FEASIBILITY OF MEASURING VERTICAL ELECTRIC FIELDS IN CUMULUS CLOUDS USING A HOT-AIR BALLOON AND A HELICOPTER.

Abstract

A hot-air balloon was used but rejected; a helicopter was also used for measuring electric fields in clouds. Dynamic variations of electric field were detected within growing cumulus clouds; these variations are caused by internal advective and convective motions. Because the magnitudes of the field changes are small, a constant redistribution of space charge carried aloft in the updraft is suggested. A recommendation is made that complete electrical evaluation of cumulus clouds be made: from nucleation to cumulo-nimbus development. A high-performance helicopter should be utilized. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 1967
Accession Number
AD0664187

Entities

People

  • Arthur L. Handman

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Clouds
  • Cumulus Clouds
  • Electric Fields
  • Electricity
  • Electromagnetic Fields
  • Helicopters
  • Nucleation
  • Space Charge
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Atmospheric Remote Sensing.
  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology
  • Plasma Physics / Magnetohydrodynamics

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster