NASA Logo

NTRS

NTRS - NASA Technical Reports Server

Back to Results
Supersonic and subsonic measurements of mesospheric ionization.An Arcas rocket-parachute system was used at night to compare supersonic and subsonic ionization measurements below 75 km. A hemispherical nose-tip probe was used on ascent and a parachute-borne blunt probe on descent to measure polar conductivities, which were due entirely to positive and negative ions. The velocity of the supersonic probe was Mach 2.5 at 50 km and 1.75 at 70 km; the blunt probe was subsonic below 71 km. Between 65 and 75 km the ratio of negative to positive conductivities (and thus of mobilities) determined by the blunt probe was about 1.2, and it approached 1 below this altitude range. The ratio obtained by the nose-tip probe varied from 1.5 at 75 km to .6 at 65 km, thus indicating a rapid variation of the effects of the shock wave on the sampled ions. The absolute values of positive conductivity measured subsonically and supersonically were essentially identical from 60 to 75 km, indicating that the sampled ions were unchanged by the shock. However, below 60 km the shock apparently 'broke up' the positive ions, as indicated by higher measured conductivities.
Document ID
19720038696
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Hale, L. C.
Nickell, L. C.
(Pennsylvania State University University Park, Pa., United States)
Kennedy, B.
Powell, T. A.
(U.S. Army, Atmospheric Sciences Laboratory, White Sands Missile Range N. Mex., United States)
Date Acquired
August 6, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1972
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
72A22362
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NGR-39-009-015
CONTRACT_GRANT: DAHC04-68-C-0034
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

Available Downloads

There are no available downloads for this record.
No Preview Available