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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."

17 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. 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: 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.

    3. 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

    4. Re:Basic Physics by hlavac · · Score: 2

      Is 0 Hz not a frequency? :)

  2. 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!

  3. "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 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.
  4. 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 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.
  5. 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
  6. 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.

  7. 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...

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

    is that you Donald?

  9. 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.