Magnetic Zenith Enhancement of HF Radio-Induced Airglow Production at HAARP

Pedersen, T. R.; Mccarrick, M.; Gerken, E.; Selcher, C.; Sentman, D.; Carlson, H. C.; Gurevich, A.

Magnetic Zenith Enhancement of HF Radio-Induced Airglow Production at HAARP

Active / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA515734 |

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Abstract:

Airglow production at various beam positions relative to the magnetic field was investigated as part of an optics campaign at HAARP in February 2002. Strong emissions up to several hundred Rayleigh at 630.0 nanometers and more than 50 R at 557.7 nanometers were produced in a small spot approximately 6 inches diameter located near the magnetic zenith when the transmitter beam was directed up the magnetic field. This effect was observed hundreds of times over a wide range of frequencies and ionospheric conditions. The spot at HAARP appears on average just equatorward of the nominal magnetic field direction, deflects somewhat toward the beam center when the beam is scanned, and varies slightly in size with transmitter frequency. Red-to-green ratios as low as 3 were observed, with both wavelengths showing significant onset delay. Identifiable enhancements in red-line emission were produced down to 2 MW ERP in a power ramp experiment.

Author(s):

Pedersen, T. R. ; Mccarrick, M. ; Gerken, E. ; Selcher, C. ; Sentman, D. ; Carlson, H. C. ; Gurevich, A.

Author Organization(s):

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LAB HANSCOM AFB MA SPACE VEHICLES DIRECTORATE

Descriptive Note:

Journal article

Supplementary Note:

Published in Geophysical Research Letters, v30 n4, p181-184, 2003. Performed in collaboration with Advanced Power Technologies, Inc., Washington, DC; Stanford Univeristy, Stanford, CA; Office of Naval Research (ONR), Washington, DC; University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK; Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Arlington, VA; and Lebedev Institute of Physics, Moscow, Russia.

Pagination:

0005

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:

Approved For Public Release

Distribution Statement:

Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR

Identifying Numbers

Monitor Series:

XD

Subject Terms

Joint Capability Areas:

JCA_1.2.7_Experimentation; JCA_8_Building Partnerships; JCA_8.2_Shape; JCA_1.2_Force Preparation; JCA_1_Force Support

Modernization Areas:

Directed Energy

Communities of Interest:

Energy and Power Technologies

Descriptor(s):

*MAGNETIC FIELDS, *AZIMUTH, *AIRGLOW, *AURORAE, *HIGH FREQUENCY, TRANSMITTERS, POWER, RANGE(EXTREMES), RADIOFREQUENCY, PRODUCTION, OPTICS, REPRINTS, IONOSPHERE, FREQUENCY, EMISSION

Field(s)/Group(s):

Atmospheric Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Radiofrequency Wave Propagation, Electromagnetic Pulses, Astronomy, Celestial Mechanics, Astrophysics

Keyword(s):

*HAARP(HIGH FREQUENCY ACTIVE AURORAL RESEARCH PROGRAM), *ERP(EFFECTIVE RADIATED POWER), MAGNETIC ZENITH

Report Date:

2003 Feb 22

Creation Date:

2010 Mar 24