Properties of ELF electromagnetic waves in and above the earth's ionosphere deduced from plasma wave experiments on the OV1-17 and Ogo 6 satellites

Journal Article · Mon Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1975 · J. Geophys. Res., v. 80, no. 34, pp. 4603-4611

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/JA080i034p04603· OSTI ID:4036346

Kelley, M C; Tsurutani, B T; Mozer, F S

An analysis of ac electric field data obtained on board the OV1-17 satellite and ac magnetic field data obtained on board the Ogo 6 satellite has been made during the northern hemisphere spring and summer of 1969 with the purpose of studying extreme low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic waves above the earth's ionosphere. The results are in basic agreement with a number of previous ground-based and low-altitude satellite experiments in that the peak signal was observed at high latitudes outside the statistical location of the plasmapause on the day side of the earth, that ELF chorus was very often observed in conjunction with the steady ELF hiss emissions, that the winter hemisphere signal was considerably smaller than that observed in summer or in equinoctial months, and that the emission strength and region of occurrence are asymmetric about magnetic noon. Observations of such strong hiss signals outside the plasmasphere are somewhat surprising in light of Ogo 3 and Ogo 5 measurements which show steady ELF hiss to be closely confined to the plasmasphere at high altitudes during normal circumstances. The present study supports the hypothesis that hiss leaks out of the plasmasphere and refracts downward into the lower ionosphere; such a model predicts the observed summer-winter asymmetry and the poleward skewing of the ELF peak signal strength with decreasing altitude. (AIP)

• Research Organization: School of Electrical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14850
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-024218
• OSTI ID: 4036346
• Journal Information: J. Geophys. Res., v. 80, no. 34, pp. 4603-4611, Journal Name: J. Geophys. Res., v. 80, no. 34, pp. 4603-4611; ISSN JGREA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*IONOSPHERE-- ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
640201* --Physics Research--Atmospheric Physics--Auroral & Ionospheric Phenomena
MAGNETIC FIELDS
N58100* --Physics (Atmospheric)--Auroral & Ionospheric Phenomena
PLASMA WAVES
PLASMASPHERE
SATELLITES
SEASONAL VARIATIONS
SIGNALS
WAVE PROPAGATION