Engineering topics
Publications and source records attributed to Norville, K. W..
The state-of-the-art in stratospheric balloon-borne vector electric field measurements, from its origins to the present is reviewed. Consideration is given to the Extended Life Balloon-Borne Observatories program that utilizes an extensively modified payload and dual telemetry systems to improve the measurements and increase the data rates.
Electric field, conductivity, and ionization rate data were collected on two balloon payloads at 26 km in the southern hemisphere stratosphere during the solar flare of Feb. 16, 1984. Both polarities of the conductivity were enhanced by a factor of two at a payload with an invariant latitude (Lambda) of -56.3 deg (rigidity = 1.4GV). At the same time no transient effects were seen in any of these parameters by a more equatorially located payload at Lambda = -48.8 deg (rigidity = 2.8 GV). The two payloads were separated by 5 hours of local time. The vertical current density, J(z), at the poleward most payload was enhanced by over a factor of two, while no J(z) variations were seen for the equatorward payload. Interpretation of these observations suggests that a simple RC time constant analysis of the global circuit may be incorrect.
This paper reports the first in-situ observation of variations in the electrical conductivity over thunderstorms at 26 km altitude. The vector electric field, positive and negative polar conductivity, and optical lightning power/flash were measured by payloads on superpressure balloons in the Southern Hemisphere in early 1984. It is found that in 72 percent of the thunderstorm periods observed (or in 23 of 32 periods) there were clear cases of conductivity variations while the balloons were over the thunderstorms. Examples from two separate balloons at widely separated dates and locations showing both daytime and nighttime events are presented. The conductivity measurements are made with the relaxation technique, and the vector field measurements are based on the double Langmuir probe high-impedance method. It is found that the positive and negative conductivity measurements vary independently and have a different temporal profile than the dc electric field. The polar conductivity variations can exceed a factor of 2 at this altitude. In seven of the nine most intense thunderstorm events the total conductivity increased, while in only one of these nine events did it decrease (one event had no change). Implications of these observations for global current patterns are discussed.