New observations of artificial aurora associated with TMA releases

Abstract

An artificial aurora was generated during a trimethyl aluminum (TMA) release from the October 2000 TOMEX rocket launch. Cameras in several locations filmed the optical emissions, believed to be associated with small amounts of kerosene added to the TMA liquid. The geometry of the launch trajectory with respect to the magnetic field and camera viewing angles has provided new insight on the source of the emissions. Surprisingly, the aurora appears to be associated with the vertical footprint of the rocket, rather than the magnetic footprint of the rocket, as previously assumed. The new observations favor a generation mechanism involving large particles >1 μm falling to 90 km altitude.

Opinion: Recent developments and future directions in studying the mesosphere and lower thermosphere

“…An interesting class of sounding rocket applications is release experiments. These can involve the release of passive tracers for studies of dynamical and transport processes (Gelinas et al, 2006;Larsen, 2002) but can also involve controlled active modification of the local chemical and charging environment (e.g. Collins et al, 2021).…”

Opinion: Recent Developments and Future Directions in Studying the Chemistry of the Mesosphere and Lower Thermosphere

“…New techniques involve the ejection of An interesting class of sounding rocket applications is release experiments. These can involve the release of passive tracers for studies of dynamical and transport processes (Gelinas et al, 2006;Larsen, 2002), but can also involve controlled active modification of the local chemical and charging environment (e.g. Collins et al (2021)).…”