Ionospheric-magnetospheric VLF Wave Propagation: RPI/IMAGE-HAARP Correlative Study RPI/IMAGE-HAARP Correlative Study V. Paznukhov, B. Reinisch, G. Sales, P. Song, G. Khmyrov Center for Atmospheric Research University of Massachusetts Lowell P. Kossey Air Force Research Laboratory
Objectives Use RPI/IMAGE to monitor the global network of VLF transmitters. Study the power and effective spatial scales of the propagating whistler waves in magnetosphere. Assess the effects of the waves to the radiation belt particles.
Radiation belt energetic electron lifetimes (after Abel and Thorne, 1998) C: coulomb H: hiss W: lightning whistler VLF: ground transmitters L-shell Precipitation lifetime (days)
VL GBR-16.0 JXN-16.4 VTX HWU-18.3, 20.9, 21.7 GQD-19.6 NWC-19.8 ICV SA-20.6 JJI-22.2 DHO-23.4 NAA NLK PWB-25.0 NML-25.2 TBB-26.7 Worldwide Map of Active VLF Stations HAARP
Maine, NAA 24.0 kHz (44.5 N, 291 E) Seattle, NLK 24.8 kHz (48.0 N, 238 E) year UT 0600 UT 0438 UT March UT 1544 UT 1400 UT IMAGE Magnetic Field Footprints April UT 0034 UT 2300 UT February 14/15 NLK NAA GEO Longitude, deg GEO Latitude, deg
Seattle, NLK 24.8 Example of dynamic spectrum
Seattle, NLK 24.8 Example of dynamic spectrum
Maine, NAA 24.0 Example of dynamic spectrum
Observations of ground based VLF stations NLK 24.8 kHz NAA 24 kHz
24.8 kHz (NLK station) and 27.4 kHz (noise) signal comparison NLK 24.8 kHz 27.4 kHz
24.0 kHz (NAA station) and 27.4 kHz (noise) signal comparison NAA 24.0 kHz 27.4 kHz
Observations of NLK station NLK 24.8 kHz
Observations of NAA station NAA 24.0 kHz
Observations of NAA station NAA 24.0 kHz
Spring 2001 Campaign: March 18 to April 7, HAARP was transmitting amplitude modulated HF signals in order to produce VLF plasma waves using the so-called Polar Electrojet Antenna. RPI was set to receive the HAARP transmissions in both fixed frequencies and dynamic spectra. HAARP heater transmitted 3.2 MHz signal modulated with 13 kHz sine wave. During the experiments, the modulation frequency was alternatingly switched on and off in order for RPI to distinguish HAARP signals from background noise. HAARP-RPI Transmission Experiment
Geomagnetic Environment of HAARP-RPI Experiments 2001
HAARP Spring 2001 Campaign Program 23 dayside path nightside path 03/24 HAARP
March 24, 2001 Dynamic Spectra measurements Amplitude, nV/m
March 24, 2001 fixed frequency measurements Amplitude, dB
Summary Whistler-mode radio waves originated from two ground-based VLF transmitters were detected by the RPI instrument. Observed signal-to-noise ratio was of the order of 20 dB. The observed VLF signal region was smaller during the dayside measurements than during the nightside ones. In the HAARP-RPI experiments, fixed frequency measurements showed ambiguous signals. indication was found in the dynamic spectra mode of observation during a geomagnetically quiet period. evidence for the timing was ambiguous.
Objective Using the available global network of VLF transmitters, we monitor the occurrence of whistler-mode signals received with the RPI instrument onboard of IMAGE satellite. The receiving mode is the DYNAMIC SPECTRA sweeping over the frequency band from 3kHz to 1MHz every 3 or 4 minutes. In the VLF band the frequency resolution is ~ 400 Hz. Expected bandwidth of the VLF signals is of the order of a few hundred hertz. Identified 21 stations from 13 kHz to 27 kHz with L-shells ranging from 1.11 to Ten of these stations have high radiated power: 200 kW to 1 MW.
Radiation belt energetic electron lifetimes (after Abel and Thorne, 1998)
HAARP Spring 2001 Campaign Program 49 dayside path nightside path