Electric Field Theory of Auroræ

Abstract

FROM time to time theories of the aurora have been proposed which invoke locally developed electric fields as the mechanism causing acceleration of solar particles into the relatively low levels of the ionosphere at which visible aurora usually occurs. However, these theories have been concerned mainly with an explanation of the classical idealized magnetic storm, treating the auroral phenomena as a by-product, and not attempting any detailed explanation of auroral morphology. One notable exception is the recent work of Chamberlain¹, in which an attempt has been made to explain the luminosity-height characteristics of an auroral ray in terms of an electric field in the ionosphere. The purpose of this communication is to present a crude qualitative description of the development of a typical auroral display as a result of the growth of an electric field in the ionosphere.