Optical Imaging Provides a Clear Picture of Ionospheric Disturbances
Abstract
During daylight hours, ultraviolet light from the sun ionizes the neutral gas of the earth's upper atmosphere (70-1500 km altitude), creating a partially ionized plasma. This plasma then gradually decays throughout the night. The atmospheric region associated with this phenomenon is called the ionosphere, and this zone is of great practical importance to the Department of Defense and civilian industries because of its effect on radio waves. Depending on the frequency of a radio wave, the ionosphere will either reflect or transmit its energy; however, when disturbances cause the ionosphere to behave irregularly, it instead distorts reflection and transmission signals, affecting satellite-to-ground and ground-to-ground communications, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation and correction signals, and space surveillance radars. In order for scientists to understand and accurately model the ionosphere, they must obtain enough data to identify the locations of both current and future disruptions. Using low-light-level imaging equipment to observe the optical emissions, or airglow, produced by reactions in the ionosphere, scientists can now detect and monitor disturbances over wide areas of the earth.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 15, 2005
- Accession Number
- ADA436917
Entities
People
- Raffaele Esposito
- T. Pedersen
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory