An auroral signature decoded

Article Abstract:

Research on the northern lights and auroral streamers and magnetism is examined in detail.

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Suppression of discrete aurorae by sunlight

Article Abstract:

Electron precipitation studies using charged-particle data from weather satellites reveal the occurrence of discrete aurorae mainly in darkness and rarely in the presence of diffuse aurorae. Accelerated electron beams causing discrete aurorae are generally observed in the winter hemisphere and in the night. The observations support the ionospheric conductivity feedback theory wherein ionospheric conductivity controls the occurrence of discrete aurorae. The effect of sunlight on aurorae is investigated using probabilistic methods.

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Relation to solar activity of intense aurorae in sunlight and darkness

Article Abstract:

Research shows that bright aurorae occur at unrelated times to solar activity during darkness. US Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program figures indicate that the global frequency of aurorae is unrelated to solar cycle. Evidence suggests that ionospheric conductivity and aurorae activity is related. It may be that intense aurorae are caused by an energy discharge rather like that seen in lightning.

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