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The feasibility of radio sounding in the magnetosphere
Author(s) -
Calvert W.,
Benson R. F.,
Carpenter D. L.,
Fung S. F.,
Gallagher D. L.,
Green J. L.,
Haines D. M.,
Reiff P. H.,
Reinisch B. W.,
Smith M. F.,
Taylor W. W. L.
Publication year - 1995
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 - 10.1029/95rs01731
Subject(s) - plasmasphere , transmitter , depth sounding , magnetosphere , magnetopause , physics , remote sensing , geology , telecommunications , computer science , plasma , channel (broadcasting) , oceanography , quantum mechanics
A radio sounder outside the plasmasphere could provide nearly continuous remote density measurements of the magnetopause and plasmasphere, as well as other important density features elsewhere in this region. Using digital integration and tuned reception at frequencies from a few kilohertz to a few megahertz with 400‐m to 500‐m tip‐to‐tip dipole antennas and 10 W transmitter power, such a sounder would be capable of 10% density resolution and 500 to 1300 km spatial resolution in only a few minutes at distances of up to 4 R E . By providing such detailed observations of its principal density structures, such a sounder would then clearly revolutionize magnetospheric research.