Observed propagation route of VLF transmitter signals in the magnetosphere

Zhang, Zhenxia; Chen, Lunjin; Li, Xinqiao; Xia, Zhiyang; Heelis, Roderick A.; Horne, Richard B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0412-6407. 2018 Observed propagation route of VLF transmitter signals in the magnetosphere. Journal of Geophysical Research: Space Physics, 123 (7). 5528-5537. https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025637

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025637

Abstract/Summary

Signals of powerful ground transmitters at various places have been detected by satellites in near‐Earth space. The study on propagation mode, ducted or nonducted, has attracted much attentions for several decades. Based on the statistical results from Van Allen Probes (data from October 2012 to March 2017) and DEMETER satellite (from January 2006 to December 2007), we present the ground transmitter signals distributed clearly in ionosphere and magnetosphere. The observed propagation route in the meridian plane in the magnetosphere for each of various transmitters from the combination of DEMETER and Van Allen Probes data in nighttime is revealed for the first time. We use realistic ray tracing simulation and compare simulation results against Van Allen Probes and DEMETER observation. By comparison we demonstrate that the observed propagation route, with partial deviation from the field lines corresponding to ground stations, provides direct and clear statistical evidence that the nonducted propagation mode plays a main role, although with partial contribution from ducted propagation. The propagation characteristics of VLF transmitter signals in the magnetosphere are critical for quantitatively assessing their contribution to energetic electron loss in radiation belts.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025637
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Space Weather and Atmosphere
ISSN:	21699380
Additional Keywords:	VLF transmitter, in magnetosphere ducted propagation, nonducted propagation
Date made live:	11 Sep 2018 08:02 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/520892

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JA025637

Programmes:

BAS Programmes > BAS Programmes 2015 > Space Weather and Atmosphere

ISSN:

21699380

Additional Keywords:

VLF transmitter, in magnetosphere ducted propagation, nonducted propagation

Date made live:

11 Sep 2018 08:02 +0 (UTC)