Evidence for charged aerosols and associated meter‐scale structure in identified PMSE/NLC regions

Abstract

Evidence for the existence of negatively charged aerosols/dust in PMSE/NLC regions has been obtained by the unique combination of rocket probes flown during the DROPPS Program. Simultaneous current measurements of charged aerosols, ions, and electrons were accomplished by using a configuration of blunt probes, Gerdien condenser, and DC Langmuir probe. The two blunt probes, with different fixed‐bias voltages to discriminate the collection of mobile charge carriers, consistently demonstrated the presence of impacting negatively charged aerosols. Their occurrence coincided with an electron bite‐out, thus confirming the associated loss process as aerosol attachment.