitation from the plasma sheet boundary layer) with the downward current was identified. The analysis of observational data is summarized in terms of 2D time-latitude distribution of electrojets at ionospheric altitudes. The magnetic field sawtooth variations generated during the storm main and early recovery phases are also discussed. To follow 3D currents in the magnetosphereionosphere system a clarified view of interrelated 3D currents and magnetospheric plasma domains is presented.
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| 4. |
- Feldstein, Y. I., et al.
(författare)
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Auroral electrojets and boundaries of plasma domains in the magnetosphere during magnetically disturbed intervals
- 2006
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 24:8, s. 2243-2276
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigate variations in the location and intensity of the auroral electrojets during magnetic storms and substorms using a numerical method for estimating the equivalent ionospheric currents based on data from meridian chains of magnetic observatories. Special attention was paid to the complex structure of the electrojets and their interrelationship with diffuse and discrete particle precipitation and field-aligned currents in the dusk sector. During magnetospheric substorms the eastward electrojet (EE) location in the evening sector changes with local time from cusp latitudes (Phi similar to 77 degrees) during early afternoon to latitudes of diffuse auroral precipitation (Phi similar to 65 degrees) equatorward of the auroral oval before midnight. During the main phase of an intense magnetic storm the eastward currents in the noon-early evening sector adjoin to the cusp at Phi similar to 65 degrees and in the pre-midnight sector are located at subauroral latitude Phi similar to 57 degrees. The westward electrojet (WE) is located along the auroral oval from evening through night to the morning sector and adjoins to the polar electrojet (PE) located at cusp latitudes in the day-side sector. The integrated values of the eastward (westward) equivalent ionospheric current during the intense substorm are similar to 0.5 MA (similar to 1.5 MA), whereas they are 0.7 MA (3.0 MA) during the storm main phase maximum. The latitudes of auroral particle precipitation in the dusk sector are identical with those of both electrojets. The EE in the evening sector is accompanied by particle precipitation mainly from the Alfven layer but also from the near-Earth part of the central plasma sheet. In the lower-latitude part of the EE the field-aligned currents (FACs) flow into the ionosphere (Region 2 FAC), and at its higher-latitude part the FACs flow out of the ionosphere (Region 1 FAC). During intense disturbances, in addition to the Region 2 FAC and the Region 1 FAC, a Region 3 FAC with the downward current was identified. This FAC is accompanied by diffuse electron precipitation from the plasma sheet boundary layer. Actually, the triple system of FAC is observed in the evening sector and, as a consequence, the WE and the EE overlap. The WE in the evening sector comprises only the high-latitude periphery of the plasma precipitation region and corresponds to the Hall current between the Region 1 FAC and Region 3 FAC. During the September 1998 magnetic storm, two velocity bursts (similar to 2-4 km/s) in the magnetospheric convection were observed at the latitudes of particle precipitation from the central plasma sheet and at subauroral latitudes near the ionospheric trough. These kind of bursts are known as subauroral polarization streams (SAPS). In the evening sector the Alfven layer equatorial boundary for precipitating ions is located more equatorward than that for electrons. This may favour northward electric field generation between these boundaries and may cause high speed westward ions drift visualized as SAPS. Meanwhile, high speed ion drifts cover a wider range of latitudes than the distance between the equatorward boundaries of ions and electrons precipitation. To summarize the results obtained a new scheme of 3-D currents in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system and a clarified view of interrelated 3-D currents and magnetospheric plasma domains are proposed.
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| 5. |
- Marklund, Göran T., et al.
