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Doctoral thesis
Open access
English

A model current system associated with multiple auroral arcs

ContributorsSesiano, Jean
Defense date1974
Abstract

A rocket-borne experiment comprising a vector magnetometer and an array of particle detectors to study the currents and precipitating particles associated with multiple auroral arcs was conducted at Poker Flats, Alaska, on February 2, 1972 at 01:22h local time. The magnetometer measured the magnetic field as the payload passed over the arc system (visual intensity about 20 kR). From the changes in the magnitude and direction of the field, it was possible to build a system of electrojets and Birkeland (field-aligned) currents. Two models were compatible with the data. The first model consisted of four pairs of current sheets, three of them corresponding to visible arcs, aligned in a magnetic east-west direction, of current densities ~30 μA/m² ; two eastward and one westward electrojet of current magnitude between 1000 and 2000 amperes were also present. They were generally located under the regions of precipitating electrons. The second model is similar to the first one, but two of the current sheets have been replaced by a broader one; it is thus a model consisting of three pairs of current sheets. Unfortunately, no particle data were obtained due to an instrumental failure.

engfre
Keywords
  • Aurores boréales
  • Géomagnétisme
NoteDiplôme décerné par Rice University (Houston). Titre en français: les courants électriques circulant au voisinage d'une aurore boréale multiple ; texte en anglais, avec résumés en anglais et en français
Affiliation Not a UNIGE publication
Citation (ISO format)
SESIANO, Jean. A model current system associated with multiple auroral arcs. 1974.
Main files (1)
Thesis
accessLevelPublic
Identifiers
  • PID : unige:154582
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