Observed X-rays associated with kilometric continuum

Physics

Scientific paper

Rate now

  [ 0.00 ] – not rated yet Voters 0   Comments 0

Details

Magnetospheric Physics: Plasma Waves And Instabilities (2471), Magnetospheric Physics: Auroral Phenomena (2407), Magnetospheric Physics: Magnetosphere/Ionosphere Interactions (2431), Magnetospheric Physics: Plasmasphere, Magnetospheric Physics: Energetic Particles: Precipitating

Scientific paper

Kilometric continuum (KC) is a recently identified nonthermal magnetospheric radio/plasma wave phenomenon that consists of many narrowband emission lines of nearly constant frequency. The temporal structures of the KC wave intensities measured from the Geotail satellite in near equatorial positions at geocentric distances of 9-30 Earth radii were, on several occasions, similar to the temporal structures of X-rays simultaneously emitted from the atmosphere and mapped in position from the Polar satellite at lower altitudes and at high latitudes. The similarity in behavior of KC waves and X-rays might result from the fact that bremsstrahlung X-rays can be generated in the atmosphere by precipitating electrons produced at high altitudes by incident KC waves. KC waves at low latitudes appear correlated with X-rays at high latitudes. Our study supports the premise that KC waves interacting with high-altitude energetic electrons can lead to the production of X-rays at low altitudes from the resultant precipitation of the electrons. Thus the Polar and Geotail satellites may be used to map the spatial spread of KC, a feat that cannot be currently accomplished with waves observed from a single satellite. In this investigation, it is found that the X-ray emissions extend over a wide range of latitudes and may span a broad longitudinal interval. The energy spectra of X-rays emitted from the Earth at the times of KC events have been examined and found to display a wide variety of intensities and spectral shapes as do the spectra of X-rays associated with auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) events. For most of the high-latitude satellite passes when KC but no AKR was present, the X-ray energy spectra were harder than at times associated with AKR.

No associations

LandOfFree

Say what you really think

Search LandOfFree.com for scientists and scientific papers. Rate them and share your experience with other people.

Rating

Observed X-rays associated with kilometric continuum 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 Observed X-rays associated with kilometric continuum, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Observed X-rays associated with kilometric continuum will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

     

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-882441

  Search
All data on this website is collected from public sources. Our data reflects the most accurate information available at the time of publication.