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First observations of flickering auroral roar
Author(s) -
Hughes J. M.,
LaBelle J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/2000gl012210
Subject(s) - physics , amplitude , electron precipitation , electron , flicker , ionosphere , astrophysics , modulation (music) , geophysics , optics , plasma , magnetosphere , acoustics , electrical engineering , quantum mechanics , engineering
We present observations of ∼10 Hz pulsations in the amplitude of an auroral roar emission. These pulsations vary in frequency from 7–11 Hz and occur in groups which last for ∼1 sec with adjacent pulsation groups spaced from one to several seconds. We put forth that these pulsations reflect 7–11 Hz modulations in the distribution function of the auroral electrons, similar to those associated with flickering aurora. The radio observations provide an additional means of probing this phenomenon and in particular may put constraints on the form of modulations of the electron distribution function at the auroral roar source height of a few hundred kilometers.