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Hagfors, T.

Publications and source records attributed to Hagfors, T..

Need for a subtropical wind profiling system

The purpose is to point out the need for, and the benefit that can be derived from, a national wind profiling facility located in the subtropics. At present no such facility exists. There are several advantages associated with a low-latitude location. The first is that wave motions and large-scale circulations unique to the tropics can be studied. The second is that the relatively steady mean flows in the subtropical belt may provide a cleaner environment for studies of waves common at all latitudes. Researchers suggest the Arecibo Observatory as an ideal site for a wind profiling facility since the land and much of the computing, technical, and scientific support is already available.

Rottger, J.↗

Observations of enhanced ion line frequency spectrum during Arecibo ionospheric modification experiment

The Arecibo 430 MHz incoherent scatter radar (ISR) was used to monitor the effects of modifying the ionosphere by a high power HF transmitter feeding the 305 m reflector antenna. When in the ordinary magnetoionic mode parametric instabilities develop in the ionosphere near the reflection level. Manifestations of these instabilities are the strong enhancement of Langmuir oscillations in the direction of the ISR beam at a wavelength of 35 cm and the simultaneous much weaker enhancement of ion oscillations in that direction. The spectral analysis of the enhanced peak with a height resolution of 2.4 km shows that the ionic mode enhancement most often has a double humped frequency spectrum corresponding to up- and down-going ion acoustic waves. The shape of the frequency spectrum is interpreted in terms of a stable oscillation which is driven by a secondary electrostatic field caused by nonlinear interaction of Langmuir waves within a cone centered on the magnetic field and by the scattering of the pump field on stable Langmuir waves travelling along the direction of the ISR.

Hagfors, T.↗

Comment on radar scattering from Saturn's rings

Strong 12.5 cm-wavelength radar echoes from Saturn's rings have been observed recently. The observed radar cross section of 0.62 (plus or minus 0.15) times the geometric area occupied by the optically observed A, B, and C rings seems too high based on radar experience with the terrestrial planets and the asteroids Icarus and Toro. An explanation of this phenomenon is proposed, based on the fact that backscattering from transparent spheres can show considerable gain over the simple external reflection from the front surface of an equivalent dielectric sphere. It is shown that only 10% of the optically observed material in the A, B, and C rings need consist of smooth ice fragments larger than 8 cm in radius to yield the radar results.

Pettengill, G. H.↗

Radar studies of the moon

Radar observation of lunar distance, motion and surface statistical nature, noting enhanced reflectivity associated with craters

Evans, J. V.↗