Examining the Relationship between Magnetotail Stretching and Auroral Activity

ORAL

Abstract

The Sun is always emitting the solar wind, which carries a magnetic field; this is called the interplanetary magnetic field (IMF). When the Z direction of the IMF transitions from positive to negative, this has an effect on the structure of the Earth's magnetosphere. One of these effects is that the magnetotail begins to stretch. We can use data from the geosynchronous GOES (Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite) to observe a signature of magnetotail stretching. There is a possibility that magnetotail stretching enhances auroral activity, which can be measured using the auroral electrojet (AE) index. The AE index is a measure of magnetic activity in the auroral zone. We will determine if there is any correlation between magnetotail stretching and the AE index, and will present our results.

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Authors

  • David Soward

    University of Texas at Arlington

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas

  • Arthur Sweeney

    Lee College, Baytown, TX, Lamar University, University of Texas at Arlington, Angelo State University, Rice University, Texas State University, College of William and Mary and National Institute of Aerospace, Nanyang Technological University, China Jiliang University, Baylor University, Louisiana State University, College of William and Mary, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Dallas, Univ of Texas, Austin, Texas State Univ-San Marcos, University of Cambridge, University of Texas at Austin, Indiana University - Bloomington, Lamar Univiversity, University of Cincinnati, Deartment of Physics, University of Texas, Arlington, Texas A&M University, College Station, University of Texas - Dallas, University of Dallas