Auroral Electron Characteristics Utilizing a Heterogeneous Approach

We explore electron characteristics of auroral precipitation by inferring them using 2-d images from ground based observations rather than traditional electron instrument measurements. This method utilizes measured 2-d optical emissions and the transport model and relies on several assumptions that affect the accuracy of the resulting electron characteristics. We aim to improve their accuracy by combining in situ electron measurements and multi-spectral ground-based imaging through case studies from the GREECE and ISINGLASS sounding rocket missions that flew in 2014 and 2017 respectively. Such case studies provide us with valuable insights into how accurately these (optical + model) methods are reproducing the actual electron precipitation characteristics and can offer ways to improve their accuracy. These inferred electron distributions can be made over large 2-d areas employing distributed observations. This would enable small scale dynamics to be characterized over regional scales. Consequently, they can provide inputs for a wider array of larger-scale global ionosphere-thermosphere models enabling system level science explorations.