Open AccessNew optical observations of auroral flames
Author(s) -
Balcerak Ernie
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
eos, transactions american geophysical union
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.316
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 2324-9250
pISSN - 0096-3941
DOI - 10.1002/2013eo490012
Subject(s) - breakup , earth's magnetic field , space weather , geophysics , electron precipitation , physics , flux (metallurgy) , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , geology , magnetic field , magnetosphere , materials science , mechanics , quantum mechanics , metallurgy
Auroral arcs are a visible manifestation of space weather. A common dynamic observed during geomagnetically disturbed periods is the breakup of auroral arcs into a multitude of small‐scale filaments less than 1 kilometer across. These filaments can move rapidly upward along the geomagnetic field lines. Dahlgren et al . observed such “auroral flames” during a breakup event on 1 March 2011 using an advanced high‐speed optical system with sensitive low‐light detectors. The data provide new insight into the energy and flux of electrons in individual auroral flames and could help scientists better understand the dynamic processes involved in auroral breakup.