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Interpretation of the electric fields measured in an ionospheric critical ionization velocity experimentThe quasi-dc electric fields measured in the CRIT I ionospheric release experiment are studied. In the experiment, two identical barium shaped charges were fired toward a main payload, and three-dimensional measurements of the electric field inside the streams were made. The relevance of proposed mechanisms for electron heating in the critical ionization velocity (CIV) mechanism is addressed. It is concluded that both the 'homogeneous' and the 'ionizing front' models probably are valid, but in different parts of the streams. It is also possible that electrons are directly accelerated by a magnetic field-aligned component of the electric field. The coupling between the ambient ionosphere and the ionized barium stream is more complicated that is usually assumed in CIV theories, with strong magnetic-field-aligned electric fields and probably current limitation as important processes.
Document ID
19910055777
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Brenning, N.
(Royal Inst. of Tech. Stockholm, Sweden)
Faelthammar, C.-G.
(Royal Inst. of Tech. Stockholm, Sweden)
Marklund, G.
(Royal Institute of Technology Stockholm, Sweden)
Haerendel, G.
(Max-Planck-Institut fuer Extraterrestrische Physik Garching, Federal Republic of Germany, United States)
Kelley, M. C.
(Cornell University Ithaca, NY, United States)
Pfaff, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
June 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Journal of Geophysical Research
Volume: 96
ISSN: 0148-0227
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
91A40400
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAGW-269
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAG6-1
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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