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Proton aurora and substorm intensifications
Author(s) -
Samson J. C.,
Lyons L. R.,
Newell P. T.,
Creutzberg F.,
Xu B.
Publication year - 1992
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 - 10.1029/92gl02184
Subject(s) - substorm , magnetosphere , field line , geophysics , electron precipitation , proton , physics , magnetic field , nuclear physics , quantum mechanics
Ground based measurements from the CANOPUS array of meridian scanning photometers and precipitating ion and electron data from the DMSP F9 satellite show that the electron arc which brightens to initiate substorms intensifications is formed within a region of intense proton precipitation that is well equatorward (∼4–6°) of the nightside open‐closed field line boundary. The precipitating protons are from a population that is energized via Earthward convection from the magnetotail into the dipolar region of the magnetosphere and may play an important role in the formation of the electron arcs leading to substorm intensifications on dipolelike field lines.