3-7 July 2017
Africa/Johannesburg timezone

Black aurora studies in the ionosphere.

5 Jul 2017, 11:10
20m
A305 (Engineering Building 51)

A305

Engineering Building 51

Oral Presentation Track D2 - Space Science Space Science

Speaker

Ms Amore Nel (SANSA)

Description

Black auroras are small regions of reduced optical emissions, embedded in the much brighter diffuse background aurora. They are usually seen drifting eastward during the substorm recovery phase, post-magnetic midnight. Although several theories have been proposed to explain the decrease in precipitating electron flux in these localised regions, the underlying mechanism is as yet unknown. This phenomenon has been studied before using optical observations. Uniquely, we study the black aurora using the EISCAT incoherent scatter radar in Tromso, Norway, in conjunction with dual-wavelength optical observations at 427.8 and 844.6 nm. From these data, the characteristic electron energy inside and outside the black aurora can be estimated. First results are presented here.

Level for award<br>&nbsp;(Hons, MSc, <br> &nbsp; PhD, N/A)?

PhD

Would you like to <br> submit a short paper <br> for the Conference <br> Proceedings (Yes / No)?

No

Summary

First results are shown of characteristic energies of both inside and outside the black aurora using optical and radar methods. Future work using satellite data are also discussed.

Apply to be<br> considered for a student <br> &nbsp; award (Yes / No)?

Yes

Main supervisor (name and email)<br>and his / her institution

M.J. Kosch

mkosch@sansa.org.za

SANSA Space Science

Primary author

Ms Amore Nel (SANSA)

Co-author

Prof. Mike Kosch (SANSA Space Science)

Presentation Materials

There are no materials yet.