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Ann. Geophys., 14, 1257-1264, 1996
www.ann-geophys.net/14/1257/1996/
© European Geosciences Union 1996
Auroral-arc splitting by intrusion of a new convection channel
H. U. Frey1, G. Haerendel1, S. Buchert2, and B. S. Lanchester3
1Max-Planck-Institut für extraterrestrische Physik, Giessenbachstr., D-85740 Garching, Germany
2Institut für Geophysik und Meteorologie, TU Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 3, D-38106 Braunschweig, Germany
3University of Southampton, Department of Physics, Southampton, SO17 1BJ, UK
Abstract. During a run of the Common Programme Three of
the EISCAT radar the splitting of an auroral arc was observed by high
time-resolution, ground-based cameras when the UHF radar beam was close to the
arc. The evening eastward electrojet situation with a large-scale northward
ionospheric electric field was disturbed by the intrusion of a convection
channel with southward electric field from the east. The interaction of the new
convection channel with the auroral arc caused changes in arc brightness and arc
splitting, i.e. the creation of a new arc parallel to the pre-existing auroral
arc. The event is described as one possibility for the creation of parallel arcs
during slightly disturbed magnetic conditions far from the Harang discontinuity.
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