Presentation Type
Poster
Keywords
Poleward, Moving, Auroral, Forms, PMAF, PMAFs, Brightening, Bz, IMF
Department
Physics
Major
Physics
Abstract
Poleward-Moving Auroral Forms (PMAFs) are believed to be the ionospheric footprints of magnetic flux tubes resulting from reconnection occurring at the dayside magnetopause. PMAFs initially brighten on the poleward edge of the auroral oval. After the initial brightening the PMAF begins to move poleward. The PMAF may re-brighten during its poleward motion. This study looks at the brightening history of the PMAF during its poleward motion. When the PMAF re-brightens the brightening occurs at a point on the auroral arc. This re-brightening occurs either on the westward or eastward side of the auroral arc. The brightening then spreads eastward if the re-brightening occurs on the westward portion of the arc or westward if the re-brightening occurs on the eastward portion of the arc. This brightening pattern is generally uniform for any particular day. The optical ground-based data was obtained from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory in Longyearbyen. Over 55 PMAFs were included in this study.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Gerard Fasel
Funding Source or Research Program
Undergraduate Research Fellowship
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
24-3-2017 2:00 PM
End Date
24-3-2017 3:00 PM
The Brightening History of Poleward-Moving Auroral Forms
Waves Cafeteria
Poleward-Moving Auroral Forms (PMAFs) are believed to be the ionospheric footprints of magnetic flux tubes resulting from reconnection occurring at the dayside magnetopause. PMAFs initially brighten on the poleward edge of the auroral oval. After the initial brightening the PMAF begins to move poleward. The PMAF may re-brighten during its poleward motion. This study looks at the brightening history of the PMAF during its poleward motion. When the PMAF re-brightens the brightening occurs at a point on the auroral arc. This re-brightening occurs either on the westward or eastward side of the auroral arc. The brightening then spreads eastward if the re-brightening occurs on the westward portion of the arc or westward if the re-brightening occurs on the eastward portion of the arc. This brightening pattern is generally uniform for any particular day. The optical ground-based data was obtained from the Kjell Henriksen Observatory in Longyearbyen. Over 55 PMAFs were included in this study.