(författare)
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Cluster multipoint study of the acceleration potential pattern and electrodynamics of an auroral surge and its associated horn arc
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 117:10, s. A10223-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cluster results are presented from the acceleration region of an auroral surge and connected horn arc, observed during an extended time period of substorm activity. The Cluster spacecraft crossed different magnetic local time (MLT) sectors of the surge and horn, with lag times of 2-10 min. Acceleration potential patterns are derived for the horn arc and for the double arc (surge and horn) at the surge front and deeper into the surge. The parallel potential drop of the horn arc ranged between 4 and 7 kV. At the surge front, two weakly coupled U-potentials with parallel potential drops of 8 (7) kV and 7 (5) kV were derived for the surge and horn, respectively, from the C3 (C4) data. A similar, more coupled pattern was derived for the region deeper into the surge. We also address how the field-aligned currents of the surge and horn system close in the ionosphere. The Cluster data allow almost simultaneous estimates of the latitudinal current closure at various MLT sectors. Significant net upward currents are derived for the horn and surge, whereas the currents at the surge front were found to be balanced. The net upward horn current is proposed to be fed by the zonal divergence of the westward Pedersen current in the horn, consistent with the acceleration potential decrease in the westward horn direction. The net upward surge current is proposed to be fed by the divergence of a westward electrojet and by localized downward currents adjacent to the surge.
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| 6. |
- Marklund, Göran T., et al.
(författare)
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Evolution in space and time of the quasi-static acceleration potential of inverted-V aurora and its interaction with Alfvenic boundary processes
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 116, s. A00K13-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Results are presented from Cluster crossings of the acceleration region of two inverted-V auroras located in the poleward part of an extensive substorm bulge. The particle and field data are used to infer the acceleration potentials of the arcs and their distribution in altitude and latitude. The C1 data are consistent with a symmetric potential pattern, composed of two negative U potentials and one positive U potential in between, and the C3 and C4 data are consistent with an asymmetric pattern, where the dominating potential structure extends deep into the polar cap boundary (PCB) region. The two patterns may either correspond to different stages of evolution of the same double arc system or represent two longitudinally separated double arc systems. For all spacecraft, the potential well of the poleward arc extends into the PCB region, whereas the density cavity does not but remains confined to R1. This suggests that the Alfvenic activity observed within the PCB region prevents the cavity formation, consistent with the associated FACs being roughly balanced over this region. The results show that Alfvenic and quasi-static acceleration operates jointly in the PCB region, varying from being about equally important (on C1) to being predominantly quasi-static (on C3/C4). The presence (absence) of an upward electron beam, associated with a positive potential structure and a downward current, observed by C1 (C4/C3) is expected from its short life time, shorter than the time lag between the Cluster spacecraft. The evolution involves both a broadening and a density reduction of the associated downward current sheet to below the critical current density above which parallel electric fields will form. The deepest potential well of 13 kV observed by C4 was located in Region 1, adjacent to the PCB region and coinciding with the deepest density cavity, with a minimum density of 0.1 cm(-3). The interface between Region 1 and the PCB region, coinciding with the steep density gradient, appears to be the leading edge of the cavity.
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| 7. |
- Sundberg, Torbjörn, et al.
(författare)
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Reconstruction of propagating Kelvin-Helmholtz vortices at Mercury's magnetopause
- 2011
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Ingår i: Planetary and Space Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0032-0633 .- 1873-5088. ; 59:15, s. 2051-2057
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A series of quasi-periodic magnetopause crossings were recorded by the MESSENGER spacecraft during its third flyby of Mercury on 29 September 2009, likely caused by a train of propagating Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) vortices. We here revisit the observations to study the internal structure of the waves. Exploiting MESSENGER's rapid traversal of the magnetopause, we show that the observations permit a reconstruction of the structure of a rolled-up KH vortex directly from the spacecraft's magnetic field measurements. The derived geometry is consistent with all large-scale fluctuations in the magnetic field data, establishes the non-linear nature of the waves, and shows their vortex-like structure. In several of the wave passages, a reduction in magnetic field strength is observed in the middle of the wave, which is characteristic of rolled-up vortices and is related to the increase in magnetic pressure required to balance the centrifugal force on the plasma in the outer regions of a vortex, previously reported in computer simulations. As the KH wave starts to roll up, the reconstructed geometry suggests that the vortices develop two gradual transition regions in the magnetic field, possibly related to the mixing of magnetosheath and magnetospheric plasma, situated at the leading edges from the perspectives of both the magnetosphere and the magnetosheath.
