Dayside Boundary Layer Research Articles

MMS Observations of the Multiscale Wave Structures and Parallel Electron Heating in the Vicinity of the Southern Exterior Cusp

AbstractUnderstanding the physical mechanisms responsible for the cross‐scale energy transport and plasma heating from solar wind into the Earth's magnetosphere is of fundamental importance for magnetospheric physics and for understanding these processes in other places in the universe with comparable plasma parameter ranges. This paper presents observations from the Magnetosphere Multiscale (MMS) mission at the dawn‐side high‐latitude dayside boundary layer on February 25, 2016 between 18:55 and 20:05 UT. During this interval, MMS encountered both the inner and outer boundary layers with quasiperiodic low frequency fluctuations in all plasma and field parameters. The frequency analysis and growth rate calculations are consistent with the Kelvin‐Helmholtz instability (KHI). The intervals within the low frequency wave structures contained several counter‐streaming, low‐ (0–200 eV) and mid‐energy (200 eV–2 keV) electrons in the loss cone and trapped energetic (70–600 keV) electrons in alternate intervals. The counter‐streaming electron intervals were associated with large‐magnitude field‐aligned Poynting fluxes. Burst mode data at the large Alfvén velocity gradient revealed a strong correlation between counter streaming electrons, enhanced parallel electron temperatures, strong anti‐field aligned wave Poynting fluxes, and wave activity from sub‐proton cyclotron frequencies extending to electron cyclotron frequency. Waves were identified as Kinetic Alfvén waves but their contribution to parallel electron heating was not sufficient to explain the >100 eV electrons.

Origin of Mercury’s double magnetopause: 3D hybrid simulation study with A.I.K.E.F.

During the first and second Mercury flyby the MESSENGER spacecraft detected a dawn side double-current sheet inside the Hermean magnetosphere that was labeled the “double magnetopause” (Slavin, J.A. et al. [2008]. Science 321, 85). This double current sheet confines a region of decreased magnetic field that is referred to as Mercury’s “dayside boundary layer” (Anderson, M., Slavin, J., Horth, H. [2011]. Planet. Space Sci.). Up to the present day the double current sheet, the boundary layer and the key processes leading to their formation are not well understood. In order to advance the understanding of this region we have carried out self-consistent plasma simulations of the Hermean magnetosphere by means of the hybrid simulation code A.I.K.E.F. (Müller, J., Simon, S., Motschmann, U., Schüle, J., Glassmeier, K., Pringle, G.J. [2011]. Comput. Phys. Commun. 182, 946–966). Magnetic field and plasma results are in excellent agreement with the MESSENGER observations. In contrast to former speculations our results prove this double current sheet may exist in a pure solar wind hydrogen plasma, i.e. in the absence of any exospheric ions like sodium. Both currents are similar in orientation but the outer is stronger in intensity. While the outer current sheet can be considered the “classical” magnetopause, the inner current sheet between the magnetopause and Mercury’s surface reveals to be sustained by a diamagnetic current that originates from proton pressure gradients at Mercury’s inner magnetosphere. The pressure gradients in turn exist due to protons that are trapped on closed magnetic field lines and mirrored between north and south pole. Both, the dayside and nightside diamagnetic decreases that have been observed during the MESSENGER mission show to be direct consequences of this diamagnetic current that we label Mercury’s “boundary-layer-current“.

MESSENGER observations of the plasma environment near Mercury

The MESSENGER Fast Imaging Plasma Spectrometer (FIPS) measured the bulk plasma characteristics of Mercury's magnetosphere and solar wind environment during the spacecraft's first two flybys of the planet on 14 January 2008 (M1) and 6 October 2008 (M2), producing the first measurements of thermal ions in Mercury's magnetosphere. In this work, we identify major features of the Mercury magnetosphere in the FIPS proton data and describe the data analysis process used for recovery of proton density ( n p) and temperature ( T p) with a forward modeling technique, required because of limitations in measurement geometry. We focus on three regions where the magnetospheric flow speed is likely to be low and meets our criteria for the recovery process: the M1 plasma sheet and the M1 and M2 dayside and nightside boundary-layer regions. Interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions were substantially different between the two flybys, with intense reconnection signatures observed by the Magnetometer during M2 versus a relatively quiet magnetosphere during M1. The recovered ion density and temperature values for the M1 quiet-time plasma sheet yielded n p∼1–10 cm −3, T p∼2×10 6 K, and plasma β∼2. The nightside boundary-layer proton densities during M1 and M2 were similar, at n p∼4–5 cm −3, but the temperature during M1 ( T p∼4–8×10 6 K) was 50% less than during M2 ( T p∼8×10 6 K), presumably due to reconnection in the tail. The dayside boundary layer observed during M1 had a density of ∼16 cm −3 and temperature of 2×10 6 K, whereas during M2 this region was less dense and hotter ( n p∼8 cm −3 and T p∼10×10 6 K), again, most likely due to magnetopause reconnection. Overall, the southward interplanetary magnetic field during M2 clearly produced higher T p in the dayside and nightside magnetosphere, as well as higher plasma β in the nightside boundary, ∼20 during M2 compared with ∼2 during M1. The proton plasma pressure accounts for only a fraction (24% for M1 and 64% for M2) of the drop in magnetic pressure upon entry into the dayside boundary layer. This result suggests that heavy ions of planetary origin, not considered in this analysis, may provide the “missing” pressure. If these planetary ions were hot due to “pickup” in the magnetosheath, the required density for pressure balance would be an ion density of ∼1 cm −3 for an ion temperature of ∼10 8 K.

