The Long Wavelength Array (LWA): A Large HF/VHF Array for Solar Physics, Ionospheric Science, and Solar Radar
Abstract
The Long Wavelength Array (LWA), currently under construction in New Mexico, will be an imaging HF/VHF interferometer providing a new approach for studying the Sun-Earth environment from the surface of the sun to the Earth's ionosphere. The LWA will be a powerful tool for solar physics and space weather investigations, through its ability to characterize a diverse range of low-frequency, solar-related emissions, thereby increasing our understanding of particle acceleration and shocks in the solar atmosphere along with their impact on the Sun-Earth environment. As a passive receiver the LWA will directly detect Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) in emission, and indirectly through the scattering of cosmic background sources as they propagate towards Earth. If coupled with a suitable transmitter, the LWA would be an excellent receiver for solar radar, potentially demonstrating accurate geomagnetic storm prediction from the Earth's surface. Both radar and passive receiving techniques could monitor the Sun-Earth environment during daytime as a compliment to nighttime space weather remote sensing techniques. The LWA will also naturally provide a measure of small-scale spatial and temporal ionospheric structure, a pre-requisite for accurate calibration and imaging of solar and space weather phenomena. As a sensitive monitor of differences in total electron content (TEC) through the ionosphere, the LWA will provide an unprecedented characterization of ionospheric turbulence and waves, capable of testing predictions of global ionospheric models with an aim towards improving their accuracy through input to physics-based models. As a fully digital, multi-beaming instrument, the LWA can monitor the Sun daily with a dedicated solar beam, while simultaneously pursuing ionospheric and astrophysics science programs both day and night.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA531746
Entities
People
- Brian C. Hicks
- Charles Cormier
- Fredrick Jenet
- Gregory B. Taylor
- Jacob M. Hartman
- Joseph Craig
- Joseph Lazio
- Kenneth P. Stewart
- Namir E. Kassim
- Paúl Rodríguez
- Stephen White
- Van Romero
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory