Identification of rocket‐induced acoustic waves in the ionosphere. Issue 20 (21st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mabie, Justin; Bullett, Terence; Moore, Prentiss; Vieira, Gerald
• Is Part Of: Geophysical research letters. Volume 43:Issue 20(2016)
• Page Start: 11, 024
• Page End: 11, 029
• Publication Date: 2016-10-21
• Subjects: high‐altitude acoustic waves -- VIPIR -- HAAW -- ionosonde -- ionosphere -- thermosphere; Geophysics -- Periodicals; Planets -- Periodicals; Lunar geology -- Periodicals; 550
• DOI: 10.1002/2016GL070820
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0094-8276

Abstract

Abstract: Acoustic waves can create plasma disturbances in the ionosphere, but the number of observations is limited. Large‐amplitude acoustic waves generated by energetic sources like large earthquakes and tsunamis are more readily observed than acoustic waves generated by weaker sources. New observations of plasma displacements caused by rocket‐generated acoustic waves were made using the Vertically Incident Pulsed Ionospheric Radar (VIPIR), an advanced high‐frequency radar. Rocket‐induced acoustic waves which are characterized by low amplitudes relative to those induced by more energetic sources can be detected in the ionosphere using the phase data from fixed frequency radar observations of a plasma layer. This work is important for increasing the number and quality of observations of acoustic waves in the ionosphere and could help improve the understanding of energy transport from the lower atmosphere to the thermosphere. Key Points: When a source is known, acoustic waves can be reliably detected in the ionosphere using a VIPIR ionosonde A special operating mode was developed to detect acoustic waves in the ionosphere Automated programming of VIPIR ionosondes can provide high‐quality observations of ionospheric acoustic waves at multiple locations