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Xenon critical velocity releases from the acitvny satellite: Discussion of attempted optical observations
Author(s) -
Wescott E. M.,
StenbaekNielsen H. C.,
Hampton D. L.
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1029/92gl02107
Subject(s) - satellite , xenon , physics , wavelength , white light , remote sensing , infrared , sunlight , optics , environmental science , astronomy , geology , nuclear physics
The ACTIVNY satellite launched on Sept. 30, 1989 was a platform for a suite of active plasma experiments, including releases of Xe gas to test Alfvén's critical velocity effect. Three releases were done over Alaska and three over Utah, all fully illuminated by sunlight. We attempted optical observations from ground stations in the dark, using various low light level imagers and spectrographs, with narrow bandpass filters on XeI and XeII lines and also in white light. Viewing conditions were very good on several releases, the satellite could be tracked easily, but we saw no optical evidence of the releases from any wavelength. We discuss the reasons why optical diagnostics in the visible and near infrared failed to detect emissions from the releases.