Dynamics of a discrete auroral arc

Abstract

Porcupine Flight 4 data were used to determine the field‐aligned currents associated with a southward moving discrete auroral arc in the postmidnight sector. We use three different methods for determining j∥ which should give identical results if the arcs are quasi‐stationary and no parallel electric field exists between the payload and the dynamo region of the ionosphere. As long as the rocket is above the arc, the three methods agree. The integral of precipitating electron flux, the local magnetic field perturbations, and the divergence of the horizontal Pedersen current all indicate an upward current of 5±3 µA/m². Immediately north of the arc a strong downward current of about 10–20 µA/m² is detected. The magnitude, however, is not well known because the rocket's velocity relative to the arc cannot be clearly established. Further north of the southward moving arc the two methods that can be applied (magnetic field perturbations and divergence of the horizontal Pedersen current) yield contradictory results not only about the magnitude of the current but also about the direction of the current. We suggest that this discrepancy is due to time‐dependent electric fields.