The dayside magnetospheric boundary layer at Mercury

Magnetic field and plasma data from the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) spacecraft on the outbound portions of the first (M1) and second (M2) flybys of Mercury reveal a region of depressed magnetic field magnitude and enhanced proton fluxes adjacent to but within the magnetopause, which we denote as a dayside boundary layer. The layer was present during both encounters despite the contrasting dayside magnetic reconnection, which was minimal during M1 and strong during M2. The overall width of the layer is estimated to be between 1000 and 1400 km, spanning most of the distance from the dayside planetary surface to the magnetopause in the mid-morning. During both flybys the magnetic pressure decrease was ∼1.6 nPa, and the width of the inner edge was comparable to proton gyro-kinetic scales. The maximum variance in the magnetic field across the inner edge was aligned with the magnetic field vector, and the magnetic field direction did not change markedly, indicating that the change in field intensity was consistent with an outward plasma-pressure gradient perpendicular to the magnetic field. Proton pressures in the layer inferred from reduced distribution observations were 0.4 nPa during M1 and 1.0 nPa during M2, indicating either that the proton pressure estimates are low or that heavy ions contribute substantially to the boundary-layer plasma pressure. If the layer is formed by protons drifting westward from the cusp, there should be a strong morning–afternoon asymmetry that is independent of the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) direction. Conversely, if heavy ions play a major role, the layer should be strong in the morning (afternoon) for northward (southward) IMF. Future MESSENGER observations from orbit about Mercury should distinguish between these two possibilities.

A case study of dayside reconnection under extremely low solar wind density conditions

Abstract. From 15 February 2004, 20:00 UT to 18 February 2004, 01:00 UT, the solar wind density dropped to extremely low values (about 0.35 cm−3). On 17 February, between 17:45 UT and 18:10 UT, the CLUSTER spacecraft cross the dayside magnetopause several times at a large radial distance of about 16 RE. During each of these crossings, the spacecraft detect high speed plasma jets in the dayside magnetopause and boundary layer. These observations are made during a period of southward and dawnward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The magnetic shear across the local magnetopause is ~90° and the magnetosheath beta is very low (~0.15). We evidence the presence of a magnetic field of a few nT along the magnetopause normal. We also show that the plasma jets, accelerated up to 600 km/s, satisfy the tangential stress balance. These findings strongly suggest that the accelerated jets are due to magnetic reconnection between interplanetary and terrestrial magnetic field lines northward of the satellites. This is confirmed by the analysis of the ion distribution function that exhibits the presence of D shaped distributions and of a reflected ion population as predicted by theory. A quantitative analysis of the reflected ion population reveals that the reconnection process lasts about 30 min in a reconnection site located at a very large distance of several tens RE from the Cluster spacecraft. We also estimate the magnetopause motion and thickness during this event. This paper gives the first experimental study of magnetic reconnection during such rare periods of very low solar wind density. The results are discussed in the frame of magnetospheric response to extremely low solar wind density conditions.

