CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora

Details CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora

Dec 2011

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=2011agufmsm33a2139k&link_type=abstract

American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2011, abstract #SM33A-2139

Physics

[2704] Magnetospheric Physics / Auroral Phenomena, [2721] Magnetospheric Physics / Field-Aligned Currents And Current Systems

Scientific paper

We present CHAMP observations of intense transverse magnetic field fluctuations (10-20 nT amplitude) at frequencies of 1-15 Hz as the satellite crosses visible auroral arcs seen by the THEMIS ground-based camera array. Fluctuations in this frequency range are caused by small-scale FACs and they are consistent with published observations of auroral flicker observed both by ground-based cameras and in-situ. While the THEMIS cameras are not able to resolve the flicker itself, they allow us to associate the magnetic oscillations observed in-situ with strong, northward expanding, multiple auroral arcs. In two cases, the oscillations occur within quasi-static upward FAC channels tens of km wide and with amplitudes of 2-5 μ A/m2. In a third example, the magnetic fluctuations detected by CHAMP show no low-frequency component, indicating no quasi-static ("DC") upward FAC associated with the arc. In fact CHAMP detects a strong downward current within or near the arc, suggesting that all of the visible emission observed by the cameras is due entirely to oscillating fields with no static component. An additional new aspect of these magnetic observations is the presence of strong harmonics at multiples of the ˜3 Hz fundamental oscillation.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora 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 CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and CHAMP Estimates of Fluctuating Small-Scale Field-Aligned Currents and Their Relation to Flickering Aurora will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1890752