ROCKET BORNE INSTRUMENT TO MEASURE ELECTRIC FIELDS INSIDE ELECTRIFIED CLOUDS

摘要

An apparatus for measuring the electric field in the atmosphere which includes a pair of sensors carried on a rocket for sensing the voltages in the atmosphere being measured. One of the sensors is an elongated probe having a fine point thereon, which causes a corona current to be produced as it passes through the electric field. An electric circuit is coupled between the probe and the other sensor and includes a high ohm resistor which linearizes the relationship between the corona current and the electric field being measured. A relaxation oscillator and transmitter are provided for generating and transmitting an electric signal having a frequency corresponding to the magnitude of the electric field.