Auroral zone over the last 3000 years

Abstract

We investigated the global shape of the auroral zone over the last 3000 years using paleomagnetism CALS models. A similar method of apex latitude as proposed by Oguti (1993) [J Geophys Res 98(A7): 11649–11655; J Geomag Geoelectr 45, 231–242] was adopted to draw the auroral zone. The Oguti method is examined using 50-year data from ground-based magnetometers located at high latitudes, using International Geomagnetic Reference Field (IGRF) models. The equatorward auroral limit during magnetic storms was also examined using more than 20 years of data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellites. The reconstructed auroral zone and the equatorward auroral limit were compared with the historical auroral witness records for 1200 AD and 1800 AD. We concluded that the 12th and 18th centuries were excellent periods for Japan and the United Kingdom, respectively, to observe auroras over the last 3000 years.

Keywords

• aurora, magnetic storm, paleomagnetism