Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment

Details Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment

Sep 1990

adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1990georl..17.1601s&link_type=abstract

Geophysical Research Letters (ISSN 0094-8276), vol. 17, Sept. 1990, p. 1601-1604.

Physics

29

Barium Ion Clouds, Critical Velocity, Ionization Coefficients, Ionospheric Electron Density, Imaging Techniques, Ionospheric Propagation, Neutral Currents, Optical Measurement

Scientific paper

A rocket borne Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV0 experiment was carried out from Wallops Island at dusk on May 4, 1989. Two barium shaped charges were released below the solar terminator (to prevent photoionization) at altitudes near 400 km. The ambient ionospheric electron density was 50,000/cu cm. The neutral barium jet was directed upward and at an angle of nominally 45 degrees to B which gives approximately 3 x 10 to the 23rd neutrals with super critical velocity. Ions created by a CIV process in the region of the neutral jet would travel up along B into sunlight where they can be detected optically. Well defined ion clouds (max. brightness 750 R) were observed in both releases. An ionization rate of 0.8 percent/sec (125 sec ionization time constant) can account for the observed ion cloud near the release field line, but the ionization rate falls off with increasing distance from the release. It is concluded that a CIV process was present in the neutral jet out to about 50 km from the release, which is significantly further than allowed by current theories.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Optical observations on the CRIT-II Critical Ionization Velocity Experiment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-1404285