Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2021-66
https://doi.org/10.5194/angeo-2021-66
12 Nov 2021
 | 12 Nov 2021
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal ANGEO but the revision was not accepted.

Are drivers of northern lights in the ionosphere?

Osuke Saka

Abstract. Known as northern lights, auroral spirals are distinct features of substorm auroras composed of large-scale spirals (100s km Surges) mixed with smaller scale ones (10s km Folds, and 1 km Rays). Spiral patterns are generally interpreted in terms of the field line mapping of the upward field-aligned currents produced in the magnetosphere during the field line dipolarization. The field line mapping results in opposing spiral rotations of small- and large-scale auroras. Because of a rotational symmetry deformation and similarity in deformation speeds (6~8 km/s) of small- and large-scale spirals, it has been suggested that common physical processes may underlie the deforming processes. Internal processes in the polar ionosphere (ionospheric driver) will be proposed as the general dynamic for spiral auroras. The ionospheric driver rotated in the ionosphere to produce spirals that characteristically differ from the field line mapping scenario.

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Short summary
Auroral spirals known as northern lights are a spectacular light show in the polar night sky. We...
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