HIPAS Observatory
| Alternative names | HIPAS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Organization | University of Alaska Fairbanks | ||
| Location | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | ||
| Coordinates | 64°52′19″N 146°50′31″W / 64.8719°N 146.842°W | ||
| Altitude | 610 m (2,000 ft) | ||
| Established | 1980s | ||
| Closed | 2009 | ||
| Telescopes | |||
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  Location of HIPAS Observatory | |||
 Related media on Commons | |||
The HIPAS (HIgh Power Auroral Stimulation) Observatory was a research facility, built to study the ionosphere and its influence on radio communications. It was located 25 miles east of Fairbanks, Alaska, in the Fairbanks North Star Borough area.[1]
It was operated by the UCLA plasma physics laboratory from 1986 through 2007. A unique capability at that time, it could radiate 70 MW ERP at either 2.85 MHz or 4.53 MHz. These frequencies are close to a multiple of 2 and 3 of the electron gyro-frequency at ionospheric altitudes. Sending a pulse of HF-radio waves upward could accelerate the electrons in the ionosphere. Somewhat like waves on the ocean, the character of the ionosphere could be inferred from the backscatter signal. Other experiments attempted to combine RF and visible excitation where the latter probed metal ions such as sodium.
The HIPAS facility also used a LIDAR (LIght Detection and Ranging) instrument. Other projects included:
- A plasma torch used for experiments in hazardous waste disposal
- A 2.8-meter liquid-mirror telescope, which uses a spinning bowl of mercury to form the mirror, used for laser experiments
- An array of antennae used for exciting the ionosphere
The High Frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) is a similar facility funded jointly by the US Air Force and US Navy.
The HIPAS facility was shut down and much of the equipment sold as surplus in the spring of 2010.[2][3]
See also
[edit]- Other Alaskan astronomical research stations: HAARP, Poker Flat Research Range
- List of observatories
References
[edit]- ^ "Home Page". www.hipas.alaska.edu. Archived from the original on 6 June 2004. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ "Philosophy of Science Portal: HIPAS Observatory closed". December 14, 2009.
- ^ "Fairbanks Daily News-Miner - HIPAS Observatory auction a treasure trove of technology throwbacks quirky equipment". April 9, 2012. Archived from the original on April 9, 2012.
External links
[edit]- UCLA HIPAS Observatory
- UCLA Department of Physics & Astronomy Archived 2004-06-08 at the Wayback Machine
