Physics
Scientific paper
Dec 1985
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1985jgr....9012321l&link_type=abstract
Journal of Geophysical Research (ISSN 0148-0227), vol. 90, Dec. 1, 1985, p. 12,321-12,329. Research supported by the Aerospace C
Physics
28
Auroras, E Region, Kelvin-Helmholtz Instability, Wave Generation, Wind Shear, Auroral Arcs, Jet Streams (Meteorology), Neutral Atmospheres, Wind Velocity
Scientific paper
Thermospheric neutral wind acceleration via ion drag in the conducting E-region of the ionosphere is greatly increased by electron precipitation associated with auroras. This increased acceleration can lead to the development of significant horizontal wind shears, which were found to be unstable to the Kelvin-Helmholtz shear instability. Numerical simulation of the neutral response to an intense, postmidnight, diffuse aurora shows tne formation of an E-region 'jet stream' within the aurora, with peak winds speeds greather than 700 m/s after one hour. It is proposed that this jet stream produces unstable Kelvin-Helmholtz waves, which can drive waves of discrete aurora along the poleward boundary of the preexisting diffuse aurora. It is suggested that such auroral waves, driven by the neutral winds, form eastward propagating waves (omega bands) occasionally observed along the poleward boundary of postmidnight diffuse auroras. It was found that neutral wind shears that develop in response to discrete auroral arcs are unstable; however, the resulting wind waves are not expected to drive significant auroral waves along discrete arcs.
Lyons Larry R.
Walterscheid Richard L.
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