Electrodynamic interaction between the CRIT I ionized barium streams and the ambient ionosphere

• In the CRIT I Critical Velocity experiment, launched from Wallops Island on 13 May, 1986, two fast barium streams were ejected by means of shaped charges. Their electrodynamic interaction with the ambient ionosphere is discussed. An outstanding feature of the DC electric field observed within the streams was a large magnetic-field-aligned component, persisting on the time scale of the passage of the streams. One interpretation of the DC electric field data is that the internal electric fields of the streams is not greatly modified by Birkeland currents, i.e. a state is established, where the transverse currents are to a first approximation divergence-free. It is argued that this interpretation can explain why a reversal of the strong explosion-directed electric field was observed in the first explosion but not in the second (more distant one). © 1989.

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Fusion, plasma och rymdfysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Fusion, Plasma and Space Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Ionosphere

CRIT I Ionized Barium Streams; Electrodynamic Interaction; Magnetic-Field-Aligned Component

Atmospheric Ionization

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)