The plasma sheet and boundary layers under northward IMF: A multi-point and multi-instrument perspective

During conditions of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the near-tail plasma sheet is known to become denser and cooler, and is described as the cold-dense plasma sheet (CDPS). While its source is likely the solar wind, the prominent penetration mechanisms are less clear. The two main candidates are solar wind direct capture via double high-latitude reconnection on the dayside and Kelvin–Helmholtz/diffusive processes at the flank magnetopause. This paper presents a case study on the formation of the CDPS utilizing a wide variety of space- and ground-based observations, but primarily from the Double Star and Polar spacecraft on December 5th, 2004. The pertinent observations can be summarized as follows: TC-1 observes quasi-periodic (∼2 min period) cold-dense boundary layer (compared to a hot-tenuous plasma sheet) signatures interspersed with magnetosheath plasma at the dusk flank magnetopause near the dawn-dusk terminator. Analysis of this region suggests the boundary to be Kelvin–Helmholtz unstable and that plasma transport is ongoing across the boundary. At the same time, IMAGE spacecraft and ground based SuperDARN measurements provide evidence of high-latitude reconnection in both hemispheres. The Polar spacecraft, located in the southern hemisphere afternoon sector, sunward of TC-1, observes a persistent boundary layer with no obvious signature of boundary waves. The plasma is of a similar appearance to that observed by TC-1 inside the boundary layer further down the dusk flank, and by TC-2 in the near-Earth magnetotail. We present comparisons of electron phase space distributions between the spacecraft. Although the dayside boundary layer at Polar is most likely formed via double high-altitude reconnection, and is somewhat comparable to the flank boundary layer at Double Star, some differences argue in favour of additional transport that augment solar wind plasma entry into the tail regions.

Cluster boundary layer measurements and optical observations at magnetically conjugate sites

Abstract. The Cluster spacecraft experienced several boundary layer encounters when flying outbound from the magnetosphere to the magnetosheath in the dusk sector on 14 January 2001. The dayside boundary layer was populated by magnetosheath electrons, but not with quite as high densities as in the magnetosheath itself. The Cluster ground track was calculated using the Tsyganenko-96 model which appears to be a strong tool for combining high-altitude satellite and ground observations, given that the solar wind conditions are known. This paper focuses on identifying auroral responses corresponding to boundary layer dynamics observed by Cluster. The first boundary layer encounter studied was a brief visit into a closed LLBL, most likely due to a boundary wave that travelled tailward over the spacecraft. A corresponding equatorward and eastward movement was seen in the post-noon aurora between Greenland and Svalbard. The second boundary encounter was in a high-latitude cusp, and occurred as a consequence of a transient reconfiguration of the cusp. The cusp expanded duskward over the spacecraft into the late post-noon sector. NOAA-12 probed the 16:30 MLT sector of this auroral activity, and measured a 1.4 keV electron beam located poleward of the 30 keV electron-trapping boundary. A sequence of three moving auroral forms emanating from this active region are likely candidates for flux transfer events. The auroral signatures are discussed in relation to earlier observations, and appear to be an example of accelerated electrons/discrete post-noon aurora on open magnetic field lines.Key words. Ionosphere (particle precipitation) Magnetospheric physics (auroral phenomena; magnetopause, cusp and boundary layers)

Acceleration signatures in the dayside boundary layer and the cusp

Freja data show various electron acceleration signatures in the cusp and the dayside boundary layer: (1) time dispersive super-Alfvénic electrons followed by strong wave activity which accompanies transient downward super-thermal electron burst in both the boundary layer and the cusp; (2) quasi-stationary bidirectional electron burst coinciding with localized intense field-aligned current in the boundary layer; (3) downgoing electron burst without visible time dispersion in the cusp; and (4) thermal electrons accelerated by electrostatic potential in both the boundary layer and the cusp. The first and last signatures are different between two regions for typical energies and fluxes, and these differences probably reflect the different auroral emission in the cusp proper (red) and the boundary layer (green). Contributions of these electrons to the large-scale field-aligned currents are also different between two regions. The dispersed electron burst is probably accelerated within 1 Re above the ionosphere. From this result we believe that the cusp red aurora is caused mainly by accelerated electrons, but not by the smoothly entering magnetosheath electrons without acceleration. This also requires revisions of flux transfer event models for the structured cusp red aurora.

On the dayside region between the shocked solar wind and the ionosphere of Mars

The objective of this paper is to explore the structure and properties of the region between the shocked solar wind and the planetary plasma on the dayside of Mars. This study is based on the observations obtained by the plasma instruments carried on board the Phobos 2 spacecraft. These instruments have independently identified several plasma boundaries in the dayside magnetosphere of Mars, the boundaries are located close to each other but exhibit different plasma features. This investigation leads us to conclude that a dayside region exists on Mars with the following characteristics: (1) the bulk of the shocked solar wind protons are deflected, (2) the total magnetic field increases, (3) a plasma depletion region is formed, (4) both shocked solar wind and planetary plasma are present, (5) accelerated electrons and heavy ions are also present, (6) intensive wave activity is seen in the 5 to 150 Hz frequency interval, and (7) a current layer and associated magnetic shears can be identified. We name this region, located between the ionosphere and the shocked solar wind, the dayside boundary layer or dayside mantle. Its key features are similar to those of the Venus mantle; the variety of names given to the Martian plasma boundaries merely reflects its complicated structure. We conclude that the two boundary layers at Venus and Mars are very similar and that the physical processes (i.e., the interaction of the shocked solar wind with the planetary plasma) at work within these boundary layers are probably similar.

