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High‐resolution observations of the small‐scale flow pattern associated with a poleward moving auroral form in the cusp
Author(s) -
Oksavik K.,
Moen J.,
Carlson H. C.
Publication year - 2004
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 - 10.1029/2004gl019838
Subject(s) - geology , geophysics , flux (metallurgy) , flow (mathematics) , cusp (singularity) , convection , latitude , radar , physics , ionosphere , geodesy , meteorology , geometry , mechanics , telecommunications , materials science , mathematics , computer science , metallurgy
In this paper we present high‐resolution observations by the EISCAT Svalbard Radar of the localized ionospheric flow response due to one single flux transfer event and the relative location of a poleward moving auroral form. In a fast scan mode the radar was tracking a 50–60 km wide channel of westward flow in the cusp region. This flow channel was surrounded by flow running in the opposite direction. At the poleward edge of the narrow flow channel a poleward moving auroral form was situated, consistent with the auroral form being the signature of an upward Birkeland current filament. Our observations can be interpreted in terms of the Southwood [1985, 1987] flux transfer model, and the FTE twin‐cell flow pattern appears to be a ripple onto the larger‐scale background convection.