Auroral Studies by Rocket Spectroscopy

Auroral Studies by Rocket Spectroscopy
Author: William G. Fastie
Publisher:
Total Pages: 48
Release: 1961
Genre: Auroras
ISBN:

Ground-based studies of the spectra of upper atmospheric emission is limited to wavelengths longer than 3000 A because of absorption by ozone, oxygen, and nitrogen in the lower atmosphere, and only limited information about the altitude at which emission occurs can be obtained from the ground. Rocket borne spectroscopic instrumentation can overcome these limitations. One of the objectives of the studies has been to develop rugged and reliable rocket instrumentation which is capable of measuring extremely weak light signals and to use these instruments to obtain ultraviolet and far ultraviolet spectra of aurorae. Another objective of the studies has been to study the spectra of atmospheric species in the laboratory under simulated upper atmospheric conditions. The laboratory studies have also included analysis and interpretation of rocket flight data. (Author).

Rocket-borne Spectral Measurement of Atmospheric Infrared Emission During a Quiet Condition in the Auroral Zone

Rocket-borne Spectral Measurement of Atmospheric Infrared Emission During a Quiet Condition in the Auroral Zone
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 110
Release: 1976
Genre: Atmospheric physics
ISBN:

A Nike-Javelin rocket (NJ-74-1) was launched at Poker Flat, Alaska, on 11 Apr 74 at 0801 hours UT during a non-auroral condition. A near-zenith spectral radiance profile was obtained from 54 km to an apogee of 118 km on ascent and from 118 km down to about 85.6 km on descent, using a circular variable filter spectrometer. About 464 spectral scans were obtained during flight, covering the range from 1.7 to 5.4 micrometers at a resolution of about 4 percent. The dominant emission feature was at 4.3 micrometer, which is attributed to the CO2 nu3 fundamental. The upward viewed spectral radiance appeared to range from about 215 MRmicrometer at 54 km to less than the noise equivalent spectral radiance of 3 MR /micrometer at 118 km. In this report are given the first quiet condition (no aurora) rocket data in the auroral zone. (Author).

The EXCEDE SPECTRAL Artificial Auroral Experiment

The EXCEDE SPECTRAL Artificial Auroral Experiment
Author: Robert R. O'Neil
Publisher:
Total Pages: 20
Release: 1982
Genre: Atmospheric radiation
ISBN:

Atomic and molecular emissions from 1600 angstroms to 2800 angstroms and from 1.5 to 22 microns were measured by on-board instruments at altitude range 70 to 128 km. The observed dominant emissions are N2 Wu-Bensch, C02 at 4.3 micron and N0 at 5.4 micron.

LWIR (7-24 Micrometer) Measurements from the Launch of a Rocketborne Spectrometer Into an Aurora (1973)

LWIR (7-24 Micrometer) Measurements from the Launch of a Rocketborne Spectrometer Into an Aurora (1973)
Author: James W. Rogers
Publisher:
Total Pages: 132
Release: 1976
Genre: Auroras
ISBN:

A liquid-helium-cooled, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectrometer was successfully launched by the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory onboard a Black Brant VC rocket (A18.006-2) on 22 Mar 1973 from the University of Alaska's Poker Flat Research Range at Chatanika, Alaska. This flight was part of the Defense Nuclear Agency ICECAP 73 Program. The spectrometer, which employs a circular-variable filter (CVF), was developed by AFGL and Utah State University and has provided the first measurements of the altitude profile of the infrared spectrum of the upper-atmospheric emissions between 7 and 24 micrometers. During an IBC II aurora, data were obtained on the 15-micrometer carbon dioxide emission from 65 to 150 km and on the 9.6 micrometer ozone emission between 45 and 100 km. In addition, emission data on the long-wavelength wing of the 6.3 micrometer water band between 6.7 and 7.6 micrometers were also obtained between 50 and 75 km. Above 100 km, significant unidentified emission was observed at 9.3 micrometers with weaker features at 6.9, 7.3, 8.0, 11.1, and 12.3 micrometers. This report documents in detail the data obtained along with the rocket and payload performance, the auroral conditions at launch and a comparison with theoretical models.

High Altitude Effects Simulation (HAES) Program. Report No. 1

High Altitude Effects Simulation (HAES) Program. Report No. 1
Author: Doran J. Baker
Publisher:
Total Pages: 60
Release: 1974
Genre: Auroras
ISBN:

An Astrobee D rocket (A30.205-4) was launched at Poker Flat, Alaska, on 9 March 1972 at 1052 hours UT during a condition of Class IBC2 post-breakup auroral display. A near-zenith spectral radiance profile was obtained from 48.5 km to an apogee of 91.9 km on ascent, and from 91.9 km down to about 84.7 km on descent, using a circular variable-filter spectrometer. About 268 spectral scans were obtained during flight, covering the range from 1.4 to 5.0 micrometer at a resolution of about 4 per cent. The dominant emission feature was at 4.3 micrometer, which is attributed to the CO2 nu(3) fundamental. The upward-viewed spectral radiance appeared to range from about 45 MR/micrometer at 48.5 km to less than 2 MR/micrometer at 92 km. A volume-emission-rate/altitude profile for the nu(3) fundamental of CO2 is presented. The profile is based on a simple LTE model and neglects radiation transport. As a result, the model cannot be compared directly with the data. A more complete analysis of the problem is in progress. (Author).

NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968

NASA Sounding Rockets, 1958-1968
Author: William R. Corliss
Publisher:
Total Pages: 184
Release: 1971
Genre: Sounding rockets
ISBN:

Sounding rockets provided the first means to carry instruments to the outermost reaches of the Earth's atmosphere. They were, indeeed, our first space vehicles. As Mr. Corliss relates in this history, in this day of satellites and deep space probes, sounding rockets remain as important to space science as ever, furnishing our most powerful means for obtaining vertical profiles of atmospheric properties. NASA continues to depend on sounding rockets for research in astronomy, meteorology, ionospheric physics, exploratory astronomy, and other disciplines.