Gerdien Condenser Instrumentation for Measuring High-Latitude Middle Atmosphere Electrical Parameters

摘要

Gerdien condensers for measuring electrical conductivity, ion mobility and charge number density were flown in recent rocket programs to investigate the high-latitude middle atmosphere. The instruments were launched in two coordinated programs (Aurorozone I and II) at Poker Flat, Alaska to study the effects of auroral energetics on electrical parameters and in a solar eclipse rocket program at Red Lake, Canada. The design of the Gerdien condenser instrumentation for the Aurorozone II program and the solar eclipse program is considered. In addition, electrical parameters measured for the two auroral programs are presented and discussed. The initial results from the measurements indicate that high-latitude middle atmosphere electrical parameters are strongly influenced by the auroral energetics. (Author)