DIRECT MEASUREMENT OF CHARGED PARTICLES ASSOCIATED WITH AURORAL ZONE RADIO ABSORPTION

Abstract

A rocket experiment to study the charged particles associated with auroral radio absorption is described. A primary electron flux, probably in the form of beams or columns, with a maximum intensity of 2 × 106 particles cm−2 sec−1 was observed. The integral electron energy spectrum could be represented by exp (−E/22 kev) at energies above 30 kev. The angular distribution of the incident electrons was approximately isotropic over the upper hemisphere. Two other types of angular distributions, involving large intensities of upward-moving particles, were observed. The measured electron flux was sufficient to account for the observed radio absorption.Protons in the energy range greater than 500 kev were recorded with a maximum intensity of 6 × 102 particles cm−2 sec−1 sterad−1. The proton intensity was relatively steady and was not correlated with the electron flux either in space or in time. Most of the protons appeared to enter the atmosphere to the south of Fort Churchill.