Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Bedinger, J. F..
The vertical profile of the horizontal wind in a strong equatorial electrojet is distinctly different from profiles observed previously at other times and locations. The zonal wind speed is small and varies slowly with altitude, whereas the meridional component manifests a cross-equatorial oscillation with altitude which may result from a unique interaction of the ionized and neutral motions.
A method of analyzing Met Rocket wind data is described. Modern tidal theory and specialized analytical techniques were used to resolve specific tidal modes and prevailing components in observed wind data. A representation of the wind which is continuous in both space and time was formulated. Such a representation allows direct comparison with theory, allows the derivation of other quantities such as temperature and pressure which in turn may be compared with observed values, and allows the formation of a wind model which extends over a broader range of space and time. Significant diurnal tidal modes with wavelengths of 10 and 7 km were present in the data and were resolved by the analytical technique.
The photography from aboard an aircraft of chemical releases is reported. The equipment installation on the aircraft is described, and photographs of the releases are included. An extensive analysis of twilight sky photographs is presented.
Barium and lithium vapors were released from sounding rockets in the thermosphere and observed from aboard the NASA Convair 990 at an altitude of 40,000 ft. The purpose of the releases was to (1) check out observational and operational procedures associated with the large high altitude barium release from a Scout rocket (BIC); (2) develop an all-weather technique for observing chemical releases; (3) evaluate methods of observing daytime releases, and (4) investigate the possibilities of observations from a manned satellite. The initial analysis indicates that the previous limitations on the usage of the vapor release method have been removed by the use of the aircraft and innovative photographic techniques. Methods of analysis and applications to the investigation of the thermosphere are discussed.
Barium and lithium vapors were released from sounding rockets in the thermosphere and observed from aboard a jet aircraft at an altitude of 40,000 ft. The purpose of the releases was to demonstrate the feasibility of an all-weather technique for observing chemical releases and to evaluate methods of observing daytime releases. The selected flight plan of the aircraft allowed a series of observations of the trail from two different straight line paths. Data were recorded photographically. The reduction in sky brightness at the 40,000-ft altitude as compared to the ground allows the use of a filter with a 10-A bandwidth for trail photography in the daytime. These photographs verified the calculation of the usable angular field of the narrow-band filters. Photographs of a 45-min-old trail of lithium vapor were obtained up to 20 min after sunrise at the aircraft. It is concluded that now vapor trail observations may be made during the daytime without regard to weather and logistic restrictions.
Neutral wind effects on redistribution of E region ionization and recombination, comparing electron density profiles to vertical ion drift velocities
Winds above 200 km measured from vapor trail observations compared to winds deduced from satellite orbital changes and theoretical models
Lower E region turbulence interpretation based on high resolution photographs of artificial sodium vapor trails
Temporal variations of winds by vapor trail analysis
Analysis of wind and electron density profiles of E-region obtained from Nike-Apache rockets launched 22 Feb. 1968
Upper atmosphere horizontal wind profiles from rocket ejected artificial vapor trails photographs, discussing profile form relationship to wind magnitude
Cloud position, motion and expansion measured by chemical release techniques, noting rocket-borne equipment, photographic recording and data reduction for precise histories
Rocket observations of upper atmospheric winds, electron density, electron temperature, and neutral temperature in auroral region with Langmuir probes
Dynamics of upper atmosphere investigated through analysis of motion of sodium vapor trails ejected from sounding rockets
Sounding rocket flights for determining structure of electron density profile and wind in E region
Wind speeds and transport vector directions obtained by vapor trails from rockets launched at 13 sites throughout the world
Ionospheric winds characteristics from observation of motions and growth of sunlit trails of alkali vapor compared to rocket probing of electron concentration
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