HR: 0800h
AN: SA51B-0247    [Abstracts]
TI: The utility of auroral image-based activity metrics
AU: * Germany, G A
EM: germanyg@cspar.uah.edu
AF: Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 United States
AU: Spann, J F
AF: NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Code SD50, Huntsville, AL 35812 United States
AU: Deverapalli, C
AF: Center for Space Plasma and Aeronomic Research, University of Alabama in Huntsville, Huntsville, AL 35899 United States
AU: Hung, C
AF: Southern Polytechnic State University, Computer Science Dept., Marietta, GA 30060 United States
AB: Auroral activity indices such as Hemispheric Power and Auroral Boundary are currently key data products used for space weather predictions and nowcasting. However, these products are necessarily based on limited observations which must be extrapolated to provide global coverage. The advent of routine space-based auroral imaging in the last decade offers the seeming advantage of more detailed measures of auroral activity. Examples of image-derived products include energy deposition maps, oval location, cap size, and morphological classification. However, activity metrics derived from auroral images have shortcomings, as well. For example, limited fields-of-view and orbital motion prevent full coverage of the auroral regions. This paper will examine the utility of activity metrics derived from auroral images for operational purposes. The eight-year collection of Polar UVI images databased in the UVI Online Search Tool (OST) will be used to illustrate the advantages and shortcomings of auroral activity metrics. The potential role of other currently-active imaging missions will also be examined and correlative studies to date using auroral imaging will be summarized.
UR: http://csds.uah.edu/uvi-ost/
DE: 2407 Auroral ionosphere (2704)
DE: 2704 Auroral phenomena (2407)
SC: SPA-Aeronomy [SA]
MN: 2004 AGU Fall Meeting