Imaging the ionosphere in the light of magnesium ions from balloon altitudes.
Abstract
Magnesium ions are continually produced in the lower E-region by vaporization of meteorites and subsequent ionization. These ions can serve as tracers for ionospheric transport processes in much the same way as artificial barium clouds. Possible applications are: (1) in the E-layer: wind-shear, turbulence, conductivity discontinuities; (2) in the F-layer: ExB-drifts, in particular the equatorial fountain effect, spread-F irregularities, and, possibly, anomalous transport effects along magnetic field lines. MgII has two resonance lines at 279.5 and 280.2 microns. These lines can be observed from a balloon at height of about 38 km. A payload with a wide-range camera has been developed and will be flight-tested for the first time in November 1978. The camera has a viewing angle of 90 deg and can resolve fine-structure of 400 to 800 m wavelength at 100 km altitude. The images are obtained with an image converter - image intensifier - SEC TV-camera system. The sensitivity limit is close to 100 rayleighs. Brightnesses of several 100 R up to a few kR are expected. Observations can be made when the shadow line at 280 microns is above 85 km altitude and below the level under investigation.
- Publication:
-
Scientific Ballooning
- Pub Date:
- 1979
- Bibcode:
- 1979scba.conf..203V
- Keywords:
-
- All Sky Photography;
- Balloon Sounding;
- Ionospheric Ion Density;
- Magnesium;
- Metal Ions;
- Transport Properties;
- Atmospheric Turbulence;
- E Region;
- F Region;
- Image Converters;
- Image Intensifiers;
- Ionospheric Sounding;
- Lines Of Force;
- Spread F;
- Television Cameras;
- Wind Shear;
- Geophysics;
- Balloons:TV Cameras