Optical, Magnetic, and Radio Measurements in Support of the Oosik Experiment
Abstract
At 0659 GMT March 7, 1972 a shaped barium charge was released high above central Alaska by the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory and the University of Alaska. In support of the experiment, known as OOSIK, the Stanford Research Institute operated two existing radar facilities in Alaska. In addition, a low- frequency receiving site was established and operated near the point at which the field line through the barium release intercepted the ground. The most striking feature of the data recorded during the OOSIK experiment is the occurrence of a magnetic substorm 17 minutes after the barium injection. Considerable visible and radar aurora accompanied the substorm. A number of factors strongly indicate that the substorm was of natural origin. Among these factors is a comparison of the plasma density required to initiate a magnetospheric instability and the density achieved by the OOSIK injection. Population of multiple field lines by OOSIK apparently reduced the density in any one flux tube far below that required to initiate an instability at the local time of injection. If the problem of multiple population can be avoided during an early-morning launch when magnetospheric conditions are favorable, it seems likely that an instability can be triggered by a rocket-launched shaped barium charge.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1972
- Accession Number
- AD0751567
Entities
People
- George B. Carpenter
Organizations
- SRI International