Intensity Pattern of Auroras Based on Eighteen‐Year Observations From DMSP Satellites

Auroras are luminous atmospheric phenomena generated by collisions between energetic charged particles and neutral atmospheric species. Despite their scientific importance, studies on the spatiotemporal variations in auroral intensity remain limited due to a lack of long‐term, continuous observations. In this study, we analyze the distribution characteristics of auroral intensity using 18 years of observations (1 January 2005–31 December 2022) from three Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. Our results reveal a significant positive correlation (coefficient ≈ 0.65) between the annual mean auroral intensity and sunspot number, confirming a close link between auroral intensity and solar activity. Notably, a pronounced north‐south hemispheric asymmetry is observed in auroral peak intensity, with the northern hemisphere reaching 741 Rayleigh and the southern hemisphere only 465 Rayleigh. Seasonally, auroral intensity peaks in spring (northern hemisphere) and autumn (southern hemisphere), with the minimum intensity observed in winter for both hemispheres. This seasonal variation in auroral intensity is likely associated with the global distribution of field‐aligned currents. This study further enriches the information and understanding of the spatial and periodic properties of auroral activity, and thus contributes to a deeper insight into magnetosphere‐ionosphere‐atmosphere coupling.