(Auroral kilometric radiation)

Several phenomena could be better studied and even disclosed after the development of the satellites and spacecrafts. Auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) is one of these phenomena. AKR was first detected only about forty years ago; its typical frequencies are too low to penetrate earthward across the ionosphere. This radiation is generated through wave-particle interactions, in the nightside region above the auroral ionosphere. It grows at the expense of free energy from the precipitating auroral electron beam. It is generated mainly in the extraordinary (X) mode, in the frequency range of 20-800 kHz, near the local electron cyclotron frequency. Nowadays, it is well known that AKR is intensified during magnetic substorms and has a good correlation with the AE magnetic index. However, recent studies showed that the radiation disappears in the initial and main phases of some magnetic storms, in spite of the large enhancement of the AE index and field aligned currents. The radiation activates strongly in the recovery phase. This behavior suggests that the field-aligned electric field, which accelerates precipitating electrons and drives field-aligned currents, is not formed in the initial and main phases of some magnetic storms. The purpose of this article is introduce readers to AKR and its features, making this important phenomenon best known among students and teachers of physics.

Keywords:
auroral kilometric radiation; magnetosphere; magnetic substorms; magnetic storms; space physics