A New Theory Of The Aurora

D. A. Bryant. (1993), JBIS, 46, pp.107-114

Refcode: 1993.46.107

Abstract:

Experiments made using sounding rockets have played a key role in studying the physics of the aurora. The development of a theory to explain the acceleration of the electrons responsible for one of the most striking and highly characteristic forms of aurora – the auroral arc – in terms of acceleration through a potential difference is outlined and fundamental difficulties with this theory are discussed. A new theory in which acceleration is caused by electrostatic waves is examined and found to provide a promising explanation of this key problem in space plasma physics. The techniques by which the measurements are obtained in such experiments are summarised.