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Aurorae Data

Entry ID: gov.noaa.ngdc.G00594

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Summary

Abstract: ABSTRACT: An aurora involves emitted electromagnetic radiation that results primarily from the interaction of energetic, extra-atmospheric particles with the neutral gases of the upper atmosphere. These emissions extend from the ultraviolet to the infrared. The portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye is referred to as the visual aurora. One visible aurora ... form, which indicates the occurrence or non-occurrence of auroras without any reference to form or brightness, is known as a visoplot. With geomagnetic latitude as ordinate and universal time as abscissa, various symbols are used to indicate whether, at a certain location, an aurora is observed or is estimated to be overhead, to the north, or to the south. This is done for each of eight 45 degree geomagnetic longitude sectors. Magnetic activity index values, KP, are given for 3-hour periods. Northern and southern hemisphere visoplots for the IGY period are contained in volume 29 of the annals of the International Geophysical Year. Another form that shows the auroral geometry and the geomagnetic latitude and longitude of a display at each hour of universal time is the synoptic auroral map on polar projection. By use of various symbols, these maps show the location of veils, patches, arcs. rays and bands. Also given is the value of KP for that particular time. These maps are available on microfilm from the National Geophysical Data Center or World Data Center A, Boulder, for certain time periods. Northern hemisphere maps are available for 1964, 1965, 1967 and 1968. Southern hemisphere maps can be obtained for the years 1964 and 1965. A similar form for displaying auroral data from the US and Canada is the North American map. This type of map is not on polar projection, but it does indicate the locations and forms of observed aurora. A large number of these maps are held at NGDC Boulder and the available time periods can be obtained upon inquiry. "Observers' reports are also available in digital form.Aurora is electromagnetic radiation emitted primarily from the interaction of energetic, extra-atmospheric particles with the neutral gases of the upper atmosphere. These emissions extend from the ultraviolet to the infrared. The portion of the emitted electromagnetic radiation that is visible to the human eye is referred to as the visual aurora. The visible aurora are due primarily to the interaction of energetic particles with the oxygen and nitrogen gases of the upper atmosphere. The important emissions in the visible region are the discrete green (5577A) and red (6300-6364A) lines of atomic oxygen and the molecular bands of ionized molecular nitrogen in the blue and neutral molecular nitrogen in the red regions of the spectrum.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION: This archive includes data from:Inventory of Aurorae data -- pages from Report UAG-30 Catalogue of Data on Solar-Terrestrial PhysicsTable of Contents -- Report UAG-28 Collected Data Reports on Aug 1972 Solar-Terrestrial EventsSolar Activity, Aurorae and Climate in Central Europe in the last 1000 Years by L. Krivsky and K. Pejml (1988) and "Supplement of the Catalogue of Polar Aurorae less than 55N in the Period 1000-1900"

CURRENTNESS REFERENCE: Ground Condition

DATA SET CREATORS: DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce (comp.)WDC/STP, BOULDER > World Data Center for Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Boulder

FEES: Free download $25.00 plus handling and shipping outside the USA $25.00 plus handling and shipping outside the USA

Purpose: PURPOSE: To provide long-term scientific data stewardship for the Nation's geophysical data, ensuring quality, integrity, and accessibility.

Related URL

Link: GET DATA

Description: Index of ftp downloadable data

Geographic Coverage

(Click for Interactive Map)

Spatial coordinates

N: 90.0

S: -90.0

E: 180.0

W: -180.0

Data Set Citation

Dataset Originator/Creator: Please See Summary

Dataset Title: Aurorae Data

Dataset Release Date: 1957

Dataset Release Place: Boulder, CO

Dataset Publisher: National Geophysical Data Center

Version: First

Other Citation Details: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/stp/SOLAR/ftpaurorae.html

Online Resource: ftp://ftp.ngdc.noaa.gov/STP/SOLAR_DATA/AURORAE

Temporal Coverage

Start Date: 1957-01-01

Stop Date: 1984-11-20

Location Keywords

SPACE > EARTH MAGNETIC FIELD > MAGNETOSPHERE (OTHER)

Science Keywords

SUN-EARTH INTERACTIONS > IONOSPHERE/MAGNETOSPHERE DYNAMICS > AURORAE

SUN-EARTH INTERACTIONS > SOLAR ENERGETIC PARTICLE PROPERTIES > ENERGY DEPOSITION

ISO Topic Category

GEOSCIENTIFIC INFORMATION

Project

ESIP > Earth Science Information Partners Program

Access Constraints ACCESS CONSTRAINTS: No Constraints

DISTRIBUTION LIABILITY: While every effort has been made to ensure that these data are accurate and reliable within the limits of the current state of the art, NOAA cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in the data, nor as a result of the failure of the data to function on a particular system. NOAA makes no warranty, expressed or implied, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty.

CUSTOM ORDER PROCESS: Contact data center for information

Use Constraints None

Ancillary Keywords

WDC/STP, BOULDER > World Data Center for Solar-Terrestrial Physics, Boulder

DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC > National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Data Set Progress

COMPLETE

Data Center

National Geophysical Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce

Data Center URL: http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/
Dataset ID: ______Downloadable_Data ____

Data Center Personnel
Name: EDWARD H. ERWIN Phone: (303) 497-6133 Fax: (303) 497-6513 Email: Edward.H.Erwin at noaa.gov Contact Address: NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC E/GC2 325 Broadway City: Boulder Province or State: CO Postal Code: 80303 Country: USA

Distribution

Distribution Size: 55.20

Distribution Format: ASCII

Fees: Please See Summary

Personnel

EDWARD H. ERWIN

Role: TECHNICAL CONTACT

Role: DIF AUTHOR

Phone: (303) 497-6133

Fax: (303) 497-6513

Email: Edward.H.Erwin at noaa.gov

Contact Address:

NOAA/NESDIS/NGDC

E/GC2

325 Broadway

City: Boulder

Province or State: CO

Postal Code: 80303

Country: USA

Creation and Review Dates

DIF Creation Date: 2009-06-15

Last DIF Revision Date: 2011-03-02

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