Tracking Sporadic E with the LWA Swarm
Abstract
This project is one of two complementary efforts led by Arizona State University and Texas Tech University to install passive radio observing mini-stations in Arizona and Texas, respectively. The two new mini-stations will be based on the Long Wavelength Array (LWA) radio telescope design. After installation, they will partner with three existing LWA stations in New Mexico for the purposes of geolocating and estimating the density of sporadic E plasma structures in Earth’s ionosphere. The stations will passively observe sporadic E scattering of unintentional, anthropogenic radio-frequency emissions from the national electric power grid, charting the movement of ionospheric structures across the southwestern US. The wide frequency coverage of each station will be used to find the maximum observable frequency of scattering, determining the density of the sporadic E plasma structures. The geometry of multiple stations will be used for triangulation to locate and track the structures. The combined instrument will demonstrate a path to operational networks for large area coverage. Many other uses of the instrument are possible, including monitoring the sky for meteors, strong transient signals, and astronomical sources. These may improve understanding of near-Earth objects, low-density plasma environments, and planetary magnetic fields. This project is to install the new LWA mini-station in Arizona.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 06, 2024
- Source ID
- FA95502310354
Entities
People
- Judd Bowman
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Arizona State University
- United States Air Force