Rocket-borne mesospheric measurement of heavy (m >>10 amu) charge carriers

A rocket-borne probe has been developed to detect charged atmospheric aerosols. The probe is a current collecting surface, shielded by a magnetic field to prevent the detection of electrons and ions below a threshold in mass. During the first test flight above White Sands, New Mexico, a narrow layer of positive charge carriers was detected at an altitude of 86.5 km with vertical extent of approximate to 500 m, most likely a sudden E-layer related to the deposition of meteoric metal ions. A wide layer of negative charge carriers was observed in the altitude range of 75-86 km, consistent with the density of negative ions in this altitude range.