Comparison of plasma-density and electron-temperature profiles during the auroral modelling campaign ARIES

Abstract

Plasma-density and electron-temperature profiles were measured during the auroral modelling campaign ARIES. This campaign consisted of two rockets launched in the auroral E region under different geophysical conditions. The plasma-density and electron-temperature behaviours were tentatively related to the energy and intensity of the ionizing primary-electron fluxes. It is concluded that the plasma-density height distribution can be used to estimate the primary-electrons energy. The set of data presented is sufficiently complete to allow, when used together with other types of experiments such as the height distribution of the optical intensity and the high-energy electron spectra, the achievement of the objective of the ARIES multi-instrument campaign, i.e., refinement of the auroral model.