Observations of ELF Signatures Arising from Space Vehicle Disturbances of the Ionosphere

Abstract

We report on observations of Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) signatures during exit or reentry of space vehicles through the ionosphere. The two modes regularly observed gave signals that peaked at 5.6 Hz and 11.2 Hz. The evidence points to the lower ionosphere, i.e., the D- and E-layers, as the generator of these signals. The measurements were performed using ground-based multiturn coil sensors located in Reno and San Diego. The nature of these signals is unclear at present but it is surmised that we are detecting either the evanescent fields of hydromagnetic waves traveling in the ionosphere or the oscillating geomagnetic field associated with these hydromagnetic waves.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA236563

Entities

People

  • E. A. Rauscher
  • J. Y. Dea
  • W. Van Bise
  • W.-m. Boerner

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Sensors
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Amplifiers
  • Background Noise
  • Canada
  • Circuits
  • Detectors
  • Frequency
  • Generators
  • Magnetic Fields
  • Magnetometers
  • Measurement
  • Observation
  • Power Spectra
  • Resonant Frequency
  • Space Shuttles
  • Spacecraft
  • Universities
  • Vehicles

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Space/Atmospheric Physics.

Technology Areas

  • Space