Discussion 2: On the convection and velocity filter

During conditions of northward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF), the near-tail plasma sheet is known to become denser and cooler, and is described as the cold-dense plasma sheet (CDPS). While its source is likely the solar wind, the prominent penetration mechanisms are less clear. The two main candidates are solar wind direct capture via double high-latitude reconnection on the dayside and Kelvin–Helmholtz/diffusive processes at the flank magnetopause. This paper presents a case study on the formation of the CDPS utilizing a wide variety of space- and ground-based observations, but primarily from the Double Star and Polar spacecraft on December 5th, 2004. The pertinent observations can be summarized as follows: TC-1 observes quasi-periodic (∼2 min period) cold-dense boundary layer (compared to a hot-tenuous plasma sheet) signatures interspersed with magnetosheath plasma at the dusk flank magnetopause near the dawn-dusk terminator. Analysis of this region suggests the boundary to be Kelvin–Helmholtz unstable and that plasma transport is ongoing across the boundary. At the same time, IMAGE spacecraft and ground based SuperDARN measurements provide evidence of high-latitude reconnection in both hemispheres. The Polar spacecraft, located in the southern hemisphere afternoon sector, sunward of TC-1, observes a persistent boundary layer with no obvious signature of boundary waves. The plasma is of a similar appearance to that observed by TC-1 inside the boundary layer further down the dusk flank, and by TC-2 in the near-Earth magnetotail. We present comparisons of electron phase space distributions between the spacecraft. Although the dayside boundary layer at Polar is most likely formed via double high-altitude reconnection, and is somewhat comparable to the flank boundary layer at Double Star, some differences argue in favour of additional transport that augment solar wind plasma entry into the tail regions.

The auroral distribution and its mapping according to substorm phase

An attempt is made to reconcile two competing views as to where the auroral distribution maps from in the magnetosphere. The structure of the aurora is shown to have two distinctive parts which vary according to the magnetic activity. The low latitude portion of the structured distribution may be a near-Earth central plasma sheet phenomenon while the high latitude portion is linked more closely to boundary layer processes. During quiet times, the polar arcs may be the ionospheric signature of a source region in the deep tail low latitude boundary layer/cool plasma sheet. The structured portion of the ‘oval’ has a dominantly near-Earth nightside source and corresponds to an overlap region between isotropic 1–10 keV electrons and 0.1–1 keV structured electrons. The ionospheric local time sector between 13 and 18 MLT is the meeting point between the dayside boundary layer source region and this near-Earth nightside source. Late in the substorm expansion phase and/or start of the substorm recovery phase, the nightside magnetospheric boundaries (both the low latitude and Plasma Sheet Boundary Layers) begin to play an increasingly important role, resulting in an auroral distribution specific to the substorm recovery phase. These auroral observations provide a means of inferring important information concerning magnetospheric topology.

1993 GEM Workshops planned

The 1993 Geospace Environment Modeling (GEM) workshops, sponsored by the National Science Foundation, will be held in Snowmass, Colo., from June 28 to July 2. As with last year's meeting, there will be two workshops: the Boundary Layer Campaign from June 28–30 and the Magnetotail/Substorm Campaign from July 1–2. At the workshop on the Boundary Layer Campaign (conveners: L. Lyons, Aerospace Corp.; T. Rosenberg, University of Maryland; C. Russell, University of California at Los Angeles), plenary sessions will include a few invited talks and tutorials on selected topics in geospace environment modeling and observing. Contributed posters on any aspects of dayside boundary layer and cusp physics, magnetosheath modeling, and ionospheric signatures of the boundary layer and cusp are solicited. Open working groups will meet to evaluate progress, strategies, and opportunities in observing and modeling the dayside boundary layer and cusp region.

