This book summarizes recent advances in auroral-related research that addresses four major areas: (1) Dynamics of auroras, (2) Auroral models and simulations, (3) Auroral nowcast and forecast issues, (4) Applications to space weather. Despite a long history of auroral observations, many new phenomena or details have been discovered due to improved instrumentations. The new phenomena include ring current aurora, polar rain aurora, details of the sub-storm cycle, auroral streamers, and the fully closed magnetosphere, to name a few. Auroral dynamics; variations in aurora intensities; and the locations, shapes and sizes of features are all connected to the different processes in the coupled solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere system and reveal different information about the precipitating electrons and ions and the process that produce precipitation. For example, features such as inverted V and Alfvenic accelerated electrons, wave-particle scattering, convection and magnetosphere oscillations are all best understood in the context of auroral processes. Physics-based and empirical auroral models and simulations help us specify or predict the auroral response to the drivers in solar wind or geomagnetic parameters. The accuracy of global thermosphere and ionosphere simulations strongly depends on correct specification of the auroral particle energy, flux and location as well as the coupling to the electrodynamics of the polar cap in terms of Joule heating and the hemispheric power. Accurate specification of high latitude inputs requires continuous global auroral monitoring and/or more realistic auroral models. Recently, we have seen global magnetospheric simulations begin to produce auroral oval specifications. These predictions need to be validated by coordinated, comprehensive observational campaigns. We note that the importance of space weather in the polar regions is likely to increase due to increased air and sea traffic through the region. Space weather impacts on high latitude communications (HF radio absorption, GPS scintillation, radar clutter), enhanced satellite drag due to increase in neutral density, enhanced satellite surface charge, induced high voltage on long distance power lines, and enhanced radiation dosage for polar route air passengers may be addressed by improved space weather forecasts. Forecasting of auroral activity hours or even days ahead of time would benefit operational space weather users as well as “auroral tourists” planning visits to high latitude. In addition, auroral observations provide us with key insights into the plasma conditions and physical processes in the near earth space, e.g. the magnetosphere’s open/closed boundary; the location of the magnetotail reconnection from polar rain electron energy dispersion; high latitude magnetopause surface waves from polar rain spatial structure; and magnetospheric convection from the motion of auroral patches, among many others. We plan to address these topics, and more in the proposed book.
Comparing to the recently published book on aurora (2012) which focus on auroral phenomena and associated processes, our proposed book covers a broad scope on auroral related studies, from basic research (including new phenomena not covered by the published books), forecast to applications. Such a broad scope will be interesting to not only active researchers in the field but also government agencies (e.g. NOAA, NASA), companies (e.g. communication, airline), teachers/students and general public.
