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An experimental investigation of mesospheric ionization
| Content Provider | NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS) |
|---|---|
| Author | Mitchell, J. D. |
| Copyright Year | 1973 |
| Description | Mesospheric ionization and its variability are examined. Data were obtained primarily by the parachute-borne blunt probe technique conducted in coordinated rocket experiments at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico and Wallops Island, Virginia. Electrical conductivity measurements and deduced charge density values from ten rocket launches are presented and discussed. Positive ion conductivity and electron density were found to be relatively invariant with height between 45 and 60 km. Variations in positive conductivity of a factor of two and enhancements in negative conductivity by as much as a factor of four were measured by the blunt probe. A simple lumped parameter ion chemistry model is shown to satisfactorily explain the charge density values for the undisturbed lower D-region. Implications of the data in terms of this model are considered. The principal loss mechanism for positive ions in the 45 to 60 km. region is concluded to be dissociative recombination. Electron densities deduced from the conductivity data are explained by detachment involving a minor neutral constituent which is mixed between 65 and 45 km. and then cuts off sharply below 45 km. A correlation study involving blunt probe measurements shows relatively good agreement between variations in positive conductivity and temperature. |
| File Size | 2983298 |
| Page Count | 112 |
| File Format | |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://archive.org/details/NASA_NTRS_Archive_19730023545 |
| Archival Resource Key | ark:/13960/t5z65974m |
| Language | English |
| Publisher Date | 1973-06-29 |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Subject Keyword | Geophysics Temperature Rocket Sounding Electrical Resistivity Electron Density Concentration Ionization Mesosphere Charge Distribution Ntrs Nasa Technical Reports Server (ntrs) Nasa Technical Reports Server Aerodynamics Aircraft Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Aeronautic Space Science |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Technical Report |
