Electron fluxes causing atmosphere air glow during the polar active 'North Star' ionospheric experiment

摘要

In the active ionosphere geophysical experiment "North Star" by injection of a high-speed plasma jet, luminescence of the excited components of the surrounding air was observed. In this paper, two possible sources of excitation of this luminescence are considered: streams of super-thermal electrons accelerated at the jet front and streams of precipitating electrons, the precipitation of which is triggered by jet injection. Detailed analysis of experimental data allows us to separate these two sources of super-thermal electrons. The origin of electrons forming at the front of an expanding plasma jet is associated with nonlinear processes in this area and will be discussed in detail in subsequent publications. This paper analyzes the mechanisms of electron precipitation from the upper ionosphere.