Rotational temperature variations in pulsating auroras

Abstract

A ground-based, two channel photometer was used to derive rotational temperatures for the 4278 Å band of N2+ during the 1980 Canadian pulsating aurora campaign. Characteristic electron energies of a Maxwellian energy distribution were inferred from the rotational temperatures using computer modelling techniques. Height and electron energy fluctuations, calculated for a pulsating auroral event on February 15, 1980, are compared with ground-based ionosonde and in situ rocket measurements. The results indicate the potential of conducting electron energy morphological studies from the ground. Systematic rotational temperature variations were found to accompany each of the well-defined pulsations studied.