Ionospheric Measurements in the Wake of Solar Maximum
Abstract
During three years following the solar maximum of the year 2000, NorthWest Research Associates (NWRA) conducted ionospheric measurements at several Air Force research and operational locations and analyzed the data collected thereby. The measurements were performed using a variety of radiowave techniques, most involving transionospheric radio propagation, and included observations of ionospheric perturbations via high-power transmissions under the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HRRRP). Notable among the instruments employed were the Air Force Ionospheric Measuring System (AN/GMQ-35) and the NWRA ITS10S coherent radio receiving system. The primary measurements were of ionospheric total electron content (TEC) and radiowave scintillation, for describing the ionosphere and its plasma-density structures during this solar epoch and under the perturbing influence of HAARP. Records of TEC were inverted tomographically to produce two-dimensional (altitude vs. latitude) images of plasma density. By these and other means, ionospheric features such as the main F-layer trough and polar patches were characterized for application to Air Force environmental models.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 30, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA427533
Entities
People
- Andrew J. Mazzella Jr.
- Angela M. Andreasen
- Edward Fremouw
- Elizabeth Holland
- John Begenesich
Organizations
- Northwest Research Associates