Auroral imaging from Spacelab 3

Abstract

A comprehensive set of video and photographic images of the aurora was acquired and analyzed from Spacelab 3. Since each pass of Spacelab covers several hours of local time during an elapsed time of only a few minutes, it was hoped that these images would provide additional insight into the local-time dependence of the auroral morphology. Spacelab 3 was launched on April 29, 1985 and auroral data were obtained during the period April 30 to May 5. Preparations made for the auroral experiment, the quality and quantity of the data obtained, the initial scientific results, and ideas for further inquiry suggested by the preliminary review of the data are discussed.