New results on the correlation between low-energy electrons and auroral hiss

The results of a VLF (0.3-18 kHz) experiment aboard OGO 4 are compared with simultaneous data obtained by the satellite on precipitating electrons at 0.7, 2.3, and 7.3 keV to determine the source of the auroral hiss band in the night side auroral zone. At these energies the correlation with VLF auroral hiss is best at 0.7 keV and worst at 7.3 keV. Auroral electrons in the keV range may enhance the intensity of VLF auroral hiss on the night side, but the predominant source of night side hiss appears to be electrons of energies below 0.7 keV. Auroral hiss tends to occur simultaneously over a broad range of frequencies. A study based on OGO 6 data has revealed a lack of correlation between keV electrons and LF auroral hiss. These observations suggest that hiss of all frequencies is generated by electrons with energies below about 1 keV. The excellent correlation between auroral hiss and 0.7 keV electrons in the day time cleft is apparently maintained when the region of very soft electron precipitation is in motion.