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| 8. |
- Cumnock, Judy A., et al.
(författare)
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Space Technology 5 multipoint observations of transpolar arc related field-aligned currents
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research - Space Physics. - 0148-0227. ; 116
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present two transpolar arc events where for the first time we are able to analyze changes in field-aligned currents associated with high-latitude transpolar auroral arcs on time scales of a few minutes. This is accomplished through the use of highly accurate multipoint magnetic field measurements provided by the Space Technology 5 mission, which consists of three microsatellites in low-Earth orbit. In the first event we examine measurements of an arc that is part of a highly dynamic auroral pattern, that of a hook-shaped arc. In the second event, a more stable dusk oval-aligned arc is analyzed. These events illustrate the dynamic nature of arc formation and show the usefulness of high-resolution multipoint measurements. Minimum variance analysis is used to determine the appropriateness of the infinite current sheet approximation and to calculate arc alignment angles which are then compared with those estimated from UV images or precipitating particle data.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Kullen, A., et al.
(författare)
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Seasonal dependence and solar wind control of transpolar arc luminosity
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - : American Geophysical Union (AGU). - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 113:A8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The influence of the solar wind and the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) on the luminosity of transpolar arcs (TPAs) is examined by taking into account seasonal effects. The study focuses on those transpolar arcs that appear after an IMF By sign change during steady northward IMF. It includes 21 northern hemisphere events identified in a previous study from global UV images taken by the Polar spacecraft between 1996 and 2000. Sorting the TPA events by sign of the Earth dipole tilt we find that the TPAs which appear in the dark hemisphere are on average much weaker than TPAs in the sunlit hemisphere. For the dark hemisphere events, no clear correlation between solar wind parameters and TPA luminosity is found. However, in the sunlit hemisphere, a clear dependence on solar wind and IMF conditions is seen. The TPA brightness is strongly influenced by IMF magnitude, northward IMF Bz and solar wind speed. A weak, negative correlation with the ion density is found. The TPA luminosity in the sunlit hemisphere is much more strongly controlled by the magnetic energy flux than by the kinetic energy flux of the solar wind. This explains the absence of transpolar arcs for the two By sign change cases for positive dipole tilts with lowest magnetic energy flux values. The strong influence of the Earth dipole tilt on the transpolar arc luminosity appears due to the dependence of the ionospheric conductivity on solar EUV emissions.
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| 11. |
- Wahlund, J E, et al.
(författare)
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Science opportunities with a double Langmuir probe and electric field experiment for JIMO
- 2005
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Ingår i: PLANETARY ATMOSPHERES, IONOSPHERES, AND MAGNETOSPHERES. - : Elsevier BV. ; , s. 2110-2119
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The three icy Galilean moons of Jupiter: Callisto, Ganymede, and Europa, offer a range of exciting science opportunities for space physics and aeronomy. They all have thin atmospheres with residence times of a few days at most. The surface interactions with the space environment determine the atmospheric and ionospheric properties. The Jupiter Icy Moons Orbiter (JIMO) gives possibilities to investigate the weathering properties of their surfaces and volatile material expelled from their interiors. The atmospheres and the ionized ionospheric components of the Galilean moons (including the volcanic moon Io) interact strongly with the co-rotating magnetosphere of Jupiter. This interaction is dynamic and for example triggers energy transfer processes that give rise to auroral signatures at Jupiter. The icy moon's ionospheres are likewise highly variable in time and estimated peak electron densities vary between 1000 and 20,000 cm(-3) near their surfaces. A particularly interesting interaction occurs between the magnetosphere of Jupiter and the mini-magnetosphere of Ganymede and its ionosphere. A double-Langmuir probe (LP) experiment orbiting the moons at a short distance for several months will give valuable insight into these processes. Foremost the LP measures in situ plasma density and temperatures of the ionospheric components of the moons with high time resolution and thereby provides estimates of key parameters for the dynamical behaviour of surface weathering and magnetospheric influences. In addition many other physical parameters important to the dynamics of these systems can be estimated with such an instrument, like the plasma flow and the DC electric field. Recent results from the LP part of the Radio and Plasma Wave Science (RPWS) on board the Cassini/Huygens spacecraft orbiting Saturn show that an LP works in extended plasma parameter domains with very good science return.
