Irregular Type Sporadic-E Observed by Rocket Borne Gyro-Plasma Probe at a Temperate Latitude

Abstract

By a gyro-plasma probe experiment on board K-9M-21 rocket the micro-structure of the electron density profile has been measured within an error of 3%. Irregularity of the electron density fluctuating within +20% of its average has been detected in altitude ranges of 100km 103km and 115km-120km independent of the wake effect of the vehicle motion. This irregularity is identified with the radio scattering source of diffuse type sporadic-E on the ionogram obtained during the rocket flight.

Structures in sporadic‐E observed with an impedance probe during the SEEK Campaign: Comparisons with neutral‐wind and radar‐echo observations

“…The NEI (i.e., Number density of Electrons by Impedance probe) measures the upper hybrid resonance (UHR) frequency in the ambient plasma surrounding the 1.2-m cylindrical electrode deployed from the rocket body. The impedance-probe measurement technique, developed in the 1960% [Oya and Obayashi, 1967;Oya, 1967]; is capable of determining N• from the measured UHR frequency (fum0 with an accuracy of +3 %, which is independent of probe shape, electric potential of rocket body, and plasma temperature. The basic advantage of the NEI is its ability to eliminate the stray capacitance associated with the impedance-measuring probe circuit by using a capacitance bridge [Oya, 1967].…”

“…The impedance-probe measurement technique, developed in the 1960% [Oya and Obayashi, 1967;Oya, 1967]; is capable of determining N• from the measured UHR frequency (fum0 with an accuracy of +3 %, which is independent of probe shape, electric potential of rocket body, and plasma temperature. The basic advantage of the NEI is its ability to eliminate the stray capacitance associated with the impedance-measuring probe circuit by using a capacitance bridge [Oya, 1967]. In the NEI on the SEEK rockets, the capacitance bridge was able to eliminate any unbalanced stray capacitance larger than 0.1 pF.…”

“…The rockets, S310-26 and S310-25, were launched at 0030 JST (UT+9 hrs) on August 21, 1996 and at 2300 JST on August 26, 1996, respectively. Use of the NEI for ionospheric Ne measurements has a long history being contributed toward the identification of both the wind-shear type and irregular type Es layers [Oya, 1967;Oya and Obayashi, 1968].…”

Electron density and plasma waves in mid-latitude sporadic-<i>E</i> layer observed during the SEEK-2 campaign

“…The midlatitude E s layer has been characterized by its appearance at the altitude of about 100 km with a thickness of 1-3 km, and distributed in the large horizontal extent over several hundreds km (e.g. Oya, 1967;Smith and Mechtly, 1972). Oya (1967) reported fine structure of E s layers and suggested that the E s vertical fine structure with altitude intervals of several km.…”

“…Oya, 1967;Smith and Mechtly, 1972). Oya (1967) reported fine structure of E s layers and suggested that the E s vertical fine structure with altitude intervals of several km.…”