scholarly journals Low-frequency ionospheric sounding with Narrow Bipolar Event lightning radio emissions: energy-reflectivity spectrum

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1793-1803 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Jacobson ◽  
R. Holzworth ◽  
X.-M. Shao
Keyword(s):  
Lightning Discharge ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Angle Of Incidence ◽  
Radio Emissions ◽  
Statistical Variation ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
D Region ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract. We analyze data on radio-reflection from the D-region of the lower ionosphere, retrieving the energy-reflection coefficient in the frequency range ~5–95 kHz. The data are the same as developed for a recent study of ionospheric-reflection height, and are based on recordings of powerful (multi-Gigawatt) radio emissions from a type of narrow (~10 μs) lightning discharge known as "Narrow Bipolar Events". The sequential appearance of first the groundwave signal, and then the ionospheric single-hop reflection signal, permits us to construct the energy-reflection ratio. We infer the energy reflection's statistical variation with solar zenith angle, angle-of-incidence, frequency, and propagation azimuth. There is also a marginally-significant response of the energy reflectivity to solar X-ray flux density. Finally, we review the relationship of our results to previous published reports.

scholarly journals Characterization of gravity waves in the lower ionosphere using very low frequency observations at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 385-394
Author(s):  
Emilia Correia ◽  
Luis Tiago Medeiros Raunheitte ◽  
José Valentin Bageston ◽  
Dino Enrico D'Amico
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Drake Passage ◽  
Wave Period ◽  
Very Low Frequency ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
D Region ◽  
Radio Signals ◽  
Sky Conditions ◽  
The Waves

Abstract. The goal of this work is to investigate the gravity wave (GW) characteristics in the low ionosphere using very low frequency (VLF) radio signals. The spatial modulations produced by the GWs affect the conditions of the electron density at reflection height of the VLF signals, which produce fluctuations of the electrical conductivity in the D region that can be detected as variations in the amplitude and phase of VLF narrowband signals. The analysis considered the VLF signal transmitted from the US Cutler, Maine (NAA) station that was received at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station (EACF, 62.1∘ S, 58.4∘ W), with its great circle path crossing the Drake Passage longitudinally. The wave periods of the GWs detected in the low ionosphere are obtained using the wavelet analysis applied to the VLF amplitude. Here the VLF technique was used as a new aspect for monitoring GW activity. It was validated comparing the wave period and duration properties of one GW event observed simultaneously with a co-located airglow all-sky imager both operating at EACF. The statistical analysis of the seasonal variation of the wave periods detected using VLF technique for 2007 showed that the GW events occurred all observed days, with the waves with a period between 5 and 10 min dominating during night hours from May to September, while during daytime hours the waves with a period between 0 and 5 min are predominant the whole year and dominate all days from November to April. These results show that VLF technique is a powerful tool to obtain the wave period and duration of GW events in the low ionosphere, with the advantage of being independent of sky conditions, and it can be used during the whole day and year-round.

scholarly journals Novel Modelling Approach for Obtaining the Parameters of Low Ionosphere under Extreme Radiation in X-Spectral Range

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (23) ◽  
pp. 11574
Author(s):  
Vladimir A. Srećković ◽  
Desanka M. Šulić ◽  
Veljko Vujčić ◽  
Zoran R. Mijić ◽  
Ljubinko M. Ignjatović
Keyword(s):  
Spectral Range ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Simple Expression ◽  
Spectral Lines ◽  
Spectral Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
D Region ◽  
Modelling Approach

Strong radiation from solar X-ray flares can produce increased ionization in the terrestrial D-region and change its structure. Moreover, extreme solar radiation in X-spectral range can create sudden ionospheric disturbances and can consequently affect devices on the terrain as well as signals from satellites and presumably cause numerous uncontrollable catastrophic events. One of the techniques for detection and analysis of solar flares is studying the variations in time of specific spectral lines. The aim of this work is to present our study of solar X-ray flare effects on D-region using very low-frequency radio signal measurements over a long path in parallel with the analysis of X-spectral radiation, and to obtain the atmospheric parameters (sharpness, reflection height, time delay). We introduce a novel modelling approach and give D-region coefficients needed for modelling this medium, as well as a simple expression for electron density of lower ionosphere plasmas. We provide the analysis and software on GitHub.

scholarly journals Characterization of gravity waves in the lower ionosphere using VLF observations at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emilia Correia ◽  
Luis Tiago Medeiros Raunheitte ◽  
José Valentin Bageston ◽  
Dino Enrico D'Amico
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Drake Passage ◽  
Wave Period ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
D Region ◽  
Radio Signals ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Sky Conditions

