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Temporal evolution of the electric field accelerating electrons away from the auroral ionosphere

Balogh, A.; André, M.; Buchert, S. +10 more

The bright night-time aurorae that are visible to the unaided eye are caused by electrons accelerated towards Earth by an upward-pointing electric field. On adjacent geomagnetic field lines the reverse process occurs: a downward-pointing electric field accelerates electrons away from Earth. Such magnetic-field-aligned electric fields in the collis…

Space physics: Rhythms of the auroral dance

Newell, Patrick T.

Earlier this year, the four satellites of the Cluster mission passed through part of the electric circuit that causes aurorae. Their observations support the view that intense aurorae form in regions largely devoid of electrons.