HIPAS Observatory

HIPAS Observatory

HIPAS Observatory
Alternative namesHIPAS Edit this at Wikidata
OrganizationUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks
LocationFairbanks, Alaska, United States
Coordinates64°52′19″N 146°50′31″W / 64.8719°N 146.842°W / 64.8719; -146.842
Altitude610 m (2,000 ft)
Established1980s
Closed2009
Telescopes
High Power Auroral Stimulation
1 MW RF transmitter (operating at 2.85 MHz)
HIPAS Observatory is located in Alaska
HIPAS Observatory
HIPAS Observatory
Location within Alaska
Map
 Wikimedia Commons logo Related media on Commons
Electrical applications in the observatory shortly after closure
Interior, shortly after closure

The HIPAS (HIgh Power Auroral Stimulation) Observatory was a research facility, built to study the ionosphere and its influence on radio communications. It was located 25 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Fairbanks North Star Borough area.[1]

It was operated by the UCLA plasma physics laboratory from 1986 through 2007. A unique capability at that time, it could radiate 70 MW ERP at either 2.85 MHz or 4.53 MHz. These frequencies are close to a multiple of 2 and 3 of the electron gyro-frequency at ionospheric altitudes. Sending a pulse of HF-radio waves upward could accelerate the electrons in the ionosphere. Somewhat like waves on the ocean, the character of the ionosphere could be inferred from the backscatter signal. Other experiments attempted to combine RF and visible excitation where the latter probed metal ions such as sodium.

The HIPAS facility also used a LIDAR (LIght Detection and Ranging) instrument. Other projects included:

The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is a similar facility funded jointly by the US Air Force and US Navy.

The HIPAS facility was shut down and much of the equipment sold as surplus in the spring of 2010.[2][3]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Home Page". www.hipas.alaska.edu. Archived from the original on 6 June 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  2. ^ "Philosophy of Science Portal: HIPAS Observatory closed". December 14, 2009.
  3. ^ "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - HIPAS Observatory auction a treasure trove of technology throwbacks quirky equipment". April 9, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012.

Content Disclaimer

Informasi ini disarikan dari Wikipedia dan disajikan kembali untuk tujuan edukasi. Konten tersedia di bawah lisensi CC BY-SA 3.0. Kami tidak bertanggung jawab atas ketidakakuratan data yang bersumber dari kontribusi publik tersebut.

  1. The information displayed on this website is sourced in part or in whole from Wikipedia and has been adapted for the purpose of restating it. We strive to provide accurate and relevant information, however:
  2. There is no guarantee of absolute accuracy. Wikipedia is an open, collaborative project that can be edited by anyone, so information is subject to change.
  3. It is not intended to constitute professional advice. The content displayed is for informational and educational purposes only. For important decisions (e.g., medical, legal, or financial), please consult a professional.
  4. Content copyright. Wikipedia is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License (CC BY-SA). This means that content may be reused with appropriate attribution and shared under a similar license.
  5. Responsible use. Any risk arising from the use of information from this website is entirely the responsibility of the user.