Measurements of ultraviolet radiation from a 5-km/s bow shock

Peter W. Erdman, Edward C. Zipf, Patrick Espy, L. Carl Howlett, Deborah A. Levin, Robert J. Collins, Graham V. Candler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Ultraviolet emission from a 5.1-km/s re-entry bow shock was measured in a sounding rocket experiment launched from the Barking Sands Research Range (Kauai, Hawaii) in February 1991 at 14:30 GMT. Optical data were obtained on the downleg portion of the flight as the payload descended from 115 to 62 km in a very shallow trajectory at a nearly constant speed. The intensity of the ultraviolet spectrum (A200-400 nm), and the vacuum ultraviolet resonance radiation emitted by atomic oxygen and hydrogen at A130.4 nm and À121.5 nm, respectively, were measured. Data from optical instruments in the 200-400-nm spectral region is presented here. Langmuir probe measurements provided data on the total plasma density and electron temperature in the boundary layer over a limited altitude range.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)441-446
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of thermophysics and heat transfer
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1994
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics

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