MIST
Magnetosphere, Ionosphere and Solar-Terrestrial
Transpolar Arcs: Seasonal Dependence Identified by an Automated Detection Algorithm
By Gemma E Bower (University of Leicester)
Transpolar arcs (TPAs) are primarily a northward IMF auroral phenomena. They consist of an arc of auroral emission poleward of the main auroral oval. Their presence suggests that the magnetosphere has a complicated magnetic topology. Currently, TPA formation and evolution have no single explanation that is unanimously agreed upon.
In order to further study the occurrence of TPAs we have developed an automated detection algorithm to determine the occurrence of TPAs in UV images captured by the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/ Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (DMSP/SSUSI) from spacecraft F16, F17, and F18. The detection algorithm identified TPAs as a peak in the average radiance intensity poleward of 12.5° colatitude, in two or more of the wavelengths/bands sensed by SSUSI.
Over 5,000 SSUSI images containing TPAs were identified by the detection algorithm between the years 2010 to 2016. Figure 1a and b shows the seasonal and UT distribution for the F16 TPA images respectively. The occurrence of these TPA images shows a seasonal dependence, with more arcs being visible in the winter hemisphere. There is also an apparent dependence on time-of-day, especially in the southern hemisphere where no TPAs are seen between 23 and 06 UT.
We investigated the effect that the orbital plane of DMSP has on the area of the detection window scanned, as a possible explanation of the dependences in the results of the detection algorithm. Figure 1c and 1d show the results for F16 for seasonal and UT distribution respectively. It can be seen that the orbital plane of DMSP leads to a preferential observation of the northern hemisphere, and the detection algorithm missing TPAs in the southern hemisphere around 01–06 UT. Hence, we conclude that there is no dependence of TPA occurrence on UT. No seasonal bias in the observations is found, indicating that the seasonal dependence of the TPA occurrence is real. We discuss the ramifications of these findings in terms of proposed TPA generation mechanisms.
Figure 1: (a-b) Number of transpolar arc (TPA) images identified by F16 between 2010 and 2016. (c-d) Average percent of the detection window poleward of 12.5° colatitude scanned by F16 between 2010 and 2016. (a and c) By month. (b and d) By UT. The northern hemisphere is red and the southern hemisphere is blue
Please see paper for full details: Bower, G. E., Milan, S. E., Paxton, L. J., & Imber, S. M. (2022). Transpolar arcs: Seasonal dependence identified by an automated detection algorithm. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 127, e2021JA029743. https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JA029743
Autumn MIST 2021
MIST Council are planning to hold Autumn MIST 2021 on Thursday 25th - Friday 26th November 2021.
- This will be online only (zoom + gathertown)
- Here is the abstract submission form for Autumn MIST 2021 https://forms.gle/gDPJLYMK7uXH9ZLi8 - Please submit by end of Friday 22nd October.
- We will then aim to circulate the programme by Friday 5th November, to give 3 weeks for poster/talk prep.
- Contributions are very welcome from all areas of MIST science, and you may submit more than one abstract by submitting the form more than once.
- Exact timings will follow – but we will plan to have a schedule similar to last year: roughly 10am until 3pm each day (with breaks), and this will include both poster and oral sessions.
Please e-mail MIST council at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions or encounter any problems with submission.
Charter amendment and MIST Council elections open
Nominations for MIST Council open today and run through to 8 August 2021! Please feel free to put yourself forward for election – the voting will open shortly after the deadline and run through to the end of August. The positions available are:
- 2 members of MIST Council
- 1 student representative (pending the amendment below passing)
Please email nominations to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 8 August 2021. Thank you!
Charter amendment
We also move to amend the following articles of the MIST Charter as demonstrated below. Bold type indicates additions and struck text indicates deletions. Please respond to the email on the MIST mailing list before 8 August 2021 if you would like to object to the amendment; MIST Charter provides that it will pass if less than 10% of the mailing list opposes its passing.
4.1 MIST council is the collective term for the officers of MIST and consists of six individuals and one student representative from the MIST community.
5.1 Members of MIST council serve terms of three years, except for the student representative who serves a term of one year.
5.2 Elections will be announced at the Spring MIST meeting and voting must begin within two months of the Spring MIST meeting. Two slots on MIST council will be open in a given normal election year, alongside the student representative.
5.10 Candidates for student representative must not have submitted their PhD thesis at the time that nominations close.