Very Low Frequency (VLF) Remote Sensing of Gravity Waves Generated by the Auroral Electrojet
Abstract
During the period of performance the VLF remote diagnostic technique was applied in order to characterize both the ambient and modified D-region when perturbed by atmospheric gravity waves generated by the auroral electrojet. The characterization involved VLF sub-ionospheric wave phase and amplitude measurements at four sites located in Alaska and four sites located along the east coast of the North American continent. A total often separate propagation paths were monitored. A large number of gravity wave events were captured that exhibited features consistent with impulsive generation by the auroral electrojet. Measured VLF sub-ionospheric wave amplitudes were pertured by as much as 3 dB by the gravity waves. The measured VLF wave amplitude and phase perturbations were consistent with a vertical displacement of the D-region driven by the gravity waves. We conclude that gravity waves excited by the auroral electrojet can have significant effects upon the amplitude and phase of sub-ionospheric VLF waves.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 14, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA399159
Entities
People
- M. K. Demirkol
- M. W. Chevalier
- R. G. Moore
- T. F. Bell
- U. S. Inan
Organizations
- Stanford University