EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Gussenhoven et al. 1985
Gussenhoven, M.S., Hardy, D.A., Rich, F., Burke, W.J. and Yeh, H.-C. (1985). High-level spacecraft charging in the low-altitude polar auroral environment. Journal of Geophysical Research 90: doi: 10.1029/JA080i011p11009. issn: 0148-0227.

Regions of intense keV electron precipitation, such as inverted-V structures, at times colacate with ionospheric plasma depletion regions in the high-latitude polar ionosphere. When Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) F6 and F7 satellites, at 840 km, enter these regions in darkness, ion signatures of high spacecraft--to--ambient plasma potential differences (several hundred volts negative) are observed with the new SSJ/4 ion detectors. A systematic survey of charging events and the environment in which they occur was made using the DMSP F6 and F7 precipitating ion an electron detectors, the SSIE thermal plasma probes, and the SSM (F7 only) vector magnetometer. The charging events of November 26, 1983, are analyzed in detail since they occurred on both satellites. Critical levels of number flux and average energy for the precipitating electrons, and the threshold density of the thermal ionospheric ions are defined for different levels of spacraft charging.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit