Rocket measurements of electric fields, electron density and temperature during different phases of auroral substorms

• On 27 January 1979, three rocket payloads were launched from Kiruna, Sweden into different phases of two successive auroral substorrns. Among other experiments, the payloads carried the RIT double probe electric field experiments providing electric field, electron density and temperature data which are presented here. These data supported by rocket particle observations are discussed mainly in association with ground-based observations (magnetometer, TV) and very briefly with GEOS electric field data. The motions of the auroral forms as obtained from auroral pictures are compared with E × B/B2 drifts and the currents calculated from the rocket electric field and density measurements with the equivalent current system deduced from ground-based magnetometer data (Scandinavian Magnetometer Array).

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)