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The Lower Ionospheric VLF/LF Response to the 2017 Great American Solar Eclipse Observed Across the Continent
Author(s) -
Cohen M. B.,
Gross N. C.,
HigginsonRollins M. A.,
Marshall R. A.,
Gołkowski M.,
Liles W.,
Rodriguez D.,
Rockway J.
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2018gl077351
Subject(s) - ionosphere , beacon , solar eclipse , very low frequency , transmitter , eclipse , attenuation , geology , low frequency , physics , remote sensing , astronomy , telecommunications , optics , channel (broadcasting) , computer science
We present observations from 11 very low frequency (VLF)/low‐frequency (LF) receivers across the continental United States during the 21 August 2017 “Great American Solar Eclipse.” All receivers detected transmissions from VLF/LF beacons below 50 kHz, while seven also recorded LF beacons above 50 kHz, yielding dozens of individual transmitter‐receiver radio links. Our observations show two separable superimposed signatures: (1) a gradual rise and fall in signal levels visible on almost all paths as the eclipse advances and then declines, as VLF attenuation is reduced by the changing ionosphere under an eclipsed Sun, and (2) direct reflective scattering off the narrow 100‐km‐wide totality spot, observed more uniquely when the transmitter or receiver, if not both, are relatively close to the totality spot.