Determination of Diffusion Coefficients from Observations on Grenade Glow Clouds

Abstract

Glows have been observed at Woomera when grenades ejected from Skylark rockets have been detonated in the altitude range 90-170 km. Using results obtained from these glows by a special scanning photometer located on the ground, an estimate has been made of the diffusion coefficient in the region 120-160 km. The theoretical model which is used to describe the behaviour of the explosion products incorporates the assumptions of molecular diffusion, a Gaussian distribution of particle density, and an optically thin cloud. The effects of consumption of the cloud particles are included in the model.