Simultaneous observations of lower thermospheric composition change during moderate auroral activity from Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, Greenland

Abstract

To obtain information regarding the spatial scales involved in lower thermospheric composition changes in the auroral zone, simultaneous observations were carried out using photometers at Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq, Greenland, two sites separated by ∼750 km in distance. At night, Kangerlussuaq, located at 67°N geographic is most often at the northern edge of the auroral oval, while Narsarsuaq, at the southern tip of Greenland, is more often in or at the southern edge of the auroral oval. On January 29–30, 1998, moderate auroral activity was recorded from both sites. Besides the photometer systems, observations were obtained during part or all of this period from Polar satellite instruments, from the Greenland magnetometer chain, from the CANOPUS chain of magnetometers and photometers, from DMSP, and from the Sondrestrom incoherent scatter radar. The analysis of these data show the necessity of considering both nonlocal and local sources in modeling aurorally induced changes in lower thermospheric composition.