Balloon observations of infrared and X-ray intensities in the auroral zone

Abstract

Simultaneous observations of infrared emissions and auroral zone X-rays from a series of high altitude balloon flights are reported. In addition to infrared nightglow from OH, fluctuations of the infrared intensity due to aurora were observed. In general, the correlations between the optical emissions and the X-rays was poor, indicating a loose coupling between the low and high energy portions of the auroral electron spectrum.