AURORAL ZONE IONOSPHERIC RESEARCH.

Abstract

The orientation of the line of maximum within the diffraction patterns produced by satellite signals is studied. The observed spread of orientation is explained by variations of orientation and elongation of irregularities; in cases of unusually large spread by assuming a quasiisometric diffraction pattern. The analysis of three months' observations of Faraday rotation observed on S-66 transmissions made at Kiruna Geophysical Observatory (phi = 67.8 degrees N, lambda = 20.3 degrees E) is presented. The ionospheric electron content along the subionospheric path of the satellite was computed for almost 400 transits. Also effective slab thicknesses were calculated using critical frequency values from 6 Scandinavian stations, covering an interval of 10 degrees of latitude. Latitudinal and diurnal variations of the ionospheric electron content and the effective thickness were studied. The most striking feature of the latitudinal variation of the total electron content was a distinct minimum at the southern boundary of the auroral zone during winter night-time. This minimum coincides with the 'trough' observed by topside sounding satellites. Equipment used for recording and analysis of noise signals in the ELF and lower VLF band is described. The results of some preliminary measurements are given. An experiment is described by which false ELF signals are obtained and it is believed that some spectra shown in literature are obtained in a similar way. (Author)

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 23, 1966
Accession Number
AD0637663

Entities

People

  • Ludwik Liszka
  • Svante Westerlund

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Artificial Satellites
  • Boundaries
  • Coverings
  • Diffraction
  • Diurnal Variations
  • Electrons
  • Elongation
  • Frequency
  • Intervals
  • Latitude
  • Literature
  • Observation
  • Observatories
  • Orientation (Direction)
  • Spectra
  • Thickness

Readers

  • Astronomy and Astrophysics.
  • Electromagnetic Wave Scattering and Antenna Radiation Engineering
  • Mathematics or Statistics

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space