Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery

Details Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery

Jul 2006

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2006georl..3313106s&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters, Volume 33, Issue 13, CiteID L13106

Physics

14

Magnetospheric Physics: Auroral Phenomena (2407), Ionosphere: Wave/Particle Interactions (7867), Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic Particles: Precipitating, Ionosphere: Plasma Waves And Instabilities (2772), Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Interactions (2431)

Scientific paper

The two-fluid theory of inertial Alfvén waves predicts that wave energy spreads azimuthally across the background magnetic field, and that phase- and group- velocities in the B$\perp$ plane are oppositely directed. These features have been observed in laboratory plasmas but have yet to be identified in the natural auroral plasma. Using narrow-field video recorded at 50 images/s, we have identified a time dependent morphology that is consistent with these predictions. The aurora at issue is best modeled as an expanding amplitude envelope within which periodic auroral structure evolves. If luminous structure is interpreted as a projection of the parallel wave electric field into the B$\perp$ plane, then successive images reveal the cross-sectional structure of the resonant cone at increasing distance from the wave source. Phase- and group-velocities extracted under this interpretation were found to be consistent with theoretical predictions for a dispersing inertial Alfvén wave packet.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Evidence for Alfvén wave dispersion identified in high-resolution auroral imagery will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1790825