Rocket‐borne mesospheric measurement of heavy (<i>m</i>≫10 amu) charge carriers

Abstract

A rocket‐borne probe has been developed to detect charged atmospheric aerosols. The probe is a current collecting surface, shielded by a magnetic field to prevent the detection of electrons and ions below a threshold in mass. During the first test flight above White Sands, New Mexico, a narrow layer of positive charge carriers was detected at an altitude of 86.5 km with vertical extent of ≈500 m, most likely a sudden E‐layer related to the deposition of meteoric metal ions. A wide layer of negative charge carriers was observed in the altitude range of 75–86 km, consistent with the density of negative ions in this altitude range.