Multi-instrument observations of large-scale atmospheric gravity waves/traveling ionospheric disturbances associated with enhanced auroral activity over Svalbard

Abstract This study reports on observations of large-scale atmospheric gravity waves/traveling ionospheric disturbances (AGWs/TIDs) using Global Positioning System (GPS) total electron content (TEC) and Fabry–Perot Interferometer’s (FPI’s) intensity of oxygen red line emission at 630 nm measurements over Svalbard on the night of 6 January 2014. TEC large-scale TIDs have primary periods ranging between 29 and 65 min and propagate at a mean horizontal velocity of ∼ 749–761 m/s with azimuth of ∼ 345–347 ° (which corresponds to poleward propagation direction). On the other hand, FPI large-scale AGWs have larger periods of ∼ 42–142 min. These large-scale AGWs/TIDs were linked to enhanced auroral activity identified from co-located all-sky camera and IMAGE magnetometers. Similar periods, speed and poleward propagation were found for the all-sky camera ( ∼ 60–97 min and ∼ 823 m/s) and the IMAGE magnetometers ( ∼ 32–53 min and ∼ 708 m/s) observations. Joule heating or/and particle precipitation as a result of auroral energy injection were identified as likely generation mechanisms for these disturbances.