F Region Above Kauai: Measurement, Model, Modification.

Abstract

A detailed description and analysis is presented of the Lagopedo II results. The rocket was launched on 11 September 1977. Prior to an explosive chemical release, a rocket-borne ion mass spectrometer and dual-frequency beacon measured the ion composition and electron content of the undisturbed F region above Kauai, Hawaii. These results are compared to a detailed calculation of ionospheric ion densities. Considerable H2O outgassing produced measurable 18(+)(H2O(+)) and 19(+)(H3O(+)) currents which together with O(+) current were used to determine the H3O(+)/H2O(+) dissociative recombination rate ratio. The explosive event at 283 km swept clean a 1 km radius region. The boundary of the ionic void was characterized by a steep gradient in the ion density. Results for the first 60 s after the event are presented which show changes in ambient ion species 14(+), 16(+), 30(+) and 32(+), new reactant species 15(+), 17(+), 18(+), 19(+), 27(+) and 46(+), and evidence of ionic depletion by sweeping.

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 18, 1980
Accession Number
ADA084556

Entities

People

  • C. Y. Johnson
  • Elaine Oran
  • G. W. Sjolander
  • P. A. Bernhardt
  • T. R. Young

Organizations

  • United States Naval Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Boundaries
  • Charged Particles
  • Electrons
  • Explosives
  • Frequency
  • Ion Density
  • Ions
  • Mass Spectrometers
  • Measurement
  • Measuring Instruments
  • Outgassing
  • Spectrometers

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Plasma Physics.
  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics