Extended Life Balloon Borne Observations (ELBBO)

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Understanding the coupling between atmospheric, ionospheric and magnetospheric electric fields and current systems is one of the basic goals of solar-terrestrial physics. Many radar techniques are used to study the high altitude thermosphere electric fields and their variations. New studies have shown the linkage between low altitude tropospheric and stratospheric electric fields and currents, with variations in the thermosphere. Development of techniques and acquisition of these low altitude data have been very controversial. This cooperative NSF and NASA project builds upon past operational programs and data analyses in the design of a multi-balloon long duration ( 3 months ) flight program to measure many of the needed parameters. The ELBBO ( Extended Life Balloon Borne Observations ) program plans to launch a total of ten balloons. Two prototype flights from Brazil and 8 others from either Brazil, New Zealand or the Antarctic depending somewhat on the outcome of the initial flights. The basic objectives are to measure the vector electric field, conductivity, current density, magnetic field,VLF and ULF electric and magnetic waves, nightglow variations and atmospheric x-rays. These data will then be used to test and improve existing models of the global electric circuit.