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Ann. Geophys., 21, 693-708, 2003
www.ann-geophys.net/21/693/2003/
© European Geosciences Union 2003
Multi-instrument study of the dynamic cusp during dominant IMF By conditions
H. Khan1, M. Lester2, J. A. Davies2, S. E. Milan2, and P. E. Sandholt3
1NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Interplanetary Physics Branch, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
2University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
3University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
Abstract. We present
multi-instrument observations using the meridian scanning photometer (MSP) at
NyAlesund, the EISCAT Svalbard radar (ESR) and the CUTLASS Finland HF radar, to
investigate the dynamics of the cusp region during pulsed reconnection events.
The optical data obtained from the MSP indicate the presence of several
poleward-moving auroral forms (PMAFs) which have been previously identified as
the auroral signature of pulsed reconnection. Furthermore, the optical green
line (557.7 nm) luminosity indicates a loss of emission equatorward of the
location of the onset of the PMAFs, characteristic of magnetospheric plasma
escaping to the magnetosheath along newly opened field lines. This reduction in
green line luminosity creates a "dark region", the equatorward edge
of which is found to lie close to the boundary between high and low spectral
widths observed by the CUTLASS Finland radar. High spectral widths on the
dayside have previously been identified as a good indicator of cusp
backscatter. Both of these boundaries have been suggested to provide an
accurate representation of the location of the open/closed field line boundary.
The ESR observations show enhancements in electron density and electron
temperature occurring in conjunction with the optical PMAFs. The observations
demonstrate some correspondence with the theoretical predictions of Davis and
Lockwood (1996), who used an auroral precipitation model to predict ESR
observations in the vicinity of the cusp. However, the limitations of this
model are apparent under conditions of large plasma flows in the ionosphere.
Finally, convection velocities obtained from the HF radar data illustrate a
flow regime similar to that predicted to be driven by strong IMF By,
as described by Cowley and Lockwood (1992), demonstrating an initial azimuthal
flow followed by a rotation to more poleward directions.
Key words. Ionosphere
(ionosphere-magnetosphere interactions; particle precipitation) –
Magnetospheric physics (magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers)
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