Birkeland currents and auroral structure

Abstract

A short history of studies of Birkeland currents and a summary of measurement techniques is provided. The observations made to date show that discrete auroral arcs and upward flowing Birkeland currents are usually associated. There is experimental uncertainty about whether these upward currents are strongest just above the arcs or are concentrated at the edges. A consistent pattern relating the location of the downward return current, the electrojet, and the electric field has not been found.