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			 **   THE GEM MESSENGER   **
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                                                       Volume 17, Number 12
                                                               May 17, 2007
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GEM 2007 Breakout Sessions for a New Focus Group on the "Diffuse Aurora"
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From: Richard M. Thorne <rmt@atmos.ucla.edu> and 
      Joseph Borovsky <jborovsky@lanl.gov>, Focus Group Co-Chairs

Diffuse precipitation of energetic electrons from the magnetosphere is a 
consequence of pitch-angle scattering by a variety of plasma waves. The 
precipitation of energetic electrons and (to a lesser extent ions) 
constitutes an important source of ionizing energy input to the middle 
atmosphere. Diffuse auroral precipitation occurs over a broad range of 
geomagnetic latitudes, which map along field lines from the outer radiation 
belts and the plasmasheet. Although the diffuse aurora is sub-visual, the 
net global energy input into the atmosphere is substantially larger than 
that associated with the localized discrete auroral arcs. The global pattern 
of precipitation can dramatically change the conductivity of the ionosphere, 
which can in turn influence the global pattern of magnetospheric convection. 
Diffuse auroral precipitation therefore provides a strong coupling mechanism 
between the magnetosphere and the ionosphere, which needs to be included in 
the development of the GGCM.

We invite contributions to three breakout sessions of a new focus group on 
"Diffuse Aurora" at the 2007 GEM meeting. The first two sessions will cover 
the current status of
1) Observations of the diffuse aurora (Wed 3:45-5:30)
2) Physical modeling of diffuse auroral processes (Th 1:30-3:15)
Titles of brief contributions on each of these two topics should be sent to 
one of the co-chairs.

We anticipate having three or four breakout sessions on various aspect of 
the diffuse auroral process, operative simultaneously at each summer GEM 
meeting for the next five years. A third breakout session this year (Th 
3:45-5:30) will therefore be used for an open discussion of plans for the 
next 5 years.


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