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Auroral X‐ray images from DMSP‐F6
Author(s) -
Mizera P. F.,
Gorney D. J.,
Roeder J. L.
Publication year - 1984
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/gl011i003p00255
Subject(s) - polar , dusk , defense meteorological satellite program , polar cap , shadow (psychology) , geology , satellite , electron precipitation , physics , geophysics , ionosphere , astronomy , magnetosphere , plasma , psychology , quantum mechanics , psychotherapist
X‐ray images of auroral arcs for consecutive north and south polar crossings of the DMSP‐F6 satellite are presented. On January 18, 1983, the north polar region was in the earth's shadow and the south polar region was in complete sunlight. The X‐ray images of both polar cap regions show features of the dawn and dusk auroral oval that are quite similar. However a strong polar cap structure appears only in the north pole image. Near simultaneous measurements of precipitating electrons obtained by instruments aboard the NOAA‐6 and NOAA‐7 satellites crossing the south pole, show no indication of polar auroral structures. These examples illustrate the utility of X‐ray imaging in both sunlight and in darkness for studying auroral boundaries and morphology.