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Alaska Gets 'Artificial Aurora' As HAARP Antenna Array Listens Again (hackaday.com)

Posted by EditorDavid on from the Alaskan-antennas dept.

Freshly Exhumed quotes Hackaday: The famous HAARP antenna array is to be brought back into service for experiments by the University of Alaska. Built in the 1990s for the US Air Force's High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program, the array is a 40-acre site containing a phased array of 180 high-frequency antennas and their associated high-power transmitters. Its purpose is to conduct research on charged particles in the upper atmosphere, but that hasn't stopped an array of bizarre conspiracy theories.
A university space physics researcher will actually create an artificial aurora starting Sunday (and continuing through Wednesday) to study how yjr atmosphere affects satellite-to-ground communications, and "observers throughout Alaska will have an opportunity to photograph the phenomenon," according to the University. "Under the right conditions, people can also listen to HAARP radio transmissions from virtually anywhere in the world using an inexpensive shortwave radio."

69 comments

  1. also.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson will be there to film an X-Files episode.

    1. Re: also.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I tell you, Duchovny and Anderson are BRAINWASHED into working for the FAKE show that distracts you! It's a cover-up. Ask Sarah Palin! SAD!

    2. Re: also.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Informative

      is that you Donald?

    3. Re: also.. by BeauSD · · Score: 0

      I dont get the reference........... ....._..... ................ Who is Sarah Palin?

      -Beau

  2. Basic Physics by JBMcB · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It seems most conspiracy theories of this sort involve a lack of understanding of basic physics. Usually it involves assuming that, because light and sound and radio energy all travel in waves that they all behave the same. I see the term "frequencies" thrown around a lot, even when describing non-oscillating direct current circuits and static electricity.

    --
    My Other Computer Is A Data General Nova III.
    1. Re:Basic Physics by religionofpeas · · Score: 2

      It seems most conspiracy theories of this sort involve a lack of understanding of basic physics.

      Indeed. Same applies to 9/11 conspiracy theories involving the physics of the planes and buildings.

    2. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You were my brother, Anakin. I loved you

    3. Re:Basic Physics by gtall · · Score: 1

      I think you are giving the 9/11 conspiracy "theorists" too much credit, "theories" come from people and they do not spring forth from a vacuum. The general idea seems to be that one can generate a new "theory" by denying what the scientists and engineers say. There's not much thought that goes into it, it isn't as though they are confusing science and/or engineering. It is that thought at that level is beyond their interests. They are merely using the interwebs to create a personae for themselves that they are unable to obtain through honest hard intellectual work. The interwebs shows them a way get notoriety, they've seen others do it, and, having no other claim to fame, they decide to invent one just for themselves.

    4. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

      It seems most conspiracy theories of this sort involve a lack of understanding of basic physics.

      Yes, uncertainty can lead to fear.

      Not surprising at all considering Nicola Telsa claimed he caused an earthquake using this device.

      If you believe that, then it doesn't take a giant leap to believe that HAARP's oscillations could produce similar effects.

    5. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      "I see the term "frequencies" thrown around a lot, even when describing non-oscillating direct current circuits and static electricity."

      Yes, there's no frequencies when DC is turned on or off, and the super fast spike of an ESD discharge also has no frequencies... eyeroll

    6. Re: Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I remember reading something fairly recently which said the entire thing was basically a scam. Even ignoring all the conspiracy wackjob theories about it.

    7. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Cool theory, brah.

    8. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Obvious troll is obvious.

    9. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      There really is no such thing as DC. It's impossible outside of imaginary paper land. The a regulated power supply of a small microcontroller is in a battle to deliver enough current on demand. You can listen to the generated EMF frequencies on the power rail to figure out what the microcontroller is trying to do. Even a simple LED circuit has fluctuations based on temperature that you can track.

    10. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      As far as these conspiracies go, along with the usual alphabet soup of three-letter agencies, I think a lot of LSD is involved.

