Abstract
The dynamics of the auroral precipitation boundaries in the daytime (0900–1200 MLT) and nighttime (2100–2400 MLT) sectors during two strong magnetic storms of February 8–9, 1986, and March 13–14, 1989, with a Dst value at a maximum of approximately −300 and −600 nT, respectively, are studied using the DMSP satellite data. It is shown that, during the main phase of a storm, a shift to lower latitudes of the poleward and equator ward boundaries of the daytime precipitation is observed. In the nighttime sector, the equatorward boundary of the precipitation also shifts to lower latitudes, whereas the position of the poleward boundary depends weakly on the magnetic activity level even in the periods of very strong magnetic disturbances. The increase in the polar cap area occurs mainly due to the equatorward shift of the daytime precipitation. A high correlation degree between the equatorward shift of the poleward boundary of the daytime precipitation and the position of the equatorward boundary of the precipitation at the nighttime side of the Earth is demonstrated. The analysis of the events shows that (1) the magnetic activity level in the nighttime sector of the auroral zone influences considerably the position of the daytime precipitation boundaries during magnetic storms and that (2) the ring current inputs considerably into the value of the Dst variations.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
S.-I. Akasofu, “Electrodynamics of the Magnetosphere: Geomagnetic Storms,” Space Sci. Rev. 6, 21–143 (1966).
E. F. Bering, J. R. Benbrook, R. Yaacke, et al., “The Intense Magnetic Storm on December 19, 1980: Observations at L = 4,” J. Geophys. Res. 96, 5597–5617 (1991).
R. H. Eather, “Polar Cusp Dynamics,” J. Geophys. Res. 90, 1569–1576 (1985).
R. H. Eather, S. B. Mende, and E. J. Weber, “Dayside Aurora and Relevance to Substorm Current System and Dayside Merging,” J. Geophys. Res. 84, 3339–3359 (1979).
Y. I. Feldstein, A. E. Levitin, J. U. Kozyra, et al., “Self-Consistent Modeling of the Large-Scale Distortions in the Geomagnetic Field during the 24–27 September 1998 Major Magnetic Storm,” J. Geophys. Res. 110, A11214 (2005).
L. A. Frank, J. D. Craven, D. A. Gurnett, et al., “The Theta-Aurora,” J. Geophys. Res. 91, 3177–3225 (1986).
S. I. Isaev and M. I. Pudovkin, in Auroras and Processes in the Earth’s Magnetosphere (Nauka, Leningrad, 1972) [in Russian].
T. Iyemory and D. R. K. Rao, “Decay of the Dst Field of Geomagnetic Disturbance after Substorm Onset and Its Implication to Storm-Substorm Relation,” Ann. Geophys. 14, 608–618 (1996).
K. Lassen and C. Danielsen, “Quiet-Time Pattern of Auroral Arcs for Different Direction of the Interplanetary Magnetic Field in the Y-Z Plane,” J. Geophys. Res. 83, 5277–5284 (1978).
Yu. P. Maltsev, “Magnetospheric Storms,” in Physics of the Near-Earth Space (KNTs RAN, Apatity, 2000), pp. 7–61 [in Russian].
Yu. P. Maltsev, “Points of Controversy in the Study of Magnetic Storms,” Space Sci. Rev. 110, 227–277 (2004).
C.-I. Meng, “Case Studies of the Storm Time Variation of the Polar Cusp,” J. Geophys. Res. 88, 137–149 (1983).
C.-I. Meng, “Dynamic Variation of the Auroral Oval during Intense Magnetic Storm,” J. Geophys. Res. 89, 227–235 (1984).
G. V. Starkov, B. V. Rezhenov, V. G. Vorobjev, et al., “Dayside Auroral Precipitation Structure,” Geomagn. Aeron. 42(2), 186–194 (2002) [Geomagn. Aeron. 42, 176–183 (2002)].
G. V. Starkov, B. V. Rezhenov, V. G. Vorobjev, and Ya. I. Feldstein, “Planetary Distribution of Auroral Precipitation and Its Relation to the Zones of Auroral Luminosity,” Geomagn. Aeron. 43(5), 609–619 (2003) [Geomagn. Aeron. 43, 569–578 (2003)].
V. G. Vorobjev and O. I. Yagodkina, “Effect of Magnetic Activity on the Global Distribution of Auroral Precipitation Zones,” Geomagn. Aeron. 45(4), 467–473 (2005) [Geomagn. Aeron. 45, 438–444 (2005)].
V. G. Vorobjev, L. I. Gromova, B. V. Rezhenov, et al., “Variations in the Boundaries of Auroral Precipitation and Auroral Luminosity in the Nighttime Sector,” Geomagn. Aeron. 40(3), 79–86 (2000) [Geomagn. Aeron. 40, 344–350 (2000)].
V. G. Vorobjev, V. L. Zverev, G. V. Starkov, and Ya. I. Feldstein, “The Dynamics of Dayside Auroras Depending on IMF and Magnetic Activity,” Geomagn. Aeron. 28(2), 251–255 (1988).
V. G. Vorobjev, O. I. Yagodkina, G. V. Starkov, and Ya. I. Feldstein, “A Substorm in Midnight Auroral Precipitation,” Ann. Geophys. 21, 2271–2280 (2003).
A. G. Yakhnin and V. A. Sergeev, “Aurora Appearance Frequency in the Polar Cap and Orientation of the IMF Vector,” Geomagn. Aeron. 19(3), 566–567 (1979).
S. A. Zaitseva, M. I. Pudovkin, and O. I. Shumilov, “Polar Storms and Development of DR Currents,” Geomagn. Aeron. 8, 905–910 (1968).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
Original Russian Text © V.G. Vorobjev, O.I. Yagodkina, 2007, published in Geomagnetizm i Aeronomiya, 2007, Vol. 47, No. 2, pp. 198–205.