IN-SITU DIAGNOSTICS OF IONOSPHERIC PLASMA WITH THE RESONANCE CONE TECHNIQUE

Electron density and temperature profiles in the mid latitude ionosphe re are derived from the ''resonance cone'' in the radiation pattern of high-frequency point antennas aboard a sounding rocket. By comparing the shapes for reversed wave propagation direction it is possible to s tudy electron drift motion and field-aligned beams. The data from the COREX-I (Cooperative Resonance Cone Experiment) experiment show close agreement of electron density and temperature profiles from resonance cones with results from independent instruments. There was no indicati on of a substantial temperature anomaly at E region altitude during th is flight. An unexpected electron drift can be interpreted as electron Hall current in the presheath of the negatively charged payload. Fiel d-aligned beams, which have been suggested in connection with the temp erature anomaly, were not detected.