Studies of X-ray observations from PIXIE

Abstract

The Polar Ionospheric X-ray Imaging Experiment (PIXIE) on board the NASA/GGS POLAR spacecraft has been making observations of ionospheric X-ray emissions from the vantage of space for more than 3 years. A wide variety of observations have been made by PIXIE, which are detailed in this work. These include the local time distribution of the auroral X-ray intensity as well as the dependence of auroral X-rays on geomagnetic activity and solar wind magnetic field conditions. The auroral X-rays are produced as energetic electrons within the magnetosphere precipitate and are stopped in the ionosphere. Comparisons of the X-ray auroral intensity with other instrument observations have been made, which enables us to distinguish between temporal and spatial processes. In addition, several other X-ray features (not of an auroral nature) have been observed by PIXIE, and are described.