Abstract
Abstract. The results of three series of rocket measurements of mesospheric electric fields carried out under different geomagnetic conditions at polar and high middle latitudes are analysed. The measurements show a clear dependence of the vertical electric fields on geomagnetic activity at polar and high middle latitudes. The vertical electric fields in the lower mesosphere increase with the increase of geomagnetic indexes Kp and ∑Kp. The simultaneous increase of the vertical electric field strength and ion conductivity was observed in the mesosphere during geomagnetic disturbances. This striking phenomenon was displayed most clearly during the solar proton events of October, 1989 accompanied by very strong geomagnetic storm (Kp=8+). A possible mechanism of generation of the vertical electric fields in the mesosphere caused by gravitational sedimentation of charged aerosol particles is discussed. Simultaneous existence in the mesosphere of both the negative and positive multiply charged aerosol particles of different sizes is assumed for explanation of the observed V/m vertical electric fields and their behaviour under geomagnetically disturbed conditions.Keywords. Atmospheric composition and structure (aerosols and particles) · Ionosphere (electric fields and currents) · Meteorology and atmospheric dynamics (atmospheric electricity)
Highlights
More than 20 rocket measurements of vertical electric ®elds in the middle atmosphere were carried out during
Indexes of geomagnetic activity up and up for the days of the rocket launches as well as maximum values of the vertical electric ®eld strengths measured in the mesosphere during theights are given in Table 1, too
We have analysed here the results of rocket measurements of the vertical electric ®elds in the mesosphere carried out under dierent geomagnetic conditions
Summary
The measurements of the vertical component of the electric ®eld strength iz, positive ion density niY and ion conductivity ri were carried out by means of instruments installed in the top part of the meteorological rocket M-100B. Two kinds of payload for the M-100B rocket were used. The EI-100 payload contains an electric ®eld mill probe, a plane multigrid ion trap, and a. The M-100KT payload contains the ®eld mill, a spherical grid condenser for measurements of positive ion density, and a resistance wire thermometer. Three EI-100 payloads were launched successfully from Heiss Island during the experiments in winter 1983/1984. The M-100KT payloads were used for the experiments in 1989 on Heiss Island and in the Indian Ocean
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