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| 12. |
- Blomberg, Lars G., et al.
(författare)
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Electric fields in the Hermean environment
- 2006
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Ingår i: Advances in Space Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0273-1177 .- 1879-1948. ; 38:4, s. 627-631
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Returning to Mercury with the BepiColombo mission will provide a unique opportunity to obtain in situ information on the electric field in Mercury's magnetosphere. The electric field plays a crucial role for plasma transport in the magnetosphere, for transfer of energy between different parts of the system, and for propagation of information. Measuring the electric field, we will be able to better understand plasma motion and wave propagation in Mercury's magnetosphere. Together with knowledge of the magnetic field a better understanding will be derived of the magnetospheric current systems and their closure at or near the planetary surface. Further, insight into possible substorms at Mercury will be gained. We here focus on the expected amplitudes and frequencies of the electric fields concerned and the requirements for instrument capability that they pose.
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| 13. |
- Blomberg, Lars G., et al.
(författare)
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Plasma waves in the Hermean magnetosphere
- 2007
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Ingår i: Space Science Reviews. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0038-6308 .- 1572-9672. ; 132:04-feb, s. 575-591
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Hermean magnetosphere is likely to contain a number of wave phenomena. We briefly review what little is known so far about fields and waves around Mercury. We further discuss a number of possible phenomena, including ULF pulsations, acceleration-related radiation, bow shock waves, bremsstrahlung (or braking radiation), and synchrotron radiation. Finally, some predictions are made as to the likelihood that some of these types of wave emission exist.
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| 14. |
- Blomberg, Lars G., et al.
(författare)
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Solar windmagnetosphere-ionosphere coupling : an event study based on Freja data
- 2004
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Ingår i: Journal of Atmospheric and Solar-Terrestrial Physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 1364-6826 .- 1879-1824. ; 66:5, s. 375-380
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Freja data are used to study the relative contributions from the high-latitude (reconnection/direct entry) and low-latitude (viscous interaction) dynamos to the cross-polar potential drop. Convection streamlines which are connected to the high-latitude dynamo may be identified from dispersed magnetosheath ions not only in the cusp/cleft region itself but also several degrees poleward of it. This fact, together with Freja's orbital geometry allows us to infer the potential drop from the high-latitude dynamo as well as to obtain a lower limit to the potential drop from the low-latitude dynamo for dayside Freja passes. All cases studied here are for active magnetospheric conditions. The Freja data suggest that under these conditions at least one third of the potential is generated in the low-latitude dynamo. These observations are consistent with earlier observations of the potential across the low-latitude boundary layer if we assume that the low-latitude dynamo region extends over several tens of Earth radii in the antisunward direction along the tail flanks, and that the majority of the potential drop derives from the sun-aligned component of the electric field rather than from its cross-boundary component, or equivalently, that the centre of the dynamo region is located quite far down tail. A possible dynamo geometry is illustrated.
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| 15. |
- Cumnock, Judy A.
(författare)
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High-latitude aurora during steady northward interplanetary magnetic field and changing IMF B-y
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 110:A2, s. A02304-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High-latitude transpolar arcs (TPAs) are often observed during northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF); of these, theta aurora are seen when transpolar arcs move in the dawn or dusk direction across the entire polar region in response to IMF By changes. Periods of study were chosen when By changes sign during steady northward IMF in order to determine the influence of IMF B-x, B-y, the strength of the IMF, the solar wind, and Earth dipole tilt on the occurrence and motion of high-latitude TPAs forming theta aurora. For a 4.5-year period there are 55 events for which IMF B-z is northward for at least 2 hours before and at least 3 hours after a B-y sign change. Of these, 19 occurred when the Polar satellite was over the Northern Hemisphere for the duration of the event. We find that for northward IMF and a B-y sign change theta aurora are almost always formed in the Northern Hemisphere, regardless of B-x and dipole tilt. This implies that theta aurorae form simultaneously in both hemispheres. IMF B-y does not appear to influence the intensity and duration of the arc. Strongest UV emissions occur in the summer hemisphere. Evolution time has a fairly complex dependence on solar wind parameters.
