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Synoptic Data From the ORBIS Experiment
Author(s) -
Mullen J. P.,
Allen R. S.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
radio science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.371
H-Index - 84
eISSN - 1944-799X
pISSN - 0048-6604
DOI - 10.1002/rds19661101225
Subject(s) - midnight , satellite , sunrise , ionosphere , sunset , southern hemisphere , meteorology , range (aeronautics) , northern hemisphere , environmental science , climatology , geography , geology , astronomy , physics , materials science , composite material
A 10‐Mc/s beacon, the Orbital Radio Beacon Ionospheric Satellite (ORBIS) was launched on 18 November 1964, and was observed at many locations throughout the world. Temporal effects noted at the AFCRL observatories in Mass. include (a) extremely long‐range propagation observed from the northwest near and after local sunrise, the signals cutting off as the satellite passed below the horizon to the south. (b) during the post‐midnight hours long range propagation observed beyond‐the‐horizon from the south. Similar effects were noted also in the U.S.A. at Urbana, Ill. and St. Louis, Mo. Data taken by members of the Joint Satellite Studies Group in Europe showed general agreement with the U.S.A. overhead observations, but because of high local interference little long‐range propagation was noted. The southern and equatorial regions appeared far more favorable to long‐range propagation, especially for signals propagated from the Northern Hemisphere during the midnight hours.