Source and propagation characteristics of kilometric continuum observed with
multiple satellites

K. Hashimoto, R.R. Anderson, J.L. Green, and H. Matsumoto


Kilometric continuum radiation is the high-frequency extension of escaping
continuum emissions in the frequency range from 100 to 800 kHz. It was first
identified with the Geotail Plasma Wave Instrument (PWI) and has been observed
with various satellites. Previous results from the IMAGE Radio Plasma Imager and
extreme ultraviolet experiments show that kilometric continuum is generated at
the plasmapause, in or near the magnetic equator, within a notch region. In this
study, data from the CRRES PWI have also identified other new sources of
kilometric continuum from equatorial density irregularities inside the
plasmasphere as well as at the plasmapause. An example of CRRES observations
reveals that kilometric continuum can be radiated into a wide-beam emission
contrary to the beaming theory. IMAGE and Geotail simultaneous kilometric
continuum observations measure a very broad emission cone of up to about +-30.

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Journal of Geophysical Research, 110, A09229, doi:10.1029/2004JA010729, 2005.