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Journal ArticleDOI

Variations in the polar cap area during two substorm cycles

TL;DR: In this article, the authors employed observations from several sources to determine the location of the polar cap bound-ary, or open/closed field line boundary, at all local times, allowing the amount of open flux in the magnetosphere to be quantified.
Abstract: This study employs observations from several sources to determine the location of the polar cap bound- ary, or open/closed field line boundary, at all local times, allowing the amount of open flux in the magnetosphere to be quantified. These data sources include global auroral im- ages from the Ultraviolet Imager (UVI) instrument on board the Polar spacecraft, SuperDARN HF radar measurements of the convection flow, and low altitude particle measurements from Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellites, and the Fast Auroral SnapshoT (FAST) spacecraft. Changes in the open flux content of the mag- netosphere are related to the rate of magnetic reconnection occurring at the magnetopause and in the magnetotail, al- lowing us to estimate the day- and nightside reconnection voltages during two substorm cycles. Specifically, increases in the polar cap area are found to be consistent with open flux being created when the IMF is oriented southwards and low-latitude magnetopause reconnection is ongoing, and de- creases in area correspond to open flux being destroyed at substorm breakup. The polar cap area can continue to de- crease for 100 min following the onset of substorm breakup, continuing even after substorm-associated auroral features have died away. An estimate of the dayside reconnection voltage, determined from plasma drift measurements in the ionosphere, indicates that reconnection can take place at all local times along the dayside portion of the polar cap bound- ary, and hence presumably across the majority of the dayside magnetopause. The observation of ionospheric signatures of bursty reconnection over a wide extent of local times sup- ports this finding.

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Citations
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) as discussed by the authors has been operating as an international co-operative organization for over 10 years and has been successful in addressing a wide range of scientific questions concerning processes in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and mesosphere, as well as general plasma physics questions.
Abstract: The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) has been operating as an international co-operative organization for over 10 years. The network has now grown so that the fields of view of its 18 radars cover the majority of the northern and southern hemisphere polar ionospheres. SuperDARN has been successful in addressing a wide range of scientific questions concerning processes in the magnetosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, and mesosphere, as well as general plasma physics questions. We commence this paper with a historical introduction to SuperDARN. Following this, we review the science performed by SuperDARN over the last 10 years covering the areas of ionospheric convection, field-aligned currents, magnetic reconnection, substorms, MHD waves, the neutral atmosphere, and E-region ionospheric irregularities. In addition, we provide an up-to-date description of the current network, as well as the analysis techniques available for use with the data from the radars. We conclude the paper with a discussion of the future of SuperDARN, its expansion, and new science opportunities.

690 citations


Cites background or methods from "Variations in the polar cap area du..."

  • ...It is now realized that many echoes from the E region have more than one spectral peak (known as two-peaked E-region echoes or TWOPEEs), and contain backscatter contributions from two or more of the echo types listed above (e.g. Milan et al. 2003a; Danskin et al. 2004)....

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  • ...…which allow estimates of changes in polar cap area (such as those made by spacecraft auroral imagers), it is possible to estimate the magnetopause reconnection rate during the substorm growth phase, assuming there is little or no magnetotail reconnection (Lewis et al. 1998; Milan et al. 2003b)....

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  • ...These echoes are characterized by particularly high backscatter power but appear to be sensitive to the radar operating frequency, being seen predominantly near 10–12 MHz (Milan et al. 2003a) • Like population ii, population iv echoes have ulos values which appear proportional to vlos, but with a constant of proportionality close to *0.8 (Uspensky et al. 2001; Milan et al. 2003a)....

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  • ...STARE comprised two radars that each transmitted radio signals in the very high frequency (VHF) range (at 400 MHz), simultaneously along 8 beams....

