What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether sun-aligned polar cap arcs occurring during quiet magnetospheric periods arise from the poleward expansion of the discrete auroral oval.

March 1, 1981Geophysical Research Letters

Polar cap arcs and the plasma sheet

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Authors

CMChing‐I. MengJohns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory

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Implication

Observational analysis demonstrates that sun-aligned polar cap arcs represent poleward widening of the quiet auroral oval, indicating a revised model of solar wind-magnetospheric interactions.

Key Points

To determine whether sun-aligned polar cap arcs occurring during quiet magnetospheric periods arise from the poleward expansion of the discrete auroral oval.
Analyzed two months of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) electron precipitation data alongside simultaneous auroral imagery.
Evaluated latitudinal changes in auroral precipitation and assessed conjugate auroral oval widening across both northern and southern polar regions.
Sun-aligned arcs at high geomagnetic latitudes (≳80°) coincide with the latitudinal widening of auroral oval electron precipitation during quiescent magnetospheric conditions.
Quiet auroral oval expansion occurs symmetrically over both northern and southern hemispheres, linking polar cap arcs to the plasma sheet.

Cite This Study

Ching‐I. Meng (1981) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a799db174c579e25f890624 https://doi.org/10.1029/gl008i003p00273

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Implication

Observational analysis demonstrates that sun-aligned polar cap arcs represent poleward widening of the quiet auroral oval, indicating a revised model of solar wind-magnetospheric interactions.

Polar cap arcs and the plasma sheet

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Polar cap arcs and the plasma sheet

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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