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| 16. |
- Cumnock, Judy A., et al.
(författare)
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Simultaneous polar aurorae and modelled convection patterns in both hemispheres
- 2006
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Ingår i: Advances in Space Research. - : Elsevier. - 0273-1177 .- 1879-1948. ; 38:8, s. 1685-1693
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present an event study illustrating the relationships between plasma convection and polar auroral emissions, as well as illustrating the influence of the interplanetary magnetic field's y-component on theta aurora development in both hemispheres. Transpolar arcs (TPAs) are often observed during northward IMF with duskside (dawnside) formation of the TPA and dawnward (duskward) motion occurring when B-y changes from positive to negative in the northern (southern) hemisphere. POLAR UVI provides images in the northern hemisphere while DMSP provides ionospheric plasma flow and precipitating particle data in both hemispheres. Concurrent solar wind plasma and interplanetary magnetic field measurements are provided by the ACE satellite. Utilizing the satellite data as inputs, the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) numerical model provides the high-latitude ionospheric electrostatic potential patterns in both hemispheres calculated at different times during the evolution of the theta aurora resulting from a variety of field-aligned current configurations associated with the changing global aurora. These model patterns are compared to the convection predicted by mapping the magnetopause electric field to the ionosphere using the Moscow State University's (MSU) paraboloid model of the magnetosphere. The model predicts that parallel electric fields are set up along the magnetic field lines projecting to the transpolar aurora. Their possible role in the acceleration of the auroral electrons is discussed.
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| 17. |
- Cumnock, Judy A., et al.
(författare)
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Small-scale characteristics of extremely high latitude aurora
- 2009
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 27:9, s. 3335-3347
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We examine 14 cases of an interesting type of extremely high latitude aurora as identified in the precipitating particles measured by the DMSP F13 satellite. In particular we investigate structures within large-scale arcs for which the particle signatures are made up of a group of multiple distinct thin arcs. These cases are chosen without regard to IMF orientation and are part of a group of 87 events where DMSP F13 SSJ/4 measures emissions which occur near the noon-midnight meridian and are spatially separated from both the dawnside and duskside auroral ovals by wide regions with precipitating particles typical of the polar cap. For 73 of these events the high-latitude aurora consists of a continuous region of precipitating particles. We focus on the remaining 14 of these events where the particle signatures show multiple distinct thin arcs. These events occur during northward or weakly southward IMF conditions and follow a change in IMF B-y. Correlations are seen between the field-aligned currents and plasma flows associated with the arcs, implying local closure of the FACs. Strong correlations are seen only in the sunlit hemisphere. The convection associated with the multiple thin arcs is localized and has little influence on the large-scale convection. This also implies that the sunward flow along the arcs is unrelated to the overall ionospheric convection.
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| 18. |
- Cumnock, Judy A., et al.
(författare)
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Transpolar arc evolution and associated potential patterns
- 2004
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Ingår i: Annales Geophysicae. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 0992-7689 .- 1432-0576. ; 22:4, s. 1213-1231
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present two event studies encompassing detailed relationships between plasma convection, field-aligned current, auroral emission, and particle precipitation boundaries. We illustrate the influence of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field B, component on theta aurora development by showing two events during which the theta originates on both the dawn and dusk sides of the aurora] oval. Both theta then move across the entire polar region and become part of the opposite side of the aurora] oval. Electric and magnetic field and precipitating particle data are provided by DMSP, while the Polar UVI instrument provides measurements of auroral emissions. Utilizing satellite data as inputs, the Royal Institute of Technology model provides the high-latitude ionospheric electrostatic potential pattern calculated at different times during the evolution of the theta aurora, resulting from a variety of field-aligned current configurations associated with the changing global aurora.
