Solar cycle variation in the subauroral electron temperature enhancement - Comparison of AE-C and DE 2 satellite observations

The elevation of the subauroral electron temperature is one of the phenomena showing the energy transfer from the magnetosphere and the response of the ionosphere. This study addresses solar cycle variations in the subauroral Te peak by comparing observations of the subauroral peak by the Atmosphere Explorer C (AE-C) satellite near solar minimum (1974 and 1977) with similar observations by the Dynamics Explorer 2 (DE 2) satellite near solar maximum (1981-1982). Te peaks with magnitudes sufficient to produce observable stable auroral red arc emissions occurred more frequently during solar maximum than in solar minimum, but the variation in the magnitudes and positions of these peaks with magnetic activity did not change significantly with solar cycle. These results are discussed in terms of the solar cycle changes in the ionosphere and the magnetospheric energy source.