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A Rocket-Base Study of Auroral Electrodynamics Within the Current Closure IonosphereThe Auroral Current and Electrodynamics Structure (ACES) mission consisted of two sounding rockets launched nearly simultaneously from Poker Flat Research Range, AK on January 29, 2009 into a dynamic multiple-arc aurora. The ACES rocket mission, in conjunction with the PFISR Radar, was designed to observe the three-dimensional current system of a stable auroral arc system. ACES utilized two well instrumented payloads flown along very similar magnetic field footprints, at various altitudes with small temporal separation between both payloads. ACES High, the higher altitude payload (apogee 360 km), took in-situ measurements of the plasma parameters above the current closure region to provide the input signature into the lower ionosphere. ACES Low, the low-altitude payload (apogee 130 km), took similar observations within the current closure region, where cross-field currents can flow. We present results comparing observations of the electric fields, magnetic fields, electron flux, and the electron temperature at similar magnetic footpoints between both payloads. We further present data from all-sky imagers and PFISR detailing the evolution of the auroral event as the payloads traversed regions connected by similar magnetic footpoints. Current measurements derived from the magnetometers on both payloads are further compared. We examine data from both PFISR and observations on the high-altitude payload which we interpreted as a signature of electron acceleration by means of Alfv n waves. We further examine all measurements to understand ionospheric conductivity and how energy is being deposited into the ionosphere through Joule heating. Data from ACES is compared against models of Joule heating to make inferences regarding the effect of collisions at various altitudes.
Document ID
20110023300
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Kaeppler, Stephen R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Kletzing, Craig (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Bounds, Scott R. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Sigsbee, Kristine M. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Gjerloev, Jesper W. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Anderson, Brian Jay (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Korth, Haje (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lessard, Marc (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Labelle, James W. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Dombrowski, Micah P. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Pfaff, Robert F. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Rowland, Douglas E. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Jones, Sarah (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Heinselman, Craig J. (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
DudokdeWit, Thierry (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 25, 2013
Publication Date
December 5, 2011
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
GSFC.ABS.5336.2011
Meeting Information
Meeting: 2011 Fall Amerian Geophysical Union meeting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Country: United States
Start Date: December 5, 2011
End Date: December 9, 2011
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.

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