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| 19. |
- Cumnock, Judy, et al.
(författare)
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Evolution of the global aurora during positive IMF B-z and varying IMF B-y conditions
- 1997
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS. ; 102, s. 17489-17497
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The DE 1 imaging instrumentation provides a full view of the entire amoral oval every 12 min for several hours during each orbit. We examined five examples of global evolution of the aurora that occurred during the northern hemisphere winter of 1981-1982 when the a component of the interplanetary magnetic field was positive and the y component was changing sign. Evolution of an expanded amoral emission region into a theta aurora appears to require a change in the sign of B-y during northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). Theta aurora are formed both from expanded duskside emission regions (B-y changes from positive to negative) and dawnside emission regions (B-y changes from negative to positive), however the dawnside-originating and duskside-originating evolutions are not mirror images. The persistence of a theta aurora after its formation suggests that there may be no clear relationship between the theta aurora pattern and the instantaneous configuration of the IMF.
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| 20. |
- Cumnock, Judy, et al.
(författare)
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High-Latitude Ionospheric Convection Pattern During Steady Northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field
- 1995
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 100, s. 14537-14555
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The DMSP F8 satellite’s coverage of Earth’s polar regions provides horizontal ion drift velocities along the dawn-dusk meridian at approximately 835 km altitude in each hemisphere during the similar to 100 min orbital period. We examine the ionospheric convection signatures observed by this spacecraft in the summer and winter hemispheres during periods when the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) is directed northward for at least 45 min prior to the satellite entering the polar region and remains northward throughout the polar pass. These convection signatures can be readily categorized by the number of sunward and antisunward flow regions and by their potential distributions. Here we describe the most frequently identifiable and reproducible features of the convection pattern that exist during steady northward IMF conditions. In addition to IMF B-z, the influences on the convection pattern of the IMF B-z/\textbackslashB-y\textbackslash ratio, season, latitude, and solar wind velocity are all considered. The ratio B-z/\textbackslashB-y\textbackslash provides a first order organization of the signatures that occur on the dayside of the dawn-dusk meridian. Sunward flow at highest latitudes on the dayside of the dawn-dusk meridian is the dominant feature seen in the large-scale convection signature during steady northward IMF; however, sunward flow at highest latitudes does not imply the existence of a particular number of convection cells.
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| 21. |
- Cumnock, Judy, et al.
(författare)
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POLAR UVI Observations of Auroral Oval Intensifications During a Transpolar Arc Event on December 7, 1996
- 2000
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The evolution of the northern hemisphere aurora is examined during a time when the IMF makes three brief southward excursions after a change in the sign of By during an extended period of northward IMF. POLAR UVI provides images of the aurora while DMSP F13 and F14 provide in situ measurements of precipitating particles, ionospheric plasma flows and ion density. Three different intensifications located in the nightside auroral oval occur during northward turnings of the IMF after brief periods of southward IMF. Spatial expansion, intensity of emissions and their duration are related to the length of time the IMF is southward prior to the northward turning. Thus the longer the period of enhanced magnetospheric convection the more intense the ionospheric response. Observations of a transpolar arc indicate that when the transpolar arc reaches highest latitudes it is located on a spatially narrow region of closed field lines, which extends along the noon-midnight meridian. UV observations indicate a connection between the transpolar arc and the nightside auroral enhancements. Precipitating particles associated with both features are attributed to a plasma sheet boundary layer source in the magnetotail implying a magnetospheric connection between the transpolar arc and the nightside auroral oval intensification.
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| 22. |
- Cumnock, Judy, et al.
