Radio Properties of the Auroral Ionosphere

Abstract

This report, prepared during May 1958, summarizes the analysis of over twelve months of amplitude and angular scintillation data obtained using phase-switch interferometers at 223 Mc and 456 Mc on the Cygnus and Cassiopeia radio sources. The main parameters of the equipment used are first discussed. The method of scaling the records, involving the arbitrary division of the records into four (456 Mc) or six (223 Mc) levels of activity is then described. The probability distributions of the amplitude variations, as derived using a phase-sweep interferometer, are given for the main levels of scintillation activity at 223 Mc. Values of mean fractional deviation of power, -A.P. } for the main levels of activity at 223 Mc are also given. Preliminary probability distributions of angular deviation, and values of mean angular deviation, are also given for the different levels of activity at 223 Mc. The solar-time dependence and sidereal-time (elevation angle) dependence of the scintillation activity are presented arid c6mpared with similar data from temperate latitudes. The report concludes with a section in which a recent theory of radio star scintillations^ is modified to include the effect of an elongation of the irregularities along the earth's magnetic lines of force.