Accession Number:

ADA399159

Title:

Very Low Frequency (VLF) Remote Sensing of Gravity Waves Generated by the Auroral Electrojet

Descriptive Note:

Final technical rept. 1 Jun 1997-31 Dec 2000

Corporate Author:

STANFORD UNIV CA SPACE TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND RADIOSCIENCE LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Bell, T. F.
• Inan, U. S.
• Demirkol, M. K.
• Chevalier, M. W.
• Moore, R.

Report Date:

2002-01-14

Pagination or Media Count:

6.0

Abstract:

During the period of performance the VLF remote diagnostic technique was applied in order to characterize both the ambient and modified D-region when perturbed by atmospheric gravity waves generated by the auroral electrojet. The characterization involved VLF sub-ionospheric wave phase and amplitude measurements at four sites located in Alaska and four sites located along the east coast of the North American continent. A total often separate propagation paths were monitored. A large number of gravity wave events were captured that exhibited features consistent with impulsive generation by the auroral electrojet. Measured VLF sub-ionospheric wave amplitudes were pertured by as much as 3 dB by the gravity waves. The measured VLF wave amplitude and phase perturbations were consistent with a vertical displacement of the D-region driven by the gravity waves. We conclude that gravity waves excited by the auroral electrojet can have significant effects upon the amplitude and phase of sub-ionospheric VLF waves.

Descriptors:

• *WAVE PROPAGATION
• *GRAVITY WAVES
• *ELECTROJETS
• COASTAL REGIONS
• ALASKA
• PHASE
• REMOTE DETECTORS
• AURORAE
• AMPLITUDE
• VERY LOW FREQUENCY

Subject Categories:

• Atmospheric Physics
• Mechanics
• Radiofrequency Wave Propagation

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE