Formation of red arc in the polarization jet band

Abstract Complex optical and ionospheric measurements in the region of the formation of red arcs accompanying the polarization jet development are analyzed. Optical measurements were done at subauroral station Maimaga, and ionospheric measurements were fulfilled at subauroral stations Yakutsk and Zhigansk. Spatial location and intensity of red-arcs were detected by the meridional scanning photometer. The temperature of the neutral atmosphere was recorded by Fabry-Perot interferometer. It is shown that the temperature of the neutral atmosphere increases in the red arc region and changes in accordance with variations in the emission. On 02 December 1989 the neutral temperature increased by 500 K in the red arc relative to the undisturbed level determined for quiet days during the month. This evidences on the strong heating process in the red arc region. According to ionospheric and satellite data on 18 February 1999 the red arc was observed simultaneously with polarization jet development – fast westward plasma drift in the poleward electric field. The magnitude of this electric field was 50–80 mV/m. Due to frictional interaction of ions and neutrals, ions were heated up to 5000–6000 K and neutrals gain energy of some hundreds degrees.