High‐latitude Pc 1 bursts arising in the dayside boundary layer region

Dayside Pc 1 geomagnetic pulsation bursts have been studied using a three‐station array of induction magnetometers located at high latitudes (geomagnetic latitude (MLAT) of −70° to −81°). The data set reveals that when these emissions are continually recorded at Davis (MLAT = −74.5°; L = 14), the low‐latitude cleft, observed by the DMSP F7 satellite, is located at the Davis latitude. Associated magnetic variations in the form of solitary pulses often lead the Pc 1 bursts by 1 to 2 min. These pulses are typically associated with riometer absorption events and consequently the precipitation of fluxes of keV electrons. The Pc 1 bursts are interpreted as resulting from ion cyclotron waves which have propagated to the ionosphere from the equatorial boundary layer region. The associated boundary layer ions, identified by the low‐altitude DMSP F7 satellite, range between 1 and 5 keV in energy. These particles are considered to be the most likely free energy source for the ion cyclotron waves. It is considered that such resonant ions enter the magnetosphere via the cleft and cusp because this enables a prenoon time of occurrence of most of the observations to be explained. Measured time delays of 40 to 120 s between the associated riometer absorption and Pc 1 bursts are consistent with an ion cyclotron wave generation region located in the equatorial magnetosphere.

Aurorae and the Large-Scale Structure of the Magnetosphere.

An attempt is made to construct a road map for translating various plasma domains in the magnetosphere to their counterparts in the auroral ionosphere. Results of previous work have allowed much to be inferred about where in the magnetosphere auroral processes are taking place. The main auroral oval appears to be associated with magnetospheric processes well separated from boundary layer processes with the exception of the dayside sector between about 8 and 16 MLT. This sector is apparently dominated by sources in the dayside boundary layer and by the region where the nightside cross-tail current intersects the boundary layer regions. The division between the stably trapped particles and isotropic distributions probably coincides with the most equatorward discrete arc system involved with the substorm onset. Thus the diffuse aurora equatorward of the discrete aurora would be a ring current related phenomena and the nightside discrete aurora would originate dominantly from the central plasma sheet. During magnetically active conditions the outer edge of the central plasma sheet plays a more important role in the production of the discrete aurora. Diffuse aurora poleward of the discrete system is probably linked to velocity dispersed ion signatures seen in the low altitude ionosphere.

Magnetospheric boundary dynamics: DE 1 and DE 2 observations near the magnetopause and cusp

A broad spectrum of particle and field measurements was taken near local noon by the Dynamics Explorer satellites during the magnetic storm of September 6, 1982. While at apogee, DE 1 sampled the magnetospheric boundary layer at mid southern latitudes and, due to the passage of an intense solar wind burst, briefly penetrated into the magnetosheath. In the boundary layer and the adjacent magnetosheath the plasma flow was directed toward dawn. Variance and de Hoffmann‐Teller analyses of electric and magnetic field data during the magnetopause crossing showed the magnetopause structure to be that of a rotational discontinuity or an intermediate shock with a substantial normal magnetic field component. This is consistent with an open magnetosphere model in which significant magnetic merging occurs at the local time of the spacecraft. The orbit of DE 2 carried it through the morning sector of the low‐altitude, southern cusp. The measurements show a well‐defined, cusp current system occurring on open magnetic field lines. At both cusp and subcusp latitudes the electric field was equatorward indicating a strongly eastward plasma flow. The boundary between these two regions was marked by the onset of magnetosheath precipitation and an electric field structure containing both poleward and equatorward spikes. The poleward spike has associated field‐aligned currents which are closed by Pedersen currents and, from force balance considerations, is interpreted as the signature of a magnetic merging event at the magnetopause. The equatorward spike has the characteristics of a down‐coming and reflected Alfven wave packet of finite dimensions. The high‐altitude measurements suggest that the dayside boundary layer is made up of closed magnetic flux tubes, a large fraction of which drift to the magnetopause where merging with the IMF occurs. The merging line maps to the ionosphere as a “gap” across which the polar cap potential is applied to the magnetosphere. The potential is applied from a magnetosheath generator to the polar ionosphere by means of the cusp, field‐aligned current system. The electric fields provide an ionospheric indicator of the mapping of the merging line location.