    11. Re:Basic Physics by Gravis+Zero · · Score: 1

      It seems most conspiracy theories of this sort involve a lack of understanding of basic physics.

      Since when did electromagnetic waves fall under "basic physics"? Certainly there is an area somewhere between basic and advanced physics.

      --
      Anons need not reply. Questions end with a question mark.
    12. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      > Since when did electromagnetic waves fall under "basic physics"?

      Here you go. Page 194:

      https://books.google.com/books?isbn=0471134473

    13. Re:Basic Physics by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Learn to use Google instead of posting useless memes. Brah.

    14. Re:Basic Physics by hey! · · Score: 1

      Or, perhaps, your own understanding of physics is bullshit because, well. Physics is bullshit. And this is why physics hasn't accomplished anything significant since the atom bomb. It's mental masturbation.

      Well here's some things physicists have done after the bomb that I thought of off the top of my head: Lasers (and laser-related stuff like laser spectroscopy), Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Holograms, atomic clocks, high temperature superconductors, tunnel diode, scanning tunneling electron microscope, atomic force microscope, stochastic resonance, charged coupled devices... All kinds of stuff that maybe isn't as high profile as the atomic bomb, but are essential to things you take for granted, like flash memory and liquid crystal displays in your electronics or the Hall effect sensors in your anti-lock brakes.

      In any case, leaving aside the obvious hooey , if physics were mental masturbation then anyone could do it. It's the fact that so few can do it that makes so many people see it as a pointless and trivial exercise.

      --
      Post may contain irony: discontinue use if experiencing mood swings, nausea or elevated blood pressure.
    15. Re:Basic Physics by hlavac · · Score: 2

      Is 0 Hz not a frequency? :)

  3. yjr atmosphere? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    "yjr" is one keyboard position to the right of "the".

    1. Re:yjr atmosphere? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      conspiracy confirmed. one position left from HAARP is JSST[ which means

    2. Re: yjr atmosphere? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your cloud been rite!

    3. Re:yjr atmosphere? by arglebargle_xiv · · Score: 1

      Naah, they've just mistyped mjolnyjr.

    4. Re:yjr atmosphere? by slashrio · · Score: 1

      Thanks for pointing that out. I thought he/she meant 'our'.

      --
      "Trump!!", the new Godwin.
  4. You guys! by r1348 · · Score: 1

    Brace for earthquakes!

    1. Re:You guys! by rasmusbr · · Score: 2

      Brace for earthquakes!

      I predict there will be dozens of earthquakes recorded worldwide on each day that they experiment with HAARP.

  5. "yjr atmosphere" by neglogic · · Score: 3, Informative

    "yjr atmosphere" How does this get posted? I mean, "yjr" isn't even a word, even the browser spell checker flags that. Pitiful.

    1. Re:"yjr atmosphere" by Athanasius · · Score: 3, Informative

      Look at a QWERTY keyboard, shift each of those letters one to their left.

    2. Re:"yjr atmosphere" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Still doesn't explain how it gets posted like yjsy.

    3. Re: "yjr atmosphere" by negRo_slim · · Score: 1

      Edge doesn't have a built in spell checker :(

      --
      On the Oregon Cost born and raised, On the beach is where I spent most of my days
    4. Re:"yjr atmosphere" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Slashdot working as a gomr tuned machine

    5. Re: "yjr atmosphere" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If we're relying on Microsoft brand spell checkers then we've already lost.

    6. Re:"yjr atmosphere" by sootman · · Score: 2

      Came here to say this. It'd be *really* embarrassing if the error went unnoticed and was still there a day later. Oh, wait...

