The conductance of auroral magnetic field linesDE-1 high-resolution double-probe electric-field data and simultaneous magnetic-field measurements are reported for two 1981 events with large electric fields which reversed over short distances. The data are presented graphically and analyzed in detail. A field-line conductance of about 1 nmho/sq m is determined for both upward and downward currents, and the ionospheric conductivity is shown, in the short-wavelength limit, to have little effect on the relationship between the (N-S) electric and (E-W) magnetic fields above the potential drop parallel to the magnetic-field lines. The results are found to be consistent with a linear relationship between the field-aligned current density and the parallel potential drop.
Document ID
19870050065
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Paper
Authors
Weimer, D. R. (Regis College Weston, MA, United States)
Gurnett, D. A. (Regis Coll. Weston, MA, United States)
Goertz, C. K. (Iowa, University Iowa City, United States)