Electron and Ion Distributions at High Latitudes as Measured by the Air Force Polar Orbiting Satellites

摘要

The Final Report for Contract F19628-81-K-0032 presents the results of major studies using Air Force Satellite particle data. These are divided into three main categories: auroral boundary studies; statistical studies of precipitating electrons; and particle dynamics along field lines. In the first, the variation of the equatorial electron boundary is determined as a function of solar wind velocity, IMF-Bz component, Kp, AE and Dst. The systematic variation of the boundary with Kp is used to create an auroral boundary index. In addition, comparison of the variation of the variation in the equatorward ion boundary with the electron boundary is given. In the second section the large-scale properties of precipitating electrons measured at low altitudes, empirical contributions to the baseline magnetosphere, and statistical maps of electron precipitation are presented. The occurrence and properties of extremely high latitude (polar cap) auroras are studied using both particle data and DMSP images; a morphology of the polar rain is also developed. Finally, in the third section, the problem of particle dynamics along magnetospheric field lines is addressed by studies comparing electrons at geosynchronous and low altitudes both statistically and near-simultaneously in case studies; and by a study of induced electromagnetic waves from electron beams.