Abstract
IN recent years, there have been reports1–4 of sporadic radio-frequency radiation associated usually with auroral activity. However, it has always been difficult to establish an unambiguous identification because similar effects could be caused by man-made noise or interference. The special programme initiated at Jodrell Bank in October 1958 to study these unusual radiations provided a high degree of flexibility by using five separate total-power receivers, all on slightly different frequencies near 80 Mc./s., to monitor continuously various sectors of the sky. At present, two of the aerials are directed at 30° elevation above the northern horizon, one is directed at the zenith, one at 30° above the southern horizon and the other is rotated continuously so that Cassiopeia 23N5A is always in the beam. Three of the equipments are at Jodrell Bank and the others are on individual sites about 1 km. away. This experimental arrangement allows easy discrimination against localized interference at any one site, and against distant narrow-band radio signals.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Appleton, E. V., and Hey, J. S., Phil. Mag., 37, 73 (1946).
Covington, A. E., Terr. Mag., 52, 339 (1947).
Hartz, T. R., Reid, G. C., and Vogen, E. L., Canad. J. Phys., 34, 728 (1956).
Hartz, T. R., Canad. J. Phys., 36, 677 (1958).
Chivers, H. J. A., and Wells, H. W., J. Atmos. Terr. Phys. (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
CHIVERS, H., WELLS, H. A New Ionospheric Phenomenon. Nature 183, 1178 (1959). https://doi.org/10.1038/1831178a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/1831178a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.