Ionospheric Irregularities: Optical Support of HAES Scintillation Experiments.
Abstract
Photometric measurements of auroral spectral emission features and of the horizontal phase velocity of auroral motions were conducted at Chatanika, Alaska during several observing periods in 1976. These experiments provided ground-based optical support for the DNA HAES (High Altitude Effects Simulation) rocket experiments launched from Poker Flat. Multispectral data on the auroral emission intensities at 4278A and 6300A and the intensity ratio was analyzed in terms of the mean energy parameter for an assumed Maxwellian flux of precipitating electrons. Comparison between photometric determination of the mean energy parameter and that derived from incoherent scatter radar data provided a useful cross calibration of the two measurement techniques. This agreement also tends to confirm the theoretical predictions for the intensity ratio R sub 64 1(6300)/1(4278) as a function of the mean energy parameter. Additional analytical work was conducted to improve the three beam analysis code which allows inference of auroral E-fields and associated quantities from the auroral motion and intensity data. Results of the improved code are presented for the WIDEBAND rocket support experiment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 31, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA043666
Entities
People
- Robert D. Sears
Organizations
- Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space