1. Radio Wave Propagation and Solar Eclipse
William Liles
Photo from nasa.gov

2. Does a solar eclipse affect radio wave propagation?
If so, how?
Why do we care?

3. Image from nasa.gov

4. Image from ofcom.org.uk

5. Image from http://apollo.lsc.vsc.edu

6. How does a solar eclipse affect radio wave propagation below 500 kHz?

7. WWVB Transmitter Colorado
60 kHz / US Government Time and Frequency Transmitter
Images from nist.gov

8. How does a solar eclipse affect 60 kHz radio wave propagation?

9. Need to receive and process spatially diverse signals before/during/after eclipse
Data collection
Phase #1
Data collection
Phase #2
Data collection
Phase #3
t = 0
Eclipse event

10. Requirements Inexpensive Easy to obtain materials
Easy to build (12 year old and up)
Easy to use
Collects needed data (what data?)
Structured for analysis
Website with instructions

11. System View Location Services Antenna Receiver Analog Analog
To Digital
Receiver
Digital
Processing
Comms
Comms
Backend
Services
Data
Analysis
Insights
Publications

12. Images from nist.gov

13. Backend
Given data from collection site, how is that matched to ionosphere conditions (total eclipse, partial, none)?
What is the best way to show the effect across the US on a map?

14. Great site for VLF information
Useful sites
Official site for WWVB
Great site for VLF information

15. Dr. Jill Nelson George Mason Univ. Dr. Laura Lukes George Mason Univ.
Collaborators
Dr. Jill Nelson George Mason Univ.
Dr. Laura Lukes George Mason Univ.

16. Questions