Articles tagged with Ionosphere
In 2009, the Poker Flat Research Range will host eight National Aeronautics and Space Administration sounding rockets. Two separate missions, ISIS and ACES, will be launched during two launch windows, with the first window opening on January 10.
NASA instruments have observed the boundary between the Earth's upper atmosphere and space has moved to extraordinarily low altitudes, with measurements taken by the Coupled Ion Neutral Dynamics Investigation (CINDI) instrument suite on an Air Force satellite.
Undergraduate and graduate students from the University of Michigan will design and build a small CubeSat satellite, called Radio Aurora Explorer (RAX), to measure ionosphere energy flow. The mission aims to understand space weather processes, which can affect GPS signals and other space communication systems.
New research clarifies the effects of disruptive clouds of electrons on GPS signals, leading to reduced accuracy and reliability. The study's findings have potential applications for marine users and land-based GPS equipment.
The '4D' ionosphere map provides a real-time, three-dimensional view of the ionosphere, allowing users to plan flights over the poles and predict potential radio blackouts. The tool uses satellite data to forecast changes in electron density and warn users of impending weather conditions.
SHIMMER is the first satellite-based instrument using spatial heterodyne spectroscopy to image the Earth's atmosphere and track altitude profiles of the hydroxyl radical. CITRIS will detect scintillation and refraction in the ionosphere, providing global maps of ionospheric densities and irregularities to improve navigation systems.
A colossal gamma-ray flare from magnetar SGR 1806-20 has profoundly disturbed the Earth's daytime ionosphere. Scientists detected this massive effect using VLF radio waves, which enable them to monitor ionospheric responses to lightning discharges and cosmic events.
Researchers discovered a link between GPS data and satellite images of the plasmasphere, allowing them to understand the ionosphere-thermosphere-magnetosphere as a coupled system. The study provides a new understanding of space storms and their impact on Earth's upper atmosphere.
MARSIS reveals a 'lumpy' ionosphere on Mars with unexpected bumps related to strong magnetic fields, providing insights into the planet's subsurface. The discovery sheds light on what happened to water that likely carved deep canyons on Mars.
The National Science Board has awarded Cornell University a $70 million contract to manage the Arecibo Observatory until March 31, 2010. This renewal will enable further scientific research capabilities at the observatory, with plans to develop new instruments and expand user access.
The Imager of Sprites and Upper Atmospheric Lightning (ISUAL) instrument has captured unique images of sprites, jets, and elves in the upper atmosphere. The images show red sprites, blue jets, and elves, which are caused by lightning discharges into the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.
A massive solar flare of X45 was detected on November 4, 2003, exceeding previous largest flares by a factor of two. The team used radio wave-based measurements to revise the flare's size, finding it equivalent to 5,000 Suns in x-ray radiation.
Scientists are developing a new space weather model that can mimic solar explosions, auroras, and geomagnetic storms. The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) will provide a computer model of Earth's upper atmosphere to aid the effort.
Researchers have captured an unusual sprite-like blue jet over Puerto Rico, exhibiting characteristics of both blue jets and sprites. The event's unique features include a branching conical shape and hot spots, which are similar to those seen in computer models but not fully explained.
The Dawgstar nanosatellite will conduct scientific research on the Earth's ionosphere and perform precision formation flying experiments with two companion satellites. Students played a primary role in designing and building the compact piece of space hardware, gaining hands-on experience for future space endeavors.
A new map of Mars' ionosphere reveals strong localized magnetic fields as a significant barrier to atmospheric erosion by the solar wind. The findings suggest that these crustal fields played an important role in the past evolution of Mars' atmosphere and could have protected it from being stripped away.
A powerful gamma-ray and X-ray burst from a distant star caused significant changes in Earth's upper atmosphere, leading to increased ionization levels and reduced radio signal range. The event has implications for our understanding of the ionosphere and its interactions with external energy sources.