Aurora
Published on 31. December 1974
Book
Paperback/Softback
XIV, 304 pages
978-90-277-0273-9 (ISBN)
Description
Over the past two decades auroral science has developed from a somewhat mysterious and imprecise specialty into a discipline central in the study of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. The investigation of aurora unites scientists with very different backgrounds and interests so that it is difficult to write a self-contained account of the field in a book of reasonable length. In this work I have attempted to include those aspects of theory which I have found valuable in predicting the effects on the atmosphere of auroral particle precipitation. In addition I have attempted to describe the techniques of observation with particular emphasis on optical methods which have been useful. While the aeronomy of aurora has been regarded as central, the mechanisms by which particles are accelerated and precipitated into the atmosphere is of no less interest. This aspect of the subject has however been treated in a briefer fashion since it is a part of the immense and rapidly developing field of magnetospheric science. Generally I have attempted to provide a coherent introduction to auroral science with an emphasis on relatively simple physical interpretations and models. References are given to enable the reader to find more extensive or rigorous discussions of particular topics. A fairly complete, quantitative atlas of the auroral spectrum is included.
More details
Series
Edition
Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1974
Language
English
Place of publication
Dordrecht
Netherlands
Publishing group
Springer
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Research
Illustrations
XIV, 304 p.
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 155 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
493 gr
ISBN-13
978-90-277-0273-9 (9789027702739)
DOI
10.1007/978-94-010-2099-2
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Content
1. Introduction.- 1.1. Basic Ideas.- 1.2. Brief History of Auroral Studies.- 1.3. Aurora and the Magnetosphere.- 2. Techniques of Observation.- 2.1. Observations of Total Intensity.- 2.2. Spectroscopic Techniques.- 2.3. Particle Measurements.- 2.4. Radio Reflection Techniques.- 2.5. Magnetic Field Measurements.- 2.6. Other Observing Techniques.- 3. Occurrence and Morphology.- 3.0. Introduction.- 3.1. Occurrence of Visible Aurora.- 3.2. Individual Displays - Auroral Substorms.- 3.3. Detailed Morphology of Auroral Forms.- 3.4. Proton Aurora.- 3.5. Relation of Aurora to Solar Events.- 3.6. Magnetic Disturbances and Aurora.- 3.7. Relation Between Auroral Substorms and the Magnetosphere.- 3.8. Particle Fluxes in the Auroral Oval.- 4. Optical Emissions from Aurora.- 4.1. Optical Transitions and the Auroral Spectrum.- 4.2. Electron Aurora.- 4.3. Proton Aurora.- 5. Aurora and the Ionosphere.- 5.1. Auroral Ionization and Its Effects.- 5.2. Electrical Conductivity, Electric Fields and Currents.- 5.3. Heating Effects in Aurora.- 5.4. Reflection of Radio Waves from the Auroral Ionosphere.- 5.5. Radio Absorption.- 5.6. X-Rays from Auroral Electrons.- 5.7. Radio Emission from Aurora.- 5.8. Infrasonic Emission from Aurora.- 6. Mechanisms of Precipitation of Auroral Particles.- 6.0. Introduction.- 6.1. The Steady State Magnetosphere.- 6.2. Transient Effects and Substorms.- 6.3. Fine Structure of Auroral Precipitation.- 6.4. Conclusion.- Appendices.- 2A. Use of Filter Photometers for Measurement of Absolute Total Intensity of Emission Bands.- 3A. Geomagnetic Latitude and Time.- 3B. Magnetic Disturbance Indices.- 6A. Trajectories of Particles Trapped in a Dipole Field.- References.