HIPAS Observatory: Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Research facility}} | {{Short description|Research facility}} | ||
{{Use American English|date=July 2025}} | |||
{{Infobox observatory | |||
| name = HIPAS Observatory | |||
| image = <!-- Add image file name if available --> | |||
| caption = | |||
| organization = [[University of Alaska Fairbanks]] | |||
| location = [[Fairbanks]], [[Alaska]], United States | |||
| locmapin = Alaska | |||
| altitude = 610 m (2,000 ft) | |||
| established = 1980s | |||
| closed = 2009 | |||
| website = <!-- No official website listed --> | |||
| telescope1_name = High Power Auroral Stimulation | |||
| telescope1_type = 1 MW RF transmitter (operating at 2.85 MHz) | |||
}} | |||
[[File:HIPAS Observatory April 2010 11.jpg|thumb|right|Electrical applications in the observatory shortly after closure]] | [[File:HIPAS Observatory April 2010 11.jpg|thumb|right|Electrical applications in the observatory shortly after closure]] | ||
[[File:HIPAS Observatory April 2010 14.jpg|thumb|right|Interior, shortly after closure]] | [[File:HIPAS Observatory April 2010 14.jpg|thumb|right|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, Alaska|Fairbanks North Star Borough]] area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hipas.alaska.edu/ |title=Home Page |website=www.hipas.alaska.edu |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606154036/http://www.hipas.alaska.edu/ |archive-date=6 June 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | 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, Alaska|Fairbanks North Star Borough]] area.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hipas.alaska.edu/ |title=Home Page |website=www.hipas.alaska.edu |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040606154036/http://www.hipas.alaska.edu/ |archive-date=6 June 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | ||
It was operated by the [[UCLA]] [[plasma physics]] laboratory from 1986 through 2007. A unique capability at that time, it could radiate 70 MW [[Effective radiated power|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]]. | It was operated by the [[UCLA]] [[plasma physics]] laboratory from 1986 through 2007. A unique capability at that time, it could radiate 70 MW [[Effective radiated power|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|LIDAR]] (LIght Detection | The HIPAS facility also used a [[Lidar|LIDAR]] (LIght Detection and Ranging) instrument. Other projects included: | ||
* A [[plasma torch]] | * A [[plasma torch]] used for experiments in [[hazardous waste]] disposal | ||
* A 2.8-meter [[liquid-mirror telescope]], which uses a spinning bowl of [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] to form the mirror, used for [[laser]] experiments | * A 2.8-meter [[liquid-mirror telescope]], which uses a spinning bowl of [[Mercury (element)|mercury]] to form the mirror, used for [[laser]] experiments | ||
* An array of [[Antenna (electronics)|antennae]] | * An array of [[Antenna (electronics)|antennae]] used for exciting the ionosphere | ||
The [[High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program]] (HAARP) is a similar facility funded jointly by the [[US Air Force]] and [[US Navy]]. | 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 | The HIPAS facility was shut down and much of the equipment sold as surplus in the spring of 2010.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://philosophyofscienceportal.blogspot.com/2009/12/hipas-observatory-closed.html|title=Philosophy of Science Portal: HIPAS Observatory closed|date=December 14, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/6804742/article-HIPAS-Observatory-auction-a-treasure-trove-of-technology-throwbacks--quirky-equipment-|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120409060308/http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story/6804742/article-HIPAS-Observatory-auction-a-treasure-trove-of-technology-throwbacks--quirky-equipment-|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 9, 2012|title=Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - HIPAS Observatory auction a treasure trove of technology throwbacks quirky equipment|date=April 9, 2012}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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{{Portal bar|Alaska|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}} | {{Portal bar|Alaska|Astronomy|Stars|Spaceflight|Outer space|Solar System|Education|Science}} | ||
[[Category:Astronomical observatories in Alaska]] | [[Category:Astronomical observatories in Alaska]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:12, 14 August 2025
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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:
- A plasma torch used for experiments in hazardous waste disposal
- A 2.8-meter liquid-mirror telescope, which uses a spinning bowl of mercury to form the mirror, used for laser experiments
- An array of antennae used for exciting the ionosphere
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
- Other Alaskan astronomical research stations: HAARP, Poker Flat Research Range
- List of observatories
References
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External links
- UCLA HIPAS Observatory
- UCLA Department of Physics & Astronomy Script error: No such module "webarchive".