It is demonstrated that the statistical mechanical partition function can be used to construct various different forms of phase space distributions. This indicates that its structure is not restricted to the Gibbs–Boltzmann factor prescription based on counting statistics. Consequences concerning generalised Lorentzians and more general distribution functions are discussed.

Meteor smoke particles (MSPs), originating from evaporated meteoric matter at 60–110 km altitude, are present in the whole atmosphere including polar regions. As electron precipitation is present at high latitudes, these MSPs are bombarded by energetic electrons. The energetic electrons can enter the MSPs and excite secondary electrons. That can lead to a change of the charge state of these MSPs. The study finds that other charging processes, e.g., electron attachment, are more important.