TY  - JOUR
AU  - Lilensten J., J. Moen
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Polarization in aurorae: A new dimension for space environments studies, ., 35, L08804
JO  - GEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH
VL  - 35
IS  - L08804
N2  - The polarization of emission lines is a noteworthyobservational parameter in astronomy. However, it hasnever been detected without ambiguity in planetary upperatmospheres. Theoretical considerations have suggested thatthe polarization of the thermospheric oxygen red line(630 nm) could exist in the polar cap region. We presenthere its first successful measurement at Svalbard in January2007, during active geophysical conditions. We assign itsorigin and variability to complementary effects betweenpermanent low-energy electron precipitation and sporadicauroral events. Implications in physics, geophysics andplanetary science are foreseen. In physics, it raises thequestion of the polarization of a forbidden transition byelectron impact which is still unknown. In geophysics, itprovides a new parameter to constrain the thermosphericmodels. In planetary science, it makes it possible to derivethe local configuration of the magnetic fields. It thereforeopens new perspectives for future space missions towardsother planets.
SN  - 1745-5863
N1  - exported from refbase (http://publi.ipev.fr/polar_references/show.php?record=6008), last updated on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:39:13 +0100
ID  - LilenstenJ.2008
ER  -