Abstract A new mechanism for auroral arc formation is presented. The characteristic linear shape of auroral arcs is determined by magnetically connected plasma clouds in the distant equatorial magnetosphere. These clouds originate as high speed plasma beams in the magnetotail and in the solar wind. It is found that the free energy for driving an auroral arc can be provided by the difference of pressure between the cloud and the ambient plasma.
On the formation of auroral arcs
Advances in Space Research ; 5 , 4 ; 83-86
1985-01-01
4 pages
Aufsatz (Zeitschrift)
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch
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