Map of low-frequency electromagnetic noise in the sky

作者:Fuellekrug Martin; Mezentsev Andrew; Watson Robert; Gaffet Stephane; Astin Ivan; Smith Nathan; Evans Adrian
来源:Geophysical Research Letters, 2015, 42(11): 4648-4653.
DOI:10.1002/2015GL064142

摘要

The Earth's natural electromagnetic environment is disturbed by anthropogenic electromagnetic noise. Here we report the first results from an electromagnetic noise survey of the sky. The locations of electromagnetic noise sources are mapped on the hemisphere above a distributed array of wideband receivers that operate in a small aperture configuration. It is found that the noise sources can be localized at elevation angles up to approximate to 60 degrees in the sky, well above the horizon. The sky also exhibits zones with little or no noise that are found toward the local zenith and the southwest of the array. These results are obtained by a rigorous analysis of the residuals from the classic dispersion relation for electromagnetic waves using an array analysis of electric field measurements in the frequency range from approximate to 20 to 250kHz. The observed locations of the noise sources enable detailed observations of ionospheric modification, for example, caused by particle precipitation and lightning discharges, while the observed exclusion zones enable the detection of weak natural electromagnetic emissions, for example, from streamers in transient luminous events above thunderclouds.

  • 出版日期2015-6-16