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  • ...The radar is still operational today and comprises a main array of 16 log-periodic antennae which transmit and receive radio signals in the HF frequency range from 8 MHz to 20 MHz....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the substorm current wedge was developed to explain the magnetic signatures observed on the ground and in geosynchronous orbit during substorm expansion, and new observations, including radar and low altitude spacecraft, MHD simulations, and theoretical considerations have tremendously ad-vanced our understanding of this system.
Abstract: Almost 40 years ago the concept of the substorm current wedge was developed to explain the magnetic signatures observed on the ground and in geosynchronous orbit during substorm expansion. In the ensuing decades new observations, including radar and low- altitude spacecraft, MHD simulations, and theoretical considerations have tremendously ad- vanced our understanding of this system. The AMPTE/IRM, THEMIS and Cluster missions have added considerable observational knowledge, especially on the important role of fast flows in producing the stresses that generate the substorm current wedge. Recent detailed, multi-spacecraft, multi-instrument observations both in the magnetosphere and in the iono- sphere have brought a wealth of new information about the details of the temporal evolution and structure of the current system. While the large-scale picture remains valid, the new

204 citations


Cites background from "Variations in the polar cap area du..."

  • ...…the polar cap increases, as indicated by an increase of the magnetic flux content in the tail lobes (McPherron 1972; McPherron et al. 1973a,b; Caan et al. 1973, 1978; Hsu and McPherron 2004) and an increase in the polar cap area (Frank and Craven 1988; Milan et al. 2003, 2008; Taylor et al. 1996)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
01 Jan 2007
TL;DR: In this paper, changes in the open flux content of the ionospheric polar cap, estimated from auroral, radar, and low-Earth orbit particle measurements, are used to determine dayside and nightside reconnection rates during 73 hours of observation spread over nine intervals.
Abstract: [1] Changes in the open flux content of the ionospheric polar cap, estimated from auroral, radar, and low-Earth orbit particle measurements, are used to determine dayside and nightside reconnection rates during 73 hours of observation spread over nine intervals. We identify 25 episodes of nightside reconnection and examine statistically the rates and durations of reconnection, as well as possible triggers for the onset of reconnection, such as changes in solar wind ram pressure or orientation of the interplanetary magnetic field. Approximately half of the events can possibly be identified with a trigger, the other half appearing spontaneous. On average 0.3 GWb of open flux are closed in each event, with average durations and reconnection rates being 70 min and 85 kV. We find no evidence for a low background rate of nightside reconnection between these events and conclude that substorms and other large reconnection bursts provide the major or only source of flux closure on the nightside.

173 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
17 Feb 2005-Nature
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report ultraviolet images of Saturn, which, when combined with simultaneous Cassini measurements of the solar wind and Saturn kilometric radio emission, demonstrate that its aurorae differ morphologically from those of both Earth and Jupiter.
Abstract: It has often been stated that Saturn's magnetosphere and aurorae are intermediate between those of Earth, where the dominant processes are solar wind driven, and those of Jupiter, where processes are driven by a large source of internal plasma. But this view is based on information about Saturn that is far inferior to what is now available. Here we report ultraviolet images of Saturn, which, when combined with simultaneous Cassini measurements of the solar wind and Saturn kilometric radio emission, demonstrate that its aurorae differ morphologically from those of both Earth and Jupiter. Saturn's auroral emissions vary slowly; some features appear in partial corotation whereas others are fixed to the solar wind direction; the auroral oval shifts quickly in latitude; and the aurora is often not centred on the magnetic pole nor closed on itself. In response to a large increase in solar wind dynamic pressure Saturn's aurora brightened dramatically, the brightest auroral emissions moved to higher latitudes, and the dawn side polar regions were filled with intense emissions. The brightening is reminiscent of terrestrial aurorae, but the other two variations are not. Rather than being intermediate between the Earth and Jupiter, Saturn's auroral emissions behave fundamentally differently from those at the other planets.

172 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a network of highfrequency (HF) radars located in the high and mid-latitude regions of both hemispheres that is operated under international cooperation as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) is a network of high-frequency (HF) radars located in the high- and mid-latitude regions of both hemispheres that is operated under international cooperation. The network was originally designed for monitoring the dynamics of the ionosphere and upper atmosphere in the high-latitude regions. However, over the last approximately 15 years, SuperDARN has expanded into the mid-latitude regions. With radar coverage that now extends continuously from auroral to sub-auroral and mid-latitudes, a wide variety of new scientific findings have been obtained. In this paper, the background of mid-latitude SuperDARN is presented at first. Then, the accomplishments made with mid-latitude SuperDARN radars are reviewed in five specified scientific and technical areas: convection, ionospheric irregularities, HF propagation analysis, ion-neutral interactions, and magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves. Finally, the present status of mid-latitude SuperDARN is updated and directions for future research are discussed.

