SC-related kilometric and hectometric radiations observed by the Akebono satellite in the polar regions

Abstract

Plasma wave phenomena associated with sudden commencements (SCs) were analyzed using the database of Akebono satellite observations that has been contributed to for more than 13 years, since March 1989. The plasma wave data from 263 satellite passages covering the onsets of SCs included 85 cases of auroral kilometric radiation (AKR) enhancement within a frequency range of 100 kHz to 1.2 MHz. The majority of the spectra of the SC-related AKR exhibited a two-banded structure with a harmonic relationship. The start time of the AKR enhancements tended to occur after the onset of the SCs, determined using the geomagnetic records of the Kakioka Magnetic Observatory, within a time range of 3 to 8 min, with an average delay time of 5.26 min. Based on this delay time feature, the magnetic disturbances associated with SCs were thought to propagate from the dayside magnetosphere to the nightside tail region where they compressed the plasma sheet. On the other hand, the data set reveals 19 cases of terrestrial hectometric radiation (THR) that were also associated with SCs appearing within a frequency range of 900 kHz to 4 MHz. The THR onset tended to occur 1 to 9 min after the SC onset, with an average delay time of 5.84 min.