Interplanetary plasma concentration measurements by use of dual frequencies from separated sites
In the interplanetary plasma studies considered, signals at two frequencies are sent simultaneously from a single site on the earth to a spacecraft, or vice versa. Changes in group and phase velocity are proportional to the number density of the plasma and inversely proportional to the square of the signal frequency. Plasma-induced radio timing changes can be measured through comparisons of the changes at widely different frequencies. Such a system has, however, certain weaknesses, which can be overcome by making use of an approach which uses separated sites for sources of the low and high frequencies. The practical advantages gained by site separation are balanced somewhat by several technical problems, but each problem can be solved. The main barrier appears to be a very exacting timekeeping requirement. These requirements can be satisfied with the aid of the cesium clock.