Magnetic trapping of energetic particles on open dayside boundary layer flux tubes

Both simple as well as detailed empirical magnetic models of the Earth's dayside magnetosphere suggest that field lines near the magnetopause boundary in the noon quadrant (∼09:00 to ∼15:00 M.L.T.) possess an unusual property due to the compressive effect of the impinging solar wind flow, namely that the equatorial region represents a local maximum in the magnetic field strength, and not a minimum as elsewhere in the magnetosphere. In this region the field lines therefore possess off-equatorial field strength minima, which occur at increasingly high latitudes as the boundary is approached. These field lines can therefore support two distinct particle populations, those which bounce across the equator between mirror points on either side, and those which are trapped about the off-equatorial field strength minima and are confined to one side of the equator. When these field lines become magnetically open due to the occurrence of magnetic reconnection at the equatorial magnetopause, the former particles will rapidly escape into the magnetosheath by field-aligned flow, while the latter population may be sustained within the boundary layer over many bounce periods, as the flux tubes contract and move tailward. Consequently, trapped distributions of energetic particles may commonly occur on open field lines in the dayside boundary layer in the noon quadrant, particularly at high latitudes. The existence of such particles is thus not an infallible indicator of the presence of closed magnetic field lines in this region. At earlier and later local times, however, the boundary layer field lines revert to possessing a minimum in the field strength at the equator. These field lines are not, therefore, generally expected to sustain a significant trapped particle population once they become open due to near-equatorial reconnection.

Direct injection of ionospheric O+ into the dayside low latitude boundary layer

Observations from the AMPTE/Charge Composition Explorer (AMPTE/CCE) indicate the presence of two distinct O+ populations in the dayside subsolar low latitude boundary layer during some periods of northward Interplanetary Magnetic Field (IMF). The first population is O+ convected into the boundary layer from the outer magnetosphere and has been reported previously. It is suggested here that the new, second, O+ population is injected into the dayside boundary layer directly from the high latitude ionosphere. This second population can have a significant density and distinct characteristics such as field‐aligned flow relative to boundary layer H+ that modify both the plasma composition and dynamics in the low latitude boundary layer.

Birkeland currents and charged particles in the high‐latitude prenoon region: A new interpretation

Simultaneous, conjugate measurements of magnetic fields and charged particles at low altitude in the high‐latitude prenoon sector and the magnetosheath were made with the DMSP F7, HILAT, and Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorers (AMPTE) CCE satellites on November 1, 1984. These data show that the low‐latitude portion of the traditional “cusp” particle signature is coincident with the prenoon region 1 current system in both hemispheres and for both northward and southward interplanetary magnetic fields (IMF). The traditional “cusp” Birkeland currents are associated with the dispersion region of cusp ions when the IMF is directed southward and with electron fluxes that are slightly enhanced over polar rain intensities. Finally, electron spectra measured by AMPTE CCE in the magnetosheath near 1000 MLT are similar in shape and energy to those acquired at low altitude by both DMSP F7 and HILAT. These observations indicate that for both northward and southward IMF, the traditional “cusp particle” signature is coincident with the region 1 Birkeland current system and maps to low altitude along field lines that thread the dayside boundary layer. The traditional “cusp” Birkeland current system flows along field lines that lie poleward of the region of cusp particles and the region 1 current system. These field lines thread the plasma mantle. Thus, we suggest that the traditional “cusp” current system might be appropriately renamed the “mantle” Birkeland current system.

Dynamics of the postnoon auroral oval

The morphology of the postnoon auroral oval (1300–1500 magnetic local time) as determined by ground-based optical observations with all-sky TV's and meridian scanners at Sachs Harbour, N.W.T., and Cape Parry, N.W.T., is described. Arcs associated with the "inverted-V" type of precipitation events, frequently observed with rocket and spacecraft particle detectors during this time period, are found to be short-lived, narrow, and sometimes of very restricted east–west extent. These arcs form the main feature of the auroral oval, which appears to be delineated almost ex0clusively by 6300-Å emission. The mechanism for their generation is consistent with local injections of magnetosheath plasma into the dayside boundary layer.

Auroral morphology of the midday oval

Auroral displays in the noon sector were examined by using hundreds of Defense Meteorological Satellite Program auroral images, taken over the southern polar region in austral winters, in order to determine the morphology. The auroral displays in the midday part of the auroral oval can be grouped into five characteristic types, depending on the geomagnetic activity and the Bz component of the interplanetary magnetic field. An important characteristic is the clear disconnection in appearance between the noonside and the nightside discrete auroras. Also, there is the lack of correlation between the concurrent nightside substorm activity and midday discrete auroral activity. Thus, the occurrence of bright, discrete auroras in the midday oval may be caused by the local injection of the magnetosheath plasma into the dayside boundary layer. The observed discontinuity of discrete auroras between the dayside and the nightside ovals is consistent with the existence of two separated major injection regions along the auroral oval: the dayside cusp and the nightside plasma sheet.