If you live in and around Gulkana, Alaska, and have recently seen an eerie light in the sky, don’t worry. They were all part of a science experiment. Early this week, researchers at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and several other US institutions have created artificial auroras by sending radio pulses into the Earth’s ionosphere using ground-based HAARP (High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program) transmitters. is created. The frequency of these transmissions was between 2.8 MHz and 10 MHz.
these The transmitter acts as a heater It excites gases in the upper atmosphere. When the gases are “de-excited,” airglow is produced between 120 and 150 miles above Earth’s surface. Announcement regarding the project Published by the HAARP team. This is similar to how charged particles from the sun interact with gases in the upper atmosphere to create natural auroras. Charged particles are guided by the Earth’s magnetic field to the north and south poles, forming the northern and southern auroras. Compared to those light displays, artificial auroras are much weaker.
So why did the researchers do this? Studying this artificial airglow may provide insight into what happens when real auroral light appears. not.
If you noticed a faint red or green spot over Alaska between November 4th and November 8th, there’s a good chance you witnessed an experiment in progress. HAARP also states: FAQ These ionospheric heating experiments were found to have no detectable impact on the environment for as little as 10 minutes.
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Additionally, the team also wants to understand how these superheated gases in the ionosphere interact. Insight into these dynamics has the potential to inform collision detection and avoidance capabilities in satellite systems. Gathering more information about auroras and other upper atmospheric phenomena helps scientists understand what causes them. weather Particles from space are interacting with Earth’s surrounding environment, and we also explain how energy is transferred during these events.
Disturbing the ionosphere is not the only way to study auroras.Launching fire a rocket into the ionosphereAnother popular approach is to sit at the edge of space.
goal of harp It is the study of the physical and electrical properties of the Earth’s ionosphere that are relevant to surveillance, military and civilian communications, radar and navigation systems. In addition to auroral research, HAARP has used its antenna array for: Peek inside a passing asteroidobserve and act on solar storms Other tests related to astrophysics. The team’s ambitions extend beyond Earth to the Moon and Jupiter.
HAARP is interesting history. Despite conducting serious science, controversy and intrigue arose around the program’s mysterious antenna region around 2014; operated by the US militaryencourage scientists to host open house Ask the public to explain what their technology can and cannot do.Despite changes, the image problem remains with ownership For many years.