Abstract. The goal of this work is to investigate the gravity waves (GWs) characteristics in the low ionosphere using very low frequency (VLF) radio signals. The spatial modulations produced by the GWs affect the conditions of the electron density at reflection height of the VLF signals, which produce fluctuations of the electrical conductivity in the D-region that can be detected as variations in the amplitude and phase of VLF narrowband signals. The analysis considered the VLF signal transmitted from the US Cutler/Marine (NAA) station that was received at Comandante Ferraz Brazilian Antarctic Station (EACF, 62.1° S, 58.4° W), which is a great circle path crossing longitudinally the Drake Passage. The wave periods of the GWs detected in the low ionosphere are obtained using the wavelet analysis applied to the VLF amplitude. The use of the VLF technique was validated comparing the wave period and duration properties of one GW event observed simultaneously with a co-located airglow all-sky imager both operating at EACF. The statistical analysis of the wave periods detected using VLF technique for 2007 showed that the GW events occur almost all nights, with a higher frequency per month from March to October. The predominant wave periods are more frequent between 10 and 15 min occurring preferentially during the equinoxes, but there are some events with periods higher than 60 min appearing only in the solstices (January and July). These results show that VLF technique is a powerful tool to obtain the wave period and duration of GW events in the low ionosphere, with the advantage to be independent of sky conditions, and can be used during daytime and year-round.

scholarly journals Low-frequency ionospheric sounding with Narrow Bipolar Event lightning radio emissions: regular variabilities and solar-X-ray responses

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (10) ◽  
pp. 2175-2184 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Jacobson ◽  
R. Holzworth ◽  
E. Lay ◽  
M. Heavner ◽  
D. A. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Noise Level ◽  
Radio Pulse ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Radio Propagation ◽  
Occurrence Rate ◽  
Radio Emissions ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Height Determination ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
D Region

Abstract. We present refinements of a method of ionospheric D-region sounding that makes opportunistic use of powerful (109–1011 W) broadband lightning radio emissions in the low-frequency (LF; 30–300 kHz) band. Such emissions are from "Narrow Bipolar Event" (NBE) lightning, and they are characterized by a narrow (10-μs), simple emission waveform. These pulses can be used to perform time-delay reflectometry (or "sounding") of the D-region underside, at an effective LF radiated power exceeding by orders-of-magnitude that from man-made sounders. We use this opportunistic sounder to retrieve instantaneous LF ionospheric-reflection height whenever a suitable lightning radio pulse from a located NBE is recorded. We show how to correct for three sources of "regular" variability, namely solar zenith angle, radio-propagation range, and radio-propagation azimuth. The residual median magnitude of the noise in reflection height, after applying the regression corrections for the three regular variabilities, is on the order of 1 km. This noise level allows us to retrieve the D-region-reflector-height variation with solar X-ray flux density for intensity levels at and above an M-1 flare. The instantaneous time response is limited by the occurrence rate of NBEs, and the noise level in the height determination is typically in the range ±1 km.

Comparison of Narrow Bipolar Events with Ordinary Lightning as Proxies for Severe Convection

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (5) ◽  
pp. 1144-1154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abram R. Jacobson ◽  
Mathew J. Heavner
Keyword(s):  
Remote Sensing ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Cosmic Ray ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Discharge Process ◽  
Very High Frequency ◽  
Radio Emissions ◽  
Severe Convection ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Abstract Narrow bipolar events (NBEs) are a recently studied intracloud electrical-discharge process. It is speculated that an NBE is instigated by the extensive atmospheric shower of an energetic cosmic ray. NBEs cause significant relaxation of the charge separation within the electrified cloud in a short time, on the order of 10 μs. The current flow causes radiation of a distinctive “bipolar” low-frequency/very low frequency signal that can be recorded at locations on earth up to thousands of kilometers from the source. NBEs are preceded/accompanied by the most powerful very high frequency radio emissions seen in any kind of lightning. These intense pulsed radio emissions have been routinely detected with satellite-borne radio receivers in space. Owing to their easy detection and recognition, NBEs might be a useful remote sensing proxy for space-based global, near–real time remote sensing. However, in order for that potential to be realized, NBEs must be shown to be associated, as is ordinary lightning, with severe tropospheric convection, rather than to be just a curiosity of cosmic-ray–atmosphere interactions. This question is addressed with a detailed comparison of NBEs and ordinary lightning using a ground-based lightning-transient research facility that records signals from both ordinary lightning and NBEs, the Los Alamos Sferic-waveform Array (LASA), based in Florida. First, the data from LASA are internally compared to examine the relationship of NBEs and ordinary lightning in both position and time. Second, the relationship of both NBEs and ordinary lightning to simultaneous infrared cloud imagery is examined [from the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-East (GOES-East)] in order to infer the relative affinities of NBEs and ordinary lightning for cloud signatures that are consistent with severe convection.

scholarly journals Survey of electron density changes in the daytime ionosphere over the Arecibo observatory due to lightning and solar flares

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Caitano L. da Silva ◽  
Sophia D. Salazar ◽  
Christiano G. M. Brum ◽  
Pedrina Terra
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Optical Observations ◽  
Radio Waves ◽  
D Region ◽  
E Region ◽  
Arecibo Observatory

