Distinguishing Alfvén waves from quasi‐static field structures associated with the discrete aurora: Sounding rocket and HILAT satellite measurements

We present and analyze sounding rocket and HILAT satellite measurements of the low frequency ( Σp−1, which we argue to be due to the presence of Alfven waves incident from the magnetosphere and reflecting from the lower ionosphere, forming a standing wave pattern. These waves may represent an electromagnetic coupling mechanism between the auroral acceleration region and the ionosphere.

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