An introduction to Auroral Physics

The Aurora is defined as the emission of light typically found near the polar regions. It is caused by the excitation of neutral atoms in the upper atmosphere through the collision with charged particles. This collision is the result of complicated mechanisms caused by the coupling of the solar wind, the terrestrial magnetosphere and ionosphere, leading to diverse auroral morphology and behavior.

This seminar acts as an introduction to the basics of Auroral physics, combining information from major review articles on the current scientific understanding.

Different aurora types are discussed, focusing on their characteristics, generation mechanisms and mysteries. More specifically, we focus on the following four auroral types: (i) the discrete, quiet auroral arcs, one of the most common aurora forms, (ii) the proton aurora, caused by energetic proton precipitation, (iii) the dayside aurora, which takes place in the dayside region of the magnetosphere and magnetopause, and (iv) the aurora in the polar cap, auroral features that appear polewards of the main auroral oval.