The Impact of the South Atlantic Anomaly on the Aurora System

The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) refers to a region where the strength of the magnetic field is notably weaker compared to a dipole field. While previous studies have primarily focused on its effects on the inner radiation belt, this study investigates its impact on the aurora system. By analyzing 2 years' worth of data obtained by the Fengyun-3E/ACMag instrument, we discover that magnetic fluctuations within the auroral oval are significantly weaker in the longitude sector corresponding to the SAA, as compared to those outside this area. This characteristic remains permanent and independent of seasons and geomagnetic activities. Additional investigation using Defense Meteorological Satellite Program/Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (DMSP/SSUSI) observations reveals a similar phenomenon in the auroral intensity. Therefore, our results demonstrate that the SAA substantially weakens the aurora system, shedding new light on the effects of magnetic anomalies on planetary auroras and magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere coupling. The South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) is a unique location on Earth where the magnetic field is weaker than normal. This region has drawn a lot of attention because its weakened magnetic field brings the inner Van Allen radiation belt unusually close to the Earth's surface, which poses a threat to satellites passing through it. Here, we uncovered another interesting aspect of the SAA: its impact on the aurora system. To investigate this, we first examined 2 years' worth of data from the ACMag instruments on the Fengyun-3E satellite, which orbits the Earth at an altitude of 836 km in a dawn-dusk, Sun-synchronous orbit. Our findings reveal that the magnetic fluctuations within the southern auroral oval are significantly weaker in the region that aligns with the SAA. This weakening effect is consistently present, regardless of the season or the level of geomagnetic activity. To reinforce our results, we also analyzed auroral intensity from the Special Sensor Ultraviolet Spectrographic Imager (SSUSI) instrument on the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) satellite, and it corroborated the same weakening trend in this data set. In conclusion, our observations demonstrate that the SAA has a substantial impact on weakening the aurora system. This discovery deepens our understanding of how magnetic anomalies can influence planetary auroras. The effects of the South Atlantic Anomaly (SAA) on the terrestrial aurora system are examined using multiple instruments Observations reveal a substantial weakening of auroral magnetic fluctuations and auroral intensity in the SAA longitude sector The results indicate considering magnetic anomalies like the SAA is essential for comprehensively understanding planetary aurora systems