Detailed observations of the source of terrestrial narrowband electromagnetic radiation

We present detailed observations of a region near the terrestrial plasmapause where narrowband electromagnetic radiation (previously called escaping nonthermal continuum radiation) is being generated. These observations show a direct correspondence between the narrowband radio emissions and electron cyclotron harmonic waves near the upper hybrid resonance frequency. In addition, electromagnetic radiation propagating in the Z-mode is observed in the source region which provides an extremely accurate determination of the electron plasma frequency and, hence, density profile of the source region. The data strongly suggest the electrostatic waves and not Cerenkov radiation are the source of the banded radio emissions and clearly define the coupling mechanism which must be described by any viable theory.