      --
      Dear Slashdot: next time you want to mess with the site, add a rich-text editor for comments.
  6. A VLF maser? by ka9dgx · · Score: 2

    Right there, in the Wikipedia page for the project, in list of main scientific findings (#3), is that it can be used to generate ELF (extremely low frequency) signals in the range of 0.1 Hz by modulating conductivity of the ionosphere to the already present DC flow from the solar wind. I once did the math, and concluded that this would result in turning the ionosphere into the VLF equivalent of a MASER, and the power flow there is on the order of a Terawatt (if I recall correctly). ..I believe this is what Tesla was attempting to do with his huge transmitter at Wardenclyffe.. A few megawatts could generate about a gigawatt of VLF if done right.

    Converting that VLF back to usable power, on the other hand... I have no idea how that would happen.

    1. Re:A VLF maser? by jasnw · · Score: 3, Informative

      And this is how the tin-foil-hat crowd gets its facts, from vague recollections of things that aren't really pertinent to the situation. The VLF signals generated by HAARP during various experiments were of such low power that you needed really sensitive receivers and some signals-processing skills to detect them. At no point was anything remotely close to a Terawatt of power generated.

    2. Re: A VLF maser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Back in 1989, the solar flare was enough to do something to the atmosphere to allow Norwegian radio stations to be heard in Scotland. Either that or it was aliens - they did keep repeating the word "energy".

    3. Re: A VLF maser? by nitehawk214 · · Score: 1

      Megawatts could generate terawatts, eh?

      Will a tinfoil hat block them?

      --
      I'm a good cook. I'm a fantastic eater. - Steven Brust
    4. Re: A VLF maser? by ka9dgx · · Score: 1

      No, megawatts of VHF could be used to modulate the conductivity of the ionosphere. If only 0.1% modulation can take place, you've gotten a Gigawatt of VLF for a few megawatts input.

      No tin foil hat required.

    5. Re: A VLF maser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      If you think there's no energy in the ionosphere then yeah, you're totally right. Put the hat away :)

    6. Re:A VLF maser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      And this is how pseudo-intellectual self-proclaimed skeptics go around belittling those who speak out of curiosity, even though no proper explanation is ever given (because the pseudointellectual is not remotely capable of providing one).

      Put enough of them in charge and you've got an entire nation of uneducated chimpanzees.

    7. Re:A VLF maser? by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 2

      Speaking out of curiosity isn't enough. You must speak from knowledge. This is generally achieved through a great deal of work and some experimentation.

      It's really obvious when you don't have it.

      --
      Bruce Perens.
    8. Re: A VLF maser? by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1

      Say you did have "energy" somehow sitting around in the ionosphere? Why would it be there? It would have to be in a reflective and insulating medium. What would happen if you made that medium more conductive? The energy would turn into heat.

      --
      Bruce Perens.
    9. Re: A VLF maser? by ka9dgx · · Score: 1

      The solar wind results in a large flux of DC current, which could be modulated with help from HAARP's VHF... as they have done already. It wouldn't all get dissipated as heat.

    10. Re: A VLF maser? by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1

      If all of that energy is there, why don't we see auroras all of the time?

      --
      Bruce Perens.
    11. Re:A VLF maser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Put enough of them in charge and you've got an entire nation of uneducated chimpanzees."
       
      ... who are afraid of the protective tin-foil hats.

    12. Re: A VLF maser? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Magnets

    13. Re: A VLF maser? by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1

      Yoi're actually right, the earth's magnetic field is what keeps that stuff in the Van Allen belts, where the ionosphere, sorry, can't effect it.

      --
      Bruce Perens.
    14. Re:A VLF maser? by beastofburdon · · Score: 0

      Which is why the ignorant like you often have small red dots beside their usernames.

    15. Re:A VLF maser? by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1

      Seeing those red dots is like a certain thing that is very smelly when it comes from other people does not smell at all when it comes from you!

      --
      Bruce Perens.
  7. HF radio... by msauve · · Score: 5, Informative
    It you want to try to listen to the radio broadcast mentioned, here's the info:

    HAARP will transmit a sequence of tones and music using amplitude modulation (AM) on two different radio frequencies (2.7 MHz and 3.3 MHz) in a sort of reproduction of this so-called Luxembourg Effect. If conditions are sufficient and you tune-in to one frequency or the other, you will hear tones and music from both frequencies. The tones and music have been specifically composed to take advantage of the Luxembourg effect.

