Early results from the ISEE electron density experiment

• Published in: Space science reviews Vol. 23; no. 1; pp. 39 - 58
• Main Authors: Harvey, C C, Mangeney, A, Etcheto, J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.03.1979
• ISSN: 0038-6308; 1572-9672
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00174110

The ISEE 1 and 2 spacecraft contain two complementary experiments to measure the ambient electron density by radio techniques: a propagation experiment which measures the integrated electron density between ISEE 1 and 2, and a resonance sounder which measures the electron density in the vicinity of ISEE 1, and also provides ac electric-field data. Results from these two experiments are presented. The propagation experiment permits high-time-resolution studies of density fluctuations in the solar wind and magnetospheric frontier regions. The sounder experiment has detected plasma resonances in the solar wind and in earth's magnetosheath, as well as in the regions of the magnetosphere where resonances have already been observed by the spacecraft GEOS 1. A preliminary review of the different types of electric-field noise observed in the solar wind and magnetosheath is presented, and the relationship of these noises to the measured plasma density is discussed.