Combined mass spectrometric composition measurements of positive and negative ions in the lower ionosphere—I. Positive ions

Recent improvements in rocket-borne mass spectrometer technology have made it possible to measure lower ionospheric ions with greater sensitivity and to extend the measurements to lower heights. The improvements made to the instrument and positive ion results from a flight of this instrument will be reported here. In addition to the previously known ions, such as NO⁺(H₂O)_n and H⁺(H₂O)_n, new ion species were found. The total fractional count rate of these ions was found to be constant with height indicating an upper altitude source. Possible identifications of these ions are proposed along with possible production mechanisms.