Premium
Atmospheric energy input and ionization by energetic electrons during the geomagnetic storm of 8–9 November 1991
Author(s) -
Chenette D. L.,
Datlowe D. W.,
Robinson R. M.,
Schumaker T. L.,
Vondrak R. R.,
Winningham J. D.
Publication year - 1993
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 - 10.1029/93gl01342
Subject(s) - geomagnetic storm , atmosphere (unit) , atmospheric sciences , ionization , electron precipitation , earth's magnetic field , electron , storm , physics , ionosphere , atmosphere of earth , environmental science , altitude (triangle) , meteorology , geophysics , magnetosphere , ion , plasma , nuclear physics , magnetic field , geometry , mathematics , quantum mechanics
The Atmospheric X‐ray Imaging Spectrometer (AXIS) of the Particle Environment Monitor investigation aboard the Upper Atmosphere Research Satellite monitors energy input to the upper atmosphere due to energetic electrons. Analysis of the AXIS data from the major geomagnetic storm of 8–9 November 1991 is presented. During the November storm, electrons above a few keV flowing into a substantially expanded auroral zone provided the bulk of the ionizing power to the upper atmosphere. At the peak of the disturbance the total AXIS‐observed power reached 40 GW. On 9 November the whole day average atmospheric ionization rate in the auroral zone at 80 km altitude exceeded the rate due to solar UV and solar x‐rays by a factor of over 10 to 100.