Simultaneous Measurements of Electric Conductivity and Aerosol in the Lower Stratosphere

Many measurements of the small ion density and electric conductivity of the atmosphere from the ground to the stratosphere have been made with nearly the same method by different investigators in recent years (e.g., HAKE et al., 1973). There was, however, considerable disagreement among the results reported by different workers. Further, some of the measurements showed significant departures from the simple theory of ionization equilibrium with small ions (e.g., MORITA, 1973). While the theoretical considerations by several workers (e.g., COLE and PIERCE, 1965; SHREVE, 1970; MORITA, 1973) show that the small ion density increases with height to a value of several thousand per cm3 at about 13 km above which it remains virtually constant, some of the measurements show low values of the small ion density and/or electric conductivity up to the stratospheric heights. To understand the complex nature of the dependence of the electrical state of the atmosphere on the height, combined measurements of electric parameters and minor constituents have to be carried out in the atmosphere from the ground to the stratosphere. Some of the important parameters are the ionization, small ion and aerosol whose measurements are vital to any understanding of stratospheric electricity. And there is no such combined measurement of these parameters up to the present date at balloon heights. In view of the above, simultaneous measurements of ionization, electric conductivity and aerosol up to the lower stratospheric heights have been made as a part of Japan-USA cooperative balloon sounding program. This note