Measurement of Temperature and Density in the Upper Atmosphere Using an Electron Beam

Abstract

Rotational temperature and density measurements from 75 to 150 km at Fort Churchill, Manitoba, have been made from observations of the local fluorescence produced by a rocket-borne electron gun in the 0–1 band of nitrogen's first negative system.The engineering aspects of the experiment are discussed together with a presentation of the results from the electron beam apparatus and hot cathode ionization gauges.