Correlations of auroral kilometric radiation with visual auroras and with Birkeland currents
Abstract
Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) is discussed relative to the strength of field-aligned currents (FAC) and the connection between AKR and optical auroral emissions (OAE). Data were gathered by, e.g., the Triad, DMSP, and Hawkeye satellites and correlations have been sought between the spacecraft data. A linear relationship has been established between integrated current sheet densities and the logarithm of the auroral field strength. The current sheet density has an upper limit and is dependent on AKR power input. Strong correlations between AKR and FAC magnitudes imply that the FAC could cause variations in the auroral flux tube, as well as aid in depletion of particles in equatorial regions. The OAE magnitude has been proportional to that of the AKR, which is EM radiation at 50-500 kHz and propagates in the right hand extraordinary mode. The pre-midnight sector is a possible source region for AKR, which has a 0.01 efficiency if the source is electron precipitation.
- Publication:
-
High-Latitude Space Plasma Physics
- Pub Date:
- 1983
- Bibcode:
- 1983hlsp.rept..377S
- Keywords:
-
- Auroras;
- Birkeland Currents;
- Electric Field Strength;
- Kilometric Waves;
- Light Emission;
- Auroral Electrojets;
- Electric Current;
- Electron Density (Concentration);
- Field Aligned Currents;
- Gyrofrequency;
- Viking Spacecraft;
- Geophysics