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First Observations From the TREx Spectrograph: The Optical Spectrum of STEVE and the Picket Fence Phenomena
Author(s) -
Gillies D. M.,
Donovan E.,
Hampton D.,
Liang J.,
Connors M.,
Nishimura Y.,
GallardoLacourt B.,
Spanswick E.
Publication year - 2019
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 - 10.1029/2019gl083272
Subject(s) - picketing , spectrograph , emission spectrum , physics , line (geometry) , spectral line , astrophysics , geology , astronomy , law , geometry , political science , mathematics
We present the first observations of ionospheric phenomena using the newly deployed Transition Region Explorer (TREx) Spectrograph. On the night of 10 April 2018, STEVE (Strong Thermal Emission Velocity Enhancement) and the Picket Fence optical structures were observed by the spectrograph in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan. STEVE contains an enhancement of the OI red‐line (630‐nm) emission and a continuum which spans the visible wavelengths. Based upon its spectrum, we assert that the characteristic mauve color of STEVE is a result of this continuum. The spectrum of the Picket Fence contains a strong OI green‐line (557.7‐nm) emission similar to that produced in typical auroral structures. From their spectra, we assert that the Picket Fence is caused by particle precipitation and thus that the Picket Fence is a form of aurora, while STEVE's spectrum confirms that it is not aurora.