ROCKET MEASUREMENTS OF NITRIC OXIDE IN THE LOWER D-REGION OF THE IONOSPHERE,
Abstract
A rocket borne probe which measures nitric oxide concentration in the D-region has been designed, built, and successfully flown on September 22, 1968, December 6, 1968, and December 12, 1968. The probe measures changes in ionization caused by photo-ionizing neutral nitric oxide with a flashing Lyman-alpha source. The experiment yielded nitric oxide densities greater than 10 to the 8th power/cc in the 40-63 rm altitude range. Chemical equilibrium conditions do not explain the observed NO data. Below the mesopause, the atomic nitrogen concentration is so low that a photoequilibrium value of NO cannot be reached. Therefore, nitric oxide must be transported from the lower thermosphere, a region where atomic nitrogen is abundant, into the mesosphere and stratosphere. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- AD0701931
Entities
People
- B. A. Pontano
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University