In
the auroral zone, which is generally under continuous and much stronger geomagnetic / magnetospheric activity control than low and middle latitudes, the trends seem to be still under dominant geomagnetic control as suggested by the foE trends as observed at auroral station Tromso (Hall et al. 2011).
The geographical distribution of these events, shown in Section 3.3, fits very well with the boundaries of
the auroral zone.
The intensive particle fluxes in the magnetosphere plasma sheet during the CME - driven storms penetrate into
the auroral zone and produce the famous auroras.
Analyzing the occurrence probability, these authors show that profiles with enhanced E-layer ionization are closely related to the location and shape of
the auroral zone (Fig. 12).
Because it sits within
the auroral zone, Tromsø is one of the most popular destinations for seeing the northern lights (aurora borealis).
For one, with this discovery, scientists now know there are unknown chemical processes taking place in the sub
auroral zone that can lead to this light emission.
Steve might be the only visual clue that exists to show a chemical or physical connection between the higher latitude
auroral zone and lower latitude sub
auroral zone, said MacDonald.
Steve is an important discovery because of its location in the sub
auroral zone, an area of lower latitude than where most auroras appear that is not well researched.