Classification of Aurora and the Position of Auroral Zone near Syowa Base

Abstract

In 1959 III JARE (the third Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition) performed several optical observations of aurora at Syowa Base which is located at 69°00'S, 39°35'E and 14m above sea level. From statistical treatment of the all sky camera films and spectra, it has become known that the auroral maximum zone lies to the south of Syowa Base and aurora can be classified into the following three types ; (a) yellow-greenish aurora, (b) aurora with red lower border, and (c) entirely red aurora or only the upper part red. It has also been unraveled that the position of auroral zone may be distinguished by its type and the position of each zone varies with local time.