Superposed Epoch Study of Brightness, Plasma Velocity, and Covariance During Auroral Substorms

Auroral substorms are dynamic space weather events driven by magnetospheric energy release, resulting in rapid variations in auroral emissions and plasma flow. In this study, we conduct a Superposed Epoch Analysis that aligns substorm onset in both space and time to identify common patterns across multiple auroral events. By averaging auroral brightness, plasma velocity, and their covariance, we extract statistical trends that reveal the characteristic evolution of these parameters before, during, and after substorm onset. This approach provides insight into the coupling between auroral and magnetospheric dynamics, highlighting how energy is transported and dissipated in the ionosphere. Our findings contribute to a clearer understanding of the fundamental processes governing auroral substorms and their role in space weather variability.