151 citations

References
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, large-scale revisions of the OGO 6 dawn-dusk measurement models are made, showing that the deformations of the two-cell patterns lead to sunward convection in dayside polar regions, while maintaining the integrity of the night-side convection pattern.
Abstract: The present analysis of electric field measurements from the Dynamics Explorer 2 satellite, which extends previous empirical models, emcompasses much data from polar crossings entering and exiting the high latitudes in all magnetic local time zones. The goal is to represent the typical distributions of convective electric fields with a minimum number of characteristic patterns. Significant large-scale revisions of the OGO 6 dawn-dusk measurement models are made. The deformations of the two-cell patterns lead to sunward convection in dayside polar regions, while maintaining the integrity of the nightside convection pattern.

1,060 citations


"Variations in the polar cap area du..." refers background or result in this paper

  • ...(2000b), who showed ionospheric reconnection signatures extending from noon to 18 MLT for By > 0 nT, and the observations of Kawano and Russell (1996) which show magnetopause reconnection signatures as far tailwards asX = −10RE . Much of the flow crossing the OCB has a large sunward component, especially in the post-noon sector, placing the convection reversal boundaries (or focii of the twin-cell potential pattern) within the polar cap, possibly contrary to expectations. However, this picture is consistent with the paradigm of Lockwood (1997), in which the merging gap is suggested to be located at lower latitude and to be much broader in MLT extent than previous estimates based on “traditional” interpretations of low altitude particle precipitation cusp signatures (e....

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  • ...(2000b), who showed ionospheric reconnection signatures extending from noon to 18 MLT for By > 0 nT, and the observations of Kawano and Russell (1996) which show magnetopause reconnection signatures as far tailwards asX = −10RE ....

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  • ...(2000b), who showed ionospheric reconnection signatures extending from noon to 18 MLT for By > 0 nT, and the observations of Kawano and Russell (1996) which show magnetopause reconnection signatures as far tailwards asX = −10RE . Much of the flow crossing the OCB has a large sunward component, especially in the post-noon sector, placing the convection reversal boundaries (or focii of the twin-cell potential pattern) within the polar cap, possibly contrary to expectations. However, this picture is consistent with the paradigm of Lockwood (1997), in which the merging gap is suggested to be located at lower latitude and to be much broader in MLT extent than previous estimates based on “traditional” interpretations of low altitude particle precipitation cusp signatures (e.g. Newell and Meng, 1992). Indeed, there is considerable similarity between our Fig. 8 and Fig. 1b of Lockwood (1997). If anything, the paradigm of Lockwood would suggest that the true location of the OCB might lie a small distance equatorwards of our estimate, as no signatures of the coupling taking place at the magnetopause can reach the ionosphere in less than one Alfv én travel-time, of the order of 1 or 2 min, in which time magnetic field lines threading this region have convected some distance polewards (see, also, Rodger and Pinnock, 1997; Oksavik et al....

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  • ...To achieve this redistribution of the flux and to return the OCB to its circular equilibrium state, these plasma flows will have the familiar twin-cell pattern of the convection flow (e.g. Heppner and Maynard, 1987; Ruohoniemi and Greenwald, 1996)....

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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Dual Auroral Radar Network (DARN) is a global-scale network of HF and VHF radars capable of sensing backscatter from ionospheric irregularities in the E and F-regions of the high-latitude ionosphere as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: The Dual Auroral Radar Network (DARN) is a global-scale network of HF and VHF radars capable of sensing backscatter from ionospheric irregularities in the E and F-regions of the high-latitude ionosphere. Currently, the network consists of the STARE VHF radar system in northern Scandinavia, a northern-hemisphere, longitudinal chain of HF radars that is funded to extend from Saskatoon, Canada to central Finland, and a southern-hemisphere chain that is funded to include Halley Station, SANAE and Syowa Station in Antarctica. When all of the HF radars have been completed they will operate in pairs with common viewing areas so that the Doppler information contained in the backscattered signals may be combined to yield maps of high-latitude plasma convection and the convection electric field. In this paper, the evolution of DARN and particularly the development of its SuperDARN HF radar element is discussed. The DARN/SupperDARN network is particularly suited to studies of large-scale dynamical processes in the magnetosphere-ionosphere system, such as the evolution of the global configuration of the convection electric field under changing IMF conditions and the development and global extent of large-scale MHD waves in the magnetosphere-ionosphere cavity. A description of the HF radars within SuperDARN is given along with an overview of their existing and intended locations, intended start of operations, Principal Investigators, and sponsoring agencies. Finally, the operation of the DARN experiment within ISTP/GGS, the availability of data, and the form and availability of the Key Parameter files is discussed.

