Convenor: Marina Galand
Wednesday, June 16th, 1:00-3:00 pm
Engineering Center
Originating in the magnetosphere, energetic protons in the keV energy range represent an important energy source upon the high latitude atmosphere. Their interaction with the ambient neutral species makes them a significant source of ionization; it also leads to the auroral emissions, especially to H emissions, a typical signature of proton precipitations.
In 1994 Roger Smith had organized the "Proton Aurora Workshop". This meeting had focused on the observations and interpretation of the proton aurora signatures in the dayside and nightside aurora. It had addresses the aeronomical problems associated with the proton aurora and the need of combined experiments between space and ground and of theoretical results for the exploitation of the proton aurora data.
Since this initial proton workshop, considerable progress has been made in proton studies. As for the proton aurora observations from ground, optical instruments with much better resolution are now available. The data obtained have a resolution good enough to be analyzed by models which are today more comprehensive and so more suitable for such an analysis. Optical intruments aboard existing and future satellites are going to reinforce the H emission observation database: the harvest is expected to bring a better global picture of the proton oval.
Using proton transport code, combined observations between a satellite measuring the incident proton flux and ground-based instruments (radar, optical) have helped in the understanding of proton aurora data and have also shown the major role protons play in the auroral ionosphere. Using global models it has been possible to show the effect of proton precipitations on both the ionosphere and the thermosphere. Recent rocket campaigns in coordination with ground- based instruments have allowed to validate the proton models and to progress in the analysis of proton aurora.
Today, it is not only time to have an overview on all the progress made since the last proton workshop. The present workshop is also intented to stimulate more interactions between people interested in proton aurora issues. We would like especially to provoke and encourage discussions concerning issues which are relevant to several aspects of proton precipitation, such as the characteristics of the incident proton fluxes deduced from satellite observations or the possibility to infer these fluxes from H emission observations from ground or space.
Agenda: