A new method for the research of the electrical current systems of the Northern Lights

The new modelling method utilises information on the Earth's magnetic and electrical field collected by a formation of three satellites. By combining observations made by the satellites, researchers can obtain more diverse information than ever before on the strength and location of the electrical current of the Northern Lights zone, which will make it simpler to utilise satellite data in the research of the Earth's intrinsic field.

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Researcher Kirsti Kauristie, tel. +358 50 597 8874, kirsti.kauristie@fmi.fiAmm, O., H. Vanhamäki, K. Kauristie, C. Stolle, F. Christiansen, R. Haagmans, A. Masson, M.G.G.T. Taylor, R. Floberghagen, and C.P. Escoubet. A method to derive maps of ionospheric conductances, currents, and convection from the Swarm multisatellite mission, J. Geophys. Res. Space Physics, 120, 3263-3282, doi:10.1002/2014JA020154, 2015.(http:// http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2014JA020154/full)