Energy and flux variations of nearly monoenergetic auroral electrons

Abstract

Nearly monoenergetic spectra observed during a visible aurora indicated an energy shift toward higher energy that was apparently due to the changing latitude of observation during the rocket flight. The results are consistent with the presence of a polar electric field having a magnitude of about 55 mv/meter. The data indicate that the electron fluxes are being energized by an electric field mechanism that accounts for most of the energy required to excite the visible radiation observed during the event. The electrons do not appear to be mirroring on closed magnetic lines of force.