ROPA (Rocket Observations of Pulsating Aurora) and AMISR Observations of Precipitation and Ionospheric Conductivity During Pulsating Aurora

The ROPA (Rocket Observations of Pulsating Aurora) sounding rocket was launched on February 12, 2007 at 12:45:04 UT from Poker Flat Research Range into a region of pulsating aurora. At least three electron precipitation populations were measured (including a uniform, diffuse background), with the AMISR radar acquiring supporting data. Previous studies of pulsating aurora showed the presence of thin (~2 km) patches of luminosity. During the ROPA campaign, however, first-ever AMISR observations of the ionospheric signature of pulsating aurora revealed relatively thin conductivity enhancements, but the order of 10- 20 km. In addition, the observations show conductivity enhancement peaks ranging from 95 to 105 km altitude and with significant vertical structure at times. The widely varying AMISR observations are consistent with likewise varying reports in the literature regarding in-situ measurements of the precipitating electron populations. In this presentation, AMISR observations of pulsating auroral events are presented and discussed, with a particular emphasis on the event that occurred during the launch of ROPA.