AbstractOptical observations of transient luminous events and remote-sensing of the lower ionosphere with low-frequency radio waves have demonstrated that thunderstorms and lightning can have substantial impacts in the nighttime ionospheric D region. However, it remains a challenge to quantify such effects in the daytime lower ionosphere. The wealth of electron density data acquired over the years by the Arecibo Observatory incoherent scatter radar (ISR) with high vertical spatial resolution (300-m in the present study), combined with its tropical location in a region of high lightning activity, indicate a potentially transformative pathway to address this issue. Through a systematic survey, we show that daytime sudden electron density changes registered by Arecibo’s ISR during thunderstorm times are on average different than the ones happening during fair weather conditions (driven by other external factors). These changes typically correspond to electron density depletions in the D and E region. The survey also shows that these disturbances are different than the ones associated with solar flares, which tend to have longer duration and most often correspond to an increase in the local electron density content.

scholarly journals Classification of X-ray solar flares regarding their effects on the lower ionosphere electron density profile

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 1731-1740 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. P. Grubor ◽  
D. M. Šulić ◽  
V. Žigman
Keyword(s):  
Electron Density ◽  
Solar Flares ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Lower Ionosphere ◽  
Electron Density Profile ◽  
Height Range ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Reflection Height ◽  
Single Trace

Abstract. The classification of X-ray solar flares is performed regarding their effects on the Very Low Frequency (VLF) wave propagation along the Earth-ionosphere waveguide. The changes in propagation are detected from an observed VLF signal phase and amplitude perturbations, taking place during X-ray solar flares. All flare effects chosen for the analysis are recorded by the Absolute Phase and Amplitude Logger (AbsPal), during the summer months of 2004–2007, on the single trace, Skelton (54.72 N, 2.88 W) to Belgrade (44.85 N, 20.38 E) with a distance along the Great Circle Path (GCP) D≈2000 km in length. The observed VLF amplitude and phase perturbations are simulated by the computer program Long-Wavelength Propagation Capability (LWPC), using Wait's model of the lower ionosphere, as determined by two parameters: the sharpness (β in 1/km) and reflection height (H' in km). By varying the values of β and H' so as to match the observed amplitude and phase perturbations, the variation of the D-region electron density height profile Ne(z) was reconstructed, throughout flare duration. The procedure is illustrated as applied to a series of flares, from class C to M5 (5×10−5 W/m2 at 0.1–0.8 nm), each giving rise to a different time development of signal perturbation. The corresponding change in electron density from the unperturbed value at the unperturbed reflection height, i.e. Ne(74 km)=2.16×108 m−3 to the value induced by an M5 class flare, up to Ne(74 km)=4×1010 m−3 is obtained. The β parameter is found to range from 0.30–0.49 1/km and the reflection height H' to vary from 74–63 km. The changes in Ne(z) during the flares, within height range z=60 to 90 km are determined, as well.

The relationship of low-frequency deep variability near the HEBBLE site to Gulf Stream fluctuations

1991 ◽  
Vol 99 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 303-317 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth B Welsh ◽  
Nelson G Hogg ◽  
Ross M Hendry
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Stream ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Reliance on Visual Imagery and its Relation to Mental Rotation

1997 ◽  
Vol 85 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doris C. Weatherly ◽  
Steven E. Ball ◽  
James R. Stacks
Keyword(s):  
Mental Rotation ◽  
Response Latency ◽  
High Frequency ◽  
Visual Imagery ◽  
Learning Effect ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Computer Screen ◽  
The Right ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The relationship of habitual use of visual imagery and mental rotation was investigated. Reliance on Visual Imagery scores were used to define subjects as high frequency or low frequency visualizers. During the mental rotation task, subjects indicated if a pair of 2-dimensional stimulus figures displayed on a computer screen were identical or mirror-images. Figures on the right were rotated in relation to those on the left by 0, 60, 120, or 180°. Data supported the prediction that subjects who report high use of imagery would perform the task with greater accuracy ( z=1.97, p<.05) than subjects who reported low use. The imagery groups did not differ in response latency ( z = .91, p<.36). A comparison of performance on Trials 1 to 24 with performance on Trials 115-138 indicated a learning effect in both accuracy ( z = 7.58, p<.01) and latency ( z = 9.72, p<.01) for all subjects.

Harmonic and transient fields on the surface of a two‐layer medium

Geophysics ◽  
1979 ◽  
Vol 44 (7) ◽  
pp. 1208-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander A. Kaufman
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Vertical Axis ◽  
Fractional Powers ◽  
Circular Loop ◽  
Ore Body ◽  
Layer Medium ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Finite Extent ◽  
Depth Of Investigation

The article deals with the behavior of the quasi‐static electromagnetic (EM) fields created by currents in a two‐layer medium when the source is a vertical axis circular loop. This analysis is of use for determining the depth of investigation of induction methods in mining prospecting. The relationship of the active and reactive components of the field with the geoelectrical parameters is different, depending on the range of frequencies. Unlike the case of a confined body, the low‐frequency part of the spectrum is presented as a series made up of integral and fractional powers of frequency ω and also logarithmic terms of ω. The late stage of a transient process is described with a sum of terms, proportional to the inverse power of time t. These representations are useful for determining the host rock effect against which the signal from an ore body of finite extent must be detected.

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