F Region Above Kauai: Measurement, Model, Modification

摘要

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.