Astronaut Scientific Debriefings, 1962-1963

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In reply refer to:
SGC:ML:ml
21 February 1962
MEMORANDUM
Subject:
Possible Scientific Visual Information
Obtained by J. H. Glenn
1.
Two (2) interesting observations were reported in the Press,
as described by Colonel Glenn during the MA-6 flight. It is of
vital interest to obtain a more detailed description of these observa­
tions in order that the accuracy and the details of what was observed
may be properly recorded for scientific evaluation.
The two obser­
vations were:
(a) The report of the great number of luminous particles
apparently travelling with the spacecraft at Friendship-7 sunrise;
and
(b) The altitudes or angular view of the upper limb
of the atmosphere.
2.
The thousands of luminous particles were described as
travelling with the spacecraft. It is important that Glenn describe
in detail precisely the observational characteristics under 'Which he
saw the particles in order to obtain an estimate of the brightness
of these particles. The questions that we would like answered are
what was the basis of Glenn's determination~ that the particles
were actua.lly travelling with the spacecraft and 'Whether this condi­
tion persisted on subsequent orbits. In addition, the geometry of
the observations should be further described in order to derive the
geometric distribution of the particles relative to the spacecraft's
window.
(The precise observational time and the position of sun­
light luminosity can readily be determined from the orbit of the
spacecraft itself). These particles may be geocentric in origin
and may be suspended in the atmosphere.
There are at least two
hypothesis for explaining particles travelling with the spacecraft.
The intensity compared to starlight should be determined also as
this information is of importance in determining further information
about the absolute number and cross-sections of the particles and may
relate to the dust content of zodiacal light as well as the gegen­
schein.