(författare)
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Response of the Ionospheric Convection Pattern to a Rotation of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field on January 14, 1988
- 1992
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 97, s. 19449-19460
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ionospheric convection signatures observed over the polar regions are provided by the DMSP F8 satellite. We consider five passes over the southern summer hemisphere during a time when the z component of the interplanetary magnetic field was stable and positive and the y component changed slowly from positive to negative. Large-scale regions of sunward flow are observed at very high latitudes consistent with a strong z component. When B(y) and B(z) are positive, but B(y) is greater than B(z), strong evidence exists for dayside merging in a manner similar to that expected when B(z) is negative. This signature is diminished as B(y) decreases and becomes smaller than B(z) resulting in a four-cell convection pattern displaced toward the sunward side of the dawn-dusk meridian. In this case the sign of B(y) affects the relative sizes of the two highest-latitude cells. In the southern hemisphere the dusk side high-latitude cell is dominant for B(y) positive and the dawnside high-latitude cell is dominant for B(y) negative. The relative importance of possible electric field sources in the low-latitude boundary layer, the dayside cusp, and the lobe all need to be considered to adequately explain the observed evolution of the convection pattern.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Feldstein, Y. I., et al.
(författare)
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High-latitude electrojets and auroral luminosity and auroral particle precipitations
- 2007
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Ingår i: “Physics of Auroral Phenomena”, Proc. XXX Annual Seminar, Apatity. - : Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Science. ; , s. 55-59
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The mutual location of high-latitude electrojets, typical regions of the auroral luminosity and regions of auroral energy particle participations into the upper atmosphere under substorm conditions are considered. Three electrojets exist at high latitudes during substorm intervals: WE - westward electrojet, EE - eastward electrojet and PE – polar electrojet. Geomagnetic latitudes of the WE/EE and PE location vary depend on local time and magnetic activity level, respectively. It is shown that the WE is located within the limits of the auroral oval precipitation (AOP), the EE in the evening sector is located within the diffuse auroral zone (DAZ) and the PE near noon is located at the poleward AOP boundary shifting poleward with decreasing the magnetic activity level. The relationship of electrojets with different plasma domains in the magnetosphere is discussed.
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| 25. |
- Germany, G A, et al.
(författare)
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Remote determination of auroral energy characteristics during substorm activity
- 1997
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Ingår i: Geophysical Research Letters. - 0094-8276 .- 1944-8007. ; 24, s. 995-998
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ultraviolet auroral images from the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) onboard the POLAR satellite can be used as quantitative remote diagnostics of the auroral regions, yielding estimates of incident energy characteristics, compositional changes, and other higher order data products. Here incident energy estimates derived from UVI are compared with in situ measurements of the same parameters from an overflight by the DMSP F12 satellite coincident with the UVI image times during substorm activity occurring on May 19, 1996. This event was simultaneously observed by WIND, GEOTAIL, INTERBALL, DMSP and NOAA spacecraft as well as by POLAR.
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| 26. |
- Gromova, L. I., et al.
(författare)
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High-Latitude Ionospheric Convection Patterns Dependent on the IMF Orientation
- 2007
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Ingår i: <em>“</em>Physics of Auroral Phenomena”, Proc. XXX Annual Seminar, Apatity. - : Kola Science Centre, Russian Academy of Science. ; , s. 64-68
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The IZMEM model provides high-latitude ionospheric plasma convection patterns in both hemispheres as a function of the IMF orientation. Model electric potentials are compared with electric field measurements from the DE2, FAST and DMSP satellites along high-latitude passes of the Northern and Southern hemispheres during IMF Bz < 0 and By < 0 (By >0). It has been shown that the IZMEM model electric potentials are in good agreement with measurements along the satellite passes, which makes the IZMEM global spatial convection patterns for these plausible. For small IMF magnitude ionospheric convection patterns generally consist of two cells with a positive potential cell on the dawn-side and a negative potential cell on the dusk-side. For IMF By<0 (By>0) a positive (negative) potential cell becomes dominant in the northern hemisphere, and oppositely in the southern hemisphere. During Bz > 0 the convection pattern changes from the standard two-cell pattern to a more complicated one. IZMEM shows two additional convection cells in the dayside polar cap, positive (negative) potential cell is present duskward (dawnward) of the noon-midnight meridian, and may cause three-cell or four-cell convection pattern depending on By/Bz ratio.
