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Abstract South Pole Station, Antarctica (SPA, magnetic latitude = −74.5°, magnetic local time (MLT) = UT–3.5 h), is a unique observatory which can capture daytime auroral forms throughout austral winter season. We have studied the properties and origin of ultralow‐frequency (ULF) range modulation of daytime diffuse aurora, using data acquired on June 23, 2017 by multi‐instrument measurements at SPA and in situ measurements in the dayside outer magnetosphere. At 1500–1600 UT, monochromatic Pc5‐range pulsations (period ∼10 min) emerged in the midday diffuse auroral region. The sequential 2‐D images reveal that the auroral pulsations result from the repetitive formation of faint, diffuse auroral patches, propagating poleward at a speed of ∼1.5 km s−1. Interestingly, no obviously similar magnetic pulsations were found at SPA. The results differ fundamentally from the ground optical and magnetic signatures expected for a standing field line resonance. On the other hand, the co‐located riometer and VLF receiver observed clearly synchronized pulsations, suggesting that tens‐of‐keV electrons interact with modulated chorus waves and then are scattered down to the auroral pulsation region. During the same interval, the THEMIS‐D spacecraft detected corresponding Pc5 oscillations in the dayside outer magnetosphere (9–10REand ∼15 MLT). The compressional component of the magnetospheric Pc5 waves, presumably driven by an external source, exhibited a good correspondence to the daytime Pc5 auroral pulsations. The simultaneous SPA–THEMIS observations highlight the role of compressional Pc5 pulsations in the dayside outer magnetosphere in determining the periodicity of daytime high‐latitude diffuse auroral pulsations.
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L Versus Time Structures of Dayside Magnetic Pulsations Detected by the European Quasi‐Meridional Magnetometer Array
Abstract We studied the spatiotemporal structure of ground magnetic pulsations on the dayside by displaying magnetic field perturbations detected by the European quasi‐Meridional Magnetometer Array (EMMA) as 2‐D images in the magneticLvalue versus time space, called EMMAgrams. We generated EMMAgrams from observations made on 15 August 2015, including a previously studied pulsation event associated with an interplanetary shock. In addition to signatures of field line resonance driven by a cavity mode oscillation, we found poleward propagating structures withL‐independent periods in the Pc2 band. The Pc2 structures are attributed to periodic magnetohydrodynamic pulses (upstream waves) originating from the ion foreshock and propagating in the magnetosphere along the path proposed by Tamao. Ringing of local field lines atL‐dependent periods (transient pulsations) is also clearly detected as dispersive poleward propagating structures not only immediately after the shock impact but also during time periods of less obvious external disturbances. A transient pulsation decays after a few wave periods, and cross‐spectral analysis of transient pulsations detected at two stations with a small latitudinal separation indicates elevation of the cross phase in a band delimited by the field line resonance frequencies at the stations. Successive excitation of transient pulsations by variations of the solar wind dynamic pressure appears to contribute significantly to formation of similar cross‐phase peaks that are widely used in magnetoseismic studies.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1744609
- PAR ID:
- 10375457
- Publisher / Repository:
- DOI PREFIX: 10.1029
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics
- Volume:
- 124
- Issue:
- 8
- ISSN:
- 2169-9380
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- p. 6566-6584
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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