PIXIE Research
Main content
There are six main topics we focus on:
1. Energy deposition by precipitating electrons and how ith affects ionospheric electrodynamics
Multi-spectral global imaging is used to derive information on energy characteristics of the precipitating electrons and protons. By combining global ultraviolet emission- and x-ray observations we derive electron energy spectra in the energy range from 100 eV to 100 keV on a global scale.
The ability for the atmosphere to transfer electric charge (conductivity) can be derived from the energy distribution of the precipitating electrons.
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2. Electron precipitation - dynamics and special features
The dynamics of an x-ray substorm with dawnward auroral motion, where maximum is delayed relative to substorm onset.
Dayside observations of high latitude energetic precipitaion, combined with riometer, allsky camera, photometers and magnetometers.
Global observations of pulsating aurora over the South Pole.
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3. Energy flow - Solar wind -> ionosphere
How much of the available solar wind energy is transferred to the magnetosphere/ionosphere system of the Earth?
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4. Chemical effects of electron precipitation
The energetic electrons that penetrate into Earth's atmosphere cause chemical changes of the atmospheric composition as they interact with the atoms, ions and molecules there. The interaction could also give dynamic effects (wind, turbulence and waves) and temperature changes.
The global images of the precipitation intensity derived from PIXIE has been compared with the increase of nitric oxide in the upper atmosphere.
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5. Substorms
Possible onset triggering mechanisms and scenarios for substorms have been studied.
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6. Auroral signatures from the X-line? (Cluster and PIXIE)
An X-line is an area where magnetic energy is transformed into kinetic energy. PIXIE has been used to study possible auroral signatures from an X-line observed by the Cluster satellites in the Earth's magnetic tail.
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