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Dynamics of global scale electron and proton precipitation induced by a solar wind pressure pulse
Author(s) -
Meurant M.,
Gérard J.C.,
Hubert B.,
Coumans V.,
Blockx C.,
Østgaard N.,
Mende S. B.
Publication year - 2003
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 - 10.1029/2003gl018017
Subject(s) - electron precipitation , proton , solar wind , precipitation , electron , noon , physics , atmospheric sciences , shock (circulatory) , astrophysics , geophysics , computational physics , environmental science , meteorology , plasma , magnetosphere , nuclear physics , medicine
On April 28 2001, simultaneous global images of electron and proton aurora were obtained by IMAGE‐FUV following a sudden increase of solar wind dynamic pressure. The local time and intensity distribution of both types of precipitation are examined and compared. It is found that the electron and the proton precipitation both start in the post noon sector and expand concurrently, but the expansion into the nightside starts sooner for the protons than for the electrons. The characteristic rise time in the onset sector is on the order of 6 minutes. A distinct dynamics and morphology of electron and proton precipitation is observed in the nightside sector. DMSP electron measurements in the afternoon sector indicate that the shock has a significant effect on the electron spectral characteristics. It is suggested that the various Alfven frequencies generated by the shock account for the two different speeds of propagation of the disturbance.