Polar 5—an electron accelerator experiment within an aurora. 1. Instrumentation and geophysical conditions

Abstract A “mother-daughter” rocket was launched from Andoya, Norway, February 1 1976 over two auroral structures. The “daughter” payload carried a 10keV electron accelerator and the “mother” carried a series of diagnostic instruments for monitoring optical and wave effects generated through beam-atmospheric interactions and production of secondary electrons. The experimental details are presented in this paper together with a survey of some of the results. This paper is also intended as a reference for a series of accompanying papers.

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