Abstract The study of auroral potential structures is one of the primary objectives of the Dynamics Explorer (DE) program. Instrumentation was specifically designed and orbits selected for the two spacecraft to measure directly and indirectly the plasma parameters in regions of expected potential structures. Observations at ionospheric altitudes and at several earth radii indicate the existence of both parallel and perpendicular acceleration processes for ions. Either the ion sources or the acceleration processes are mass dependent. Ions injected into the magnetosphere at auroral latitudes are found at conjugate points, but convected to lower latitudes and into the Central Plasma Sheet region. Inverted-V electron precipitation structures can remain reasonably stable for many minutes, though others may cease to exist on this time scale. Surrounding the implied auroral potential structure, a region of stochastic electron acceleration is often found. Within an inverted-V event only a small amount of energy diffuses out of the primary beam as it is accelerated. Besides acceleration processes within the auroral oval, electrons and positive ions can be accelerated within the polar cap, either in discrete events or over widespread regions. Data from the two Dynamics Explorer (DE) satellites pertaining to particle acceleration processes have been analyzed and interpreted by members of the DE Science Team. Work from the following sources will be reviewed:
Particle acceleration processes on auroral field lines observed by dynamics explorers
Advances in Space Research ; 4 , 2-3 ; 509
1984-01-01
1 pages
Article (Journal)
Electronic Resource
English
Potential structures and particle acceleration on auroral field lines
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