Measurement of low-energy auroral particles

Abstract

A measurement of the flux and pitch-angle distribution of low-energy auroral particles (electrons and protons with E < 4 kev) at rocket altitudes may not coincide with the primary fluxes and angular distribution at the top of the atmosphere due to factors affecting these quantities. Several of these factors are discussed, including energy loss, pitch-angle altering processes, secondary electron fluxes, and rocket shadowing effects. A. rocket-borne auroral experiment, now being prepared, is designed to determine a quantitative relationship between incident particles producing an auroral arc and any field-aligned current system associated with the arc. *A. description is given of the design and calibration of the electron-proton detectors in the payload which will measure the energy range 0.5 to 20 kev in seven intervals. A brief description of the other payload instruments is also given.