Conclusions
From the preceding discussion of possible errors and from the probe dimensions given in Tables IV and V the conclusion can be drawn that there should be no great difficulties in making rough (10–20%) measurements of electric fields in the ionosphere. With moderate efforts (using metallized balloons) it should also be possible to obtain order of magnitude estimates of electric fields out to a distance of several earth radii.
With large efforts it seems possible also in the future to measure electric fields along the magnetic field lines, but at present indirect methods may be more attractive.
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Fahleson, U. Theory of electric field measurements conducted in the magnetosphere with electric probes. Space Sci Rev 7, 238–262 (1967). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215600
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00215600