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| 27. |
- Kullen, Anita, et al.
(författare)
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Occurrence and properties of substorms associated with pseudobreakups
- 2010
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Ingår i: Journal of Geophysical Research. - 0148-0227 .- 2156-2202. ; 115, s. A12310-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigate how substorms with and without growth-phase pseudobreakups are affected by solar wind and ionospheric conditions. The study is based on 874 events identified with Polar UVI. An AE index analysis shows that substorms with growth-phase pseudobreakups are typically weak and appear as isolated events after hours of low geomagnetic activity. During the hours before onset the average solar wind merging field E-m is weaker, and the length of time with enhanced values shorter than for regular substorms. Integrating E-m over the last southward IMF period before onset shows an upper limit above which these substorms do not occur. To estimate how much E-m reaches the ionosphere, polar cap potential drop and unified PC indices are examined. It is found that substorms with growth-phase pseudobreakups have on average lower PC index values than regular substorms. The temporal evolution of the PC indices is similar for both substorm groups; the summer index correlates better with E-m, the winter index with AE. Also the average polar cap potential drop curves for both types of substorms resemble one other; the dayside and nightside curves are mainly influenced by E-m and AE, respectively. Comparing growth-phase, isolated and recovery pseudobreakups shows that solar wind and ionospheric conditions around the first substorm after a pseudobreakup are similar, independent of whether the last pseudobreakup appeared hours (recovery and isolated pseudobreakups) or minutes before substorm onset (growth-phase pseudobreakups). Isolated and recovery pseudobreakups are less often associated with a northward IMF rotation than growth-phase pseudobreakups or substorms.
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| 28. |
- Sitar, R J, et al.
(författare)
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Multi-instrument analysis of the ionospheric signatures of a hot flow anomaly occurring on July 24, 1996
- 1998
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Ingår i: JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-SPACE PHYSICS. ; 103, s. 23357-23372
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the analysis of a coordinated set of observations from the POLAR ultraviolet imager (UVI), ground magnetometers, incoherent scatter radar, solar wind monitors, and the DMSP satellite, focused on a traveling convection vortex (TCV) event on July 24, 1996. Starting at approximately 1036 UT, ground magnetometers in Greenland and eastern Canada observe pulsations consistent with the passing overhead of a series of TCV field-aligned current pairs. Azimuthal scans by the Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar located near Kangerlussuaq (formerly Sondrestrom), Greenland, at this time show strong modulation in the strength and direction of ionospheric plasma flow. The magnetometer pulsations grow in magnitude over the next hour, peaking in intensity at 1137 UT. Images from the UVI instrument show a localized intensification of auroral emissions over central and western Greenland at 1139 UT. Subsequent images show the intensification grow in strength and propagate westward (tailward) until approximately 1158 UT, at which time the intensification fades, These observations are consistent with the westward passage of four pairs of TCVs over central Greenland. The intensification of auroral emissions at 1139 UT is associated with the leading vortex of the fourth TCV pair, thought to be the result of an upward field-aligned current. The modulated flow observed by the radar is the result of the strong electric fields associated with the field-aligned current systems responsible for the impulsive TCV as they pass through the field of view of the radar. Measurements taken in the solar wind by the Wind spacecraft suggest that a pressure change triggers the onset of TCV activity. A subsequent sudden change in the orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field produces a hot flow anomaly which forms at the bow shock. We believe that the interaction of the hot flow anomaly with the magnetopause intensified the fourth TCV pair and. produced the associated auroral brightening. DMSP particle data indicate that the TCVs occur on field lines which map to the boundary plasma sheet-low latitude boundary layer interface. The ground observations associated with the hot flow anomaly are the first of their kind and provide a mechanism to tie an interplanetary magnetic field orientation change into the existing theory that TCVs result from a deformation of the magnetopause.
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