Detection of auroral activity using GPS satellites

Abstract

GPS (Global Positioning System) satellites and a receiver located at Fairbanks, Alaska are used to detect auroral activity. A technique for using GPS total electron content (TEC) data to detect auroral‐E ionization (AEI) at all satellite line‐of‐sight elevations is presented. The location of AEI during auroral substorms is determined and is consistent with simultaneous magnetometer data. Maps of detected AEI events reveal the distribution of AEI in space and time. Additionally, a technique is presented for identifying the effects of the auroral oval E‐layer on the TEC data. Particle precipitation measured by the TIROS satellite is closely related to variations in the TEC data. The effects of the oval are consistently seen in the TEC data for a variety of magnetic conditions. The location of the equatorward edge of the oval is determined during auroral substorms and compares well with a model of the oval and with individual TIROS passes.