Multifrequency techniques for studying interplanetary scintillations

Journal Article · Wed Oct 01 04:00:00 EDT 1975 · Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 1, pp. 238-248

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1086/153879· OSTI ID:4113233

Woo, R

Rytov's approximation or the method of smooth perturbations is utilized to derive the temporal frequency spectra of the amplitude and phase fluctuations of multifrequency plane and spherical waves propagating in the interplanetary medium and solar corona. It is shown that multifrequency observations of interplanetary scintillations using either compact radio stars or spacecraft radio signals are desirable because the correlation of the multifrequency waves yields additional independent measurements of the solar wind and turbulence. Measurements of phase fluctuations are also desirable because, unlike amplitude fluctuations, they provide information on the full range of scale sizes for the electron density fluctuations. It is shown that a coherent dual-frequency radio system is particularly useful in making such measurements. In addition to providing a means for interpreting observations of multifrequency interplanetary scintillations, the analysis is also essential for estimating the effects of solar corona turbulence on the communications and navigation of a spacecraft whose line-of-sight path passes close to the Sun. (AIP)

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• NSA Number: NSA-33-018145
• OSTI ID: 4113233
• Journal Information: Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 1, pp. 238-248, Journal Name: Astrophys. J., v. 201, no. 1, pp. 238-248; ISSN ASJOA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

*INTERPLANETARY SPACE-- WAVE PROPAGATION
640104* --Physics Research--Astrophysics & Cosmology--Solar Phenomena
ELECTRON DENSITY
N56400* --Physics (Astrophysics & Cosmology)--Solar Phenomena
SOLAR CORONA
SOLAR WIND
TURBULENCE
VARIATIONS