1,051 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
01 Dec 1978
Abstract: The magnetic field profiles across the magnetopause obtained by the ISEE-1 and -2 spacecraft separated by only a few hundred kilometers are examined for four passes. During one of these passes the magnetosheath field was northward, during one it was slightly southward, and in two it was strongly southward. The velocity of the magnetopause is found to be highly irregular ranging from 4 to over 40 km s-1 and varying in less time than it takes for a spacecraft to cross the boundary. Thicknesses ranged from 500 to over 1000 km.Clear evidence for reconnection is found in the data when the magnetosheath field is southward. However, this evidence is not in the form of classic rotational discontinuity signatures. Rather, it is in the form of flux transfer events, in which reconnection starts and stops in a matter of minutes or less, resulting in the ripping off of flux tubes from the magnetosphere. Evidence for flux transfer events can be found both in the magnetosheath and the outer magnetosphere due to their alteration of the boundary normal. In particular, their presence at the time of magnetopause crossings invalidates the usual 2-dimensional analysis of magnetopause structure. Not only are these flux transfer events probably the dominant means of reconnection on the magnetopause, but they may also serve as an important source of magnetopause oscillations, and hence of pulsations in the outer magnetosphere. On two days the flux transfer rate was estimated to be of the order of 2 × 1012 Maxwells per second by the flux transfer events detected at ISEE. Events not detectable at ISEE and continued reconnection after passage of an FTE past ISEE could have resulted in an even greater reconnection rate at these times.

985 citations


"Variations in the polar cap area du..." refers background in this paper

  • ...…now supports there being a significant bursty component to reconnection, from observations of flux transfer events (FTEs) at the magnetopause (e.g. Russell and Elphic, 1978, 1979; Haerendel et al., 1978; Kawano and Russell, 1996), to transient auroral and convection signatures in the dayside…...

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Book ChapterDOI
TL;DR: The magnetic field profiles across the magnetopause obtained by the ISEE-1 and -2 spacecraft separated by only a few hundred kilometers are examined for four passes as discussed by the authors, during which the magnetosheath field was northward, during one pass it was slightly southward, and in two it was strongly southward.
Abstract: The magnetic field profiles across the magnetopause obtained by the ISEE-1 and -2 spacecraft separated by only a few hundred kilometers are examined for four passes. During one of these passes the magnetosheath field was northward, during one it was slightly southward, and in two it was strongly southward. The velocity of the magnetopause is found to be highly irregular ranging from 4 to over 40 km s-1 and varying in less time than it takes for a spacecraft to cross the boundary. Thicknesses ranged from 500 to over 1000 km.

934 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined magnetic field measurements from the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft in the vicinity of the magnetopause near local noon on a typical pass when the magnetosheath field is southward.
Abstract: Magnetic field measurements from the ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft are examined in the vicinity of the magnetopause near local noon on a typical pass when the magnetosheath field is southward. The data clearly show evidence for patchy impulsive reconnection. The flux transfer rate for these events is at least of the order of 1-2 times 10 to the 12th Maxwells per second, and possibly greater. This rate is similar to rates deduced for magnetopause erosion events. Not only are these observations relevant to the substorm process, but the impulsive nature of the flux transfer events leads to boundary oscillations that could also be the source of long period magnetic pulsations in the outer magnetosphere.

709 citations


"Variations in the polar cap area du..." refers background or result in this paper

  • ...Our estimate of the dayside reconnection rate, determined from the rate of polar cap expansion, is found to be consistent with the reconnection voltage determined along the dayside OCB by radar plasma drift measurements, lending credence to the convection excitation paradigm of Siscoe and Huang (1985), Cowley and Lockwood (1992), Cowley et al....

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  • ...…now supports there being a significant bursty component to reconnection, from observations of flux transfer events (FTEs) at the magnetopause (e.g. Russell and Elphic, 1978, 1979; Haerendel et al., 1978; Kawano and Russell, 1996), to transient auroral and convection signatures in the dayside…...

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