Whistler (radio)

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A frequency vs. time plot (spectrogram) showing several whistler signals as received at Palmer Station, Antarctica on August 24, 2005.
A frequency vs. time plot (spectrogram) showing several whistler signals as received at Palmer Station, Antarctica on August 24, 2005.

A Whistler is a very low frequency electromagnetic (radio) wave generated by lightning. Frequencies of whistlers are 1 to 30 kHz, with maximum usually at 3 to 5 kHz. Although they are electromagnetic waves, they occur at audio frequencies, and can be converted to audio using a suitable receiver. They are produced by lightning strikes (mostly intracloud and return-path) where the impulse travels away from the earth and returns to the earth traveling along magnetic field lines. They undergo dispersion of several thousand kHz due to the slower velocity of the lower frequencies through the plasma environments of the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Thus they are perceived as a descending tone which can last for a few seconds. The study of whistlers allows categorization into Pure Note Whistlers, Diffuse, 2-hop, and Echo Train types.

In addition, they have been received from Jupiter showing the presence of lightning there.

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[edit] Nomenclature

The propagation of a signal in the earth-ionosphere wave guide is known as a sferic. If the signal is injected through the ionosphere and allowed to propagate through the magnetosphere, the signal is now prone to a bounce-mode propagation, reflecting back and forth on opposite sides of the planet until totally attenuated. To clarify which part of this hop pattern the signal is in, it is specified by a number, indicating the portion of the bounce path it is currently on[1]. On its first upward path, it is known as a 0+. After passing the geomagnetic equator, it is referred to as a 1-. The + or - sign indicates either upward, or downward, propagation, respectively. The numeral represents the half-bounce currently in progress. The reflected signal is redesignated 1+, until passing the geomagnetic equator again; then it is called 2-, and so on.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Further reading

  • Whistlers and Related Ionospheric Phenomena, Robert A. Helliwell, Stanford University Press, Stanford, California, 1965. See also Whistlers and VLF Emissions by the same author. (These are best sought in a library)
  • Romero, R. (2006). Radio Natura. Albino, Italy: SANDIT S.r.l.. 
  1. ^ R.L. Smith and J.J. Angerami. Magnetospheric Properties Deduced from OGO 1 Observations of Ducted and Nonducted Whistlers. Journal of Geophysical Research, vol 73, no 1. January 1, 1968.
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