    The Luxembourg broadcast will begin as early as 6 p.m. on 19 and 20 February Alaska Standard Time (AKST) and conclude by 6:40 p.m. In Coordinate Universal Time (UTC), the broadcasts will begin as early as 03:00 on 20 and 21 February and conclude by 03:40. Tune in to 2.7 MHz or 3.3 MHz (2700 KHz or 3300 KHz), or both! The program is approximately 10 minutes in duration and will repeat until 6:40 p.m. AKST or 03:40 UTC.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    1. Re:HF radio... by slashrio · · Score: 1

      Don't listen! Your brain will be washed!

      --
      "Trump!!", the new Godwin.
    2. Re:HF radio... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You gotta admit, I played this stinkin' city like a haarp from hell!

  8. Listening to HAARP radio transmissions... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Missing from the summary... "HAARP is a high power ionospheric research radio transmitter in Alaska, which typically transmits in the 2.7 – 10 MHz frequency region. Under the right conditions, people can also listen to HAARP radio transmissions from virtually anywhere in the world using an inexpensive shortwave radio. Exact frequencies of the transmission will not be known until shortly before the experiment begins, so follow @UAFGI on Twitter for an announcement." http://www.rtl-sdr.com/listeni...

    1. Re:Listening to HAARP radio transmissions... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The video of the SDR waterfall on that website is awesome! I'm definitely going to try and catch that with GQRX.

  9. The truth is out there by ISoldat53 · · Score: 1

    Crazy is in your head.

  10. Conspiracy theroist by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Equal no Job to much free time.

  11. No, not Listens, Transmits by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The RF transmitted Megawatts of Radiated RF power by Heart b causing the Aurora, Receiving has Absolutely nothing to do with it Nothing at all!

  12. Anti pole shift research by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    I think the poles are shifting soon and if they can create arouras with this thing, I see no reason to apply more modern tech and use to at least slow the shift down.

  13. Missing theory by Zorpheus · · Score: 2

    A view Russian probes got lost while flying over HAARP, I think Phobos Grunt was the most recent one. The theory is that their electronics was grilled by these high-power transmitters. This one actually makes sense though.

    1. Re:Missing theory by Bruce+Perens · · Score: 1

      A view Russian probes got lost while flying over HAARP, I think Phobos Grunt was the most recent one. The theory is that their electronics was grilled by these high-power transmitters. This one actually makes sense though.

      This was obfuscation on the part of the Russians. According to the failure report issued by Roscosmos there were other reasons, including use of non-space-qualified components that were susceptible to radiation damage, and insufficient ground testing.

      --
      Bruce Perens.
  14. Infowars by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Maybe this will turn Alex Jones & Inforwars against the Cheeto.

    But more likely Jones will claim the Cheeto is using it for good, against our enemies.

  15. It's a feature by dubner · · Score: 1

    "Under the right conditions, people can also listen to HAARP radio transmissions from virtually anywhere in the world using an inexpensive shortwave radio."

    So this is a feature now?

    Obviously these researchers don't consider it a cancer on HF communications like we hams do.

  16. But Do I Qualify ? by tmjva · · Score: 1

    Alaska seems a long way to get my Home Affordable Refinance Program request approved.

    Oh, there is another "A" in the acronym? Never mind.

    --
    Tracy Johnson
    Old fashioned text games hosted below:
    http://empire.openmpe.com/
    BT
  17. Remember When? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Remember when HAARP was THE burning issue for conspiracy theorists and tinfoil hatters? "They are reading your thoughts/implanting thoughts in your MIND, man!!"

    That seems a long time ago now, TBH.

  18. Commercial potential... by Meski · · Score: 1

    A huge Coke banner across the sky.